“You let it stay?” Val’s cheeks are red from the wind and she clamps her fists into balls. “Your job is to get rid of the glitches! This is not helping with the visions, Tim. Not when you—”
“No! It wasn’t because I was enjoying Lady Black’s company.” I bite my cheek. She has to believe me. She has to. It’s just her power giving her conflicting feelings. That’s why she’s mad. That has to be why she’s questioning me. “I wanted to know what happened. Whether she was really in love with the guy, and what happened to him.”
“It’s obvious what happened to him,” Val snaps. “He was incorporated into the Legion Spore and his memories remained.” She turns her back to me.
A lump forms in my throat. This can’t be the end… she has to understand. “I needed to know how the glitch was formed,” I whisper. “I wasn’t just interested in Lady Black. Maybe there was some morbid bit of curiosity about her, but I was doing my job. He promised her he would remember. Somehow he has. Somehow he got that memory embedded into the Legion Spore’s code.”
Val snorts, but she doesn’t go for the door. Yet.
I lick my lips. “What happens if they make a second one? What if someone in it remembers, too?”
“A second one,” she echoes.
I scoot beside her and warm my hands in my lap. “The people they’re capturing from the Oriental Alliance have the same powers as the Legion Spore. If we’d had a hub go down, I’d think it was that, but the Legion Spore has been instrumental in the invasion. Wouldn’t it make sense to make another?”
“A second one…” she repeats, her face pale. Her mascara has smeared. “And the dreams were glitches…” She’s acting as if she’s trying to piece something together, but a piece of the puzzle is missing. “Why not just remove the dreams, then, if the dreams were glitches?”
“I only recently realized the dreams were glitches. I thought they were my own insecurities manifesting in my dreams. And after that, even after quarantining the glitches, new ones keep showing up. Hernandez knew he was going to be put into a hub,” I insist. “He had life-spirit. He protected himself, subjected himself to all kinds of pain, just so he could make sure those memories remained. Only a few people in the Legion Spore’s creation had any idea what would happen to them, and they’re the ones who’ve caused the biggest problems.” I pause, letting the information sink in. “What happens if you take a bunch of life-spirit and techno sight people who have seen the Legion Spore, who have some idea of what’s going to happen to them, and try to hook them up? They have to be semi-conscious for their powers to work in order for the merge to take place.”
Val frowns. “They might make creating a second one more difficult.”
“Exactly.”
She smacks my arm.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“Not telling me earlier.”
Well—fair enough. My shoulders sag with relief. “I’m sorry. Yes, I have feelings for Lady Black thanks to the dreams, but I’m doing everything I can not to act on those feelings. I may fail, if it comes down to it, but… I will try.”
“What about Jenna?” She raises an eyebrow, but a hint of a smile plays on her lips.
I groan. “She’s just a friend. I mean, really, it was her and Lance, if she ever realizes he’s interested in her. Besides, if she liked me, she wouldn’t have tricked me into hacking the health network by suggesting they incinerate people who have theophrenia.”
Val bursts out laughing. “Really, Tim? That’s how she got you to hack the network? By saying they might incinerate people? Was that the worst she could think of?”
I scratch my head. Does sound a bit ridiculous, now that I think about it. “Yeah.”
“Come here, you.” She grabs my head, yanks me forward in a kiss, and I relax, lost in her embrace.
I shiver as we cross the courtyard of the university campus. Banks of icy snow pile against the Community flagpole. A cold wind tosses the pale blue flag. Val nudges me with her elbow, still smiling. I smile back, posture straight, and walk into a bustling auditorium. Dozens of phones rise in the air, snapping pictures onto EYEnet. There’s even a news crew. I swallow nervously as we stride down the aisle. Commander Rick nods to those around him and Val waves, grinning and showing off her fangs as she passes. She’s got this leader thing down to an art.
Agent Ashby’s face is blank, shrouded by her visor.
We go up the stairs into bright, blinding lights. I can barely see past the first three rows of the auditorium. Bare room, muted colors. A flag hanging on the wall behind the rows of stark chairs. Though the details are obscured, I know the image by memory: a stick-figure family holding hands in front of a house with a pale, rising sun cog stitched behind them on a field of dusty blue. The words “safety,” “security,” and “efficiency” are embroidered in gray at the two upper corners and the lower middle.
My team sits in prearranged seating while Special Forces stand. It’s a show of force, though no one here is going to complain after the recent attack in St. Petersburg—if they know about it. Without saying a word, students and teachers alike rise to cite the Community’s pledge. Commander Rick leads, his voice carrying across the room with no microphone necessary.
We pledge allegiance, to the flag of the Community as a crest to its people, a promise to uphold above all else the ideals of Safety, Security, and Efficiency, for it is our duty.
Everyone sits, save for those on stage. The commander smiles, his pristine, white beard twitching under the glaring light. “Citizens of the Community. You may be wondering why I would visit this campus not once, but twice within a year. While the recent loss of two of your fellow students to theophrenia was unfortunate, I am pleased to announce that this young man, Timothy Zaytsev, made an excellent recovery.” He turns to me, still smiling, and I force myself to follow his example as thunderous clapping fills the room.
It’s a lie. I never had the plague.
Might be easier to think of it as a half-truth, Ashby thinks to me.
A half-truth, sure. But I wish he hadn’t opened with that.
“I am also pleased to announce that he has shown considerable aptitude in his field of study. While undergoing the treatment, he continued working hard to make the Community efficient. He provided the programming for our recent updates to EYEnet so it now runs twice as fast, and is considerably easier to navigate than its predecessor.”
More clapping and cheers.
That part, at least, is true.
“These improvements were so impressive that I sought to find a place for young master Zaytsev in the higher ranks of leadership. You have all heard of Lady Winters’ recent passing. As Head of Efficiency, her job was extensive. She routed attention to the technology required in preventing reoccurrences of the plague, and increased the efficiency of the cure. She brought new equipment to many hospitals and universities alike, so we can better educate our citizens. She found funding in less efficient fields and had it placed with Special Forces, so they may ensure everyone is secure. Her work has taken great strides in maintaining the world peace that keeps the Community safe. She will be missed.”
They think she passed away, but I killed her. I pulled the trigger, and for some reason, that got me here.
Perhaps you should focus on your upcoming speech, rather than the technicalities? Ashby suggests.
Despite our argument, I don’t like having Ashby in my head any more than Val does.
Focus.
“Though Lady Winters’ time has passed, we now have someone new to assume this very important role. Someone with the responsibility necessary to take her place, and to see to it that the Community is in good hands. That someone is Master Timothy Zaytsev, your new Head of Efficiency.”
He extends his arm to me, stepping aside so I may take his place. I move forward, uncomfortably in front of the podium as my former classmates stand, beaming with pride.
The commander’s voice booms in my head. Use your powers to read the speech; I d
are say you will look more impressive.
Great. Now he tells me.
I take a deep breath, hoping my apparent nervousness disguises my mental search for the tablet as I pull up the speech. It’s there—but I don’t have the heart to say it.
Maybe I shouldn’t say it at all. I push the words in my head aside. “Hello, everyone,” I improvise. “I guess most of you know me. I’m sorry about the time I almost crashed the lunch system. I used the wrong input.” I chuckle nervously, but the people in the front row nod in appreciation.
The agent’s thought-voice hisses in my head. What are you doing?
I’m being a leader. “It’s been a long trip. The cure—and everything. Hard to believe I’m here now.” I get a mental image of Agent Ashby facepalming. “As your new Head of Efficiency, I will do what I can to make the Community more efficient. That’s why I took the job.” I take a breath and exhale slowly. Everyone’s watching. “That being said, I would like to introduce my advisors.”
I feel Agent Ashby’s indignation as a strong wave of protest, but I keep smiling. I turn to the three seated people. “Could you guys please step forward?”
They exchange glances, then nervously stand and wave. “This is Maire” —I’m careful to pronounce her name right— “Denver, and Dale. They’re leaders in their own right, though you will rarely see them in the spotlight. They’re the real reason the Community is efficient. They bring problems to my attention that I might not be aware of, and they fill in the gaps where I don’t have the necessary training. I studied computer science, and I know precious little about how the government runs. But they do. So when the Health Scans run smoother next year, it will be because of them. I’ll stick to computers, and guide my advisors as needed.” I take a deep breath. No one’s cut me off, though I imagine my bodyguard wants to. “We started as citizens like you. Even if you’re never caught wearing fancy clothes” —I tug at the pendant and gesture to the rippling fiber optics of my uniform— “we still need you to be the leaders of your field. It’s the only way we’ll keep the Community efficient.”
I look across the field of expectant faces that fade into darkness. Part of me wants to tell them what’s really out there. That theophrenia isn’t a plague and that we could use powers so much more efficiently. But that wouldn’t keep the Community secure. I open my mouth to speak, but find I’m empty of words.
“The Community is efficient,” I whisper, and step back. My advisors take their seats. Commander Rick glances in my direction and proceeds to introduce Lady Valerie Salazar. I try to smile, but my legs wobble. It’s hard to stand without pacing. Technology tickles my mind. So many EYEnotes are being sent, messages regarding my placement and the new lady.
There’s a few messages that catch me by surprise. Several comments on our appearance. Val took extra time to prep me, and there’s at least a dozen notes regarding me as attractive. I catch myself chuckling when I track one of those notes to Sam… a young woman I tried so long ago to get to notice me. She never cared then, but her message now suggests otherwise:
Do you think he’ll sign my tablet? I remember him. The smart kid. He’s kind of sexy. I’ve heard some leaders date upcoming leaders. Think I stand a chance?
I smirk, keeping my attention to the back wall. I sense where she’s sitting based on her phone, and she’s busy checking her EYEblog account. She’s not even paying attention to the commander. I mentally type a return “message” from her “friend.”
Not a chance.
Her mouth forms a giant “o” and she stares at her friend, shocked. Agent Ashby clears her throat in my head. Not a particularly smart move.
But Sam’s not going to trace it. Her computer grades were just barely above Jenna’s. And Jenna was having to put extra time into studying just to pass. Besides, Sam’s only interested in me because I’m a leader now.
She’s right, though. It isn’t uncommon for leaders to take those who interest them to bed as a way to get ‘closer’ to the Community. Most turn a blind eye.
I can’t help but turn and glare at her, especially given Val’s premonition, and my head snaps back in place without my permission. My body is rigid, despite the perfect posture. Panic builds in my throat—I can’t move. Though my head turns, she has full control.
Focus. I’m here to keep you from making a fool of yourself.
I struggle and press against her will, but it’s unrelenting. Let me go, I think.
Not until you act like a leader.
Hatred simmers beneath my consciousness, and I’m not sure if it’s mine or Martinez’s. I imagine the computer game again… the beastie fighting one. Agent Ashby’s grip relaxes, thinking I’m using my normal tactic, and then I focus all my energy on the image of real beasts—up close and personal, leaping at me with sharp teeth and biting my throat.
Ashby’s mental grip releases. I stumble forward, perilously close to the edge of the stage. The commander glances at me, concerned. I smile weakly. “Foot cramp. Still getting acclimated to standing for speeches.” There’s laughter from the audience, and Commander Rick nods slowly before returning to his spiel.
I’m sure he knows what happened.
Agent Ashby’s face is pale—made paler by the harsh lights. She takes a deep breath, and I can’t tell if she’s looking my direction or not. She remains blissfully silent for the rest of the speech, and I keep my attention on Commander Rick, though I take a moment to sort a strand of unnecessary coding in the EYEnotes when I sense several repetitive key strokes being pressed across the room.
Afterward, we step outside. Students swarm around me, pressing tablets and books into my hands, asking me to sign them. I feel overwhelmed at first, but I take the first tablet I see and start signing. So many people—
I’m popular. It hits me for the first time that these guys actually see me as someone important, not just that smart guy in their computer class.
Several minutes pass as I try to answer questions, sign tablets, and pose with students for their friend’s photos. There’s a lot of handshaking, and I’m glad Ashby insisted I wear gloves. If anyone here is shielded and we make skin contact, I would be left dazed at the loss of my powers.
The meet-and-greet lasts for what feels like forever, with more compliments than I know what to do with. I even get asked when the first posters are going to come out with me or Lady Salazar. I tell them I don’t know, though I personally hope I’ll never have to pose for one. I don’t want my picture hanging on someone’s bedroom wall.
Sam shows up. She sidles up next to me, one hand wrapped around my shoulders. She waves to a friend with the camera in her phone.
I smile, trying to ignore her and keep signing pictures, but one of her friends grabs my face between her hands and plants a kiss on my cheek. I push her away sharply.
The girl’s eyes widen. Sam covers her mouth with her hand in shock. A low gasp resounds from the crowd. At first, I’m as stunned as they are. “That was uncalled for,” I say quietly, mimicking the commander’s disapproving tone.
Her friend giggles sheepishly. “It was just a kiss.”
“I have a partner,” I snap. Straight, direct, to the point.
“So what? You’re a leader. You can have anyone you want,” she points out. “Besides, I’m supposed to ask you if you’ll go out to dinner.” She jerks her thumb toward Sam. “She hasn’t stopped gushing about how much she regretted not spending more time with you before you got theophrenia. Go ahead.” She nudges Sam in the ribs. “Tell him.”
Sam looks between the two of us, her face bright red. “I… It’s really great that you got a position in E-Leadership. Amazing, in fact. I always thought you were destined for greatness. You’re smart, funny…”
I close my eyes. I feel…
I’m a leader. It’s time for me to stand up for myself.
“Sam,” I say, making a point to use her first name, “before I contracted the plague, I asked you out to community service dates on numerous occasions, and you
never once told me yes. Now that I’ve had time to get a little wiser, I don’t think we would make an efficient pair.”
Sam’s mouth opens in horror, and a lump forms in my throat as she backs away from the crowd before racing for the nearest building, her eyes watering. I take a deep breath, my chest tight. I glare at her friend, the one who kissed me and put Sam on the spot. “As for ignoring my partner so I can be with someone else, do you want to tell that to Lady Salazar?” I point to Val, where she graciously signs the tablets with much more ease than I. “I have no need for multiple partners.”
Everyone is staring at me, silent. A few horrified, others awed.
Now’s the time to say what I mean. To show them how I really feel. I raise my voice so they can hear me. “I meant it when I said I want to be a true leader. I can’t do that if I’m being held back by distractions.” The students exchange glances. “Perhaps I was harsh, but if I don’t choose where I stand now, I never will.” A couple students smile, and approving claps break out from them. I sense EYEnotes flying across the network.
Commander Rick squeezes my shoulder. “Well said, Master Zaytsev.” That’s m’boy.
I smile, knees weak as he leads me through the crowd to the airship. I happily take a seat in one of the chairs, and smile as Val waltzes in beside me. Agent Ashby stands in the corner, her helmet at her side. I’m impressed. Most leaders would’ve gone for the girl. But all you needed was a little push to stand up for yourself.
I raise an eyebrow.
Telepathy doesn’t have to be verbal.
I blink. “You were affecting my emotions?”
Val gives me a funny look. “What’s up?”
“I think a certain telepathic agent helped me fend off an old ‘friend,’ ” I murmur, dizzy. I’d never even thought about how subtly a telepath could influence a person. It’s like Lady Black said… they just have to push their target toward something they already want.
The Glitch Saga- The Complete Collection Page 23
