The enforcer vehicle soon reached the gates of the main temple of the House of Divine Knowledge. Several junior philosophers rushed out to meet Sylvie and Tony. Sylvie hugged and thanked the enforcer and then entered the temple with the junior philosophers.
Once inside, Reveileb rushed over to Sylvie and the junior philosophers.
‘They were dropped off by an enforcer,’ said Reveileb in a panicked tone as he looked at his junior philosophers. ‘Take them to my office. I’ll be back soon.’
Reveileb rushed to the accommodation area where the mothers and their children were staying.
‘To the basement, now,’ he repeated firmly as he went from room to room.
He then rushed down to the basement to open the trapdoor to the secret passage. Within a few minutes, all the mothers and their children were in the basement. They climbed down into the passage below. Once they were down, Reveileb covered the trapdoor with the stone slab. Then he quickly raced back to his office to meet Sylvie and Tony.
‘I’m sorry about all that,’ said Reveileb as he entered his office. ‘I needed to take some urgent precautions.’
‘You think the enforcers are coming for us,’ said Sylvie as she stared angrily at Reveileb.
‘I think they will,’ replied Reveileb. ‘Don’t worry! I’ll do everything I can to protect you.’
Meanwhile outside, a large group of enforcers had arrived. They were led by the Head Enforcer. Head Philosopher Trafalgar rushed out to confront them.
‘You have no business storming these grounds,’ shouted Trafalgar.
‘We’re here on suspicion that someone within your organisation is harbouring criminals,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘We’re to search all buildings on this land.’
‘On that basis, we will conduct our own investigation and get back to you,’ replied Trafalgar, sounding annoyed.
‘Don’t think so,’ said the Head Enforcer as he pushed Trafalgar aside.
‘This is a violation of divine law,’ shouted Trafalgar. ‘This is the land and property of the higher power.’
‘Then he can stop us,’ chuckled an enforcer as he pushed past Trafalgar.
The Head Enforcer entered Reveileb’s office. Reveileb, Sylvie, and Tony were standing behind Reveileb’s desk.
‘Wandering around the no-go zone and now refusing a medical check-up for your son,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘How incredibly irresponsible of you. It’s obvious you’re not fit to be a mother.’
‘I only want what’s best for my boy,’ said Sylvie, sounding frustrated.
‘She’s made some mistakes, but that doesn’t matter,’ said Reveileb. ‘She has sought redemption from the higher power.’
‘She’s a criminal and should be locked away for the rest of her life,’ shouted the Head Enforcer at Reveileb. ‘Do not interfere, or I’ll have you arrested as well.’
‘You have no jurisdiction to do such a thing on these grounds,’ replied Reveileb firmly. ‘You are bound by divine law.’
‘I’ve been given permission to take any suspect from these premises by order of Governor Maskameera,’ said the Head Enforcer as he held up a piece of paper. ‘I’m only bound to enforce real laws.’
Two enforcers entered Reveileb’s office and grabbed both Sylvie and Tony.
‘Don’t worry! I won’t let anything happen to you,’ called out Reveileb as the enforcers dragged Sylvie and Tony from his office.
Reveileb picked up his phone and called Governor Marlon.
‘We have a situation here,’ said Reveileb down the phone.
He went on to explain what had just happened. Marlon promised that he, Jeff and Waldo would travel immediately to West City to help him out.
Meanwhile, the enforcers were going from room to room searching for mothers and their children. Trafalgar was demanding they stop, but they did not listen to him.
They opened every door they could find. This included the prayer rooms, basements, and even the crypts. They rummaged through cupboards and storage areas, creating an enormous mess and damage.
After three hours of frantic searching, they found nobody who resembled who they were looking for.
‘Are you satisfied now?’ shouted Trafalgar at the Head Enforcer.
‘We know you’re hiding them, and we will find them,’ said the Head Enforcer as he walked out of the temple.
The Head Enforcer and the other enforcers climbed into their vehicles.
Revieleb joined Trafalgar, and they both watched the enforcers drive out of the House of Divine Knowledge’s grounds.
‘What have you done to provoke this?’ Trafalgar asked Revieleb.
‘Our sworn and sacred job to protect the innocent,’ replied Reveileb.
‘I wouldn’t expect anything else from you,’ replied Trafalgar. ‘I just wish you wouldn’t start a war with the enforcers to do it.’
Sylvie and Tony were separated. Sylvie was taken to the Enforcer Headquarters, and Tony was taken to the medical centre.
The enforcers escorted Sylvie into an interrogation room. They cuffed her to the table and left her.
At the medical centre, medical technicians were instructed by the enforcers to conduct tests on Tony. One of these tests was a DNA test.
After waiting in the interrogation room for a few hours, the Head Enforcer entered to talk to Sylvie. He had been waiting for Maskameera to arrive. She was in another room to observe the interrogation.
Sylvie was deeply stressed and afraid of what they had planned for Tony.
‘I’m sorry about the delay,’ said the Head Enforcer. ‘I was just sorting a few things out.’
‘Where’s my son?’ demanded Sylvie.
‘If you cooperate, no harm will come to him,’ reassured the Head Enforcer.
‘He’s only a child! No harm should ever come to him, no matter what,’ insisted Sylvie.
‘We do not live in normal times,’ shouted the Head Enforcer. ‘Sacrifices must be made for the greater good, and we all must play our part.’
‘My part is to protect my son at all costs,’ said Sylvie.
‘If you mean that, you’ll answer all my questions honestly,’ said the Head Enforcer as he sat down in front of her.
Meanwhile at the medical centre, the first round of test results had returned. They indicated that Tony was in great health, far better health than any other child born in West City. The medical technician called the Enforcer Headquarters to inform the Head Enforcer. The information was passed to the Head Enforcer through an earpiece he was wearing.
‘As expected, your child appears to be in great health,’ said the Head Enforcer.
‘That’s because I take good care of him,’ said Sylvie firmly. ‘I keep him away from disease-ridden areas like this city.’
‘Stop playing games!’ shouted the Head Enforcer. ‘The children are sick because of a genetic condition. A genetic condition your son doesn’t have.’
‘Maybe he’s just lucky,’ replied Sylvie. ‘Maybe the higher power is protecting him.’
‘Maybe he’s part other,’ replied the Head Enforcer as he leaned forward. ‘We’ve tested his DNA, and we will have the results soon. I suggest you come clean now, or I’ll make life much more difficult for you and your sweet little boy.’
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ said Sylvie as she shrugged her shoulders.
‘Why did you want to go to the House of Divine Knowledge?’ asked the Head Enforcer.
‘I wanted to be closer to the higher power,’ said Sylvie. ‘I wanted to learn a better way.’
‘You could’ve gone to the House of Divine Knowledge in Phoenix City, but instead you hid in the no-go zone,’ said the Head Enforcer forcefully.
‘West City is the home of the House of Divine Knowledge,’ replied Sylvie. ‘Phoenix City does not radiate that kind of power.’
‘Maybe because they’re not harbouring criminals in the Phoenix House of Divine Knowledge,’ shouted the Head Enforcer.
‘They’re not harbouring them here either,’ replied Sylvie firmly.
The House of Divine Knowledge in West District is taking in mothers with back-bred children, just like you and your boy,’ said the Head Enforcer angrily.
‘I have no knowledge of such activity,’ replied Sylvie. ‘Even if they did, how’s that a crime?’
‘These children are a threat to our existence and must be stopped at all costs,’ said the Head Enforcer firmly.
‘Have you seen our existence?’ shouted Sylvie. ‘There’s death everywhere; we are going to die out. Healthy Linap children are a blessing and the only way forward for our species.’
‘Sickness can be cured!’ shouted the Head Enforcer. ‘We will not be replaced by an inferior species!’
The Head Enforcer heard Maskameera’s voice in his earpiece. He quickly left the interrogation room.
Meanwhile at the medical centre, Marlon, Jeff, and Waldo had just arrived and had met up with Reveileb. The four governors entered the medical centre together. Jeff, Waldo, and Reveileb went to visit Tony. Marlon went to see the medical technicians who were conducting the tests.
Marlon pushed past the enforcers and entered the laboratory. A medical technician was studying Tony’s DNA results.
‘Do you need any help?’ asked Marlon.
‘I’m glad you asked, sir,’ replied the technician. ‘I’m not quite sure what to make of these results.’
‘Let me take a look,’ said Marlon as he looked at the printouts. ‘After all, this is my area of expertise.’
‘The genetic upgrade is definitely present,’ said Marlon. ‘Just not as pronounced as in most. I’m not surprised. Once we pass the first generation, it becomes a genetic lottery of what takes a stronger grip.’
‘So nothing that strikes you as abnormal?’ asked the technician.
‘I would say not typical rather than abnormal,’ replied Marlon.
‘Yes, I think I understand,’ said the technician. ‘Well, that’s a relief!’
‘Why so?’ asked Marlon.
‘The Head Enforcer was under the impression that this child was a product of back breeding,’ said the technician.
‘No such programmes exist,’ chuckled Marlon. ‘I would know. I tried to start one.’
Meanwhile at the Enforcer Headquarters, Maskameera was talking to the Head Enforcer in an unused interrogation room.
‘Your interrogation is going nowhere,’ said Maskameera angrily. ‘Threaten to kill her son, and she will crumble.’
‘I can press her much harder once we get the DNA results,’ said the Head Enforcer.
‘It’s obvious!’ said Maskameera angrily. ‘He has to be back-bred.’
‘We need confirmation,’ said the Head Enforcer.
An enforcer entered the room.
‘Sir, the DNA results are in,’ said the enforcer. ‘He’s a normal second generation. There’s no evidence he’s been back-bred.’
‘Tell them to run the tests again!’ shouted Maskameera.
The enforcer looked at the Head Enforcer; he nodded back at him, and he then left the room.
‘I’m not doing anything until the DNA results confirm you are correct,’ said the Head Enforcer firmly to Maskameera.
She stared at him angrily as he left the room.
Meanwhile at the medical centre, Waldo was putting on a quick show for the sick children. Tony was watching with the other children while enjoying a double-chocolate ice cream. Jeff sat behind and watched.
Reveileb had now joined Head Philosopher Trafalgar and Head Theologist Gettering at the Enforcer Headquarters. The three of them entered together.
‘We would like to speak to the Head Enforcer,’ said Trafalgar in an angry tone to the enforcer on the front desk.
‘Okay, sure,’ replied the enforcer.
He picked up the phone and called the Head Enforcer. A few moments later, the Head Enforcer came out to meet them.
‘What crimes are you charging our newest trainee, Sylvie, with?’ asked Gettering.
‘The case is a work in progress,’ replied the Head Enforcer.
‘Okay, what do you intend to charge her with?’ asked Gettering.
‘Trespassing in a no-go zone,’ said the Head Enforcer.
‘Those charges have already been dropped,’ said Reveileb, sounding annoyed.
‘Conspiracy to revolt,’ said the Head Enforcer.
‘She’s been involved in an illegal back breeding programme,’ interrupted Maskameera as she walked up behind the Head Enforcer.
‘Why would you believe that?’ asked Gettering
‘Her son is not sick and dying,’ replied Maskameera.
‘I would call that a blessing from the higher power,’ said Gettering as he raised his hands above his head.
‘That’s because you’re an idiot,’ said Maskameera as she shook her head.
‘We’re waiting on the DNA results to confirm our suspicions,’ added the Head Enforcer.
‘You’ve already received DNA results confirming your suspicions to be false,’ said Marlon as he walked through the front door of the headquarters. He was accompanied by governors August Rezif and Octavius Spiro.
‘We want to be doubly sure,’ said Maskameera. ‘Mistakes can be made.’
‘We’re in the middle of the greatest health emergency our species has ever faced,’ shouted Marlon. ‘We’ll not waste any more resources on your wild accusations.’
‘I’ll second that,’ said Octavius.
‘Me too,’ said Reveileb, Trafalgar, and Gettering together.
‘That looks like a majority,’ said August as he shrugged his shoulders. ‘Release the accused.’
The Head Enforcer looked at Maskameera.
‘Don’t look at her!’ shouted August. ‘It’s been decided. You’ll release the accused. She will be returned to the care of the House of Divine Knowledge.’
‘I’ll see to it,’ said the Head Enforcer in a sheepish tone.
‘I need to speak to you in private,’ said August to Maskameera.
Maskameera followed August into an unused interrogation room.
‘I swear to you they’re covering up a back breeding programme,’ said Maskameera angrily to August.
‘Probably,’ said August calmly.
‘You’re going to just let it happen!’ shouted Maskameera.
‘Yes, and I have good reasons,’ replied August.
Maskameera sighed angrily as she stared at August.
‘Firstly, the hybrid project is moving along very well,’ said August. ‘I cannot jeopardise my partnership with Marlon. Secondly, several back-bred children isolated in the House of Divine Knowledge pose no threat to us at all. Their mothers care more for their children than they do about creating a new branch of the Linap race.’
‘They have no business living at all,’ said Maskameera angrily.
‘I’m working on something that’ll be a huge game changer for us,’ said August as he placed his hand on Maskameera’s shoulder. ‘Antagonising the other governors, especially Marlon, puts all this at risk. You must trust me on this.’
‘Fine!’ replied Maskameera as she gritted her teeth together.
Reveileb and Marlon had taken Sylvie to the medical centre to see Tony. He was singing and dancing to Waldo, who was playing with balloon Sapes.
‘Mum, Waldo’s here to see me,’ called out Tony. ‘I love him!’
Sylvie ran over and hugged Tony.
Waldo’s eyes bulged with delight as he held up both his thumbs. Reveileb and Marlon nodded in response.
Reveileb took Sylvie and Tony back to the main temple at the House of Divine Knowledge. He led them down into the basement. He raised the stone slab and opened the trapdoor leading into the passage. The mothers with their children climbed out.
‘Sylvie, Tony, I’d like you to meet your new family and fellow trainees,’ said Reveileb.
One by one, Sylvie hugged the mothers, and Tony started to play with the other children.
Maskameera’s campaign to wipe out all the back-bred children was finally over. Reveileb, with the help of Dominik and Marlon, went in search of the remaining mothers and their back-bred children. Within six months, they had located all of them. They managed to bring them to the House of Divine Knowledge in the West City with minimal resistance.
Waldo made an effort to visit the House of Divine Knowledge frequently to perform his show, which was adored by all the children.
The hybrid project, mentioned by August, involved adding Sape DNA to that of the Linap to create a new species. This species was not intended to replace the Linap, as was the fear with the back-bred hybrid. This species was designed to serve the Linap. To take over activities that the Linap could no longer perform because of poor health. This species was called Sapiens.
The Sapiens were very much more closely genetically related to Linap than Sapes, but their weaknesses to diseases and the ability to shapeshift had been bred out of them. The Linap would take care of the Sapiens until they came of age. This was initially very difficult, but confining the Linap to just three cities made this task considerably easier. Raising the Sapien children had a huge psychological impact on the Linap. It gave them hope of a brighter future.
Reveileb attended a party at Marlon’s estate in the Capital City. He was amazed at how well the Sapien and the much sicklier Linap children interacted. It appeared that the hatred from the previous generation had not carried through to the next. There was finally a strong feeling of hope for the future of everyone.
August was delighted at the success of the project but mostly for different reasons. He used Marlon’s genetic breakthrough for himself and his closest friends, Maskameera and Octavius. August had discovered frozen Sentray eggs in the far north. He used Marlon’s technique to modify his own genetics with that of the Sentray’s in an attempt to make himself immortal.
Eventually, the population of Sapiens had grown sufficiently to reopen some of the older cities and districts. They were now called regions and were contained by high walls. These new regions were designed almost exclusively for the new Sapiens. Reveileb saw this as an opportunity to grant the back-bred children, who were now young adults, their freedom.
Jimbo and Emma decided that they wanted to move to the new Adoy Region. Marlon arranged for them to be secretly transported along with the young Sapiens to the Adoy Region. Both Jimbo and Emma were skilled shapeshifters and could easily blend in with the Sapiens.
After living in Adoy for a couple of years, Jimbo married Emma. They had three children together. These children went on to marry Sapiens in Adoy. Their Linap genes became integrated into the Adoy Sapiens, giving some the potential to shapeshift. However, none of them were taught how to do so. Therefore, their gifts were only triggered by accident, and most did not even know they were doing so.
Until a period known as the 'Great Divide', where Sapiens were transferred between regions for political reasons, the Linap genes remained confined to Sapiens in Adoy.
The Linap were unaware that some Sapiens were capable of shapeshifting. Their genes, now referred to as the Bramley genes, were passed along to characters such as Demarcus, Polly, Lily, and Milly.
Tony did not want to leave the House of Divine Knowledge. He eventually became the Head Philosopher. He chose not to marry and did not have any offspring to carry on his genes. Most of the other back-bred children moved to the new regions, but traces of their genetics have yet to be picked up in the current generations of Sapiens.
Images were created with the help of Grok 3.0
Sapien Loop short stories explore the adventures of some of the characters from the Sapien Loop series. These stories are intended to reveal more about individual characters and the events that have helped shape them.
Currently, two books from the series have been published on Amazon; see links below:
All individual chapters can be found on my 
