Wolf Boy, Chapter 6, Part II

Lider watched Rhys make a cursory effort at straightening the bed covers—Lider would do a better job—and didn’t snap at him to make mitred corners. He sank his head to his knees.

Rhys said, “At the Species in Space Symposium, the human-Cubi panel suggested that Cubi further from the sun, from Earth, gain corporeality slower.”

“I remember,” Lider said.

“Pan has accepted Queen Artia’s invitation. He, Quin, and Allec will be on the next ship to Earth.”

“You think we should go too?”

“Archbishop Tennyson—” Rhys’s superior “—suggests I check in.”

“Prove that your Cubus exists.”

“And Siobhan says I promised to visit within ten years.”

“Your sister misses you,” Lider said in a milder tone.

Siobhan—a cheerful married woman with three boys and a constantly stressed husband-- knew about Lider and even, occasionally, sent him greetings in her regular letters and video messages. Lider sent inoffensive, friendly greetings back through Rhys. He wasn’t sure Siobhan accepted the idea of Lider, but whatever her brother did was…whatever her brother did. 

“And going to Earth will help you towards corporeality.” Rhys paused, hands full of bedsheets. “Which you want.”

Yes. He did. He knew that Rhys and Stan both wondered if he was balking at corporeality, if after so many years of observing humans, weighing his choices, determining the most advantageous opportunity, Lider was wondering if he shouldn’t wait a little longer. Tagging Rhys had happened when he caught the ship to Mars, pushed himself beyond Earth’s confines.

Lider didn’t doubt his tagging. He knew he wanted Rhys. The last near-decade hadn’t changed his mind.

But corporeality is a final step. It’s a strait and narrow path.

True choice. True consequences. That’s what I always said I wanted.

Rhys hadn’t asked a question, not entirely, but Lider said, “I want to resolve this process.”

Rhys studied the bed, tucked a sheet into a tighter corner. “Age and experience aside, I miss your body, Lider.”

He looked over his shoulder then. They smiled at each other

Rhys said briskly. “And I think we need to go to Earth to complete this investigation. We’re still not sure of Junad’s connections—if they extend beyond his self-deluding narrative. As for the Moon—”

“I asked Allec to contact the technicians who helped him ‘arrive.’ So far he’s encountered an ignorance he thinks is partly assumed. Because of all the lawsuits, probably.”

Organs on a Chip

Adult cloning on the Moon was shut down when Allec’s case entered the forums and certain documents about adult cloning (supplied by Allec) emerged. Baby cloning was currently under review. Organ cloning was proceeding forward with oversight by the General Diplomatic Corps. Companies that engaged in plastic surgery and rejuvenation services continued to operate discreetly.

“Exactly,” Rhys said. “We might have more luck face to face.”

“It could be a wild hare,” Lider pointed out. “The whole cloning idea. We haven’t found any similar claims online.”

Rhys grunted. Lider eyed him, tracked him.

He said, “Unless, of course, Junad has access to other sources.”

“Lider—”

“No intrusion. We’re doing this investigation by the book. But it might be time to, ah, unleash me or call me forth or whatever one does with demons.”

Rhys made the bed, carried his cassock to the vertical dry-cleaning unit, tossed a pillow through the archway onto the living room armchair. He neared Lider, leaned over him.

“You are no demon, Lider.”

Lider raised his face. If he was closer to corporeality, their breaths would brush each other’s skin.

He said, “We use what the suspect believes to gather more information.”

“I know,” Rhys said.

In a dream, in this moment, Lider would reach up to ruffle Rhys’s hair, and Rhys would collapse beside him on the same seat. Touch would communicate that they were on the same page.

“I know too,” Lider said instead.