Meta (Book 5): New Empire

by Reynolds, Tom

  The Volarians might have found Jim. Responding to my concern, my magtonium deploys my armored suit. I push open the door, ready for anything—except for what I actually find.

  Sarah is seated on Jim’s bed, and they’re locked in a kiss.

  Sarah jumps up from Jim’s bed. “Connor, what are you doing here?”

  Jim doesn’t look at me. He stares at the ground, his face beet red. It feels like a punch to the gut.

  The magtonium retracts from my body and reforms into a disk. Ignoring Sarah’s question, I pull the memory stick from my pocket and place it on Jim’s desk.

  “Midnight asked me to give you this,” I say, struggling to keep my voice from breaking. “It’s data from Volaris that my suit collected. He needs help deciphering it.”

  “From Volaris? How did your suit collect data from Volaris? Hold on, did you go to Volaris?” Sarah exclaims.

  I turn and hurry out the room, not knowing where I’m going.

  “Connor, wait. I want to talk,” Sarah shouts as she steps into the hallway.

  I exit into the stairwell and back into the night.

  Thirty-Four

  “Connor, it’s not what it looked like,” Sarah shouts.

  I’m walking fast with no destination in mind, needing to get as far from the dorm building as quickly as I can.

  Sarah’s footsteps are catching up with me. I consider activating my nanosuit and flying out of here, but that feels like an overreaction.

  “Really? Because it looked like you and Jim were making out. Are you telling me that isn’t what I saw?”

  “I wouldn’t call that making out.”

  “Fine, kissing, call it whatever you want. Are you saying my eyes were playing tricks on me?”

  I march on, not wanting to give Sarah the satisfaction of seeing me this upset.

  “Yes, no. I mean … I don’t know.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to figure it out. Meanwhile, I have to go save the world by myself.”

  “That’s not fair, Connor. Don’t let something stupid get in the way of us working together.”

  “Maybe working together is what’s getting in the way.”

  Sarah grabs my bicep to stop me. The magtonium instantly reacts. It flees my pocket and rapidly spreads across my arm, forcibly removing Sarah’s grip. She recoils, grabbing her hand and holding it tight against her chest.

  “Stop!” I yell at the magtonium.

  It shrinks back into my pocket. I step toward Sarah, but she takes a step back, fear obvious in her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I didn’t mean to do that. Sometimes, the magtonium reacts on its own when it perceives danger.”

  “You think I’m dangerous?”

  “No, of course not. I’m sorry. Do you see now? Do you see why I’m so afraid of this thing? Every time I feel like I have it under control, it does something that makes me think it has a mind of its own. I don’t want it to hurt anyone.”

  “Is everything okay now?” she asks.

  “Yeah, I think so. It does that when I’m emotional.”

  “And you’re not emotional anymore?”

  “Of course I am, but I’m forcing myself to calm down.”

  “It’s okay. I know it’s not your fault.”

  “Did it hurt you? Can I see your hand?”

  She holds it out for me to check. Her hand is okay, and I’m beyond relieved.

  “I’ll be fine. I was more scared than anything else.”

  “Me too.”

  There’s a silence between us, and I’m not sure what to say. A semi-sentient swarm of nanobots attacking someone isn’t the best conversation starter.

  “Connor, listen … about me and Jim …” Sarah begins.

  “No, it’s okay. I don’t want to know the details, please.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. There aren’t any details. That was the first time anything like that has ever happened between us. We’re both scared—heck, half the world is scared right now. It just feel like we’re the only people who understands what the other is going through. You promised to keep us in the loop, but we’re just finding out now that you somehow went to Volaris? How is that supposed to make us feel when our friend doesn’t even tell us before he heads off to another planet?”

  “I’m not leaving you guys out on purpose, it all just happened fast.”

  Sarah searches my eyes for a long time. I can tell she doesn’t think she can trust me. The worst part about it is I completely understand why.

  “I have to address the elephant in the room. Connor, I know you still have feelings for me, and I still care about you, a lot, but I don’t think we’re meant to be together. And this isn’t just about you keeping things from me, or about Jim or anybody else for that matter. It’s about what’s meant to be and what isn’t.”

  The silence between us feels like it lasts for hours. I never expected Sarah to come running back to me, not anytime soon anyway. To be honest, I’ve had much bigger things on my mind. Still, I always held out hope that we’d eventually get back together.

  I don’t know where that feeling came from, though. Maybe it wasn’t so much a feeling as it was a strong desire.

  But the finality of Sarah’s words has knocked me off balance. I don’t like finality. I never have. There’s been so much of it in my life, so many things I would give anything to go back and change.

  “I’m not saying this to hurt you, Connor.”

  “No, no, I know. I’m just processing. I wasn’t expecting to walk in on you and Jim—”

  “Like I said, Connor, this isn’t about me and Jim. And for the record, Jim is pretty upset. He knows he just recently earned your trust back.”

  “He doesn’t owe me anything. Neither of you do. I’m sorry, Sarah. You’re both your own people and shouldn’t have to worry about what I think. That’s dumb and selfish.”

  “Wow, when did you become so wise?”

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s important.”

  “Would any of these important things happen to wear a skintight purple suit and have a flaming head?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Oh, come on, Connor. It’s obvious to everyone that you’ve always had a thing for Iris too.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  Sarah laughs. “Please. Lying isn’t one of your superpowers, Omni. You might have yourself fooled, but everyone else knows it’s true. It’s just a matter of time until the two of you get together. Everything clicked into place after I found out who you really are. She’s the one you’re supposed to be with.”

  Is it that obvious to everyone? I hadn’t thought about it until Iris kissed me on Volaris. Even then, I assumed it was because of the situation we were in. Like Sarah said, everyone is a little on edge. Maybe Iris kissed me in case we were about to die in that cave? Does that make sense, though? I’ve been in countless life-threatening situations, and I’ve never had the urge to kiss the person who happened to be next to me.

  “I want us to be friends, Connor. I don’t want things to change between us.”

  “I don’t want things to change between us either.”

  Sarah steps in and gives me a hug. I didn’t realize how badly I needed it.

  I wasn’t fair to her. I didn’t tell her who I am when we started dating, and I’ve been less than truthful with her about a whole host of other things since then. She deserves someone better than that, someone she can feel like she really knows. I’m not that person, and I don’t know if I ever will be.

  “I’m heading back to my dorm,” Sarah says. “That’s been more than enough excitement for one night. Are you going to go back to your room?”

  I consider my other options, and there aren’t any. It’s been an extremely long day, and I’m too tired to head all the way back to Derrick’s. Talking to Jim will be extremely awkward, but it’s inevitable, so I might as well get it over with.

  “Yeah, I think I am.”
<
br />   “Good. I think Jim needs to know you’re not mad at him.”

  “I still am, a little bit.”

  Sarah playfully hits me in the arm. “Well, you’ll have to get over it. You’ve got a world to save. Remember when you said that?”

  “Is that really how I put it?” I say, cringing.

  “Yeah, it was pretty ridiculous.”

  “Sorry about that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Maybe it’s true. Get some sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, I will. You too.”

  “Goodnight, Connor Connolly.”

  Sarah walks off toward the girls’ dormitory.

  I look up at my dorm window. The lights are on now and I see a silhouette duck out of view. Jim watched our entire conversation, which I kinda expected. I would have totally done the same thing.

  I head back inside and climb the stairs to my room. My door opens before I can grab the knob.

  “Connor, I’m so sorry about that. I know you still like Sarah and I know that was totally not a cool thing for a friend to do. We’ve just been under a lot of stress lately, and I know that’s not an excuse, but it kinda just happened. I don’t think Sarah really likes me, anyway. I was just in the right place at the right time and—”

  “Jim,” I interrupt, allowing him to take his first breath since he started talking. “It’s okay.”

  “It is?”

  “Yeah, for the most part,” I hedge. “I won’t get over it overnight, but we’ve got work to do, and I’m exhausted. You’re both grownups—well, technically you’re not, but you’ve been through more than most grownups have in their entire lives, so who am I to say what you can and can’t do?”

  Jim looks like he’s at a loss for words. He throws his arms around me and pulls me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you feel that way, Connor. I know it wasn’t easy for you to trust me again, and I never wanted to jeopardize that. Had I known anything like that was going to happen, I would have told you about it first, I promise.”

  “It’s fine, Jim. Seriously. All I want is to go to bed.”

  “Right, right, of course. You must be exhausted. Where were you this whole time, by the way?”

  I face-plant on the bed, and it’s never felt so luxurious. Sleep is already tugging at me, and I’m powerless to resist.

  “Jim, please,” I say, the pillow muffling my voice. “If you really want to make it up to me, you’ll turn down your light. We can talk about it in the morning.”

  “Okay, that’s fair,” Jim says.

  Just as I’m drifting off to sleep, I remember I haven’t spoken to Derrick since I returned. Heck, he doesn’t even know that I went to an alien planet. He might be worried about me. I should check in. I grumble into my pillow and roll over, slapping my hand over the nightstand to reach for my phone.

  “I thought you were going to sleep?” Jim asks.

  “I am. I just need to let Derrick know I’m okay first.”

  “I don’t know if you’re going to be able to get through.”

  “Why is that?”

  “You don’t know? He’s at that Volarian technology demonstration happening outside the city. I saw him post about it earlier.”

  “Derrick is there?” I say, panicked.

  “Yeah, I figured you would have assumed that. He wouldn’t miss it for the world. They said all cell phone signals would be blocked, though. Something to do with the technology they’re showing off. I can put it on TV if you want.”

  Jim reaches for the remote, but I’m already on my feet and heading for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Jim asks.

  “To save my brother.”

  “I think I might be able to help.”

  Thirty-Five

  I push through the crowd toward the entrance to the pavilion. Outside, protesters are holding signs warning of the Volarians’ sinister intentions.

  These people know what they’re talking about. Unfortunately, they’re outnumbered by the massive crowd eager to see what the Volarians are showing off.

  The pavilion is set up in an empty field, miles outside the city. It reminds me of a music festival, except instead of chain-link fencing, there’s a semi-transparent force field around the perimeter. There aren’t any metahumans in the sky. It’s a rare sight with this many people gathered together in one place.

  I step into the long line and wait to enter. I need to find Derrick as discreetly as possible and get the hell out of here. I reach into my pocket, looking for my chunk of magtonium, a habit I’ve fallen into whenever I’m nervous.

  But the magtonium isn’t there. It was too dangerous to bring it, knowing there would be extensive security. The Volarians claim the screening is routine, considering the security risks that come with a crowd this size, this also lets them keep metabands out.

  When metabands are shifted out of our reality, they’re invisible to standard metal detectors, but I imagine the Volarians have figured out a way to detect them. My magtonium would be even easier to detect. I shouldn’t need it, but not having it makes me uneasy.

  “Step forward,” the guard barks.

  The long line divides into multiple queues, each leading to large transparent boxes. Visitors are made to step inside to be scanned. A guard waves me forward and gestures for me to step into the box. My heart pounds as I think about the handful of nanoparticles still on my body. They’re submicroscopic, too small for a metal detector to find, but if the Volarians are looking, they might find them. I can only hope they aren’t.

  The box is nearly soundproof, blocking out the noise of the crowd as I wait for the scan to finish. A thin blue line moves vertically across my body. I hold my breath and wait.

  “All clear,” the guard says. “Step inside.”

  I release my breath, trying to be subtle about it, and exit the box. Before I can leave, the guard’s magtonium-covered hand clamps down on my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

  “I thought that was you, Connolly,” the guard says.

  My heart stops.

  The magtonium pulls back from his face to reveal his identity.

  Muldowney.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask.

  “What does it look like? I’m working.”

  “Don’t you already have a job?”

  “Have to make ends meet somehow. And this job has some pretty nice perks.” As he speaks the magtonium reforms over his face, obscuring it. “Now move along. You’re holding up the line.”

  Muldowney waves for the person behind me to come forward.

  It’s always strange to see teachers outside of school, but it’s even stranger when they’re in a nanosuit, working for an alien government. I want to warn him of the Volarians’ true intentions, but I’m the last person on Earth he’d listen to. Warning him would only get me thrown out of here—or worse. I’ve got to get Derrick clear of this place before I can worry about anyone else.

  Inside the gates, thousands of people are milling about. On the edges of the pavilion are small, booth-like structures where most of the visitors are congregating. From my position, it’s hard to see what’s inside, but the booths look familiar. The white, rounded architecture reminds me of the buildings on Volaris and the room where we met the hologram of April Allard. The booths are showing off Volarian technology, as if the people here needed more convincing to step into April’s trap.

  I push my way through the crowd, scanning faces as I go. Most people grimace back at me, thinking I’m trying to push my way to the front. All I can do is apologize as I squeeze through.

  “Hey, wait your turn like everyone else.”

  “Sorry, I’m just trying to—Derrick!”

  By a stroke of luck, the person yelling at me happens to be the same one I’m looking for.

  “Connor? What are you doing here?” He looks behind me to see if I’m alone.

  “I need to talk to you,” I say.

  I give him the most serious look I can muster, hoping he’ll listen and
not argue with me.

  “Yeah, okay. I’ll follow you,” Derrick says.

  He gets it, thank goodness.

  As we walk, I glimpse what all the fuss is about. At the edge of the crowd, a blue hologram is displaying various animal species from Volaris. I can’t tell if people are excited to see animals they’ve never witnessed before, or if they’re thinking about how cool the hologram technology will be for Monday Night Football.

  They have no idea there won’t be any more Monday Night Football if the Volarians get their way.

  Once we’re out of the crowd, Derrick moves in close and whispers, “You’re back. How was it? What did you see?”

  “A lot, but right now, we need to get out of here.”

  I pick up my pace and Derrick trots alongside to catch up. My eyes are locked on the gate leading out of here. I answer Derrick’s next question before he can ask it.

  “This is a trap. The Volarians intend to use these people as slaves. Everyone here is gonna be a Volarian’s personal pet.”

  “Where did you learn that?”

  “From a Volarian travel agent.”

  “They have travel agencies on Volaris?”

  “And old sitcoms. I think that’s how they learned English.”

  “Huh?”

  A nanosuit-wearing security guard steps in front of us and places his gloved hand on my chest. “Sorry, folks, no reentry.”

  “That’s fine. We’re leaving,” I reply.

  The guard cocks his head. “The main presentation hasn’t started yet.”

  “I’ll catch it later on MeVid.”

  I go to step around him, but he moves to block my path.

  “All visitors must remain inside the perimeter until the presentation has finished. Sorry, those are the rules.”

  “You can’t keep us in here,” Derrick interjects.

  “It’s for your own safety.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m just repeating the instructions we’ve been given. You’ll have to trust Ms. Allard on this one.”

  Not that this guard would be aware, but trusting April Allard hasn’t worked out for one planet already. He’s as much in the dark about what the Volarians have planned as the rest of the people here, but because he’s ignorant doesn’t mean we can afford to waste any time.