Donta was led back to to a waiting car and Leon slid in behind him, sitting opposite of him. The inside of this car was very fancy, almost resembling a limo, but not as long. He felt very awkward sitting there, mostly because his legs and wide feet took up most of the floor on his side, while Leon sat on the other, his eyes locked on him as the car pulled away and began the ride home.<br/><br/>"So..." Donta began.<br/><br/>"Let me get right to it. We know." he said, "Your Father works for us."<br/><br/>Donta stared at him for a moment, his eyes widening. It took him a full block to think of what to say.<br/><br/>"My Father ran off on us when I was born." he said, "Was he working for you then?"<br/><br/>"Yes, ever since he graduated from the Academy." Leon said. Only once question burned into his mind.<br/><br/>"Where is he now?"<br/><br/>Leon pulled out a screen and tapped it a few times, then a holographic screen appeared between them, showing an odd display of dots and circles. Donta's eyes flashed around it.<br/><br/>"This is a star chart." he said.<br/><br/>"Yes, and this was your Father's flightpath." he said. Donta saw a line streak across the map, ending on a particular dot that was encompassed by a large circle.<br/><br/>"What is that?"<br/><br/>"That," Leon said as he hit his controls. The display zoomed in on it and a wire frame appeared, showing what it is, "That is a black hole."<br/><br/>"You aren't giving me condolences. Aren't you sorry for me that my Father is dead?" Donta spat. Leon sighed.<br/><br/>"He's not dead. We thought so at first, but we sent a ship to follow them. They reported back last year with the remains of your Father's ship in tow. It was a mess."<br/><br/>"Survivors?"<br/><br/>"Yes. They found the ship but it was overrun by animals, even though none were taken. Most of the Ferals aboard were missing, the ones found were dead. Some Humans were killed by the animals and the ones who survived are being kept in isolation in one of our facilities. They weren't the same when they left."<br/><br/>"What are you saying?" Donta asked. The car pulled up to his apartment building, but he didn't get out.<br/><br/>"I'm trying to say that your Father wasn't among the dead, or the survivors. He's still missing." Leon said, "All shuttles, TAMs and Life Pods were accounted for. No space suits were missing. No hatches were open either. There was no way your Father could have left the ship and yet he's just gone."<br/><br/>"And what do you want me to do about it?" Donta asked. Leon seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, then looked Donta in the eye.<br/><br/>"Studies into the matter show that the reason for the altered Humans and the presence of Animals on board led to a discovery of a new substance the scientists were working on. It was supposed to alter genes of whomever was injected to produce a specific antibody to fight different diseases we can not currently cure. The general idea was that Humans could make medicine to cure some diseases, while Ferals could make it for others. Exposure to a black hole has changed this experimental substance into one that causes evolution in Humans and De-Evolution in Ferals. The Animals on board had ID chips of the Ferals missing in their paws."<br/><br/>"You still didn't answer me."<br/><br/>"This Substance X has been leaked and reproduced here on Earth. We believe the Poachers have it in their hands and will use it as a weapon. Since we don't know what it would do to a Hybrid, we want to keep an eye on you for the time being." He tapped his screen a few more times and Donta's arm device lit up. A download completed a sizable chunk of data that began rewriting alot of his OS. Moments later, he was looking at pretty much the same interface, but this time, a picture of a blue mermaid was staring back at him. She smiled and waved, giving a polite bow.<br/><br/>"Hello, Donta. Nice to meet you." she said.<br/><br/>"What is this?"<br/><br/>"That is Osiph. Our latest development in AI research. She was my personal assistant until now, but I want you to have her." he said.<br/><br/>"Why?"<br/><br/>"She has a direct connection to us at all times in case you are ever in danger and can help you with whatever you need. The second phase of our protection plan will be here in the morning." the door to Donta's left suddenly opened and the driver was smiling at him. Donta stepped out and Leon moved to where he was to talk through the open window.<br/><br/>"I'll be in contact with you soon regarding the rest of our involvement in your life. Trust me, we want to keep your secret from everyone as much as you do. Too much is at stake. Stay safe and take care of your Mother." With that he waved and the car pulled away leaving Donta on the curb in front of his apartment. He raised his arm to look down at the smiling face of the blue mermaid who giggled.<br/><br/>"Shall we head up to your home?"