The Breadth of Creation

by C. S. Johnson

  Exton glanced over at the small building beside the hangar as his aunt stepped out into the sunlight. “My mother’s sister,” he explained to Aerie. “She runs Petra as the community organizer and leader.”

  Emery nudged him. “Thora and I can take the rest of these guys to the checkpoint. You and Aerie might as well get some time together. Go show her around. We can get her checked later.”

  “And here I thought you were going to make my life more difficult, for all I teased you and Tyler,” Exton said.

  “I think life has been hard enough on Aerie,” Emery told him quietly. She gave him a smirk. “Besides, you’ll still have to deal with Tyler.”

  “That’s true. Are you sure you can handle them without Aerie?” Exton asked. He glanced over at Aerie, as she still stood taking in the sight before her.

  “Yeah.” Emery nodded. “Tyler wanted to schedule a meeting with us later. He has updates on Chaya and some other things. You and Aerie might as well make up for some lost time before we have to take care of that.”

  “Thank you.” His voice was quiet, but his sister would still be able to hear his gratitude.

  “No problem.” She winked and then turned to Aerie. “It’s wonderful to have you here, Aerie. We’re glad to have you back.”

  “I missed you, too, Emery,” Aerie said.

  “We’ll have some time later to catch up,” Emery told her. “But I know my brother has been pining for you. It’s better if I let him have you while we can.”

  “Contact me if anything changes,” Exton replied, grinning at Emery’s teasing. He had to admit she was right, and he was thankful for her offer.

  “What about the checkpoint?” Aerie asked.

  “We’ll get to it later,” Exton said, as he watched Emery hurry to catch up with Thora and the others. He turned just in time to see Brock send another glare at him. “Come on. There’s something I want to show you.”

  AERIE FELT TIRED AS she headed up into the hills above the settlement, but she was invigorated by Exton’s presence. He still held tightly onto her hand, as if he was afraid he would lose her again if he let her go.

  “We’re almost there,” Exton told her.

  “Where are we going?” Aerie asked.

  “Not far.”

  “That’s not really an—” Aerie stopped talking as she stepped up next to Exton and saw the familiar sight before her. Her mouth dropped open in surprise.

  It was her tree—the Memory Tree.

  Memories flicked through her mind once more. She remembered the gashes in the ground in New Hope, where the Memory Tree once stood, where she was uprooted along with it, and how it brought her to Exton.

  She walked up beside it, felt the familiar bumps of the trunk, then glanced up and saw the welcoming patterns of lichens and moss. Aerie had felt a kinship with the tree, living in a lonely world—and once more, they shared such a bond, as she realized she was no longer alone.

  “This is where we first met,” Exton said behind her.

  “I remember,” Aerie said.

  “I like the tree better, now that it’s here at Petra.”

  “Well, you would.” Aerie laughed.

  “It suits this place better, too.” Exton looked out across the landscape. “We didn’t think we could survive the first winter we were here. The tree has always been a testament to survival. I’m hoping that in giving it another chance to prove itself, it’ll inspire others who come here.”

  “I can’t imagine why they would object.” Aerie gestured toward the mountains. “It’s beautiful here.”

  “The weather is probably the hardest part,” Exton said. “We don’t have the same resources as New Hope or other parts of the URS, so it’s chillier here than most people would like.”

  “It is kind of cold,” Aerie said. She toyed with the idea of trying to climb up to her favorite branches, but she was still tired. Instead, she sat down at the base of the trunk, drawing Exton down beside her, like the day he had in the Captain’s Lounge.

  “It doesn’t change much throughout the year,” Exton said as he put his arm around her. “It’s really only because of the war that the glaciers melted enough to let people come here and live year-round.”

  “Is that why you decided to build Petra here?” Aerie asked.

  “Some of the reason,” he said. “The Old Palmer Bay area is the most northern part of Antarctica, and some of the continent was never even claimed, so it was a solid political move. We wouldn’t disturb anyone’s land.”

  “That had to make it hard, though, with not having a place to start.”

  “It was.” He nodded, thinking about the first couple of years he helped shepherd people and supplies to Petra with the help of the Perdition and his friends and family.

  “It was worth it, though, wasn’t it?” Aerie asked.

  “Definitely.” Exton glanced back at the settlement, a distinct sense of pride swelling up inside his heart. “It’s a grand thing to be able to make the life you want for yourself—to be able to dream freely, and make those dreams come true. That’s a right not given to us by government—that’s a right inherent inside of us, inalienable, given by our Creator.”

  Aerie nodded. “The more it’s taken away, the more people seem like robots, and less human.” She thought about Brock. He embraced the rule of government much more than she did. What was the dream in his heart that he longed for, one that he might not even dare to admit to himself? she wondered.

  “When the war broke out between UNA and MENACE, things changed too rapidly,” Exton said. “The government faced a lot of issues. To survive, people had to give up what the government deemed ‘unnecessary.’ That’s why religion was outlawed and eventually demonized, along with the arts and certain books and other things. The Ecclesia, most of them, decided to leave, especially when the dictatorship began and UNA became the Revolutionary States.”

  “But they couldn’t leave,” Aerie said. “No one leaves the URS.”

  “Not that they would let you know about it.”

  “I guess that’s true. I guess I did hear stories from time to time,” Aerie said. “My mom would tell me stories. I would also hear them from different places around the city, and in school. It was hard to resist.”

  “For you, I’m sure,” Exton said, pulling her closer. “You and that curiosity.”

  “It’s a good thing I have it,” Aerie told him. “That’s why I was able to remember as much as I did about meeting you.”

  “I’ve always loved that about you. Which is why I know you want to know the rest of the story.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

  “Petra is more than just part of our history here,” Exton said. “Petra was the name of a place of protection in the Ecclesia’s teachings, and some think it will be again when the end of time comes.”

  Aerie shivered at the thought. “Do you think we’ll live to see that?”

  “I don’t know,” Exton said. “But no one is supposed to know when it’ll be, so that’s the good and bad part I guess. You only have to take a risk with what you think is likely, not with what actually happens.

  “Right now, the URS seems to be moving toward further advancement,” he added. “They’ve conquered or subdued a good amount of the world, so it makes me wonder if they’re after us now.”

  “Without you and the Perdition,” Aerie said, “I’m sure they would’ve taken over the world by now.” She stared at Exton with new admiration, realizing all over again how much he had worked to protect people he didn’t know, even though he lost so many people he loved.

  He shrugged. “It’s not enough.”

  “No one can do it alone,” Aerie told him, reaching out her other hand in comfort.

  Exton took her hand. “Now that you’re free from St. Cloud’s charge, I’m glad you’re here with me,” he said. “I’m hoping you’ll stay here.”

  “I want to stay with you,” Aerie said. “No matter if it’s here or not.” She lean
ed over and pressed herself into his chest.

  “Aerie.”

  She felt him tremble underneath her, and she looked up, momentarily distracted. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “No.”

  “That’s where I hurt you before,” she said.

  “It’s healed,” Exton assured her. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better.” He cupped her cheek in his hand as he leaned down and kissed her.

  Aerie moaned softly, already moving to meet him. Her eyes closed, shutting out everything as she tasted him once more. She couldn’t agree more, she decided, before wrapping her arms around him.

  All her senses were sent blazing as he held her. His hands were in her hair, running over her shoulders, pressing into her back.

  She shuddered, surprised by the heavy wave of desire.

  “Are you cold?” he asked.

  “No,” she managed, barely registering the question before finding his lips again.

  She forgot about the cold completely as she lost herself in his kiss. Aerie couldn’t tell if Exton pulled her into his lap or if her body acted of its own accord. All she knew was her body was suddenly plunged into an intoxicating warmth, and she had no objection to drowning in the sensation.

  “Aerie.” He pulled away briefly as he whispered her name. Before she could protest, Aerie felt the wind rush out of her in pure pleasure as his mouth found her throat.

  Aerie was struggling to breathe properly when he suddenly stopped.

  “What? What is it?” she asked, blinking the passion out of her eyes.

  “What’s this?” he asked, placing his fingers gently on her neck.

  Aerie reached up, felt the roughened patch of skin, and faltered.

  “What is it?” he asked, already frowning.

  “It’s fine,” Aerie said. She laced her fingers through his hair and pressed her lips against his once more.

  “That’s where they hurt you, isn’t it?” Exton asked, rubbing his fingers over where the electrode patch had been.

  “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Aerie said.

  Exton met her gaze. “It might not hurt you, but it hurts me.” He kissed the mark lovingly, and Aerie felt her heart skip a beat at his gentleness.

  “The whole thing almost feels like a dream now that I’m here,” she said.

  “I’m sorry.” He brushed her bangs out of her face. “I shouldn’t have let you go.”

  “You didn’t have a choice,” Aerie said. “I know my father. He can be absolutely ruthless.”

  “I know him pretty well, too,” Exton said. “I should have been able to anticipate everything. When I heard he was the one who signed your arrest warrant, I knew he had lied to me.”

  Aerie frowned. “I heard Osgood was the one who was really excited about it.”

  “He would be,” Exton said. “He loves to make examples of people. It wouldn’t shock me to know he suspects St. Cloud. And I suppose he has good reason. He was the one who told me you were already gone when we arrived at New Hope.”

  “Who? My father?” Aerie was surprised.

  “Yes.”

  She frowned. She couldn’t imagine her father calling Exton to save him the trouble. If anything, calling Exton only helped prevent him from getting into any trouble with St. Cloud’s forces. “I wonder why.”

  “I don’t know what he wants,” Exton said. “He seems to be playing a deep game. But if he’s willing to put you through torture, I know it can’t be good.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that,” Aerie told him. “Meredith was there to protect me some.”

  “Not enough.” Exton placed a kiss on her temple, another sore spot from her time at the Reeducation Center. “Especially if Osgood was happy about it. I’ve heard stories and seen some of what he can do to people he captures. He’s a sadistic man.”

  Aerie felt his fingers tighten against her, and she suddenly wondered if Exton had any personal connection to anyone else Osgood had tortured.

  “I heard he was glad it would affect the General,” Aerie said. “One of the techs said Osgood liked having an advantage when it came to dealing with my father.”

  “I can’t blame him there.” Exton ran his hand down her neck, before placing a tender kiss on her other wound. He grimaced a moment later. “I admired St. Cloud for a long time, before he betrayed my family. I know he is a formidable opponent, and Osgood is right to distrust him.”

  “That reminds me. I have something of yours,” she said. Aerie pulled back, swinging her legs out to the side, as she reached for the photo in her pocket. She took it out and handed it to him. “I hope you won’t be upset with me for taking it.”

  Exton took the picture and stilled. “Where did you get this?”

  “You had it in your room on the Perdition,” Aerie admitted sheepishly. “I took it, figuring you wouldn’t miss it. And that is my mother in the picture. I recognized her when I saw her. Of course, I know my father, too, even with the red ‘X’ drawn over his face.”

  She gave him a smile as he looked it over. When he crumpled it up in his fist a moment later, she was appalled. “Hey!”

  “What?” he asked as he tossed the photo away.

  “That was a picture of my mother,” Aerie said. “Even if you don’t like my father, you can at least let me keep it. I don’t have any pictures of her.”

  He sighed, moving her off his lap before he stood up. “I wouldn’t worry about that,” Exton told her, his voice surprisingly harsh. “Did anyone else know you had the picture?”

  “No,” Aerie said. “At least, I don’t think so.” She frowned, wondering if Meredith or any of her coworkers had seen it.

  “I’m not entirely sure what the URS knows about me and my family,” Exton said. “But I don’t want them drawing too many connections between me and my past. I really should burn this, actually.”

  He picked up the wrinkled photo and tucked it into his pocket.

  “Why does it matter down here?” Aerie asked. “You could still keep it.”

  “I don’t want to keep it.”

  She stepped back at his sharp tone. “Why?” she asked, knowing she was coming precariously close to the edge of his patience.

  He looked as though he wanted to say something. She waited for a long moment expectantly, but she’d known him long enough to know he did not explain himself very often.

  “Come on,” he said. “I’ll explain it to you as we head back. Others are waiting for us.”

  ♦19♦

  Exton led Aerie back down the hill toward the settlement. He thought of the photo she’d shown him and grimaced. Exton didn’t want to think about those days—those days when he knew who his family could trust and how to protect the people who meant the most to him.

  Maybe that’s all the more reason to tell her.

  “I’m really glad you’re here,” Exton began, as he held her hand tightly in his own. “It feels like forever since you were taken away.”

  Aerie nodded. “When I think of all the hours I was stuck at work or in the med ward, I’m tempted to ask for some more Memory Serum,” she said. “It almost seems as bad as the Reeducation Center.”

  Exton smiled. “I take it you hated your job? Or,” he teased, “did you just hate following orders?”

  “Both!” Aerie declared with a small laugh. “Director Anand was a nightmare to deal with. And I didn’t have any friends.”

  “Well, you’ll have friends here,” Exton said. “But the nightmares might continue.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re officially at war.” There was just no other way to tell her. “We went on the offensive at Chaya. That was why I was there.”

  Aerie’s eyes darkened, making him think of St. Cloud. “You didn’t go to war just to get me back, did you?”

  “No. I didn’t want to do that,” he said. He drew her close to him, never taking his eyes off her face. “Believe me, I love you. I would’ve done anything to get you back. When I was saved
at Halifax, after losing you—both to your father and likely to the Memory Serum—I was devastated and injured. War did not seem like a wise move.”

  “What changed your mind?” Aerie asked. “You didn’t know about me until you saw me.”

  He hesitated. “There were ... other complications, mainly that there was nothing stopping St. Cloud from destroying Petra now that he had you, anyway.”

  “I doubt he would do it.”

  “Maybe,” Exton said. “He has always been a man of his word.” Another reason I did not want to risk Petra when he demanded Aerie back in the first place.

  “What there something else?”

  “You could say that.”

  “What was it?” Aerie asked.

  Exton sighed. “I found out who Osgood promoted to your father’s old position.” With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the photo again. “He promoted a man named Gerard Dubois to his third in command.”

  “We’ve met,” Aerie muttered dryly.

  Exton scowled. “How?”

  “He was the one who carried out the arrest,” Aerie told him. “And he was the one who ... who was in charge of my reeducation.”

  The chill in the air disappeared as he felt his heart ice over. “He was the one who tortured you?”

  “It was his old job, I guess.” Aerie looked away. “Meredith was surprised to see him—”

  “I can’t believe it,” Exton muttered. “He’s gone too far, and he’s too far gone. I’ll have to kill him for sure now.”

  “What are you talking about?” Aerie asked.

  Exton held out the photograph to her. “This man in the picture here is his father,” he said. “Gerard’s dad was a member of the Ecclesia, same as me. He was also in your father’s class, the one he used to teach in New Hope. Gerard was older than me, like most of the students, but we were good friends.”

  Aerie gazed at the photo with renewed concern. “I didn’t think about the man,” she said, her fingers gently touching the photograph’s edges.

  “Gerard was the one who actually took this photo,” Exton told her. “He was always interested in the arts. To this day, I’m convinced that he was only let into the class because of St. Cloud. Not that Gerard wasn’t smart, but he never managed to keep up. I think he made St. Cloud look bad. I know St. Cloud hated him for that, even though Gerard was always very agreeable.”