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  S.I.B.s

  The Society of Intellectual Beings

  Iris Bolling

  Contents

  I. What IF?

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  II. Now What?

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Review

  About the Author

  Also by Iris Bolling

  S.I.B.s Copyright © 2021 Iris Bolling

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  ISBN: 9781734475357

  LCCN: 2021918250

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, locales is entirely coincidental.

  * * *

  Published by:

  Siri Austin Entertainment LLC

  Richmond, Virginia 23222

  Website: www.siriaustin.com

  Created with Vellum

  Part I

  What IF?

  Prologue

  Present Day

  Every day, for close to thirty years, Star Bond wrote a message to her son from a prison cell. The messages weren’t long, just thoughts she would have shared with him had they’d been together as parents and children should be. Just five to ten lines of wisdom written in black-and-white 100-page composition notebooks. Using both sides of the pages, scribing at least five messages per page, there was a total of well over ten thousand gems of wisdom. The God of her spirit has assured her that the messages would be delivered to her son upon her entrance into the afterlife. Star was also told this would be her last night on this earth. The earlier attempt to end her life with the injection of a drug into her system failed. Now, those who sought to harm her had to shift gears. However, before the night was over, the deed would be done. Tonight’s message was important in preparing her son for his future. She thought long and hard about what she would write, then began.

  In the mortal world, it is believed that there are

  six degrees of separation. That number diminishes

  within The Society. The bloodlines are intertwined,

  blurring the degrees of separation. You, my son, are

  bestowed with the powers of the Gods. You alone can

  save the mortals from themselves.

  Star read the message to ensure it stated what she intended. Satisfied, she nodded, then placed her pen down. Star stood, secured the composition notebook next to her bunk bed on top of ten others. Then she proceeded with her nightly routine.

  Taking her time, she brushed her black, waist-length hair, using strategic strokes to keep it straight. Then, starting from the nape of her neck, she threaded her fingers through her hair, creating one long braid. Thoughts of her husband, and the way he would massage the oils onto her scalp, caused her to long for his gentle touch. Her heart ached with the fact that the feeling would not come again until they united in the afterlife. Completing the task, she sat in the center of the floor with her legs folded under her bottom, closed her eyes, then prayed. Her prayer tonight was not for wisdom, as it had been in the past. The prayer tonight was for her son to one day understand the powers he possessed and the sacrifices that were made so that he could live.

  The sounds of her surroundings were wiped from her mind until the footsteps came. It was time.

  The footsteps of death were distinct. She knew those steps were coming for her. Knowing what members of The Society were capable of, Star took one last moment to thank the ancestors for guiding her thus far, then prayed for continued guidance for her son.

  Clearing all thoughts of the boy she had not seen in years, she allowed her husband’s face to take over her mind. Godwin Bond may not have been from her tribe, but he was her kindred spirit. Thoughts of him filled her heart with joy. She asked that upon learning of her death, he would not suffer but rejoice in knowing they would be together soon.

  The electronic buzz from the door indicated a person was free to walk inside her cell. He was alone. No witnesses to the deed he had been tasked with, Star surmised.

  “I understand you had visitors today, Star.”

  Star continued with her prayers as if no words had been spoken. She could sense the presence staring down at her. He was attempting to penetrate her mind. It was not the first time, but she had it on good authority it would be the last. She cleared her mind of everything except the Gods, who were now surrounding her in spirit.

  “Your attempts to block my entry will be futile tonight. You broke the rule when you spoke with outsiders. The consequence is death.”

  Star’s mind was now amongst the clouds. There was no fear, for the Gods were there to protect her spirit. This man could have her human body.

  “There is a moment between life and death when you will no longer control your mind. It will be open to me. I will obtain the information you have guarded all these years.”

  The air from his breath indicated he was close to her face. Star could feel his massive hands as he wrapped them around her throat. Instinctively, her eyes opened, looking straight into the eyes of death.

  Whispers of voices from other prisoners who sensed something was awry in her cell filtered through the air. The voices increasing in volume.

  Her hands grabbed the murderous arms of the man pulling her from the floor by her neck. Her small frame was lifted and slammed against the cement wall. A thick rope encircled her neck, then was thrown up around the bars in the window. His hands fell to her waist, holding her weight to keep the force of the rope from snapping her neck. He wanted to prolong the moment to try to gather what he could from her mind.

  That was something she could not allow.

  She wasn’t fighting what was to come. Her ancestors were gathered, waiting for her, armed with the knowledge that her son would retaliate for what was done on this night and a day long ago. What was to come gave Star the strength to do what was needed. The murderer could not steal her thoughts. She’d die on her terms.

  She kicked forward, causing the man to fall backwards, releasing her body. The rope snapped her neck.

  Star was no longer of this world.

  Chapter 1

  December 1985

  “Phase one of testing has commenced. Bring in the first set of ten beings,” Bradford Chambers II commanded through the microphone from behind the glass window.

  The sterile observation room’s double-glass window overlooked a sixteen-by-sixteen space. There were two long metal tables with ten chairs at each. The walls, devoid of windows, were painted steel gray; the floors were made of concrete. The room was used for the daily lessons of children born into The Society of Intellectual Beings. Today was the first round of elimination.

  “What an honor this is for the children,” Bradford said to his eighteen-year-old son Bradford Chambers III, as the children were escorted into the room by the assistants in white lab coats.

  “The inaugural class looks impressive, Father.”

  “Indeed, they do.” The look of pride was etched on Bradford’s face. “Every specification of your grandfather’s blueprint was followed to the letter. We fell short a few times—however, with a few adjustments, we get to see his plans come to life. Two generations of creative minds, developing a scientific formula that can change mankind.”

  The experiments toward a new world order had been years in the making. It was a country leadership based on intellect, logic, and science. Not on the emotions of social-minded liberals.

  The overall concept was simple. The implementation proved to be complicated. Scientist were charged with identifying individuals with exceptionally high IQs. They would extract eggs from the females and sperm from the males. The final step was to combine the eggs and sperm through the in vitro fertilization process. Once the children are produced, they are raised void of emotional ties. Each day, a different person cared for the child to eliminate the possibility of emotional dependency. The children were given basic needs
only. As infants, they were surrounded with words, numbers, scientific facts, legal terminology, and medical findings. From the minute they were able to walk, the children were encouraged to excel in physical activities. Their meals consist of what they plant in the garden or catch from the sea. Meals are void of sugars. The children had been scheduled so tight they were told when to close their eyes to sleep.

  “I predict the outcome will be favorable,” Bradford the III stated. “Grandfather will praise the results as a pathway to the future of our country. With the support of Senator Rolfeman, a government contract to continue the S.I.B.s program will be the envy of other countries.”

  “The senator is young and eager to create exceptional soldiers to fight wars. Our mission is to create exceptional human beings to run the country. Our priorities are different.”

  “It seems we have the means to do both,” Bradford III replied.

  Bradford turned to his son. “This is the beginning of our life’s mission. Not that of Senator Rolfeman. Remember this moment is ours, son.” He pushed the button on the microphone. “Begin testing.”

  Five-year-old children, comprised of six boys and four girls, were seated at the front table. Two assistants held paper booklets and sharp pencils in their hands.

  A booklet and a pencil were given to each child. The children looked up obediently with anticipation. At the sound of a bell, each child picked up their pencil, opened the booklet, then began answering the questions. Exactly sixty minutes later, the bell sounded. The pencils were placed down on the table and booklets were closed.

  “Run the diagnostic,” Bradford ordered. “Those who score in the highly gifted range will move on to the next phase.”

  “And the ones who do not. What will be their fate?” Bradford III inquired.

  “They will be discarded into the mediocre life of the average Joe.”

  “Why not eliminate them?”

  “They are innocent,” Bradford II replied. “We are not tyrants. We are patriots. Those who are deemed inferior will be discarded as discussed. The superior beings will move forward.”

  “It is never wise to leave subjects who can one day rise against you,” Bradford III replied.

  Bradford II glared at his son. “You have spent too many days in the presence of Senator Rolfeman. We create, we do not eliminate.”

  The computer in the corner beeped.

  “The scores have been computed,” one of the assistants stated.

  “The results.” Bradford II pushed the window open, then held out his hand. He reviewed the results and smiled. “Father will be pleased. Every child scored in the 160-170 range. They all advance to the next level.”

  “That is outstanding,” Bradford III declared. “I believe the senator is ready for phase two.”

  “I believe he will be extremely interested. Physical endurance should reduce the number of remaining specimens.” Bradford stood. “Join the senator while I record the findings of Phase One.”

  “Yes, Sir,” Bradford III replied.

  The outside area designated as the obstacle course was designed to mimic that of the FBI course at Quantico.

  The course consists of a three-mile run through standing water, land tunnels, over a five-foot wall via a knotted rope, then a trail under a waterfall, which led back to the building. The pond under the waterfall was filled with rocks to use to run across. It could be deadly if care was not taken.

  “Senator Rolfeman,” Bradford III entered the observation deck. “My father will join us shortly.”

  “Phase one is complete?” the young senator asked.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “How many participants can we anticipate?”

  “All ten scored in the top percentile.”

  Senator John Rolfeman smiled, then nodded. “Excellent,” he turned back to the obstacle course. ”I foresee a bright future for this program. Fulfilling our military with officers with superior minds will be beneficial in many ways.”

  “You may have a time convincing my father of that, Sir.”

  The senator glanced over his shoulder at Bradford. “He has doubts of the government’s involvement?”

  “Let’s say he has a one-track mind.”

  “And you?”

  “I believe what we are doing here can be beneficial to a multitude of entities in more ways than one.”

  “I concur,” he turned back to the course. “If this inaugural group shows what I anticipate it will, in twenty years, you and I may very well be working together.”

  Bradford II entered the observation deck. “Senator Rolfeman,” he extended his hand. “Thank you for your assistance with this portion of our program. Your military expertise is invaluable to this phase.”

  “It has been my pleasure,” the senator replied. “I admire what you are doing here. When this group is ready for placement in the world, it will be an honor if some of them are sent my way.”

  “The beings are created to fulfill superior roles in our country. The military may be beneath them. Are we ready to proceed?”

  Senator Rolfeman hesitated as he glanced at Bradford III. The two shared a moment before he replied. “We are ready.”

  Bradford II nodded as he raised his binoculars. “Begin the test.”

  The course began as the children ran the three miles as required without incident. They each climbed the wall as instructed and headed to the waterfall. One of the girls slipped on the rocks and fell into the lake. A boy who had made it through the waterfall jumped in the lake, grabbed the girl, climbed back onto the rocks, then ran through the waterfall again.

  “That was disappointing,” Bradford frowned.

  Bradford III frowned. “The girl is weak. She must be discarded.”

  “If her performance in the final stage is satisfactory, she may be useful for reproduction purposes only. It is the boy who concerns me.”

  “The boy?” Senator Rolfeman questioned. “I disagree. He saved the girl and went back through the obstacles. It shows his strength and endurance.”

  “It shows weakness,” Bradford III explained. “He cared that the girl would drown. That could be a flaw in our new world. In the new world, decisions made based on emotions is dangerous to our way of life.”

  “I see.” The senator nodded. “There is wisdom in your way of thinking.”

  “It is critical to eliminate any demonstrations of weakness. The third and final phase will determine his fate.”

  “I will prepare the questioning of each specimen,” Bradford III advised.

  “Place specimen M in my group,” Bradford ordered. “I will question him.”

  “Yes Sir.” Bradford III left the observation deck.

  “Do you mind if I observe your questioning of the specimen?”

  “No, not at all,” Bradford II replied. He gathered his clipboard, then turned. “Come with me.”

  Bradford II watched from behind his desk as Specimen M was brought into his office. Dressed in the uniform of grey slacks, white collar shirt and black shoes, Specimen M stood before him. Even at the age of five, there was a commanding presence about the young boy. Bradford cleared that thought from his mind. Standing before him was a specimen and nothing more. Staring at the child, Bradford made every attempt to penetrate the specimen mind through his eyes to place suggestions. The senator stood in the doorway as Bradford entered. “If there was no resistance, then the specimen will remain in the program. If he resists at all, he will have to be discarded. It is imperative that you remain silent during the questioning.”