Echo

by Valerie J Mikles

  Suddenly, the room to the NR chamber opened and Michael burst in. Frustrated, Tommy charged into the treatment room and spun his brother around by the shoulder so they could read lips.

  “Get out of here!” he hollered, pointing to the door.

  Michael stood taller than he ever had before. His back was straight, his shoulders square, and when he pulled himself to his full height, he could look down at Tommy. Tommy took a step back, intimidated by his brother’s stature and steadily improving health.

  “You’ve done your part. My turn,” Michael mouthed.

  “What are you talking about?” Tommy asked. “You’re going to use your mind control?”

  Michael’s psychic push was ten times stronger than Isabelle’s. Tommy fought with everything in him, but it felt like his body was tied up and he was powerless. Michael touched Amanda’s head, and a moment later, he collapsed. The hand holding Tommy back disappeared.

  “Michael!” Tommy cried, stumbling for balance. “Help! Doctor Granger!”

  Tommy’s first instinct was to help his little brother, but he also wanted to kick him. To kill him. The blood on his conscience started the day Michael put a knife in his hands.

  “I hate you!” Tommy growled, stalking out of the room. This time when he left the city, he’d never come back.

  The City of Hope turned out to be the city of bitter disappointment. Hawk was no closer to saving his people than he’d been the day he left home. They’d been waiting on the deck outside Cordova for hours—long enough for boredom to set in. Hero had teleported just outside the shield, and the game of ‘am I still invisible?’ had grown tiresome. Saskia gave him a firm reprimanding, and Tray had flown out to retrieve him, but Hero convinced them to let him stick around and collect some bugs. With his leg broken, he had to teleport every step, and he liked being in a place where he could do so openly. At least if things got hairy, he’d have an easy escape.

  Corin had come out with Tray, offering his skills as a fighter. Apparently, it was one of his many skills as a Prince, though not one he’d practiced often. The more Hawk got to know about him, the more his heart fluttered.

  Saskia tensed when Corin stiffened and tapped his ear.

  Tray grabbed Hero and moved closer to the Bobsled, ready to hide or fly. Hero could take ride-alongs when he teleported, but Tray wasn’t going to depend on his curious child’s battle instincts.

  Saskia and Corin followed the sound around the side of the dome, toward the stream where Tommy had entered. Drawing his pulse rifle, Hawk followed closely. The water level of the stream had gone down, and the pipe was half under water now.

  Saskia knelt by the stream bed, homing in on some invisible trail. Then she followed it away from the dome, across a rise overlooking a dell. By the smell and the dismal color of the soft dirt, this had to be the graveyard of the discarded test subjects that Tommy had told them about.

  “Tommy!” Hawk hollered. He knew it had to be Tommy they were tracking. Something had spooked him again. “Tommy!”

  Saskia jabbed Hawk’s side to quiet him, then they both heard footsteps.

  “Let me go,” Tommy growled, appearing between the trees. Blood dripped down his face and his arms, and he held Sky’s grav-gun.

  “Tommy, what happened?” Hawk gushed. He started forward, but Corin gripped his arm. Tommy fired the gun to Hawk’s left, sending a spray of bark from one of the trees.

  “I killed Isabelle. I killed Michael. I hate them. I hate them all!” he groaned. “I don’t want to be controlled and manipulated anymore!”

  Hawk raised his hands, worried at where Tommy’s next shot might hit. The blood on Tommy’s skin was his own, and there wasn’t a dangerous amount.

  “Why are you holding me here? Let me go!” he begged.

  “No one is holding you, Tommy,” Hawk said. He unhooked the canteen from his belt and offered it to Tommy, but Tommy didn’t come closer. “You will need this. And…” he offered his utility knife. “Take this, too.”

  “Don’t touch me,” Tommy snarled.

  Hawk placed the items on the ground. Then he slipped off his Virp and laid it on top of the canteen. “I’m not forcing you. I just think you might need these if you’re going to run. Good luck, Tommy.”

  Hawk took Corin’s hand and backed away, giving Tommy the space he needed. Then all of their Virps vibrated.

  “Saskia! Get back here! The gate is opening!” Tray called.

  35

  Lula had to hold Morrigan back to keep her from plowing face first into the closed gate. It wasn’t the first time Morrigan tried to run, and she didn’t know how much more time she had before Michael called her back. The light was on, the leash snapped, and Danny was more worried about violating his house arrest than saving her life. When Lula intercepted her, she’d pleaded for help.

  “You put too much trust in a test subject. He was bound to injure you,” Lula said. “He’s got the blood of a murderer in him.”

  Morrigan didn’t care anymore. She didn’t care about Michael’s life or how he’d suffered. She didn’t care about protecting Amanda or saving Hawk’s people. She wanted out.

  The gate opened, and daylight streamed in. Lula held her arm, steadying her as she stomped impatiently. The humid, chemical scent of the gate room was replaced by the musty forest dew.

  “Morrigan?” she heard Corin call. She tried to run, but wobbled on unsteady legs.

  “Lula, what happened to her?” Hawk asked. What were they all doing here? Planning a rescue? Too late!

  Morrigan reached out, and Lula hooked her arm again, forcing her to slow her stride. Saskia touched her first with a palm to her forehead, asking Lula for a list of symptoms. Morrigan had never been a great patient, and her first instinct was to take over. She felt like she’d been taking a back seat in decision making since Amanda stabbed her, always playing catch-up to the Cordovans.

  “I found her running around like a mad woman,” Lula said. “I wasn’t afraid to touch her because she didn’t look sick, but now I realize you’re probably all carrying that deadly pox, aren’t you?”

  “Lula, did you have permission to take her through the gate?” Hawk asked.

  Saskia directed her into Corin’s arms, and Morrigan clung to him, weeping.

  “Home, now,” Morrigan whispered.

  Corin hugged her loosely, running his fingers soothingly over her shoulders.

  “Corin, take Morrigan and Tray back to Oriana,” Saskia ordered.

  “No way!” Tray cried, setting Hero down and striding forward. Saskia gave him a warning look, but Tray puffed his chest. “My brother is still in there! I want to go in.”

  “No!” Lula cried. “You already brought your Moon Pox in. Who knows what else you have? We are tired of plagues from the outside! You’re killing us!”

  “We gave you a vaccine,” Tray said. “We told you everything we know about how to treat it.”

  “I wanted to go with you,” Lula said, her voice getting raspy.

  Morrigan didn’t have time to worry about the crushed dreams of a teenager. She was done caring for others.

  “Go now,” she said weakly. Corin walked her off the deck and the City of Hope disappeared.

  When the police came, Danny and Sky were in the kitchen, pouring over the Cordovan history books. According to Jack, all the originals were hybrids, so why was there no record of their powers? Sky’s clavicle was broken, and they’d been promised a visit from a doctor, but so far, there were only police, making sure Danny stayed put.

  “Is there news, Ava?” Sky asked one of the officers. They were all Garcia templates, but Sky didn’t have any trouble telling them apart. Ava had come in several times to check on them and she wasn’t stingy with information like some of the others of her type had been.

  “Yes. Thanks to your profile of the virus, the lockdown is lifted, and the gate is open,” Ava said. She was young and gaunt, friendly yet creepy. “Arrangements are being made to allow your people to depart, sinc
e that is your expressed desire. The Prime Minister will meet you here once we’ve secured the building.”

  “We can go to her. It’s no trouble,” Danny offered.

  “It’s a little trouble,” Sky said, her voice strained. “I was promised a doctor more than an hour ago.”

  “I’ll check the status,” Ava said.

  “Saskia, they told us the gate is open. What’s going on?” Danny vrang, testing his Virp.

  “They brought Morrigan out. Hawk and I are at the gate. Everyone else is on the ship,” Saskia responded in Terranan. “Tommy said… he said Michael and Isabelle are both dead. He said he killed them.”

  Danny clasped Sky’s hand, nauseated at the news. Sky hissed and whimpered, and she pried his fingers off hers.

  “Doctor,” she rasped.

  A hunched, gray-haired woman entered the room, and one of the Garcias pushed Danny out of his chair so the lady could sit. She looked over a hundred, and though she walked with a cane, she didn’t put that much weight on it. Attending her were three brunettes, including Calla Ryndam.

  “Prime Minister Ryndam,” Sky said, her voice quaking. She needed to lie down, and Danny worried she might pass out again. He decided to brew another batch of Hyproxin tea, so they’d be ready. “This is Danny Matthews, Captain of Oriana.”

  Danny gave the woman a nod.

  “Captain,” Ryndam greeted. “I believe you’ve met my deputy. This is my Chief Physician and my Trade Negotiator.” She motioned to the other two. “All Ryndams, so please address each by title.”

  “Chief Physician,” Sky repeated, her breath hitching. “I could use some treatment. I was promised treatment.”

  There was a rattle at the side window and the three attendants formed a shell around their Prime Minister. The youngest one—the Trade Negotiator—drew a dart gun. Danny hoped to see Tommy, but when the wave of brown hair flipped aside and the flurry of white clothing settled, it was his mother.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Jack said, brushing the grit from her fingers. “I had a difficult time entering the building.”

  “Dr. Fisher, the building was cleared for the safety of our Prime Minister,” one of the Ryndams said disapprovingly.

  “Cleared of civilian parties,” Fisher said. “I have been directly involved in the hospitality and related research on our guests.”

  “And subject to inquiry for your side projects,” Calla sneered. “The accusations against you are stacked so high, the only thing keeping you alive is due process.”

  “Jack,” Sky murmured, her eyes fluttering.

  “Isabelle shot her. She’s injured,” Danny explained, hurrying to set the tea on the table. “We’ve been waiting for someone to treat her.”

  Jack glared at the Chief Physician and snatched the medical bag. After a quick scan, she took a circular device out and pressed it into Danny’s palm. Then she positioned Danny’s hand over Sky’s shoulder.

  “Hold it steady,” she said, then turned her attention back to the Prime Minister. “Mr. Hwan’s DNA alone is insufficient to understand the Malady he describes. I would like to take an expedition to Rocan to investigate their fertility issues.”

  “You’re slated for termination, and want to lead an expedition?” Ryndam asked. “Jack, be serious. That’s hundreds of miles away.”

  “Over three thousand,” Danny corrected.

  “I have regrown almost every part of your body, Minister. I’m calling in that favor,” Fisher said.

  “We would welcome her assistance, Minister, and anyone else who is willing,” Sky spoke up. She took a sip of the tea, then reached for the sugar bowl. “And Danny will be released from this ridiculous house arrest. With your apology.”

  “Yes, we can formally apologize,” Calla said. “We understand that Ian was at fault for the assault on Amanda. Her failed experiment is the most interesting thing that has happened in a decade. While I apologize for your inconvenience, we rather enjoyed the drama.”

  “Deputy, don’t be so insensitive,” the Trade Negotiator chided. “We have begun producing this Moon Pox vaccine. The virus strain has mutated compared to yours, but we believe it will be effective. We intend to quarantine our city for sixty days after your departure, and we are keeping the gate open for the next hour so that you can return to your ship.”

  “What will happen to Ian?” Sky asked.

  “She has been granted two days to say her farewells, then she will be terminated,” Ryndam replied.

  Another wave of sickness came over Danny. He set the healing disk down and sank to the couch. Everywhere he went, it seemed he was responsible for someone else’s death.

  “She was acting out of grief,” Sky said. “Is there no counseling? No reprieve that can be granted?”

  “What life would she have here? She will never work again. She will never be trusted,” Calla pointed out.

  “I want her body,” Danny said. “Not Ian’s. Amanda’s. I want to take her home.”

  “Of course. It was our intent to return her to you now that the remapping is complete.”

  Danny cocked his head. “Isn’t she… isn’t she dead?”

  “She is in a coma. As is the boy. Fisher said they connected telepathically the moment they arrived, and we believe they are connected now,” the Physician said. “I expect you only want to take your crewmate, though. The test subject would be a handful if he woke.”

  “I’ll take my child with me,” Fisher said, her voice quivering.

  Danny thought about the way Sky’s chest rose and fell at Michael’s command. Was Amanda really alive, or was Michael keeping her that way?

  “Fisher, I haven’t even decided to let you go,” Ryndam said. “An expedition of one?”

  “I’ll take volunteers,” Fisher said. “Cordova may be done with me, but there’s much I can do in the world. And I owe these people.”

  Danny turned over the dilemma in his mind. If Michael was the only thing keeping Amanda alive, then he had to bring him to the ship. Then what would happen to Morrigan? What had happened to Tommy?

  “If you find even one volunteer, I will let you go,” Ryndam decided, giving a derisive chuckle. “The gate closes in one hour. Captain, unless you would like to stay through the quarantine, you and your people will be escorted to the gate.”

  “We will leave peacefully,” Sky said quickly. “As for trade, how will we find you again?”

  “You know our ways. We will find you,” Ryndam replied.

  Danny bit his tongue to keep his anger in check. This town was no different than any other they’d passed through. They had politics, ailments, and the occasional hybrid. They were not the saviors Sky had made them out to be, and Danny resented her for the lie.

  36

  The next emergency began the moment they passed through the gate. Sky braced her injured arm to her side, flying the Bobsled one-handed, praying for her two unconscious patients slumped in the back. When they’d tried to separate Amanda from Michael, both suffered instant cardiac arrest. Taking one off the deck before the other had triggered the event, but as soon as they were both lying shoulder-to-shoulder again, things calmed down.

  Sky’s last dose of Hyproxin was wearing off, and Spirit was awake and disturbed. She’d had a vision after Isabelle shot her. She’d seen something going on with Amanda and Michael—a chase that went beyond the physical. It was weird to know she could actually see them as Spirit did. What she couldn’t do was interact with the pair and tell them to get back in their bodies.

  Her shoulder ached, the break still tender, despite the Cordovan’s treatment. She’d climbed into the ‘sled first, expecting to fit both patients and a pilot, but there wasn’t enough room, and she was left flying. Saskia, Danny, and Hawk had been left behind on the deck. Sky landed in the bay, and the hood slid back. Trying to catch her breath, she rubbed her sore shoulder. Then Danny peeked over the lip of the cockpit, startling her.

  “Hero Express,” he explained, leaning in to check on the patients.
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  “Can he teleport them to the infirmary?” Sky asked.

  “Maybe one at a time. I want to keep them close,” Danny said. He pulled Amanda out first and handed her down to Chase. Michael started seizing the moment he lost contact with Amanda, but Danny had no trouble hefting him over the edge.

  “I told you not to bring him here,” Chase said. “Morrigan is going to kill you.”

  “Right now, he’s the only thing keeping Amanda alive,” Danny said.

  Sky stood in the cockpit, bracing her arm to her side. If she’d known teleporting was an option, she would have stayed on the deck. She didn’t see Saskia or Tray in the bay, but Corin stood by the lower deck hatch, alternately looking at the patients and down the hall to the infirmary. Hawk waited at the base of the ladder for her, putting a hand on her back as she gingerly climbed down.

  “Michael’s starting to glow,” Hawk whispered. “Does that mean he’s healing?”

  Sky shook her head. As far as they knew, Michael didn’t have that power. But with two echoes and a Cordovan healing device, anything was possible.

  With a quiet gasp, Amanda woke and twisted out of Chase’s arms. She landed on her feet and glanced around the bay, disoriented, but not in a psychotic way.

  “Don’t you dare,” she said, seemingly to no one.

  When she saw Michael, she charged him and tackled him out of Danny’s arms. The three fell to the ground and Amanda wailed on Michael, but he was unconscious and couldn’t fight back.

  Danny wrestled Amanda away from Michael, scooting across the floor. Sky hurried to Michael, turning him on his side. His breaths came in slow rasps, and blood trickled from his nose. Corin knelt beside them, using a rag to mop the blood from Michael’s nose.

  “Why did you bring me back? Why couldn’t you leave me alone?” Amanda shouted, kicking her heels against the floor, banging her head back, knocking against Danny’s jaw. Her body went rigid, and then she wilted against Danny, disoriented again.