Clone Earth : MELVIN
Magic and Science

As Trevon sighed, Clint pulled out into open space. The star patterns changed with every minute they flew in silence. Pushing farther and farther away from Midway. A distance outside the traffic zone, Clint tapped in a command on the console, putting the shuttle on auto-pilot he turned to face his nephew.

“No more distractions. We’re away from Midway, away from the Academy pressure. What are you struggling with?” Trevon’s mouth didn’t even bother opening. The question was so direct, so simple, that his mind went blank. Clint smirked, “I saw it all. The pacing between CE Transports and Military Check. It wasn’t on a whim. You had a purpose.”

Trevon wanted to be angry at him for knowing this all along and still instigating the previous confrontation. He also wondered if blurting out the truth about his ability might be more than the military officer could handle.

“You mentioned my parents,” Trevon noted, strictly so Clint would recognize he himself had opened this topic for discussion. “Is there any genetic traits I should know about? Anything that might suggested that they could do things normal people can't?”

Ari had always made his ability seem unique and amazing, but his relationships with others proved that what he could do was unimaginable across the universe - at least the parts that he grew up in - He always hoped it came from somewhere. That perhaps he wasn’t just a freak of nature.

Looking his Uncle square in the eyes, Trevon waited for a response. In return Clint studied his face critically. His expression not stern, not gentle, not anything, just watching him.

Trevon swallowed and shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wondering if he had made a mistake. Technically he had reached the age that Uncle Clint was no longer his guardian, but he still felt like a little child under his care and he didn't want to disappoint him.

“You can be more specific with me,” Clint said his voice softer than his expression. The tone brought Trevon the calmness he needed.

He swallowed and wet his chapped lips, “I’ve had this strange ability, with my hands. I’ve been able to … well, watch.” Trevon displayed his hands. The green glow seeped from his pours, enveloped his palms and up his forearm. He looked at his uncle to see a touch of disappointment cross his expression.

Ashamed, Trevon’s hand dropped into his lap.

“Oh, No, no!” Uncle Clint’s hands lifted in surrender. “That was not disappointment in you Trevon, you have done nothing wrong. You see. If you’re trying what I think you are, I can’t see it.”

Trevon’s eyebrows pulled together.

Uncle Clint continued, “I believe you.” Relief rushed to every molecule in Trevon’s body, tears pricked at his eyes. “Please continue. What can you do with this ability?”

“I can heal.”

The corners of Clint’s mouth turned up, his eyes lit, in fact his Uncle looked - relieved. “Your mother could heal as well.”

Trevon’s head buzzed. He couldn’t believe it. His mother could heal, just like him. Wait? “It is genetic?”

Uncle Clint sat back, “Okay. You can handle this.” Trevon wanted to agree but his head was spinning with the fact his Uncle believed him. With two discreet breaths Trevon steadied his nerves. “Genetics seems to be the most common pattern. We’ve tried to give it a scientific name, tried to label it with scientific terms. Bio-marker or Bio-reaction. The basic fact is, it’s not scientific. We’ve failed to prove where it comes from. We have found no indication of genetic markers, and there have been some without any direct descendent’s to have manifested it.”

“There are more like me?” Trevon said his voice unrecognizable.

Uncle Clint leaned forward on his elbows, “A few. The strongest in the craft have families that date directly back to the magic-lore from Origin Earth.”

Trevon’s eyes widened, “magic?”

His Uncle nodded, “However, those that do not posses this ability, like me. We can’t see what you see. The mana or color that generates from your body. It can only be seen by those that have their own.”

The look of disappointment now made sense to Trevon.

“I’ve read about magic. Some of the girls on the station would read fiction about it.”

“I know, it makes it sound made up, but since we can’t identify it’s scientific properties, we chose to use the ancient term. The interesting thing about it though, and you’ll like this, it’s still controlled by scientific rules.”

“What do you mean?”

“For example, your ability to heal. The understanding of cells in the body, proteins, bacteria and healing tissue directly connect to your ability."

“I did notice healing became easier after I studied some medical lectures.” Trevon’s mind bubbled with happiness. When healing Ari he had to better understand a bruise to know what he was healing. Turned out there was much more under the layers skin than simple discoloration and swelling. Once he knew that, the small stuff had become easy.

“Magic.” He muttered,

“And I’m sorry,” Clint added. Trevon’s eyes widened again. That was not at all what he expected to hear. “You’ve probably been very afraid since you discovered this. I’m sorry you had to figure it out alone.”

Trevon showed him the most reassuring smile he had. He didn’t blame Uncle Clint for anything. He had always done what was best for them. Dropping him and his sister off on the space station was difficult but they couldn’t argue that they had a life as close to ‘normal’ as possible. They had always felt loved, by both of their guardians.

Uncle Clint continued, “Now, magic again ruled by science means magic can’t do everything. There are rules you have to follow to be safe. There are also rules to follow if you want to live without being. monitored.”

“No body talks about it.”

“Right. You don’t hear about it out in the black. You never will. To have magic out in space is not only controversial but very dangerous. Even on most CE Planets it’s taboo.”

“So I was right not to mention it anywhere.”

“Especially before going to Tirragen.” Clint nodded emphatically. “People are suspicious of what they can’t explain. The Military, unfortunately, is no exception to that. Although it’s never openly acknowledged, there are those who know about magic, and consider it either an unfair advantage or a sign that the person can’t be trusted. Because of that, the Academy won’t allow magic within its walls.”

Something shifted in Trevon’s chest. He was surprised to realize it was gratitude. “What do they do when someone with magic enters the Academy?”

Clint’s reply was simple. “If a cadet purposely tries to keep his magic a secret but gets caught using it, he’s dishonorably discharged and will be logged into the Military database as a person of interest. They're allowed to go free but those caught using magic after being discharged the punishment is severe. However there are many happy Mage that live unregistered. Most mage leaders prefer that and will deal with offenders in their own way without Military involvement.”

Looking out into open space Trevon’s mind raced through the possibilities of meeting more like him and learning from them. What more can I learn? Can I really use it to help others?

Sensing the excitement Uncle Clint had one choice. He let go of the idea Trevon would change his mind and go to Tirragen. It was to complicated for him to do that now.

“What do you know about CE Planets?” Clint asked.

“I know Cairpre is one of the oldest Clone Earths saturated with culture and history. It’s closer to what is believed to be a direct clone of Origin Earth. Occupied by descendent’s from the very first human colonies.”

Uncle Clint shifted uncomfortably. Ran his fingers again through his messy hair, “and what do you know about Melvin?”

Trevon squinted as he tried to remember the brief study he did on the subject. “Thick vegetation. Military based town but very unstructured. Their main export is vegetation and rare mineral, I think.”

“Also, sheltered by the military base and that thick vegetation, is a University. One that teaches what you want to learn.” Trevon slid to the edge of the seat, his knees bumped into Uncle Clint’s as he waited for more information. “Don’t get too excited. You’re going to have to go in by yourself. I have no influence there. The best I can do is a recommendation but they still might not let you in.”

“If there’s a chance I can learn how to use this ability, then I will do anything.”

“Okay.” Clint turned back to the console and redirected the navigation to take them to the Main shuttle landing on CE Melvin. “Let’s start working on your own dream.”

Comforted by his words Trevon stared out into the familiar black and for once he began to imagine himself on a CE Planet surrounded by things he hadn’t experienced since he was seven years old.

CHAPTER END

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