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To be able to find happiness, isn't that what all parents want for their children?

Chapter Thirty : Different people, different lives.

“They said that I had a visitor.” Kneeling before the middle aged man who was standing alone in her dressing room, the tigress with long blond hair that fell about her shoulders like a velvet wave brought his free hand to her face and said. “Hey Zane, remember me?”

“The voice I know, but the face . . .” Tracing the subtle curves, the soft sweeping lines, a spark of recognition kindled in his mind. “Sasha? Yes, yes I suppose that it would be you. Only you have that way of smiling up at me.” Feeling his hand begin to rise as she stood up, He said. “Look at how much you've grown since we last met. Why, I remember a time when you were still just a little thing, you barely came up to my knee. How have you been Sasha? Is Takato treating you well? Have you been practicing your scales like you were supposed too? Listen to me, rambling on like an old man already. I suppose what Markov says is true, chimeras really are just like children.”

“If you believe that as well then,” Sasha humbled him by saying. “I couldn't have asked for a better father.”

Filled with a kind of quiet pride as he listened to Sasha find her pitch, Zane could hardly wait to hear her sing the actual Aria.

“Zane,” Said Sasha once she had finished her pre-show ritual. “I know this is a personal question but . . . why is it that you choose to remain blind? With the cybernetic technology you've helped to develop, you know you could just as easily have the damage repaired and your eyes replaced.”

“I'll admit that it may be a bit strange, someone choosing to remain blind in this day and age, but being blind also means I don't have to see the world any differently from the way I did before.” Thinking of the accident that had robbed him of his sight, and how one that single act had served to change their world forever, Zane said. “Humans, chimeras, to me they're all just voices in a crowd. And so long as they remain names without a face, I can't exactly feel prejudiced towards them now can I?”

“I guess not.” Seating herself in front of a vanity mirror Sasha began reading through her lines. It was so like him to think of it that way. Where others were quick to blame chimeras for all the ills that befell society, only the meager few seemed willing to accept them as the innocents they really were. “But I do worry about you sometimes. You know you won't be young forever, and even if you do agree to those awful life extension therapies, you're still going to need someone around to help take care of you.”

“And.” Staring at her without any eyes, he said. “Are you offering to keep me company?”

Sasha simply stared back. “Would you accept me if I did?”

“No child, you have your own dreams to follow, and someday, when you've finally made your way, then you can stop by and tell me about all the wonderful adventures that you've had.” Thinking of finding himself a place where he could retire in style, Zane said. “And someday when we're both old and gray, then we'll sit around and reminisce, just like this.”

Picking up a turtleshell comb, Sasha began to brush her hair. “Still . . . even you must get lonely sometimes.”

“My work keeps me busy enough.” Tapping his cane twice Zane said. “Besides, the last thing I need is a child like you running around. Always asking questions, sticking her nose into everything. Why I'd never be able to get any work done.” His tone saying the opposite of his words, Zane went on. “Terrible things children.”

“Well, even if children are such terrible things. Someday I hope to have one of my own, a son, who will grow up to be strong, brave, kind . . .”

“Oh really, a son you say?” Hearing the longing in her voice, Zane felt himself becoming more then a little bit suspicious. “Last I heard, most chimeras wanted to have daughters.”

“Oh I don't know about that. I mean,” Sasha smiled as she ran her hands across her waist. “I'll be happy just to be able to hold him in my arms.”

“You don't mean.” His cybernetic implants detecting an elevation in her heart rate, Zane said. “You and Takato have already managed to concieve?”

“Yes, and I want you to be the godfather.”

“Sasha.” Zane didn't know what to say. “I . . . I'm not cut out for that kind of thing, really, can't you think of anyone better?”

“Of course not!” Sasha had already started to shake her head no, and realizing he couldn't see it, added. “And Takato agrees with me. We both think you should be the one to watch over him . . . should anything ever happen to us.”

When she put it like that, how could he refuse? “I'm honored, but why choose me?”

“Because you were the one who helped us find happiness.”

“Nonsense.” Zane waved her praise away. “All I did was put forth a proposal to the board of directors. The one who really deserves the credit is you.”

Her whiskers twitching as she drew him into a tight hug, Sasha said. “Your being modest again and you know it. That proposal of yours is what allowed us to follow our dreams in the first place.”

Opening the door to her dressing room, a stage hand leaned his head in and said. “They're ready for you on stage Miss Destrov.”

“It looks like I'm finally going to meet the man himself, Alexander Markov.” Planting a kiss on Zane's cheek, Sasha said. “Wish me luck.”

Letting the memory fade away as he ended the replay, Zane found himself sitting in his workshop once more.

That was the last day he had ever spoken to Sasha. After that, it was as if she had simply vanished from the face of the Earth.

So, Sasha managed to have the son she always wanted did she? Thought Zane to himself as he confirmed Kato's lineage. What a fickle thing fate can be. Even when it is kind, it can also be incredibly cruel. To think that your son would also be drawn into this world. Sasha do you think, do you think that someday, chimeras will ever be able to forgive the mistakes of an old fool like me?

Intruding upon the sanctity of his thoughts, Phoenix said. “Now he's licking her, now he's humping her, good god are the two of them ever going to stop?”

“And you don't need to keep watching them you know. Midnight is more then capable of calling for help. Which, judging by the position she's in, she doesn't currently need.”

Having woken from their nap eager to continue what they started they had been going at it for over four solid hours now. Although with both of them being feline chimeras, was it any wonder they were going at it like cats in heat?

“Heart rate, hormone levels, brain chemistry, all of them have stabilized. Midnight does good work.” Confident that Kato would have no problems passing any of Midnight's tests, Zane erased all traces of the security footage. “She even managed to illicit the information I needed before becoming preoccupied with her new, sex kitten.”

“I still don't understand why you decided to let him in here.” Said Phoenix as she began to read through the reports that Kato's identity had flagged. “You used to tell me you never wanted anything to do with anyone even remotely connected to Exotica Geno-Works, that you would sooner see your research destroyed then risk everything you've worked for fall into their hands. And that guy's got their hooks stuck so deep into him that he practically screams patsy.”

“And I already told you why.” Said Zane as he finished with his preparations for Kato's arrival. “Because he interests me.”

Living with the knowledge that you could be killed at any moment certainly gives you an interesting perspective in life. For one thing, it forces you to face your own mortality and reflect on the things that truly matter. For another, it makes you wonder what there is that truly lies beyond this life. But if ever I was asked I would say, that the best part of it is, it makes you a hell of a lot more dangerous.

Chapter Thirty One : Door to nowhere.

Located in the lowest levels of The Velvet Room, and filled to the brim with the latest in black market tech, Zane's workshop was everything Kato had expected it to be and more.

With the various parts of the room separated into different sections, it was as much of a secret underground laboratory as a workshop, and there was little doubt in Kato's mind that any number of the experiments currently underway could be sold for a small fortune.

Passing by a clearplaz tank, where dozens of different kinds of eyes attached to a single stem looked like exotic grapes floating in a nutrient bath, or a table filled with cybernetic limbs connected to computer processors that twitched mechanically alongside a series of body modifying Micro-Beads that were just waiting to be inserted beneath the skin, Kato felt as if he had died and gone to heaven.

Here was everything he had ever wanted in his life. A place to study. The resources to pursue anything that captured his interest. And the freedom to experiment regardless of the risks. He wanted to ask questions about everything. Even the things that he knew nothing about. Even the things he couldn't put a name to no matter how hard he tried. Kato wanted Zane to explain them all.

But even with the wealth of bio-technology at his fingertips, what surprised him more than anything else were the prototypes for the very first model of NSB's sitting on a rack behind a wall of glass.

Originally pioneered by Cyber-Life Industries in conjunction with Exotica Geno-Works, the Neural Serial Bus was a bio-organic computer interface that allowed the human brain to interface directly with the Virtual World Network, a massive user created program that had replaced the internet.

Giving people the power to record their memories onto datadiscs, to experience virtual reality with complete sensory immersion, and access to just about any kind of information from almost anywhere in the world, as the next logical step forward in humanity's attempt to artificially accelerate evolution, the NSB had heralded an unparalleled shift away from an overt reliance on individual personal expertise to a far more technologically integrated and enhanced society. And like all such steps forward, it had also helped to pave the way for a new kind of elite.

Watching Kato acting like a kid in a candy store, Zane felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. His was a longing to return to the past, and with it the glory of pure research.

Hmm, I wonder, He thought to himself. How long has it been since I last saw a man with such eyes; someone who looked towards the future without fear, and saw only the endless possibilities? Zane snapped his fingers as it came to him. Oh yes, I remember now. It was when Alexander first dreamed of a world with chimeras in it.

“Looks like you've made up your mind.” Said Zane when Kato finally seemed ready to listen. “Now, tell me why you've come here. Tell me why one so young is so eager to go chasing after death.”

A thousand and one different answers flashing through his mind Kato settled on the one that he felt fit the moment the most. Death, no longer frightens me. What I fear now, is that my anger will never leave. Speaking aloud without the slightest hint of hesitation he said. “Because I want to see the world with open eyes. Because I want to know what I'm capable of, and more than that, to see just how far it is that I can go. What I don't want, is to bury my head in the sand, and pretend that all my problems don't exist. And if you still aren't willing to help me, then I'll go and find someone who is.”

Zane cracked a smile. And just like that. The boy has grown into a man. “Good answer. Congratulations, you pass.” Turning towards the wall of tech behind he said. “Now, we'll need to get you hooked up properly. Preferably with something portable.”

“Why don't you just give him something wireless.” Said Phoenix from halfway across the room. “Sounds to me like he can handle it.”

“Don't even joke about something like that.” Said Zane his tone unusually sombre. “Even to your worst enemy . . .”

“Why,” Kato just looked at the two of them as if they had spoken in a different language. “What's wrong with going wireless?”

“Back when the NSB was first going to be introduced,” Said Zane. “They were going to do exactly that.” He shuddered as he recalled the chaos that had ensued in the wake of that botched venture. “It was a public relations nightmare. A catastrophe that almost resulted in the complete destruction of the Companies. The wireless NSB, a product that hadn't even made it out of the testing phase, a device with a safety margin of two percent, was taken home by an overly enthusiastic employee.” He laughed. “The things some people will do just to get a promotion . . .

“To make a very long story short.” Said Zane. “Unless you can gain access to a secure system that has a way of filtering out malicious programs, or even some random hackers pet virus, you run all kinds of infection risks. Relying on intermediary systems in order to go Cyberside may not be the most convenient of methods ever invented, but at least you can rest assured that it prevents something else from deciding to take up residence inside your own head.”

“That's only a myth.” Said Phoenix. “A fairy tale made up by hackers in order to scare no-jacks.” Sounding less sure of herself then Kato would have liked she added. “Right?”

“You just keep believing that it is.” Said Zane. “It helps keep things nice and convenient for the Companies. But the truth is, before anyone managed to figure out what was going on, before anyone figured out that something was wrong, that poor schmuck had already gone and gotten himself a sex change. He started calling himself Eliza the very next day.”

Poor bastard. Thought Zane sadly. Poor Eric LeRoy. “Well. Here's your visor.” Tossing the headgear to Kato he said. “Easiest way for a chimera to interface if you don't want to spend the money necessary to upgrade to an NSB.”

Looking at the visor as if it were suddenly going to sprout teeth and try to chew through his face, Kato held the thing at arm's length and said. “Aren't these illegal for chimeras to possess?”

Arching a single eyebrow Zane just looked at him and said. “Any more more illegal than say . . . an underage chimera walking into a brothel and having sex with a prostitute?”

“Hmm.” Said Kato. “Touchè.”

Sitting down in a chair that looked as if it had been stolen from the set of a bad science fiction movie, Kato tried making himself as comfortable as possible.

In truth, he was grateful for the visor. After all, the idea of having someone drill a hole in the back of his head, only to stick inside what was essentially a very small seed, albeit one that would branch out along the inside of his skull before sending its microscopically thin tendrils directly into his brain, remained particularly unappealing.

“Direct download through the optic nerve.” Said Kato as he fixed the visor in place. “All sensory and auditory information is fed into the brain through the stimulation of REM.”

Phoenix coughed into her hand. “Ah, pussy.”

Shooting her a glare from across the room while flexing the claws on his hands he just said. “What did you call me?”

“What makes you think I called you anything?” Busying herself with getting ready to jack-in Phoenix just looked at Kato out of the corner of her eye and said. “Besides, even knowing how a visor is supposed to work isn't going to help you any. Where we're going, you're going to need a hell of lot more than just those muscles of your's.” Jacking herself in she flipped him the bird and said. “See you on the other side ya pussy.”

There was nothing to mark her passing from one world to the next, no flash of light to prove whether she was still alive or dead. Phoenix had simply finished speaking and then her eyes had just rolled up into the back of her head.

Kato felt a surge of fear run up and down his spine, since, from the looks of it, her limp and lifeless body could easily have passed for that of a broken doll's.

“What the hell?” He asked Zane. “Is it always like that?”

“Hmm? Oh no. That, that's just her way of trying to put people at ease. Relax Kato. The first time is considered by many to be, relatively painless.”

Relatively?

Before he could even think to change his mind, before his fur even had a chance to stand on end, the last coherent words he heard spoken aloud were. “Oh, and you might want to find something to hold on to, because your about to get an education.”