Change Agent

by Daniel Suarez

“I’m given to understand that there are plenty of slaves already in the world. Huge populations of refugees on the move. Wouldn’t that make for a . . . challenging market for this product?” Vegas nodded. “Indeed. But unlike slaves, as you can see, these workers will not rebel. Or demand rights. Docile—susceptible to suggestion and lacking self-interest. This achievement was accomplished through research on Devil’s Breath.” Frey stared out at the workers. “Scopolamine.” “Yes. It has a fascinating effect on the human brain. Zombifies the mind, making it receptive to external suggestion. Our partners have perfected embryo edits to create the chemical naturally within the brain. With these children, such susceptibility to external suggestion is permanent. They will hold their hand over a flame if you tell them to.” Durand felt nausea. Right here—this was the reason for the Genetic Crime Division. It’s what had motivated his old self. Before he’d gone on this insane quest, his job had been to prevent abominations like this. He’d had a noble purpose. Now he was standing here petitioning monsters for assistance. This was devolution. Humanity was devolving a portion of itself into a slave subspecies. He had to put a stop to this. It could not go on. The evil on display here was too great.