Chapter 25
The Partial Truth
Chris, Steve and Dan sat in stunned silence. They had no idea what Claude was talking about. Haley confirmed Claude’s story with a gentle nod to Chris. He didn’t understand, but wasn’t going to embarrass her in front of her new friend. This was something he wanted to hear directly from Haley.
Steve cast an angry glare at Brian but held his tongue. Dan didn’t want to look stupid, so he smiled and tried to convey an appearance of understanding.
Whatever the reasons, no one asked Claude any more questions. Brian and Matt fidgeted in their chairs, wondering how they would explain to Chris, Steve and Dan why they weren’t told about Haley.
The awkward silence was soon interrupted by an offer of prime rib, chicken, or fish meals. The food was delicious and the beef, chicken and fish were tender with a curiously consistent texture.
When they finished, Claude explained the dinner did not contain a single gram of beef, poultry or fish. It consisted entirely of genetically manipulated plant protein.
The sun was setting, so Dan called his father to let him know they would arrive home late. Mr. Naidoo volunteered to call the other parents.
A soft cool rain fell as they climbed onto the tram in the dark. The vehicle had no roof, but the dampening field kept them dry on the ride to the exit. The entire roadway was lit by chemiluminescence. Fireflies dotted the woods and the sweet fragrance of night blooming jasmine served as dessert.
The enormous gate was already open and the path to the car was lighted. Chris was the first to shake Claude’s hand. Claude said he was looking forward to seeing them again in September, but Chris was too tired and confused to ask what he meant. Chris smiled and thanked Claude for the tour and being kind to Haley.
Steve, Matt, Brian and Dan followed Chris to the car. Haley stayed behind for a moment for a private conversation with Claude. It seemed as if they had known each other for years. They hugged goodbye and Haley joined the others in the car.
“That was incredible!” Dan said as the engine started. “It was way better than Disney World or Universal Studios! I’ve got a million questions.”
“You are not the only one,” Steve added, his voice cracking with exasperation. “Who is Anastasius, what is the medallion, what is this place really? Hell, I’m not sure this isn’t a dream!”
Haley, Matt, and Brian started talking at the same time, but then Brian put up his hands and said, “Wait! This whole thing started with me, so be quiet and let me explain.”
Brian was careful to eliminate the most fantastic parts of the story. He still was not sure Steve, Chris, and Dan were ready for the uncensored version. He explained how he met Anastasius at the Archbold Biological Station when he was ten years old, and that the ancient Nina Nizhoni buried a vault containing advanced technologies.
“If that’s true, it could explain some of the things we saw at the ORION Institute,” Steve commented.
“Exactly, Anastasius said the Institute is trying to learn more about the civilization, but can’t get access to the most sensitive information in the library.”
Haley and Matt listened quietly. They were impressed at how Brian was omitting certain details to make the story more believable.
Brian continued, “This is the part you will be interested in Steve. These people claim they understood and manipulated DNA thousands of years ago. The most sensitive information in the library is DNA protected, and only a genetically pure Nina Nizhoni can gain access.”
“That is interesting,” Steve replied. “But what does that have to do with us?”
“Haley was adopted from a Hopi Indian tribe with roots traced back to Florida. The legend says that the glowing eyes of a light skinned child like Haley will reveal her pure Nina Nizhoni heritage.”
Steve considered Brian’s answer before answering. “That’s fascinating, but I can tell you it doesn’t work that way. The DNA of the child will be a familial match with the parent.”
“That’s the thing.” Brian continued. “They claim to have had such an extensive knowledge of the genetic process they were able to embed the pure DNA of a Nina Nizhoni into the genes of local Indians. After a few thousand years when civilization had advanced enough to understand their technology, the Nina Nizhoni DNA would reassert its dominance and be revealed by a child with glowing eyes.”
“That’s a great story,” Steve said. “But glowing eyes don’t prove anything. I still don’t understand why they think Haley is the one.”
“The medallion,” Brian said.
“Oh yea, right, the medallion. What is this medallion Claude mentioned?”
“It looks like an expensive piece of jewelry, but appears to be a living electronic device. Anastasius instructed me to give it to Haley. When she held it in the palm of her hand, it was activated by her DNA. I touched it, Jamie touched it, Anastasius and Matt both held it, but nothing happened. It only responds to Haley.”
Haley turned toward Chris who was sitting next to her on the back seat. “Do you want to touch it?” Chris nodded yes. Haley unbuttoned the top of her blouse to reveal the medallion hanging from a leather cord slightly below her breasts. She held Chris’s hand and pressed it gently against the medallion.
“It’s warm,” Chris said, his voice quivering. “It’s alive, like it’s a part of you.”
He could feel his heart racing. I’ll never let you go, he thought. Then a piercing noise jolted him back.
“Let me touch it,” Steve barked from the front seat. Haley buttoned her blouse and lifted the medallion for everyone to see.
“You can look but you can’t touch,” she said.
“Why not, it sounds like everybody else has?” Steve whined.
“That is before it was mine.” Haley said softly. “Now it’s personal.”
Steve was an astute guy. He didn’t fully agree with her reasoning, but understood from Haley’s tone that she considered the medallion more than a piece of jewelry. It had become an intimate extension of her identity.
Dan couldn’t see much from the driver’s seat, but could hear Steve and see the excitement on his face. Steve’s jaw dropped and his voice cracked when he saw the medallion.
“It’s the Etz Chayim!” he said. “This is an amazing intermingling of jewelry and technology.”
Steve still wasn’t sure what to make of Haley, but as he remembered her DNA test he had little doubt she was more unusual than Brian’s story disclosed.