Close Remembrance (The Krinar Chronicles 3)
“Wait,” said Connor, “can we go back to the part where we can all be immortal if we go to Krina?”
Mia opened her mouth to reply, and Korum squeezed her hand again. “Let me try to explain, my sweet,” he said, “and then we’ll answer any other questions your family might have.”
Everybody fell silent, staring at him, and he continued, “We do have the means of curing cancer – and aging and any other maladies that may plague humans. The way that’s done is by the insertion of nanocytes – nanomachines that mimic the functions of cells in a human body. They clean up any and all ongoing cellular damage and allow for rapid healing of injuries. That’s all they do; there’s no transformation from one species to another.
“Mia has these nanocytes in her body. I gave them to her a couple of months ago. And you’re right, Dan. That’s the only way we would be able to be together longer term.”
Korum paused and surveyed the room. “The reason why Mia didn’t tell you about this earlier – and why you’ve never heard of this before – is something called the non-interference mandate. It’s set by our Elders. We’re not allowed to do anything that would significantly alter the course of natural human progress. That’s why we don’t share our technology or science with you: because doing so is forbidden. The only exceptions to that rule are humans we call charl: those like Mia, with whom we enter into serious relationships.”
“But why?” Connor asked, frowning. “Why have that mandate in the first place?”
“I don’t know,” Korum admitted. “There are many theories, the most popular of which is that the Elders are still conducting their experiment in regard to your evolution. They were there to see the beginning of your species, and they want to see how you turn out with minimal interference from us –”
“What do you mean, in the beginning? Just how old are these Elders of yours?” Dan interrupted, looking at Korum.
“Old,” Mia answered for him. “Very old. Like ten million years old.”
Mia’s father visibly paled. “Ten million years old?”
“Yes,” Mia said. “When Korum said they were there for the beginning of the human race, he wasn’t kidding. Two of the Elders were actually in charge of overseeing our evolution way back when. Right?” She looked up at Korum.
“Yes, exactly,” he confirmed.
“So if there’s this mandate in place, why are you telling us about this stuff now?” Mia’s mother asked, looking confused. “And what was that you said before, about going to Krina?”
“I petitioned the Elders on your behalf,” Korum explained. “To have you underg
o the same procedure as Mia. They didn’t exactly agree to it, but they made a very unusual request: to see Mia and your family in person.”
“The Elders want to see us?” Ella Stalis looked like she was about to faint.
“Yes,” Korum said. “They want to see you and Mia in person.”
“Why?” It was Dan again.
“I don’t know,” Korum said honestly. “I wish I could tell you.”
“So let me get this straight . . . They want us to come to Krina, but they don’t guarantee that they will give us these nanocytes?” Connor asked, his frown deepening. “They’re asking us to leave our lives behind on the remote chance that this might happen?”
“Yes.” Korum didn’t bother to sugarcoat the situation.
“What would happen if you disobeyed these Elders?” Marisa asked, her slender hands twisting together. “If you broke the non-interference mandate?”
“It depends,” Korum said. “If it’s just a minor infraction, it results in a loss of standing – that’s something like our reputation – and there are frequently financial and other penalties. If it’s something more serious, then it’s treated as a criminal offense on par with murder.”
“Oh,” Marisa said faintly.
“So let me get this straight,” Dan Stalis said. “You’re giving us the possibility of having an infinitely long lifespan, but only if we go with you to another planet.”
“Yes.”
“And what would happen if we refuse?” Connor asked, a stubborn look on his face. “What if we don’t want to uproot our entire lives to fly off into space?”
Korum shrugged. Truth be told, he wasn’t certain what would happen if any of Mia’s family decided against accepting the Elders’ invitation. In the normal course of events, if humans found out something they shouldn’t have, they would have a portion of their memories erased. But this was different, and he didn’t know what guidelines applied in this case.
“No, Connor, you can’t refuse,” Mia said, glowering at her brother-in-law. “Don’t you understand? If the Elders grant our request, you and Marisa – and your baby – would be able to live for thousands of years. How could you refuse something like that? And, mom, dad, you guys will be young again. Wouldn’t that be awesome?” She cast a pleading glance around the room. “Please, don’t make me watch you all die because you’re scared. Korum is offering you a shot at immortality. How could you turn that down?”
Chapter 22