In any domain–whether it be the cells of a body, the members of a society, or the elements of spiritual synthesis–union differentiates. In every organized whole, the parts perfect themselves and fulfill themselves.

– The Phenomenon of Man, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

“What are you?”

Michelle stood in the field bent over, hands on her knees, panting, looking at Dr. Isaac, who stood motionless, breathing evenly. Behind them, the facility burned amidst a carnival of flashing lights.

“I am…. a part. We…they…are changing.”

“What does my brother have to do with this? Why are you here?”

“Your brother is safe. All moved, new locus. Keep moving.”

They ran across the fields toward Rexburg.

Michelle stumbled and Isaac stopped, waiting for her to recover. Michelle hunched over, gasping.

“Why here? The school… this place…what…”

“Genetics. Understanding. Control of future, managing the change.”

“Change?”

“Rapid change is occurring. Do you remember what Dr. Coakley said about species and gene diffusion?”

“How did you…?”

“We know his ideas. He is correct, more than he knows. Accelerated speciation, but now we choose. All together.” Isaac pulled on Michelle’s arm and she stood.

“Run.”

Isaac took off and Michelle did her best to keep up. They approached the fence line. Before Michelle could warn him, Isaac grasped the links of the fence.

“No!”

He pulled the metal and popped the fasteners holding the fence to the support pole, no evidence of a shock. He popped two more, then pulled the fence up to make a gap.

“Go.”

Michelle crawled through, then Isaac followed. He repeated the procedure at the second fence.

They now walked, still heading toward Rexburg.

“What did you mean, we are changing, all together?” she asked, hurrying to keep up.

“Our group. Each is a part. Together, we change, grow.”

“Into what?”

Isaac hesitated.

“New mind.”

“What?” She shook her head, confused. A troubled look passed over his face. He hung his head.

“I do not have all the words. Larger mind. All together.”

Michelle pondered this.

“Like bees? A hive, or a colony?” she ventured.

“Imperfect. Some parts know, others not, but together, sharing, knowing more, changing.”

“I don’t understand.”

Isaac paused.

“We and they don’t know what we are. We and they are learning possibilities of becoming. Your brother is a part. You must help.”

“A part of that?” Michelle pointed back toward the flashing lights and smoke.

Isaac shook his head. “Value of learning outweighed by risk of discovery. Creature escape necessary distraction to remain concealed.”

Michelle scowled, still confused. “What about me? Why were you looking for me in Chicago?”

Before he could respond, they came upon a car concealed in tall grass, almost invisible in the growing darkness. Isaac turned to her.

“Drive to Rexburg. Go to the school. A woman is there. Do as she says.” He turned and sprinted into the dusk.

Michelle got into the car, and found it was an older stripped down model, without any automation or sensors. She fumbled with the controls, eventually putting it in gear, then drove across the grass east toward Rexburg. She hit a dirt trail which led to a gravel road, then out onto the highway.

Without the navigation tools or any of her devices, it took a few tries to find her way from memory. She noticed the emptiness of the school parking lot as she pulled in. She buzzed at the front door and waited. Finally, Mrs. Sherfy appeared, looking more haggard than usual. Michelle’s anxiety mounted as she entered, their echoing footsteps the only sound in the darkened halls.

“Where are the kids? Where’s Adam?” Michelle demanded.

Mrs. Sherfy put her hands out and stepped closer, prompting Michelle to recoil.

“Adam is not in danger. The students are fine.”

“What is this place? What are you doing here, with that lab, those creatures…I was at the lab, I saw Dr. Isaac. What have you done with the students? Where is Adam?” Michelle held back tears, struggling to control the surge of adrenalin fueled emotions.

Mrs. Sherfy stepped closer, reaching out to gently touch Michelle’s forearm. She flinched, then accepted the touch. Immediately the fluttering and caressing started, and Michelle relaxed.

“Let me explain. Each of the students has unique skills, some of them quite special by themselves. But together, the parts become… they are so, so much more.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know how you can read people so well?”

“How did you…”

Mrs. Sherfy just smiled. “The way you know people are lying or telling the truth is unconscious, but you are processing non-verbal signals and comparing them to what is said, and you do it all automatically. Adam does something similar, just with different kinds of information. What we are doing is teaching him how to share that, with others like him, but with different strengths. Together they become a new kind of mind.”

Michelle shook her head, frowning. “And Dr. Isaac? What’s his connection?”

“The groupmind, the thing they all become together, is using the lab and their research to understand its own origins. Dr. Isaac is, was, the liaison between the groupmind and Dr. Abrams.”

“He said they are changing, quickly. How? What is going on?”

Mrs. Sherfy shook her head.

“I’m not privy to all the details. I’m here because of my son. But I see the changes, and they are accelerating. They, it, he, is waking up.” She gave a small laugh. “I’m still struggling with the pronouns.”

Michelle wrestled with fear, wonder, and doubt. Mrs. Sherfy patted Michelle’s forearm, a simple gesture of comfort.

“They call themselves Homo iunctus, networked human. A new species. And it’s happening right now. The work at the lab shows them how and why they are what they are. The technology used to create the… creatures, will have other uses. They are building models, exploring their own genetics, using the AIs, understanding their own experience. They are shaping themselves, guiding and controlling their destiny.”

Michelle stared out the window, struggling to process this information, desperate to find Adam and protect him.

“You have a choice,” Mrs. Sherfy continued. “We need better interfaces between Homo iunctus and the rest of the world. It’s what I do, and you can serve that same role. Though you may not be able to merge with … them, you are sensitive enough to interface empathetically. There are many challenges. The grendels are free and our role in that won’t remain secret for long. They are not the only experiment with unforeseen consequences. There are plans for so much more, but there isn’t much time. Will you join us?”

Chapter 58