title: Devolution
author: Butler, Susan Katrinka
description: A life form was trapped, nearly burned out of existence. Transported from a warzone to this earth, different timeline, it was infused with human DNA to be raised as human to survive. It grew rapidly, more rapidly than geneticists had expected. Yet, it was aware, just unsure of current surroundings in an alien culture.
  It was rescued too soon from healing crèche for it to reconstruct complete memory of existence but could learn, adapt. Always had. She was female, pleasingly; it felt right. She was called Katherine, here, a human designation. Ironically, even different, the only obstacle apparent was her difficulty in vocally copying human speech. Even instinctually understanding all languages, here or elsewhere, this human English with its double meanings of words was befuddling.
  In growing, learning rules, she's drawn to a dark professor, feeling kinship despite opposite color of outer shell. He's not rebuffed by her vocal disability as are others! He learns signing to communicate, yet actually understands her sounds of high-pitched chirrups. She feels closely interconnected with him--she knows his scent, feels she found her rightfully chosen mate after all this time. She feels his thoughts. He truly loves her even against his learned human nature! Details didn't matter; they'd relearn, together ... but something went wrong. These human creatures were still mucking about the timeline ... again.
  Raised in Michigan, Susan Katrinka Butler resides in Lakeland, Florida. She's an accountant for the present; though other careers have led to some unique stories. She's writing yet another novel, perhaps a variant into another world?
  