Chapter Text
What is the future of humanity? That is the question that has been on the minds of philosophers and scientists for centuries. The discovery of the Psi gene was the turning point in our understanding of human evolution. What will be the future of humanity? We must look for it in the place we’ve always looked for it: in the faces of our children. What potentials can we unlock with the Psi gene? Only in time will we know what the Psi gene’s purpose is and why it exists.
~Excerpt from Foreseeing the Future: Human Evolution in Real Time. Professor Aemon Targaryen, Doctor of Philosophy~
Benjen tried his best to keep the kids entertained in the waiting room. Robb and Sansa were excited. Fortunately, little Arya was still snoozing in her stroller. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if he had to deal with three kids running around with too much nervous energy this morning.
A nurse approached Benjen. Robb and Sansa looked up from their coloring books at the coffee table. “Mr. Stark?”
“Yes?” Benjen focused on her.
The nurse smiled warmly at him before glancing at the kids. “Your brother and sister-in-law are ready for you. Room 520, down the corridor to the left,” she said pointing at the hallway.
Benjen returned her smile. “Thanks.” He quickly gathered up the kids and led them to Catelyn’s room.
“A baby!” Sansa piped up as she began lightly skipping down the hallway.
“I hope it’s a brother this time,” Robb said hurrying after his sister.
Benjen pushed the stroller right behind his older niece and nephew. “Okay, look for the 520 on the door, kids.”
“Okay!” the two older kids replied as they continued their trek.
Soon enough they arrived at an open door. They could see Ned sitting in a chair by the hospital bed. As they entered, they saw Catelyn holding a bundle of blankets. Both were beaming at Benjen and the kids.
“You weren’t too much trouble for your Uncle Ben, were you?” Ned asked his children.
They shook their heads. Robb and Sansa beamed at their father.
“They were fine, Ned. Even our troublesome Arya,” Benjen replied teasing his still sleeping niece.
Ned chuckled at this. Sansa climbed onto his lap, while Robb stood by his mother.
“What’s the baby’s name, Mama?” Robb asked.
Catelyn smiled at her eldest. “His name is Brandon.”
“Baby Bran,” Sansa said. She snuggled into Ned’s side as he wrapped an arm around her.
“Aye, that’ll work just fine. Bran he is.” Ned gave Sansa a kiss on the top of her auburn hair that left her giggling.
The tableau was briefly interrupted when Doctor Luwin entered. “Good morning.”
Everyone returned his greeting as he walked towards Catelyn. He patted Robb’s head before the boy moved towards his father giving the doctor some room. “It’ll take a few weeks for young Brandon’s DNA analysis to be completed, but we do have a couple preliminary results done.”
The adults grew silent at this. The Genetics Registry Act passed nearly thirty years ago. The result was a giant database that would eventually track the DNA of all citizens. It was a law that was necessary due to the appearance of “enhanced people” amongst other reasons. An additional law passed soon after the database was established requiring all children and newborn babies have genetic samples taken and included in the registry.
“And?” Ned asked somberly.
“It appears that Brandon also has the Psi gene,” replied the doctor.
Catelyn sighed as she looked at her new baby boy. She and Ned had a suspicion it might be the case. Their other children had the Psi gene as well. Both she and Ned were carriers and it appeared they passed both copies to all their children.
Ned frowned. He never liked the idea of his children, any of them, being scrutinized and studied by the scientific community. However, like other families with Psi genes, he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. There were just too many unknowns and mysteries involved with Psi users. Robb was six and would be starting first grade this year. He already had preliminary tests on his Psi abilities and would have to undergo more testing once puberty began. That was the fate of all the Stark children it seemed.
Doctor Luwin could tell they had concerns. “I know it is difficult for you, but we’ve been trying to make the research as noninvasive as possible. At the same time, understanding what your children’s potential abilities are will help them and others like them in the future.”
“I don’t want them or anyone to be mistreated. I’m still fighting for that in parliament,” said Ned. As with anything that required monitoring and registration, there was potential for abuse. Already there were complaints and protests of bias against people with an active Psi gene.
“Of course, Senator Stark,” Doctor Luwin replied. It was hardly a secret that as more children had positive results for the Psi gene, there was growing concern and suspicion of what it really meant. Even now, there were debates raging from kitchen tables to halls of government what to do about these Psi users.
Doctor Luwin began flipping through the sheets on his clipboard. “We’ll have an appointment in a few weeks to discuss not only Brandon’s results, but also Robb’s. Sansa will be in kindergarten next year?”
Catelyn nodded. “Yes. I suppose we’ll have to think about her examination as well?”
“I’m afraid so. Before you know it, Arya and Brandon will have to be examined as well,” Doctor Luwin replied.
“One step at a time, Doctor. One step at a time,” Ned replied as he took a good long look at his family.
Lyanna Snow always prided herself for being an independent woman. She had a good paying job working at Senator Eddard Stark’s office as one of his many support staff. Despite being distantly related to him (some cousin once removed or whatever) she proved everyday that she was qualified for her job. The only awkwardness that happened around the office was when she discovered she was pregnant.
The gossip in the parliamentary offices was rampant during those early months. It didn’t take people long to figure out who her baby’s father was. Senator Stark (or Ned as he said she could call him) was very supportive and made it clear she was still a valued member of his staff despite the situation. Still the tabloids loved hyping up the scandal of a “lowly staffer” fraternizing with the very handsome and very married Senator Rhaegar Targaryen. Despite the scandal, Elia Martell-Targaryen didn’t demand a divorce when it was made public. Senator Targaryen openly accepted responsibility and paternity of her baby.
Lyanna cursed herself for her foolishness. She wasn’t stupid enough to believe that one night of passion would convince Rhaegar to abandon his wife or children for her. She was stupid she hadn’t been taking birth control on time. Their one night stand happened around the time of Tywin Lannister’s election as Hand of the King for his third five-year term. Helping Ned organize one of the many parties and dinners being held at King’s Landing for the event occupied her time and stressed her out. Senator Targaryen had been very subtle with his flirting, but it wasn’t until the morning after that she realized he was genuinely interested in her. Even now seven years later, he seemed to be interested in her still. It was confusing to say the least.
Her precious boy, Jon Eddard Snow, was quietly coloring pages in his coloring book as they waited at The Blue Rose Café near Parliament Hall. Jon had Rhaegar’s nose and a similar smile, but he was every bit a Stark-Snow. Lyanna’s family was an offshoot of the Starks a few generations back. They looked like Starks and she was pleased her little Jonny looked like a Stark.
It was a surprise however that Jon was born with the Psi gene. Like many people with First Men ancestry she was a Psi gene carrier, but hadn’t thought that Rhaegar might be one as well. Not with the reputation of House Targaryen at least. She considered herself fortunate there were laws in the books that banned the usage of children’s images in media without express permission by their parents or guardians. This prevented his image from being printed or placed on the internet without severe fines or lawsuits. Not looking like a silver-haired, purple eyed Targaryen helped hide his paternity.
Soon they weren’t alone. “Good morning, Lyanna,” a soft, warm voice said.
Lyanna glanced up and her heart thumped a little faster much to her chagrin. “Rhaegar.”
Rhaegar took the empty seat opposite her and Jon. He smiled as he saw Jon finishing up a page with his green crayon. “He’s growing so fast.”
“They all do. He’ll be starting first grade this fall. He’s going to be in the same class as Robb Stark. It made him happy when he found out,” Lyanna replied. She gently ran her fingers through her son’s hair. “Jonny, dear?”
Jon looked up and put his crayon down upon seeing his father. Jon was solemn and nodded politely at Rhaegar. “Hello, Father.”
“Hello, Jon. Have you had breakfast yet?” Rhaegar asked.
Jon shook his head. “Just some milk earlier. Mama said we’ll eat here.”
Rhaegar nodded. “You can pick whatever you like on the menu, Jon. It’s my treat.”
Lyanna frowned slightly. “You don’t have to do that, Rhaegar.”
Rhaegar looked at her sadly. “It’s nothing, Lyanna. It’s the least I can do for the both of you. You deserve it.” He handed a menu to Jon.
Lyanna resisted the urge sigh at this. Rhaegar was always like this every time they would meet. He’d do little things, almost like he was her husband. But he wasn’t and would never be. She looked at Jon, who was starting to look at the menu.
“I’d like pancakes and scrambled eggs,” Jon said after looking at the menu.
Rhaegar got a waiter’s attention and they all placed their orders. Soon enough the waiter left and it was just the three members of a sort of family together at the table. He looked tenderly at Jon, who was watching his father. “I heard Ned’s wife had her baby.”
Jon nodded with a smile at this. “I saw baby Bran. He’s cute. He looks like Robb and he smiles a lot. Sansa is happy about the baby too. Arya pokes him sometimes.”
Rhaegar chuckles at this. “Rhaenys used to do that to Aegon too.”
Lyanna felt a bit cold at the reminder of his other children. “How are they, your children? Your wife?”
Rhaegar cleared his throat. “They are well. Elia will be out of town on a cruise of the Summer Isles with Ashara Dayne and a few other girlfriends of hers. She’s planning to take the children along too. She said it would be for two weeks.”
Lyanna arched an eyebrow. “That’s nice for her. I hope that I can take Jon on a trip too. Perhaps up to the North to visit his other relatives. I think I’ll take him during his Winter Solstice break.”
Rhaegar frowned at this. Before he could speak the waiter returned with their orders. After he left, they began cutting into their breakfasts and started eating. It was about five minutes into the meal before Rhaegar spoke again.
“I had hoped to spend more time with Jon and you this month,” Rhaegar said as he cut into a waffle.
“Can we go to the zoo? There’s lots of animals. Robb and his family are going next weekend,” Jon asked hopefully.
“Finish your breakfast, Jon. We’ll work things out with your, father,” Lyanna replied calmly before sipping her coffee. Rhaegar did this all the time. He waited for Elia to be out of town to properly spend alone time with Jon. It frustrated her in many ways that he was trying to be involved and yet did it in a way that looked like he was sneaking around. They were a dirty secret to hide from his wife. This is despite the fact Elia knew about their short time affair. But this wasn’t the time to confront him. This was a time for Jon.
Jon nodded as he continued eating his breakfast. Jon was perfect in her eyes. Though she knew he was too serious at times. Perhaps it was the realization that his family situation wasn’t the same as everyone else’s appeared to be. Robb Stark was his best friend and the Starks were the ideal family. A mother and father married and raising the children in a loving home was what Jon knew their family was like. All she could hope for was that Rhaegar didn’t break Jon’s heart.
“I was hoping that we could have a family dinner together. Elia thought Jon should meet his brother and sister properly. Would you be available anytime soon?” Rhaegar said after finishing another bite of his breakfast.
Lyanna glanced at Jon, who was finishing off his eggs. Lyanna couldn’t deny that was true. Jon did deserve to know his siblings even if they couldn’t live together or have the same kind of relationship that his best friend had with his family. She turned back to Rhaegar. “What’s a good night for you and Elia?”
Rhaegar smiled. “Next week?”
“Alright,” Lyanna replied. She could only hope things would be alright.
Jon Arryn carefully watched the other men at the table around him. It wasn’t an official business lunch and was intended to be a more casual event amongst the various senators. However Jon Arryn wasn’t a fool and knew this really was a business lunch in all but name. As current Hand of the King, he was given the head of the table. Robert Baratheon currently president of the senators sat the other end.
As the president of the Senate, Robert was the leader of the lords who held title of Senator. Robert and the leaders of the different regional senators met with the Hand and the King at least once a month to discuss various issues. Despite the fact Robert was the current president, everyone knew Tywin Lannister was the one really in charge. He was clever enough to make sure he didn’t keep the leadership title for too long. Encouraging Robert and other senators to run for President of the Senate, while being a close advisor, gave him influence. Inevitably Tywin would become president again after Robert’s term of five years was done.
Tywin sat to the right of his son-in-law, Robert. He calmly and efficiently sliced his steak into even strips. He lightly dabbed each strip onto steak sauce before chewing. He alternated eating the steak with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. Tywin casually glanced at the others around the table.
Jon knew Tywin had an agenda today and he was going to make sure he kept on his toes at this lunch. He was about halfway through his barbecue salmon when Robert spoke up.
“We should send Ned and Cat a congratulation present. A second baby boy. Grand news,” Robert boomed.
Jon nodded. Technically young baby Brandon was his nephew through his wife, Lysa Tully. “I’ve called Ned and his wife the other day. Of course knowing him, he’ll be reading and keeping up to date with work until he returns next week,” he replied.
“Man works too damned hard. He needs to live a little,” Robert scoffed before taking a huge bite into another rib. He cleaned the meat off with a small pop noise. “Can’t even remember the last time he took a proper vacation with his happy brood.”
Jon Arryn was too used to Robert’s laid back attitude. If he wasn’t chosen as president through Tywin’s machinations, he’d avoid attending parliamentary sessions as much as possible. As much as Jon loved Robert like a son, he couldn’t help but wish Robert had given the Baratheon senate seat to his rigid, but responsible brother, Stannis. “Well I commend him for his strong work ethic. It’s a trait his father gave him and he’s a man of his word. Still I agree he should find more time to relax while his family is young and they can enjoy life more.”
“Ah family is a truly wonderful thing. I’m pleased to be with my own family and find few pleasures in life as beautiful as being surrounded by them,” Senator Wyman Manderly replied with a chuckle. He heartily ate his roasted chicken. Jon Arryn knew Manderly as a jovial man, but he is also a fierce Northern senator and a particularly shrewd advisor for Ned Stark.
Tywin finished drinking from his glass of water before speaking. “I’ve heard the newest Stark has an active Psi gene.”
Everyone grew quiet at that with only the occasional clink of knife and fork on plate. It was unfortunate to the eyes of many people to have a child with an active Psi gene. There were still too many unknowns despite thirty years of research.
“Odd that a family like Stark’s manages to produce four children with an active Psi gene,” said Senator Damon Marbrand, who sat only two seats away from Tywin. A Westerlander senator like Marbrand could be counted on to bolster any observations made by Tywin.
Jon cleared his throat before cutting into his salmon with the side of his fork. “It is an odd coincidence, but hardly strange. After all any set of siblings are likely to inherit all sorts of traits that are in all the siblings. As I recall, the Lannisters have had blond hair and green eyes for generations have they not?” Jon Arryn observed casually.
Tywin glanced at Jon out of the corner of his eye before replying. “Yes, but hardly surprising since the Westerlands are mostly fair haired. However, having blond hair and green eyes doesn’t mean that the possessor of those traits could potentially have an advantage over everyone else.”
“Ah,” thought Jon Arryn. This was Tywin’s agenda this time. While Jon Arryn had his own concerns about the growing numbers of Psi users being born, Tywin’s interest in the issue was something that worried him. Jon couldn’t help but cynically wonder how Lannister would react if one of Cersei’s children had been born as a Psi user.
“That is true from a hypothetical stand point. However there are already tight regulations in place tracking existing Psi users. Also there are systems in place that require additional training and monitoring for Psi users as well. Anything more restrictive will result in major push back,” Jon replied. He continued with his meal. After finishing off another bite of his meal, he added. “We are a modern society that must respect the rights of all citizens. Wouldn’t want our government to be accused of anything unsavory, wouldn’t you all agree?”
There were mutterings with some nods in agreement at that. Conversation drifted off to less serious topics. Tywin merely looked at Jon before turning to his food and occasionally Robert and his other cronies around him. Yes, Tywin Lannister will require some monitoring.