Free Origin of the Body by H.R. Moore

Descendant, I am, so we’re switching the girls back to reinstate the bloodline.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘I told you, it’s all explained in the diary.’
    ‘Fine, I’ll read the diary, I won’t tell anyone, and I’ll give it to Mia when she’s older.  I’m sure I can manage that, but are you really sure this is the only way?’
    ‘There’s something else,’ said Clarissa, ignoring Helena’s question and checking her watch before continuing.  ‘I’m planting the brass cylinder the Spirit Leader gave me in Mia’s mind before I leave.  I need you to help Mia open it when the time is right.’
    ‘But you don’t even know what’s in it,’ exclaimed Helena, her academic sensibilities bruised by the idea that something so rare should be entrusted to the mind of a small child.  ‘It could be something dangerous.’
    ‘And if it is, Mia will be able to handle it.  She’s already exhibiting exceptional skills, far beyond anything I’ve seen before, and with your help I know she’ll find a way.’  Helena looked sceptical, but reluctantly nodded in agreement.  ‘I have to go,’ said Clarissa, hugging Helena finally.  She made for the door, turning before she got there, ‘it’s Mia’s third birthday tomorrow,’ she said regretfully, ‘I suppose at least I’ll be able to say happy birthday before I say goodbye, and who knows, perhaps my gift will one day change the world.’
    A flash of light momentarily blinded Alexander and Anita, who found themselves back in the office once it had cleared, both blinking several times to encourage their eyes to refocus.  ‘Tobias was having an affair?’ asked Alexander, frivolously.  Anita inwardly rolled her eyes; Alexander was spending too much time with Cleo if he thought that an appropriate opening question after what they had just seen.
    Helena smiled, light-heartedly.  ‘Yes, Tobias had had a mistress for years, and when Camilla found out, she decided she could play at the same game too.’
    ‘Who was it with?’ asked Anita, deciding if you couldn’t beat them then you may as well join them, and this was after all pretty good gossip.
    Helena’s eyes twinkled, ‘Anderson’s mother.’  She paused to let the news sink in.  ‘She was quite a bit older than Tobias, but held some great allure for him; no idea what, but he kept her in a plush apartment in Kingdom, right next to his own residence, in fact, that’s where Anderson lives today.’ 
    ‘Wow,’ said Anita, relishing the vision of what Cleo’s face would look like when she relayed this to her later.  ‘That’s why Anderson has been allowed to study the relic for all these years?’ she asked, joining up the dots.
    ‘Yep,’ nodded Helena, ‘in fact, a lot of his early education was with Alistair and Jeff, he used to follow them around like a puppy, lapping up anything they said and did.  Jeffrey and Alistair met because they were both conducting energy research and one day Tobias turned up with Anderson and told them unless they wanted their funding cut, they would teach him about the energy.  Anderson was harmless, so they went along with it; I think they quite enjoyed someone doting on them if I’m honest.’
    ‘Wait,’ said Alexander, ‘Anderson’s not Tobias’ son, is he?’
    Helena actually chuckled.  ‘I have no idea.  You wouldn’t be the first person to suggest it, but he doesn’t look much like Tobias, and allegedly Anderson’s mother wasn’t short of suitors, much to Tobias’ rage, so it was more likely one of the others.’
    ‘If Clarissa trusted you with the diary, why didn’t she just tell you what was in the cylinder?’ asked Anita, dampening the mood as she returned them to a more serious subject.
    ‘Clarissa was adamant you were the only person who should know its contents and when the time was right, you would open it and share its message with the world.  I didn’t press her as she was resolute, and anyway I don’t think even she knew what was