Intended Extinction Read Online Free PDF Page B

that what this is about? Tonight, GenoTec gives you hope. Hope to fight another day. Hope to find yourselves. Hope that one day . . . we will all be free!” He scanned the crowd, taking in the approving looks, the cheering population. His eye’s watered for a moment, then his demeanor changed.
    “Now,” he said, “this . . . this is only a temporary cure.”
    The crowd dropped their gleeful attitude and started to turn sour.
    What? But I saw it happen?
    “Please,” Slate heeled, “please.” He brandished another metal-coated vial. “It is called Vax. Vax is the beginning. Take this every week, and you can feel healthy, strong, and avoid the fear of unwarranted attacks. Blood will return. Bodies will be cleansed. As Vax works within us, GenoTec will have enough time to produce the final cure. Vax is the gateway. It is our destiny.”
    I was confused at first, but I wasn’t about to question the demonstration. I looked down at my arm and still, the evil that had once had claim over my flesh was indeed gone. I glanced back at Slate, seeing his protruding muscles, his vein-stricken neck, and his monstrous presence.
    “Put your trust in us—in GenoTec. Not because of this display, but because you genuinely feel that this is truth.” He raised his arms like a giant bird of prey. “After all, who has sustained the nation’s economy during the crisis? Who made sure that life would continue to grow and prosper, even in a time of death and destruction? My dear citizens, I must be off to other regions around the country—Vax must be spread. But know this: GenoTec has not failed you and will not fail you in times to come. There will be a cure. There will be redemption. And there will be no Edge! ”
    My ears were flooded with the crashing sounds of screaming, electrified people. Although I didn’t raise my voice in praise as Slate lingered on stage, I guess I agreed. The cynical side of me tried to complain, but not today. Not this time. Maybe I’d hit the Volunteer kiosk tomorrow. I was feeling impulsive.
    I kept staring at my arm. I caressed the soft skin, tracing the recovering veins. My eyes were still wet from astonishment, and as I blinked the blurriness away, another person approached the podium.
    “To receive further instructions on Vax, please come to the north side of the stage. Please follow the Volunteers. We, as always, appreciate your patience.”
    I was hardly listening.
    The sea of people started moving. I remembered the punch and felt my lips gingerly. The bleeding had stopped, and I wiped the excess with my sleeve. I could tell it was going to swell. At least it wasn’t coming out of my eyes.
    Eventually, curiosity got the best of me and I stepped in line.
    I took another peek at the stage and noticed Slate had vanished. Only a few remaining GenoTec Volunteers were conversing behind the podium, while nearly twenty more helped the crowd get to where they needed to be, ushering, directing, and leading.
    The line of people came to a halt.
    I started to scan the surrounding area, checking to see if I knew anyone. Finding someone to celebrate with would be a little better than bottling it in. As my eyes crossed to the other end of the stage, I spotted a GenoTec garbed man. He turned away and told something to his partner.
    Was he . . . staring at me?
    I stepped completely out of the line and craned my neck to get a better view. The man continued to speak with his Volunteer friend, as if discussing the event. He turned again and looked directly at me. Then he put an arm around his partner and they disappeared.
    “Excuse me?” said a voice from behind.
    I ignored it, taking a few confused steps away from the line. The voice repeated.
    I felt a tap on my shoulder and jumped.
    “Hi, I’m Tara.”

6
    My mind was still clinging to the image of the mysterious Volunteer. Nevertheless, I noticed the girl standing before me was none other than “Eve”, the first vial owner.
    “Mark Wenton,” I said, with a