Rome be weird

Yesterday, Virga, the leader of the Vuduri on Helome, finally learned the origin of the mysterious 25th chromosome. This chromosome, among other things, prevents the expression of the Onsira phenotype. If it was distributed to the general population, it would end the Onsira threat forever.

It didn't stop there, however. Virga was curious as to Rome and Rei's genetic makeup. Our intrepid couple agreed to a quick DNA check. Virga took a swab of their cheeks and analyzed it and projected it up on a screen:

     Virga gasped. Her connection to the Overmind actually wavered slightly.
     The middle row showed the normal complement of 22 chromosomes plus an X and a Y along with a much larger 24th chromosomal pair, very similar to a Vuduri 24th chromosome but slightly different. To its right was a much fuller version of what Virga called the 25th chromosome. It was larger than any of the others including chromosome pair 1. But this was not what made Virga gasp.
     Beneath Rei’s chromosome map with its X and Y chromosomes lay Rome’s map. She had no less than three pairs of the 24th chromosome plus a full 25th like Rei’s. In that brief moment, the Overmind of Helome realized that Rome was the most genetically complex human being in existence. It had trouble grasping the full implications.
     At last, Virga recovered. In a very quiet voice, she said, “I thought you were mosdurece. You were to have had a single pair, yet you have a triploid complement of the 24th chromosome plus the same 25th as Rei. Can you explain this?”
     “Yes,” Rome said, without a hint of modesty. She pointed to the screen. “The first pair was my genetic inheritance from my mother. That pair allowed me to be connected to the Overmind of Earth and on Tabit until I was Cesdiud.”
     Virga’s shoulders sagged but she said nothing.
     “The second pair was given to me on Deucado by Pegus in order to re-establish a PPT connection to my son. It is still active. I still communicate with the Overmind there.”
     “Go on,” Virga said encouragingly.
     “The third pair was a prosthetic version of the 24th chromosome given to me by MASAL, when he kidnapped us on Earth. He wanted to take me into his samanda or at the very least convert me to an Onsira but he was unaware of OMCOM’s 25th chromosome,” Rome pointed to the screen. “It allowed me to prevent them from even starting a resonance in the first place.”
     Virga turned to Rei. “And you? You are Essessoni. You were injected with this prosthetic chromosome as well?”

Tomorrow, the full and final implications of all the genetic changes to Rome and Rei.