Read Birthright: Book I of the Temujin Saga for Free Online Page A

his fingers brushing the glass separating him from the infant.
    “And, Jiri,” said Amaadoss. “I believe it is time we cease with the practice of referring to them as ‘Subject One’ and ‘Subject Two.’”
    “Sure, Doc. But what are we going to name them?”
    “Well…” Amaadoss brushed his fingers along the hybrid child’s chamber. “For this one I’d say the choice is obvious. We shall call him Alexander, after the project that led to his creation.”
    “And the other?”
    “I’ve been pondering that,” said Amaadoss. “I’ve thought long and hard about it, and there was one name I’d considered briefly before the embryo split. In honor of the five failures that came before him, we shall name our unexpected son Quintin. It’s a Terran name; it means ‘the fifth.’”
    Jiri’s expression became apprehensive. “Doc? If Alexander’s going to Earth, where is Quintin going to go?”
    Amaadoss smiled and placed a comforting hand on the Glynfarian’s shoulder. “For the time being he will remain here on the station with us. That is what you were hoping to hear, isn’t it, Jiri?”
    Jiri nodded and resumed gazing at the infants, who had begun to stretch their hands out toward each other, only the thin, curved glass separating them.

Chapter Five
     
    Bonaparte, Iowa
    Earth
    May 27th, 3:41 AM
    The chirping of crickets filled the cool spring air, accompanied by singing frogs. A low hum built in volume until it disturbed the local wildlife enough that they grew silent. Beneath a low-hanging willow tree, a blue glow grew in intensity, taking on a bipedal form. Finally the light faded and dispersed like fireflies, and Jiri looked around to ensure that his arrival went unnoticed. The sound of a passing car startled him, but as the sound of its engine receded into the distance, he ventured into the moonlight with a small bundle tucked under his arm.
    He paused to familiarize himself with his surroundings. To his left stood a white, two-story farmhouse. Down the hill sat a red barn with a dirt road leading behind it. Cattle called softly in the distance.
    The wet grass felt strange between Jiri’s wide-set toes as he made his way toward the farmhouse. He hopped onto the front porch, avoiding the creaky wooden steps. As he approached the door, he stopped to examine his parcel. He pulled back the blanket to reveal baby Alexander sleeping soundly, his tiny lips parted slightly and making sucking motions.
    A wistful smile crossed Jiri’s face. He looked up at the wooden plaque beside the door.
    W A L K E R
    Jiri was apprehensive about this whole affair. Leaving a child on a strange doorstep and running away seemed like a reckless way of assigning guardianship, but Amaadoss had been adamant. He had studied numerous Terran video art pieces and this was the acceptable social convention. The doc had also screened hundreds of potential guardians and these WAL-KERS struck him as the perfect custodians for baby Alexander.
    Jiri sighed. Who was he to argue with the doc’s logic? He knew humans better than anybody. He looked down at the sleeping child in his arms and whispered, “Well, little guy, it looks like this is goodbye.”
    Alexander did not stir.
    “You take care of yourself, you hear?”
    The baby frowned in his sleep.
    Jiri placed the bundle down on the porch and began examining the door, looking for a comm panel. Finally, he located the doorbell and pressed the button with one bulbous finger. Inside the house, a faint chiming sound was heard.
    Unsure that the house’s occupants had heard the bell, Jiri pressed the button again, and again. This time a light on the upper floor snapped on and a male human voice called out through the open window, “Who the hell is here at this time of night?”
    Panicked, Jiri let out a soft bark and leapt off the porch. He bounded across the lawn on all fours until he reached the shelter of the willow. Once there, he caressed a silver band around his wrist and the blue