Days of Darkness

Chapter 38

Then we'll make it less perfect," Corbett said, "create the problems you suggest and let her work her way through them. I am not under any impression that I am all knowing about child care. You and the others will see that she grows into what she was meant to be."

"And what is she meant to be?" I said, trying to get to the heart of the matter. I expected to watch Corbett hem and haw around some vision he wasn't ready to divulge.

"To be the mother of the children that will lead mankind," Corbett said without batting an eye, "the world will owe its existence to our children."

"Our children?" I asked, my eyebrows raised in surprise.

"My DNA ensures inheritance of name and money," Corbett continued, "Teegan's DNA will provide the power to go with it."

"You're insane," I said before I could stop my mouth. Corbett laughed, and I knew it to be true. He was a megalomaniac who understood his mortality. He intended his progeny to rule the world in his stead.

"You'll be their first mother," Corbett added, "the history books of a thousand years from now will look upon us as the saviors of civilization. Imagine the persuasiveness of the bond used for political ends. Wars and inequitable allocations of resources will end. A new order will be created, and my children's children will rule over it." He had no understanding of the bond. It didn't seek control, only the understanding of reality. His visions frightened me. His resoluteness made him a monster of epic proportions.

"I...I don't want to take over the world," I stuttered as my fear began to grow.

"It will happen," Corbett said, taking another slow sip of his brandy, "the world has difficult problems that need strong leaders to sort out. I will give the bond my determination and strength; you will provide the love. Between us, we will steer humankind to greatness. The future will owe us an incredible debt." Dictatorship from the grave. He was completely convinced his vision would hold through generations. I was equally convinced there wouldn't be a first generation. Corbett's mind was broken and saw the bond as a tool, not the blessing that it was. I hardened my resolve. Teegan needed to be removed from his influence.

"Others' have sought such a cure for human ills," I said quietly, not wanting to provoke him, "they caused many deaths trying to impose their will and failed in the end."

"I'm no Hitler," Corbett said, his voice edging on anger, "he was short-sighted and found enemies where he should have seen resources. I am more of a Gandhi with a much louder voice." He gave me a crooked smile that seemed as demented as his words. "I am no fool to think it can be done quickly. I will set up a foundation that will carry the vision into the succeeding generations. Once Teegan and our children learn to control the bond, we will begin."

"And if I disagree?" I asked softly.

"History will find no trace of you," Corbett said, his eyes firmly holding mine. It was then that my pity for his insanity turned to abhorrence. He intended to turn my daughter into a breeding machine for his future army. I had no idea how the bond was so warped in his mind. That he would even consider it a path to power was unconscionable. That he intended a world takeover brought fear that made my hands shake. I could see that he would allow no one to stand in his way or convince him of the folly of it all. I gripped the arms of the chair tightly so he wouldn't see my fear.

My heart slowed when I felt Teegan; she didn't understand my fear. She was so strong in me, as if we were touching. Sam followed, filling me with his strength. My wandering mind solidified, and I looked at Corbett with renewed determination.

"Some would construe that to be a death threat," I said, no longer fearing such a feeble man.

"If you wished to leave," Corbett said, "you should have done so when you first arrived. You desired answers, and I gave them to you. There is always a price for information."

"And you think all your people," I said, pointing at one of the cameras, "would accept your vision of the future and the costs involved." Corbett smiled and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. He pulled out a small black rectangle, the size of a thick credit card. He held it between two fingers and displayed it to me.

"I am never recorded," Corbett said, "This device disables the recording devices in my vicinity. I tell you only because I need cooperation well beyond what I would ask of other employees. " A plan developed quickly. I began to rise from my chair. I had no doubt I could disable the man and use the jamming device to recover Teegan. My mind identified vulnerable spots about his body.

"Of course," Corbett said calmly, "if I flip this switch, the cameras go live and you'll never Teegan again." He displayed the tactile switch on the device, his thumb ready to push it forward. Teegan may give me quickness, but not enough to beat his thumb. He set his hand on his lap, holding the device like a weapon. I had no choice, I sat back down as anger I could barely control heated my blood.

I could feel Teegan's confusion as my hatred of Corbett was mirrored by Sam. It was her innocence that soothed my thoughts. She had no understanding of hatred, and I didn't want to teach her to hold on to the feeling. I took a deep breath and looked at Corbett. I adjusted to something she could understand. I sorted him in my mind with the two thugs Sam took out at the truck stop and Gerrald from the motel. They were wrong, hopefully Teegan understood wrong.

"Your nose is bleeding," Corbett said, almost rising to get help. I think he saw his breeding cow getting ill. I let the link fade by calming myself and smiled. I was tired, but not out like the last times. Anger is costly.

"My nasal passages are a little dried out," I said, "still getting used to the environment." I wiped my finger absently under my nose, and it came back red. I looked around for a tissue. Corbett produced a handkerchief and handed it to me. "I'll ruin it," I said, then proceeded to ruin it without waiting for his response.

"You understand what will be asked of you," Corbett said, shaking off the return of the handkerchief, "you and Teegan will want for nothing."

"What if I want freedom?" I sighed.

"There's no such thing," Corbett replied, "not even a bum on the street has freedom. You are always dependent on others for something. Most choices are made by default, not desire. At least, you can make history here with me."

"As a surrogate for your babies," I added.

"The mother of the future," Corbett countered, "and in time, we can attempt to bond others. Once control has been guaranteed. I can feel your distaste but you must admit, Teegan will see all of her potential fulfilled here. It can't be that upsetting to have all the mundane problems of the world handled for you."

"I have little choice," I said, hoping Sam could act quickly. Corbett wasn't one to have his plans derailed. I had no idea what would happen when he bonded and found out Teegan's true strength. I wouldn't put it past him to force an abortion when he finds out I'm pregnant. I wish I could send a clear message to Sam. He had to know how sick Corbett was. No wonder Dr. Gunderson's team destroyed all their work and pulled Teegan out of his reach.

"You have an idea of my limits now," Corbett said, "that does not mean I can't be persuaded with intelligent discourse. You see something that needs to be bettered, and I will see that it's done. Most of what we have discussed will remain between us, and I will give you ample opportunity to express your grievances in the future. Somewhere along the way, we will find a compromise that we can both live with." His practiced smile was one of victory. I doubt there were many people alive that had gotten the best of him.

I'm going up to see our girl," Corbett added in a fatherly tone, "why don't you wait in your room and I'll send Abigal in so you can start filling your closets. Sweats just don't seem to do you justice." He laughed as if we were old friends. I gave him my best fake smile and left the room. I was halfway down the hall when I realized I had been sent to my room like a child. It was hard not to hate the man.

Abigal met me in my room with a note pad. She seemed excited about what she thought was my final capitulation to the situation. She sat on the bed and crossed her legs like we were teenagers having a sleepover. She enjoyed having a friend that couldn't leave.

"What should we work on first?" Abigal asked. I sighed and sat down next to her. I doubted she was privy to the whole picture and probably thought Corbett was Superman. I was about to ask for more sweats, knowing that Corbett disliked them, but thought better of it. It would hurt Abigal more than Corbett.

"What do you recommend?" I asked, my fake smile becoming easier to display. Abigal went into a deep discussion of building a wardrobe, and I nodded a lot, not concerned with looking good for her or the rest of Corbett's employees.

Abigal was deep into the coming winter styles when I felt Teegan. I felt my worry coming from her. My anger warped into wrongness and it was strong. I knew that she was facing Corbett, and he was bonding. I wanted to rush to her side and quell the feelings that were so horribly strange when coming from her. Sam's confusion and concern were evident in the mix. I did what I could, flooding her with my love, waiting in fear for Corbett to find me in the bond.

"Natalie?" Abigal called and not for the first time. She reached out and grabbed my upper arm. I ignored her as I struggled to level Teegan's fear. I should have been there. Then it stopped as suddenly as it began. Teegan's contentment returned, and I never felt Corbett. "Natalie?" Abigal called again. I broke the link and smiled. We heard running down the hall. There was little doubt what had happened, and I would pay for it dearly. Teegan was fully my daughter.