[科幻]宿主-第21部分

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Sharon—I　fished　out　the　name—and　they　would…

　I　hit　a　wall。

　It　was　a　blank；　a　nothing。　I　tried　to　circle　around　it；　but　I　couldn’t　find　the　edges　of　the　void。　It　was　as　if　
the　information　I　sought　had　been　erased。

　As　if　this　brain　had　been　damaged。

　Anger　flashed　through　me；　hot　and　wild。　I　gasped　in　surprise　at　the　unexpected　reaction。　I’d　heard　of　the　
emotional　instability　of　these　human　bodies；　but　this　was　beyond　my　ability　to　anticipate。　In　eight　full　lives；　
I’d　never　had　an　emotion　touch　me　with　such　force。

　I　felt　the　blood　pulse　through　my　neck；　pounding　behind　my　ears。　My　hands　tightened　into　fists。

　The　machines　beside　me　reported　the　acceleration　of　my　heartbeats。　There　was　a　reaction　in　the　room：　
the　sharp　tap　of　the　Seeker’s　shoes　approached　me；　mingled　with　a　quieter　shuffle　that　must　have　been　
the　Healer。

　“Wele　to　Earth；　Wanderer；”　the　female　voice　said。

　CHAPTER　3

　Resisted

　She　won’t　recognize　the　new　name；”　the　Healer　murmured。

　A　new　sensation　distracted　me。　Something　pleasant；　a　change　in　the　air　as　the　Seeker　stood　at　my　side。　
A　scent；　I　realized。　Something　different　than　the　sterile；　odorless　room。　Perfume；　my　new　mind　told　me。　

Floral；　lush…

　“Can　you　hear　me？”　the　Seeker　asked；　interrupting　my　analysis。　“Are　you　aware？”

　“Take　your　time；”　the　Healer　urged　in　a　softer　voice　than　the　one　he　had　used　before。

　I　did　not　open　my　eyes。　I　didn’t　want　to　be　distracted。　My　mind　gave　me　the　words　I　needed；　and　the　

tone　that　would　convey　what　I　couldn’t　say　without　using　many　words。

　“Have　I　been　placed　in　a　damaged　host　in　order　to　gain　the　information　you　need；　Seeker？”

　There　was　a　gasp—surprise　and　outrage　mingled—and　something　warm　touched　my　skin；　covered　my　

　

　“Of　course　not；　Wanderer；”　the　man　said　reassuringly。　“Even　a　Seeker　would　stop　at　some　things。”

　The　Seeker　gasped　again。　Hissed；　my　memory　corrected。

　“Then　why　doesn’t　this　mind　function　correctly？”

　There　was　a　pause。

　“The　scans　were　perfect；”　the　Seeker　said。　Her　words　not　reassuring　but　argumentative。　Did　she　mean　

to　quarrel　with　me？　“The　body　was　entirely　healed。”

　“From　a　suicide　attempt　that　was　perilously　close　to　succeeding。”　My　tone　was　stiff；　still　angry。　I　wasn’t　
used　to　anger。　It　was　hard　to　contain　it。

　“Everything　was　in　perfect　order　—”

　The　Healer　cut　her　off。　“What　is　missing？”　he　asked。　“Clearly；　you’ve　accessed　speech。”

　“Memory。　I　was　trying　to　find　what　the　Seeker　wants。”

　Though　there　was　no　sound；　there　was　a　change。　The　atmosphere；　which　had　gone　tense　at　my　
accusation；　relaxed。　I　wondered　how　I　knew　this。　I　had　a　strange　sensation　that　I　was　somehow　receiving　
more　than　my　five　senses　were　giving　me—almost　a　feeling　that　there　wasanother　sense；　on　the　fringes；　
not　quite　harnessed。　Intuition？　That　was　almost　the　right　word。　As　if　any　creature　needed　more　than　five　
senses。

　The　Seeker　cleared　her　throat；　but　it　was　the　Healer　who　answered。

　“Ah；”　he　said。　“Don’t　make　yourself　anxious　about　some　partial　memory…　difficulties。　That’s；　well；　not　
to　beexpected；　exactly；　but　not　surprising；　considering。”

　“I　don’t　understand　your　meaning。”

　“This　host　was　part　of　the　human　resistance。”　There　was　a　hint　of　excitement　in　the　Seeker’s　voice　now。　

“Those　humans　who　were　aware　of　us　before　insertion　are　more　difficult　to　subdue。　This　one　still　resists。”

　There　was　a　moment　of　silence　while　they　waited　for　my　response。

　Resisting？　The　host　was　blocking　my　access？　Again；　the　heat　of　my　anger　surprised　me。

　“Am　I　correctly　bound？”　I　asked；　my　voice　distorted　because　it　came　through　my　teeth。

　“Yes；”　the　Healer　said。　“All　eight　hundred　twenty…seven　points　are　latched　securely　in　the　optimum　

positions。”

　This　mind　used　more　of　my　faculties　than　any　host　before；　leaving　me　only　one　hundred　eighty…one　spare　
attachments。　Perhaps　the　numerous　bindings　were　the　reason　the　emotions　were　so　vivid。

　I　decided　to　open　my　eyes。　I　felt　the　need　to　double…check　the　Healer’s　promises　and　make　sure　the　

　

hundred　ocean　fathoms。　But　these　eyes　had　seen　brighter　and　could　handle　it。　I　opened　them　narrowly；　
keeping　my　eyelashes　feathered　over　the　breach。

　“Would　you　like　me　to　turn　down　the　lights？”

　“No；　Healer。　My　eyes　will　adjust。”

　“Very　good；”　he　said；　and　I　understood　that　his　approval　was　meant　for　my　casual　use　of　the　possessive。

　Both　waited　quietly　while　my　eyes　slowly　widened。

　My　mind　recognized　this　as　an　average　room　in　a　medical　facility。　A　hospital。　The　ceiling　tiles　were　white　
with　darker　speckles。　The　lights　were　rectangular　and　the　same　size　as　the　tiles；　replacing　them　at　regular　
intervals。　The　walls　were　light　green—a　calming　color；　but　also　the　color　of　sickness。　A　poor　choice；　in　
my　quickly　formed　opinion。

　The　people　facing　me　were　more　interesting　than　the　room。　The　worddoctor　sounded　in　my　mind　as　
soon　as　my　eyes　fastened　on　the　Healer。　He　wore　loose…fitting　blue　green　clothes　that　left　his　arms　bare。　
Scrubs。　He　had　hair　on　his　face；　a　strange　color　that　my　memory　called　red。

　Red！　It　had　been　three　worlds　since　I　had　seen　the　color　or　any　of　its　relatives。　Even　this　gingery　gold　
filled　me　with　nostalgia。

　His　face　was　generically　human　to　me；　but　the　knowledge　in　my　memory　applied　the　wordkind。

　An　impatient　breath　pulled　my　attention　to　the　Seeker。

　She　was　very　small。　If　she　had　remained　still；　it　would　have　taken　me　longer　to　notice　her　there　beside　
the　Healer。　She　didn’t　draw　the　eye；　a　darkness　in　the　bright　room。　She　wore　black　from　chin　to　
wrists—a　conservative　suit　with　a　silk　turtleneck　underneath。　Her　hair　was　black；　too。　It　grew　to　her　chin　
and　was　pushed　back　behind　her　ears。　Her　skin　was　darker　than　the　Healer’s。　Olive　toned。

　The　tiny　changes　in　humans’　expressions　were　so　minimal　they　were　very　hard　to　read。　My　memory　
could　name　the　look　on　this　woman’s　face；　though。　The　black　brows；　slanted　down　over　the　slightly　
bulging　eyes；　created　a　familiar　design。　Not　quite　anger。　Intensity。　Irritation。

　“How　often　does　this　happen？”　I　asked；　looking　at　the　Healer　again。

　“Not　often；”　the　Healer　admitted。　“We　have　so　few　full…grown　hosts　available　anymore。　The　immature　
hosts　are　entirely　pliable。　But　you　indicated　that　you　preferred　to　begin　as　an　adult。…”

　“Yes。”

　“Most　requests　are　the　opposite。　The　human　life　span　is　much　shorter　than　you’re　used　to。”

　“I’m　well　versed　in　all　the　facts；　Healer。　Have　you　dealt　with　this…　resistance　before　yourself？”

　“Only　once；　myself。”　

　

　The　Healer　sighed。

　The　Seeker　began　tapping　her　fingers　against　her　arm。　A　sign　of　impatience。　She　did　not　care　to　wait　for　
what　she　wanted。

　“This　occurred　four　years　ago；”　the　Healer　began。　“The　soul　involved　had　requested　an　adult　male　host。　
The　first　one　to　be　available　was　a　human　who　had　been　living　in　a　pocket　of　resistance　since　the　early　
years　of　the　occupation。　The　human…　knew　what　would　happen　when　he　was　caught。”

　“Just　as　my　host　did。”

　“Um；　yes。”　He　cleared　his　throat。　“This　was　only　the　soul’s　second　life。　He　came　from　Blind　World。”

　“Blind　World？”　I　asked；　cocking　my　head　to　the　side　reflexively。

　“Oh；　sorry；　you　wouldn’t　know　our　nicknames。　This　was　one　of　yours；　though；　was　it　not？”　He　pulled　a　
device　from　his　pocket；　a　puter；　and　scanned　quickly。　“Yes；　your　seventh　planet。　In　the　eighty…first　
sector。”

　“BlindWorld？”　I　said　again；　my　voice　now　disapproving。

　“Yes；　well；　some　who　have　lived　there　prefer　to　call　it　the　Singing　World。”

　I　nodded　slowly。　I　liked　that　better。

　“And　some　who’ve　never　been　there　call　it　Planet　of　the　Bats；”　the　Seeker　muttered。

　I　turned　my　eyes　to　her；　feeling　them　narrow　as　my　mind　dredged　up　the　appropriate　image　of　the　ugly　
flying　rodent　she　referred　to。

　“I　assume　you　are　one　who　has　never　lived　there；　Seeker；”　the　Healer　said　lightly。　“We　called　this　soul　
Racing　Song　at　first—it　was　a　loose　translation　of　his　name　on…　the　Singing　World。　But　he　soon　opted　
to　take　the　name　of　his　host；　Kevin。　Though　he　was　slated　for　a　Calling　in　Musical　Performance；　given　his　
background；　he　said　he　felt　more　fortable　continuing　in　the　host’s　previous　line　of　work；　which　was　
mechanical。

　“These　signs　were　somewhat　worrisome　to　his　assigned　forter；　but　they　were　well　within　normal　
bounds。

　“Then　Kevin　started　to　plain　that　he　was　blacking　out　for　periods　of　time。　They　brought　him　back　to　
me；　and　we　ran　extensive　tests　to　make　sure　there　was　no　hidden　flaw　in　the　host’s　brain。　During　the　
testing；　several　Healers　noted　marked　differences　in　his　behavior　and　personality。　When　we　questioned　
him　about　this；　he　claimed　to　have　no　memory　of　certain　statements　and　actions。　We　continued　to　
observe　him；　along　with　his　forter；　and　eventually　discovered　that　the　host　was　periodically　taking　
control　of　Kevin’s　body。”

　“Taking　control？”　My　eyes　strained　wide。　“With　the　soul　unaware？　The　host　took　the　body　back？”　

　

　Not　strong　enough。

　Would　they　think　me　weak　as　well？Was　I　weak；　that　I　could　not　force　this　mind　to　answer　my　
questions？　Weaker　still；　because　her　living　thoughts　had　existed　in　my　head　where　there　should　be　
nothing　but　memory？　I’d　always　thought　of　myself　as　strong。　This　idea　of　weakness　made　me　flinch。　
Made　me　feel　shame。

　The　Healer　continued。　“Certain　events　occurred；　and　it　was　decided　—”

　“What　events？”

　The　Healer　looked　down　without　answering。

　“What　events？”I　demanded　again。　“I　believe　I　have　a　right　to　know。”

　The　Healer　sighed。　“You　do。　Kevin…　physically　attacked　a　Healer　while　not…　himself。”　He　winced。　
“He　knocked　the　Healer　unconscious　with　a　blow　from　his　fist　and　then　found　a　scalpel　on　her　person。　
We　found　him　insensible。　The　host　had　tried　to　cut　the　soul　out　of　his　body。”

　It　took　me　a　moment　before　I　could　speak。　Even　then；　my　voice　was　just　a　breath。　“What　happened　to　
them？”

　“Luckily；　the　host　was　unable　to　stay　conscious　long　enough　to　inflict　real　damage。　Kevin　was　relocated；　
into　an　immature　host　this　time。　The　troublesome　host　was　in　poor　repair；　and　it　was　decided　there　
wasn’t　much　point　in　saving　him。

　“Kevin　is　seven　human　years　old　now　and　perfectly　normal…　aside　from　the　fact　that　he　kept　the　name　
Kevin；　that　is。　His　guardians　are　taking　great　care　that　he　is　heavily　exposed　to　music；　and　that　is　ing　
along　well。…”　The　last　was　added　as　if　it　were　good　news—news　that　could　somehow　cancel　out　the　
rest。

　“Why？”　I　cleared　my　throat　so　that　my　voice　could　gain　some　volume。　“Why　have　these　risks　not　been　
shared？”

　“Actually；”　the　Seeker　broke　in；　“it　is　very　clearly　stated　in　all　recruitment　propaganda　that　assimilating　
the　remaining　adult　human　hosts　is　much　more　challenging　than　assimilating　a　child。　An　immature　host　is　
highly　remended。”

　“The　wordchallenging　does　not　quite　cover　Kevin’s　story；”　I　whispered。

　“Yes；　well；　you　preferred　to　ignore　the　remendation。”　She　held　up　her　hands　in　a　peacemaking　
gesture　when　my　body　tensed；　causing　the　stiff　fabric　on　the　narrow　bed　to　crackle　softly。　“Not　that　I　
blame　you。　Childhood　is　extraordinarily　tedious。　And　you　are　clearly　not　the　average　soul。　I　have　every　
confidence　that　this　is　well　within　your　abilities　to　handle。　This　is　just　another　host。　I’m　sure　you　will　have　
full　access　and　control　shortly。”

　By　this　point　in　my　observations　of　the　Seeker；　I　was　surprised　that　she’d　had　the　patience　to　wait　for　
any　delay；　even　my　personal　acclimatization。　I　sensed　her　disappointment　in　my　lack　of　information；　and　it　
brought　back　some　of　the　unfamiliar　feelings　of　anger。　

　

　She　stiffened。　“I’m　no　skipper。”

　My　eyebrows　pulled　up　automatically。

　“Another　nickname；”　the　Healer　explained。　“For　those　who　do　not　plete　a　life　term　in　their　host。”

　I　nodded　in　understanding。　We’d　had　a　name　for　it　on　my　other　worlds。　On　no　world　was　it　smiled　
upon。　So　I　quit　quizzing　the　Seeker　and　gave　her　what　I　could。

　“Her　name　was　Melanie　Stryder。　She　was　born　in　Albuquerque；　New　Mexico。　She　was　in　Los　Angeles　
when　the　occupation　became　known　to　her；　and　she　hid　in　the　wilderness　for　a　few　years　before　
finding…　Hmmm。　Sorry；　I’ll　try　that　one　again　later。　The　body　has　seen　twenty　years。　She　drove　to　
Chicago　from…”　I　shook　my　head。　“There　were　several　stages；　not　all　of　them　alone。　The　vehicle　was　
stolen。　She　was　searching　for　a　cousin　named　Sharon；　whom　she　had　reason　to　hope　was　still　human。　
She　neither　found　nor　contacted　anyone　before　she　was　spotted。　But…”　I　struggled；　fighting　against　
another　blank　wall。　“I　think…　I　can’t　be　sure…　I　think　she　left　a　note…　somewhere。”

　“So　she　expected　someone　would　look　for　her？”　the　Seeker　asked　eagerly。

　“Yes。　She　will　be…　missed。　If　she　does　not　rendezvous　with…”　I　gritted　my　teeth；　truly　fighting　now。　
The　wall　was　black；　and　I　could　not　tell　how　thick　it　was。　I　battered　against　it；　sweat　beading　on　my　
forehead。　The　Seeker　and　the　Healer　were　very　quiet；　allowing　me　to　concentrate。

　I　tried　thinking　of　something　else—the　loud；　unfamiliar　noises　the　engine　of　the　car　had　made；　the　jittery　
rush　of　adrenaline　every　time　the　lights　of　another　vehicle　drew　near　on　the　road。　I　already　had　this；　and　
nothing　fought　me。　I　let　the　memory　carry　me　along；　let　it　skip　over　the　cold　hike　through　the　city　under　
the　sheltering　darkness　of　night；　let　it　wind　its　way　to　the　building　where　they’d　found　me。

　Not　me；her。　My　body　shuddered。

　“Don’t　overextend　—”　the　Healer　began。

　The　Seeker　shushed　him。

　I　let　my　mind　dwell　on　the　horror　of　discovery；　the　burning　hatred　of　the　Seekers　that　overpowered　
almost　everything　else。　The　hatred　was　evil；　it　was　pain。　I　could　hardly　bear　to　feel　it。　But　I　let　it　run　its　
course；　hoping　it　would　distract　the　resistance；　weaken　the　defenses。

　I　watched　carefully　as　she　tried　to　hide　and　then　knew　she　could　not。　A　note；　scratched　on　a　piece　of　
debris　with　a　broken　pencil。　Shoved　hastily　under　a　door。　Not　just　any　door。

　“The　pattern　is　the　fifth　door　along　the　fifth　hall　on　the　fifth　floor。　Her　munication　is　there。”

　The　Seeker　had　a　small　phone　in　her　hand；　she　murmured　rapidly　into　it。

　“The　building　was　supposed　to　be　safe；”　I　continued。　“They　knew　it　was　condemned。　She　doesn’t　know　
how　she　was　discovered。　Did　they　find　Sharon？”　

　

　The　question　was　not　mine。

　The　question　wasn’t　mine；　but　it　flowed　naturally　through　my　lips　as　if　it　were。　The　Seeker　did　not　notice　
anything　amiss。

　“The　cousin？　No；　they　found　no　other　human；”　she　answered；　and　my　body　relaxed　in　response。　“This　
host　was　spotted　entering　the　building。　Since　the　building　was　known　to　be　condemned；　the　citizen　who　
observed　her　was　concerned。　He　called　us；　and　we　watched　the　building　to　see　if　we　could　catch　more　
than　one；　and　then　moved　in　when　that　seemed　unlikely。　Can　you　find　the　rendezvous　point？”

　I　tried。

　So　many　memories；　all　of　them　so　colorful　and　sharp。　I　saw　a　hundred　places　I’d　never　been；　heard　their　
names　for　the　first　time。　A　house　in