Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports

Part 4

Frankly, it takes a lot to surprise me. I'm pretty unsurprisable. But I admit, that was pretty much the last thing I expected to hear. "Hoo, delusional much?" I said, proud that my voice was rock solid. Almost.

The Director walked to her big desk and set down several CD-ROMs.

"I know it's hard to believe, but look closely at me, Max. I'm an older version of you."

I stared at her blond hair, her dark brown eyes. I remembered that Nudge had said she reminded her of someone.

"Yeah?" I said. "Let's see your wings."

She gave me a smile. "I don't have any avian DNA. But you-you were the most brilliant success we ever had."

I was still reeling from shock, so I went on "smart retort" autopilot. "Then why do you and ter Borcht keep trying to kill us?"

"You're an older generation, Max," she explained. "You have no proven life span. There's no room for mistakes in the new world."

I was floored. "Here's a tip: Your protective maternal instinct sucks."

"I'm your mother, Max, but I'm also a scientist. Believe me, watching you grow up from afar, devising this entire game, this series of tests-there were times that I didn't think I could go through it."

"Funny, I felt the same way. For completely different reasons. But you had a choice," I pointed out, becoming more and more incredulous.

"I'm making the ultimate sacrifice to create a new world. I gave my only child to the cause."

"That's not the ultimate sacrifice!" I said, outraged. "Giving yourself would be the ultimate! Giving me up is like the second-to-ultimate! See the difference?"

She smiled somewhat sadly. "You're so smart, Max. I'm so proud of you."

"Which makes one of us," I said. "I mean, God! It's parents' career day at school. I stand up and say, 'My mother is an evil scientist who's planning a holocaust that will eliminate half the people on Earth.' How could I ever live that down?!"

She turned away and sat at her desk. "I blame Jeb for letting you be such a smart aleck."

I stared at her. "I blame you for altering my DNA! I mean, I have wings, lady! What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that the world's population is destroying itself," she said in a steely tone I recognized. (I have one just like it.) "I was thinking that someone had to stand up and take drastic action before this entire planet is incapable of supporting human life. Yes, you're my daughter, but you're still just part of the big picture, part of the equation. I was thinking I'd do anything to make sure the human race survives. Even if it seems awful in the short term. In future history books, I'll be heralded as the savior of humanity."

Perfect. I finally, after fourteen years, meet my mother, and she's a raving lunatic. This day just could not get better.

I swallowed. "You give good megalomania," I said.

The Director motioned to the Flyboys hovering around the edges of the room. "Take them to the place that I prepared," she said. "You know what to do once you get there."