Page 26 of Scars & Starlight
14
KAIREN
After extending his hand, palm up, and asking for the nanites to remove the language barrier, Besson leads us inside his home, hands in his pocket like he’s not in the presence of a being who could end his gluttonous existence within a beat of his single heart. His appearance suggests he made good use of this planet’s best cosmetic surgeons. Although he is past the halfway point of his human lifespan, his skin is smooth, and his hair is full and dark. Next, I observe the house of the most powerful man on the continent – plenty of cold stone, dead wood, and interactive glass.
“You said you were waiting for us,” Tara says to the leader. “How did you know we were coming? Who told you about the nanites?”
Besson turns his head to give her a grin that hardly changes the topography of his face. “I have people everywhere, Miss Novak.” He shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. “It’s amazing. The loyalty basic necessities can buy in a ravaged nation.”
“You have a spy on our base,” Tara correctly surmises with a grumble.
The older man releases an elegant chuckle. “Don’t sound sodisgruntled, my dear. All I ask for is information. You don’t get to where I am without having your finger on the pulse.”
The familiar way he speaks to her makes me frown. “She’s not your dear,” I warn him.
Jethro Besson whirls around with his eyebrows slightly raised. “Youarevery protective of her,” he remarks. “Interesting.”
“Who’s feeding you information?” my princess asks with suspicion. I need to end this conversation before Besson asks whether she’s my match. He’s too well informed and either incredibly perceptive… or I’m incredibly transparent.
“The who is really not important,” Besson replies with a wave of his hand. “Surely you won’t begrudge a couple of words in exchange for medicine like insulin and antibiotics?”
Tara’s hands turn into fists at her side. I know what antibiotics are, but…
What is insulin for?
INSULIN: HUMAN DESIGNATION FOR THE HORMONE THAT REGULATES GLUCOSE UPTAKE INTO CELLS. ADMINISTERED EXOGENOUSLY TO COMPENSATE FOR ENDOGENOUS DEFICIENCY CAUSED BY A DIETARY DISEASE HUMANS CALL DIABETES MELLITUS.
I frown at the explanation. The nutritional habits on Avaris exclude any such conditions.
What is diabetes mellitus?
A METABOLIC DISORDER RESULTING FROM INSUFFICIENT INSULIN PRODUCTION OR CELLULAR RESISTANCE TO ITS EFFECTS. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE ELEVATED GLUCOSE LEVELS, VASCULAR DAMAGE, ORGAN FAILURE, AND EVENTUAL DEATH. ADMINISTERING INSULIN IS ESSENTIAL FOR SURVIVAL IN APPROXIMATELY ONE IN TEN HUMANS AFFECTED.
Humans die from this?
I look at Tara with a newfound worry.
PRIOR TO THE FALL OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION, DATAINDICATES ONE DIABETES-RELATED DEATH EVERY NINE HUMAN SECONDS. APPROXIMATE FATALITY RATE: TEN THOUSAND PER AXIAL PLANETARY ROTATION.
“You have this insulin, yet you allow your people to perish from its lack, providing it only when it benefits you?” I ask through clenched teeth.
Besson gestures to a plush seating area. “I certainly don’t have enough to save the entire world, Prince. How would you choose who lives and who dies?”
“Can’t you make more?” My match asks as we sit close together, a unified front.
The human male shakes his head. “I can’t make everything. And certainly not enough for everyone. We have underground laboratories hidden from the aliens, but expanding our operations would expose us.” He waits a moment before continuing. “So, what will you have me make more of? Insulin? Antivirals? Antibiotics? Abortion pills?”
I put a hand over one of Tara’s clenched fists. “Our synth modules can create anything your people need,” I tell her. “Moreover, eventually all human illnesses will be eradicated. Everyone will be given nanites tailored to heal all instances of cellular damage.”
“Fascinating,” Besson breathes. When I look at him, I see him observing us with awe. “No more death from disease. Potentially endless lifespans. How old are you, if I may ask?”
I purse my lips, avoiding looking at my match. I never told her exactly how much older than my appearance suggests I actually am. “Hundreds of your planetary cycles,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. Tara’s hand twitches under my palm.
“Marvellous. Shall we get to the matter at hand so we may bring that future about?” the male suggests enthusiastically.
“It is not as simple as removing the Ghorvek threat and bestowing our every advancement on humanity,” I correct him. “First, we must determine that you won’t use our technology toharm each other or your planet. There are not many viable ones in the universe, and each one is a gift.” I lean back and look him in the eye. “You were well on the way to cause irreparable harm before the Ghorvek came as it was.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Tara murmurs. “It’s one of the reasons why I focused on sustainable energy engineering.”
