*Francis*
*It's not easy to raise a child, no matter the world we live in, no matter where we come from.*
-This relationship is a mistake.
*That's what my autonomous assistance unit, Herstal V93, kept repeating to me. He likes to be called Earl, for some reason. But he was right; it was an observation mission, not an engagement. I infiltrated their relationship, never expecting it to last indefinitely. But living with Chanel, so far from everything, made me realize that there might be other solutions. I'd be lying if I said my judgment wasn't biased at the moment. Do I regret it? Not at all.*
-Pass. Uriel, make a pass. *I shouted.*
*There I was at a kids' basketball game. Nothing extraordinary, but every parent loves to see their child win, even if it's a duck walk. And my son was a winner.*
-Damn, he lost the ball again. *Steve complained.* Haven't you taught him to dribble?
-Give the champion some time to rest, okay. Come on, Uriel, you can do it.
-He doesn't look well, the champion. *Jay told me.* Are you sure he's okay?
-He's just warming up, don't worry.
*He must have been around 7 years old that year. I remember it was scorching hot, and everyone was sweating, except him and me. I saw him sighing as he was taunted by the other kids. No one on that field had noticed... that he wasn't tired at all. The coach called for a timeout to review his team's strategy, and I brought my son over for a strategic meeting.*
-How are you feeling, buddy?
-In great shape, Dad. And it annoys me; I'm bursting with energy.
-I know, but I told you we're not like them. You have something special in you, and you need to learn to control it. Repeat what I taught you.
-Power without control is ruin of the mind.
-He learned his lesson well. *I said, smiling.* Come on, champion, you're allowed to kick it up a notch.
-Really?
-Don't overdo it.
*Before halftime, the score was 26 to 18 against Uriel's team. When he got the green light to go all out, it rose to 50 to 32 in his favor. Everyone on the field couldn't believe the little metis kid moving his body like a pro. Perfect coordination in his movements, precise ball control, and sharp, accurate dribbles. His long-distance shot had a 99% success rate, and, most importantly, endurance well above average. My son was a genius, far beyond Firiyaze standards. I still remember when I found out; it was the year he turned 5. We planned to clean out the barn for renovations, with me, Steve, Jacob, and other friends. Chanel had taken time off her job to help us. Uriel was cheering us up by doing somersaults all around. Except that, moving any which way, he shifted a 2-meter steel beam. I think Chanel and I stopped breathing for a while, but he emerged from the debris with a smile, asking if something was wrong.*
-Dad... Mom? Why are you looking at me like that?
-Uriel... Are you okay?
*His mother hugged him with all her might. Jay and I exchanged glances.*
-Did I do something wrong, Uncle Jay?
*We had arrived earlier, so the others hadn't seen him. Uriel had the back of his head open; it had terrified me. But slowly, the wound closed, which was even more frightening. After that event Jacob and I found a quiet place to talk.*
-What just happened there? *Asked Jacob, bewildered.*
-I don't know. This isn't supposed to be possible.
-Oh really? He just healed at a monstrous speed, like a lizard.
-Watch your language; my son is not a lizard.
-Well, what is he then? You're from space, aren't you? Ugh, what a hassle. *He sighed.* Please tell me, at least, that he's not dangerous.
-Affirmative.
*Earl's hologram jumped from my watch and appeared in its insectoid form.*
-Do you know what just happened there, Earl?
-I'm 97% sure, and the answer may not please you.
-Spit it out. I want to know if it's dangerous. *Jacob said.*
*Before coming to Amadori, even before joining the FOS, I was what they call a combat pilot. I flew a Geifun, a state-of-the-art fighter. Make no mistake, pilot training is tough and grueling, requiring mastery of a wide range of tactical and technical expertise. Firiyaze engineers had put maximum effort into pilots' survival, so my integration went through two steps. First, the injection of a chemical substance intended to increase my body's resistance. That's where my immunity to extreme cold and heat comes from. This injection also enhanced my strength and endurance; I was naturally stronger and better suited to survive in hostile environments. The second was a chip implanted in the brain, the core that managed an army of nanomachines present in my body. This army transported nutrients, managed the flow of white and red blood cells, closed wounds, and regenerated damaged tissues. For example, I need less oxygen than an ordinary human to survive, and even without a suit, I could survive atmospheric entry.*
-You're saying Uriel inherited all that? It's impossible to transmit nanites through sexual reproduction.
-But the substance that makes you a superhuman, yes. *Earl said.* Even if the success rate is 0.35% among the children of former fighters. It's not a common phenomenon.
-But still possible. *I thought.*
-Chanel told me there were complications during childbirth. Is it related to all these... robots in your body? *Jay asked.*
*I slumped, covering my mouth, deep in thought.*
-I just thought it was normal here, considering we have all sorts of tools and gadgets to facilitate childbirth. I never imagined that... Chanel, I'm sorry.
*I started sobbing in my corner, but Jay put his hand on my shoulder.*
-Come on, calm down. No one's dead. You should be relieved that your son is as resilient as his father.
-Oh, I am. But I just realized that because of me, Uriel might not have a normal childhood.
*After that, we went to see the doc, the same guy who had examined me on my arrival.*
-Do you want me to do a blood transfusion. To your son? What, do you doubt that he's yours or something?
-Oh, he's very much mine, this little monster.
-Uriel Jay Damon. Francis, your son is fine, and his medical record is unusually clean. He inherited your iron health. Are you sure you want this transfusion? Especially if he's in such good health.
-Absolutely sure.
*According to Earl, the best way to contain his growth was to give him some of my nanomachines. Since we had blood compatibility, it was a piece of cake. Even with the serum injection, I'm not in superhero mode 24/7. Only when my body is under intense stress, like during a fight or a race, do the nanites in my body take over and push my abilities to the maximum. After the transfusion, I took Jay to the field to explain everything to him. I showed him what was hidden among the cornstalks. Earl's camouflage dissipated, and he appeared. The Stingers Is like an airplane. It has delta-shaped wings, but the cockpit is completely round, giving it an insect-like appearance from below.*
-Woah, Dad, what's that? It looks like an alien egg.
-That's insulting. Your father should have taught you manners, young man.
-I hear you, Earl. *I told him, unimpressed.* Uriel, would you like to take a ride?
*That day, I circled the globe with him about ten times or so. Throughout the flight, he had a smile on his face, and I was proud. Especially when we soared around the stratosphere. It was less fun when we flew over North Korea; it triggered scramble alerts, and I think I almost sparked a third world war.*
-That's World 1066 Amadori. *I told him in Firiyaze.* But people commonly call it Earth
-The blue planet. *He replied.*
*I smiled proudly, then it hit me, and I stared at him in shock.*
-What? You speak...
-Yes, I speak. Are you silly, Dad? Haha...
*Later, Earl told me that, unlike Serum GH-303, the dialect sequencer's liquid could be transmitted. My son was born with about ten dialects, those of other worlds imprinted in his mind. Well, I'll have to watch over him.*
*Back to the present. 2028 in Hamburg, Germany. I was on the terrace of a restaurant with Jay, sipping a cocktail.*
-I'm starting to understand why Chanel didn't want another child.
-That's probably due to the pain of childbirth. *Jay retorted.* A real scaredy-cat.
-I can't argue with that. Ah, there he is.
*A man joined us, wearing a turtleneck and a black coat matching his eyes. He had black, curly hair well-maintained with gel, and he knew how to dress. He sat down with us, looking exhausted.*
-Sorry, I was in a meeting with the council, and...
-No need to apologize; we didn't wait long.
-That's the kind of thing you say on a date. *Jay teased.*
-Haha, very funny. *He retorted.* But if you two are here, it means that...
-Relax, Victor, we're just doing the shopping in advance. And doing a bit of sightseeing. *I told him.*
-Are his seizures becoming more frequent? *He asked me.*
*He put his hand in the pocket of his coat and pulled out two tubes, handing them to me.*
-Thanks, Vic. You're a lifesaver.
-It's you two who saved me. I owe you.
*I will continue to watch over my family, as I always have. And Victor Shraken will help me*
*End of the chapter.*