‘Of course you do, Mr. Former Vice President.’ Lilith slips behind his desk and rubs his temples, registering the cold sweat dampening the man’s hairline. ‘What I need from you is complete access and control over Project GOLDEN FLEECE, and John … I want it now.’

29

NOVEMBER 22, 2033: HANGAR 13, KENNEDY SPACE
CENTER, CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA

1:14 p.m.

They are seated on a second-floor balcony overlooking a Japanese garden—Dr. Mohr, Immanuel Gabriel, his mother, and the twin he has not seen in six years.

Jacob’s surreal blue eyes stare at him, unblinking.

‘Jesus Christ, would you stop staring at me?’

‘I missed you.’

‘You mean you missed manipulating me.’

‘You’re my twin. We belong together.’

‘Get over it. You can’t just drag me back into your delusions after all these years. I’m Samuel Agler now. I have a life!’

Dr. Mohr interjects. ‘Let’s everybody just stay calm. No one’s forcing anyone to do anything. Manny, er … Sam, we brought you here because your brother’s worried about you.’

‘You’ve been tapping into the nexus,’ Jacob says, ‘using it to enhance your performance on the athletic field.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘It’s dangerous, Manny. There are others like us out there, others who share this Hunahpu gene. Every time you enter the nexus, you make your presence known to them.’

‘How many others?’

‘I don’t know, one … a hundred … a thousand.’

‘A thousand more freaks like you running around? I doubt it.’

Jacob ignores the remark. ‘Eleven thousand years ago, the Guardian began an interbreeding program with ancient man. The Guardian is mankind’s missing link. In the process of mixing their DNA with ours, they created a sort of genetic time bomb, hoping that one of these Hunahpu would find his or her way to their starship in the year 2012. The Hunahpu would be able to use their genetic calling card to access the vessel and its weapons system, knowing the human race would need it on 4 Ahau, 3 Kankin, a date forecast in the Mayan calendar, equating to the winter solstice in 2012. Our biological father, Michael Gabriel, was Hunahpu. He wasn’t the only “chosen one,” he just happened to be the poor sap who managed to cross the finish line first.’

‘And thank God he did,’ Dominique adds. ‘Your father saved humanity.’

Immanuel shakes his head at his mother. ‘Still buying into all this, I see.’

Jacob sees the hurt in Dominique’s eyes. ‘Mother, Doc, I need to speak with Manny alone.’

Dr. Mohr nods, then leads Dominique inside, closing the patio door behind him.

‘That was rude, Manny.’

‘Look who’s calling the kettle black? Her heart bleeds for him, and you stomp on it every day.’

‘I didn’t bring you here to fight. There’s another Hunahpu out there like me. She’s the one I fear.’

Immanuel looks away.

Jacob’s eyes widen. ‘You’ve spoken with her?’

‘No.’

‘You’re lying.’