Genesis (The Exodus Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

just misguided. If it had been any other way, if they had been back on Sanctuary or the colonies, they would have worked it out peacefully. She had a hope that the humans of this planet might be changed for the better yet. And she would be the one to show them that better way.
    The messenger box bleeped, another spy drone reporting. This one would be reporting on conditions east of the southern settlement. She clicked on the message, expecting another routine report. Things were normally quiet in that corner. She looked at the data. So much violence. She looked again. There shouldn’t be violence in that particular location, unless something was going on. She looked at the images and saw this was something different. The attack the drone had documented was too swift, too overwhelming. One side totally dominated the other. Not like it used to be. She pondered this and wondered if one side was finally about to get the upper hand. Would that be a good thing? She didn’t know. However horrified she was at the act of infighting among humans, she had to admit, at least to herself, that she did root—just a little—for the northerners.
    But more than anything, she hoped they would end the war. She had begun to see beyond their tendency for violence, and appreciate their other traits. It seemed they were fiercely loyal, mostly quite adventurous, and brave beyond foolish. She liked them for it.
    This new data suggested something else was happening, though. This wasn’t their usual, reckless, self-destructive behavior. It was almost like there were…others… No, it couldn’t be. It was probably a new development. A new phase of their war, even more destructive than before. It was disturbing to see people behaving like this; like battle drones, although definitely human. It could mean that the war was turning even more bloody, though, more destructive. She felt helpless watching these humans deliver their own destruction.
    “No…” she murmured. The Seedseeker, ever the loyal AI, never to question its superiors, didn’t answer.
    She had no way to stop what was going on, but she realized she had already made a choice. She was going down to the surface, and she would give them the gift that would change everything. These poor souls had no idea who they were or what their purpose was, and yet she was just standing by, watching them destroy themselves. No, she couldn’t watch anymore; she had to do something.
    Now she had to decide. She had to find the one person capable of receiving the gift of knowledge.

Chapter 3
     
    Maria solis
     
    Maria and Karin walked through the brush, stepping carefully between roots and loose rock. It was a rugged landscape, full of ups and downs, and the hills rose to the east, eventually giving way to snow-capped mountains, tall spires effectively guarding the lands on the east coast of Verdi. They shared silence for half an hour, treading a narrow path on top of a hillside, until Maria suddenly got her foot tangled up in a root and fell forward. Karin, walking right behind her, tried to grab her, but instead, they both fell. They rolled down the hill, both grabbing for something to stop their fall, to no avail. In the end, they found themselves on the bottom, in a heap. Karin sounded nervous when she started laughing; she stopped, though, as she noticed Maria didn’t join her. In fact, Maria was biting her lip, trying not to make a sound, while holding her left foot.
    “Oh my God, are you hurt?” Karin said.
    “I think I sprained an ankle or something. Hurts like hell.” Maria rolled over and managed to get on her feet. Then she took a tentative step, and winced.
    “Should I go get the others? You’re in no condition to walk,” Karin said. Maria nodded.
    “Yeah. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk all the way back right now.”
    Karin didn’t hesitate. She climbed back up and set out for the camp. Maria stood for a moment, trying not to put weight on the hurt foot, and took in her