Resistance: The Last Hybrid

Day 14

All seven of you begin to see the outskirts of Little Rock, Arkansas. Your assumption that the city would look like every other place ravaged by the Chimera is correct. But you know the city will not be devoid of human life, like so many others. Instead it will be filled with it, a problem for you, but one you hope will be solved when the time comes.

    All of you continue towards the decrepit capitol building where you find so many people gathering around. None of their faces are familiar to you, not even when it comes to your human past. You hesitantly walk up the stars. You feel your daughter's hand grab onto yours, and your wife's hand grab onto the other. You feel happy that they will defend you. You see Joseph look back at you and nod, telling you he will defend you too.

    You continue to look at the people. Many of their eyes draw to you. Some people gasp, mumble, and whisper. You can tell they are surprised and shocked by your presence. But you determine their reactions will not stop you. You look ahead and find a group of armed guards approaching your group. They level their weapons, but both Martha and Joseph get in front of you. You notice this is drawing more people's attention to you.

    "I'm going to need to ask you two to step away," one of the guards says urgently to Joseph and Martha.

    "That's not going to happen," Joseph replies. He looks around at the crowd. "My name is Joseph Capelli, a representative of the community once stationed in Haven, Oklahoma, now Baxter Springs, Kansas. Joined with me is my wife Susan and my son Jack. Also joining us are a family of four."

    Martha steps forward. "I am Martha Rogers, representative of Greenfield, Montana. I am joined by my daughter Katie, our dog Rosie, and my husband Alan... the Hybrid."

    The crowd erupts into audible gossip. You can only make out a few conversations. Some are wondering if what your wife says is true. Some are calling her a liar. Some can't believe she would marry a Chimera. You notice the crowd begins to grow silent, and the guards back up a little. You see a man dressed in a formal suit accompanied by a blonde woman in a white coat.

    "Now, everybody, just calm yourselves," the man says to the crowd. He turns his attention to Capelli. "So, you're the man who destroyed the New York Tower. I tried to do it with a squad of men back in 1953. Many didn't make it back after we failed, but folk like Dr. Malikov did.

    "Sorry for the late introduction, but I am President Thomas Voss," he continues. "And this here is Dr. Cassie Aklin. I believe you two have already been acquainted via SRPA?"

    Joseph softly nods.

    You remember Dr. Aklin from Project: Abraham. She's a psychologist. She would consult with the subjects before they were inoculated with the Chimeran virus. You think she is quite the attractive woman, even after all these years. But you believe you already have someone better in your life.

    You notice President Voss making his way to you. He looks right into your six, golden eyes, inspecting you educationally.

    "I've never been so close to one," he says in general. "To think you were once a human."

    "He remembers being human," Martha chimes in.

    "Does he now?" Cassie inquires. "I wish Malikov were here to hear this."

    Joseph steps in. "I'm sorry to report that Dr. Malikov is dead. He died on the way to the New York Tower."

    "That's right," President Voss says, "he did say something about going to find you to shut down the tower. It's sad to hear he died." Voss looks back at you. He puts his hand out, and you shake it. He smiles and chuckles. "Welcome to Little Rock, Mr. Rogers."