Chapter 17 Cyber Soul

Chapter 17

Cyber Soul

   Finally equipped with a full history of Chimera, and his memory of Nessa kneeling before like a frightened child still fresh in his mind,  Kian set about to dispel any notions that he was some sort of aloof God-like despot that would lash out and destroy anyone who dared stand against him. Rightly assuming the Lunans needed his help more than the others, and would have more difficulty adjusting to life outside their domed cities. He had all of his Exodus ships land in the western regions, far removed from Wayferra. Many of the ships passengers brought animals with them-a most unsettling presence in a world where there were no animals only animalistic people.

    Many of the domed cities were agricultural centers, populated by farmers and ranchers who routinely slaughtered and cooked other living creatures. Many of the Chimerans though humanized for a while, still abhorred the thought of taking life or eating flesh, a fact that Kian would have to deal with in the future. He knew separating the two groups would eventually engender mistrust and hatred. Though both groups had every right to Earth, it served no purpose forcing them together now.

   Earth was a big planet and the western wilds were not so wild anymore. Kian was quite certain the Lunans could make a comfortable home for themselves there. In fact, the life on this new Chimeran Earth should be quite easy for them. They could after all eat every bit of the abundant vegetation and even the seawater was perfectly drinkable. Storms though intense at times were infrequent and the Exodus ships were huge and designed to double as spacious comfortable shelters once they landed on Earth, as well as provide all their energy needs. Kian had no desire to alter the life style of any group. His only wish was that everyone on Earth was happy and comfortable.   

  Wanting to keep Penny by his side as much as possible and avoid any showy displays of God like magical appearances, which he could easily do if he so wished, he continued to fly his dove like craft wherever he went. Though Kian had never actually been to the western wilds, he retained all the downloaded information he received in the subterranean library so long ago. Flying there was problem at all.

  As he slid past the high snow -capped peaks of the western mountains and careened toward the dense rainforest below he was pleased and somewhat relieved when he saw that the Lunans had not scalped the land and left it a stark stump scarred eyesore. Even though dozens of huge silver cylinders lay all about the lush landscape each pilot had somehow managed to find enough open space to land their craft without doing major damage to the surrounding vegetation. It was a very good start.    

 As he piloted his small ship over the thick, heavy canopy of vine -laden trees is was clear the other pilots had taken great care to find just the right places to land. Of course, their ships had the same vertical landing capabilities as his, which made damage free landing much easier.

   As a precaution against unconsciously slipping into some conceited self -deifying mind set, Kian decided to record his every thought and experience. He was after all still a thought projector. Therefore, it was simply a matter of catching and holding what his mind was already hurling into the air, something others had been doing his entire life.  However, there was one major difference this time he was recording himself to meet his needs, namely to keep himself humble and hopefully see himself as others saw him, which would be humbling indeed… 

   “Funny, I’ve only known Penny for a relatively short while but she already feels like my flesh and blood, which, by the way I no longer have. She’s in her bedroom now getting ready, wonder if she’s thinking she might catch the eye of some handsome young man, nah, too young for that I hope.”  

  With that thought squirming in my head, I remember being with Kia. I miss her, no I ache for her. But she’s better off with Alex. Her life is real, not something someone else made for her. Wayferra is their home now, the Chimerans her people.

 I look down at my hands then look around at the smooth cold Nano ceramic walls I made for Penny to live in and remember there is not much difference. Is she living inside my ship or inside of me? I’m not sure. Is everything I made just dead things or I am everything I made. I’m not sure where I end and the things I made begin. Maybe it doesn’t matter. Maybe that will drive me crazy. I can’t let that matter. Their safety their happiness is all that really matters.  I hope Penny is happy here. The clunk of her hiking boots coming down the hall toward the observation deck toward me, gives me peace, makes me smile.

  “Can we leave now Kian?” she asked as she swishes past me toward the exit panel. I’d be nice if she called me Daddy but I’ll never tell her that, never.