by Pond, Simone
She shrugged, letting him off the hook, and returned her attention to her opponent. Faraday was using intricate misdirects to throw off Grace, as well as the council. If she wasn’t careful, the final outcome would be detrimental. His accusations were false; she hadn’t acted out of selfish reasons, but only as a way to protect others. But that didn’t matter. She needed to turn things around and get the council to focus on Faraday. Get them to see the real issue they were overlooking: that placing a child into the soldier program went against new democracy policy. It was Faraday’s fault that any of this had happened in the first place. She’d survive the trial only if she could turn it around.
15
Ava dried off from her relaxing soak, feeling clean and refreshed. She put on the black slacks and T-shirt, which were much more comfortable than the ratty sweater. Since she couldn’t find a pair of shoes without a heel, she wore her combat boots.
Entering the bedroom, the sound of Mozart streamed as the sun began its descent behind the hills of Malibu. Ava stood at the windows, staring off toward the peninsula. She thought about her wedding day … Only eighteen years old, but she knew Joseph was the one. She knew the second she met him. He had shown her the meaning of life, liberty, and equality––foundational ideals that Morray had dissolved. She had come into the world by design and her entire life had been mapped out, from her position in society to her life partner. Joseph freed her from that fate. Standing across from him that day on the beach, they were bound in an eternal union. She had almost let Morray tarnish that bond, but she’d keep holding on, no matter how much the program was becoming more reality than virtual reality.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?” Morray asked.
“I guess,” she muttered, aggravated. The thought of enduring the rest of eternity with him made her feel claustrophobic. She wanted to shatter the windows, break out of the palace and run. But where would she go?
“I’m not sure what this program entails, but would you like to join me on an adventure?” Morray asked.
Ava wasn’t sure what surprises he had planned, but the idea of leaving the palace to gain a better understanding of the program seemed like a smart idea. Also, she couldn’t let Morray out of her sight. She had to keep him inside the mainframe, even if that meant being chained to his side––at least until she figured a way out.
“Why the grimace? Would you rather be alone?” Morray asked.
“Oh, I was just thinking about the real world. Wondering if my actual body still exists.”
“For your sake, hopefully it does. But there’s a chance it might not.”
“That would mean I’d be stuck in here forever.”
“Not necessarily. But let’s not worry about that right now. I say we get out of this room and see the palace grounds. Get some fresh air.”
Ava laughed.
“You find that humorous?”
“Fresh air. As though we need it. As if this program could provide it.”
“After you.” He motioned toward the crystal door.
“Are you going to change?”
His eyebrows scrunched together. “I think you’ve established it’s too late for that.”
“I mean your clothes. Maybe change into something more comfortable than that suit?”
“I’m quite comfortable.” His fingers brushed across her arm as he ushered her toward the door.
She didn’t like the way his touch was becoming familiar, or the fact that she no longer cringed.
“Actually, the more I think about it, I would like to shower and change into a clean suit. We can stop by my chambers after our stroll.”
Ava glanced at Morray, not liking the implication.
He chuckled. “That sounded a bit more devious than I intended. Don’t worry, my chambers are large enough for the two of us.”
They reached the enormous crystal door. This was the first time in her history––real or inside the mainframe––that she was leaving the chambers on her own accord, without any guards by her side. Morray entered a code into the access panel and the heavy door slid open. They stepped into the hallway: the same dreaded one that led to Morray’s office, and also where Joseph had passed her the microchip during that unforgettable kiss, leading to the uprising on Graduation Day many years ago.
“That’s where it all began.” She pointed to a small alcove.
“What?”
“When Joseph gave me the microchip containing the truth. That was the moment that set the revolution into motion.” She smiled proudly, feeling a flutter of excitement as she remembered the satisfaction of protecting her people from Morray.
“I must admit it was an ingenious ploy, executed to perfection. I can see why you married him.”
Ava didn’t like Morray talking about Joseph. It seemed dishonorable. She quickened her pace to get some distance between them.
“You just passed the elevator,” he called out.
She turned back. “I was going to your office out of habit.”
“No need to go there. I don’t want to see it. Any of it.”
They stepped into the elevator and took it down to the royal gardens.
“It’s gone, you know that right?” Ava asked.
“What’s gone?”
“Your palace. We had the place demolished during the transition, after you disappeared and the city walls came down. There were a lot of Insiders who wanted it to stay, but I made sure it was one of the first things to go.”
They stepped out into the lavish royal gardens.
“I can see why you wanted it to be removed.”
Ava wondered why Morray was being so agreeable. “I couldn’t stand the sight of it perched on the hills, looming like an albatross over everything. It had to be demolished,” she told him.
“Good. I’m glad it’s gone,” he said, sounding relieved.
Ava paused, eying him suspiciously.
“You don’t believe me?” he asked.
“You expect me to believe you?”
“I guess it will be a long time before I hold your trust, my dear. Come, let’s walk. I don’t believe you’ve ever seen the gardens.”
Ava followed, careful not to get too close to Morray. Their banter was becoming too easy, and she worried about letting down her guard again. He could easily slip into the cracks and once again try to convince her he wasn’t a bad person. She didn’t want to let Morray off the hook. Regardless of his hard-to-ignore mischievous charm, she had to remind herself to remain vigilant. He had earned her contempt and lack of trust.
The sky had shifted to a dusky violet and the evening breeze swept through the fragrant gardens. Small lights twinkled from the tree branches and along the pathways. Citrus filled the air and Ava covered her mouth with her hand, worried she’d be affected by any mood-lifting enhancers.
“I wonder what year it is?” she asked.
“I’m not sure; it seems to be an earlier version. Some of the technology is missing.”
They continued down a cobblestone path surrounded by weeping willows and glistening ponds. The enchanted garden reminded her of the ballet Giselle—something she hadn’t thought about in many years. She hadn’t worn a ballet shoe since she had left the city center.
A swell of memories rushed over her, remembering the days she would perform with her partner match, James, who was now President of the Southern California Region. The two were spectacular together, but Ava’s skills were beyond remarkable. She had the ability to mesmerize the audience, transcending them into another realm. Back when ballet was her only outlet of expression. Dancing had saved her from the misery of James constantly torturing her to get better scores. All he wanted was for the team to become the next King and Queen of Los Angeles. A familiar longing crept through her body. She wondered why had she had stopped dancing after she had moved to the village. If she ever made it back home, would it be too late to pick up again?
“You’re crying,” Morray said softly.
She wiped her eyes. “Th
is garden reminds me of Giselle. I was just thinking about how much I loved performing ballet.”
“Your performances etched an everlasting mark in history.”
“I don’t know about that,” she said.
“Did you continue dancing after you left?”
“First of all, I didn’t leave, I escaped. And no, I didn’t have time between working with James and the new democracy during the transition and adapting to life on the Outside. I got pregnant with Grace right away. And there was my persistent hunt to track you down inside the mainframe.” Tears streamed down Ava’s cheeks and Morray offered his handkerchief, which by that point was a crinkled up mess. She smiled, declining the gesture. “That’s seen better days.”
They sauntered down the path to the east side of the palace. Neither mentioned a word about the direction they were heading. It was as though they were being drawn by a magnetic force.
“Do you think it’s there?” Ava finally asked.
“I don’t know. As I’ve told you, I don’t understand anything about this program. It seems like Dickson keeps changing things.”
As they came around the bend, Ava saw the corner of the western wall. The solar panels shimmered in the moonlight like a black onyx. She recoiled at the sight of the monstrosity.
“Still standing.” Morray let out a mouthful of air.
“You sound relieved,” Ava said.
“No, just fascinated.” He marveled over the enormous structure.
After a few moments, he sat on a nearby bench and Ava joined him. They stared at the Los Angeles City Center in silence. Emotions fired through Ava as she fought to remember this was just a program, and that the walls had been removed long ago.
Morray looked at her. “I never approved of that hideous eyesore.”
“I remember that from searching your archive files,” she said.
“What else do you know about me?”
“Too much,” she mused.
Ava had most of Morray’s memories stored on her internal microchip to access whenever she wanted. And though she kept the files sealed, the familiarity of Morray had rooted itself somewhere deep inside her soul. Studying the man for the last sixteen years, she knew everything from his childhood up to his present. Over three hundred years of his life had been captured. Ava had seen everything from the beginning phases of the Repatterning to his inaugural speech to the first generation of Los Angeles City Center dwellers. She had seen him go through fourteen Graduation Days, and what would’ve been the fifteenth had she not intervened. The burgeoning years of Morray’s empire were ingrained in her, and she shared his history––or at least the same set of memories. Some of his archive files were locked for whatever reason–– memories probably too gruesome for even Morray to bear.
He placed his arm around her shoulder. “Here we are––back where everything started, in a sense. Destiny can be quite ironic, don’t you think?”
Ava stood up. “This isn’t my destiny.”
“Isn’t it? You keep ending up here––with me.”
She started walking back to the palace, not wanting to hear his twisted words. Morray could suffer alone. And if he found an escape hatch, leaving her trapped inside the mainframe, at least she’d be free of him.
He grabbed her arm. “Don’t leave. Can’t you please just succumb to the circumstances? Won’t you just stay here with me?”
His touch seared her skin. Everything about Morray was too painful and confusing. He had a way of worming into her mind and mangling up the truth. Being chained to him indefinitely couldn’t be her destiny. Could it? No. None of this was actually happening. This wasn’t real. They weren’t actually at Royal Palace, gazing down at the Los Angeles City Center. They were inside a program. Reality existed outside of the mainframe. This is not my destiny, she thought, these are unfortunate circumstances, and I’ll find a way to change them––just like always.
16
The conference room seemed grim without Lucas in it. Grace looked at the council members, hoping to find at least one ally in the group. She felt a growing concern about President Jordan’s apathy. He had barely acknowledged her presence.
Faraday stepped closer to the trial box. “Do you have anything to say, Miss Strader?”
She shook her head. “Not at the moment, sir.”
“I’d like to call in Officer Blythe Ballesteros,” he announced.
Grace sunk back, feeling nauseous. Blythe had been extremely supportive, but unlike Lucas, she lacked in the charm department. Faraday wouldn’t have to work too hard to get a sour reaction from her. Without meaning to, Blythe would probably destroy what remained of Grace’s credibility.
Blythe stood rigidly before the council. Time on the Inside hadn’t smoothed out her edges. Grace slouched in her chair, until she heard the slight tapping of Miss Parker’s silver wand, instructing her to sit up straight. The morning was getting more depressing by the minute.
Blythe could slice Faraday in half with her laser-sharp glare. “Sir,” she practically shouted.
He moved back a few inches. “Officer Ballesteros, I’ve called you in as a character witness for Miss Grace Strader. Do you understand what that means?”
“I’d have to be in a coma not to understand,” she said with unwavering confidence. Blythe wasn’t easily intimidated by anyone, especially those who believed they held a higher societal rank because of their genes. She took pleasure in knocking “entitled pricks” down a few notches.
“Let’s try to keep this interaction professional, Officer.”
“Nothing but professional, sir,” she said.
“I’d like you describe what occurred on the night of the gala event at the Silicon Valley Academy during your training last year.”
“Are you talkin’ about that lame dance?” She paused, trying to feign a modicum of etiquette. “Sir?”
“Yes, Officer. What happened that night?”
“I remember hangin’ out in the courtyard, wonderin’ why the hell I let that silly Beautifier douse me with a bunch of enhancers, and why I used up a good portion of my credits on a dress I’d never wear again.”
Faraday’s brow furrowed with frustration. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Well, you’ll need to be more specific … Sir.”
“Let’s not play games here, Officer. Don’t forget you’re only stationed in the city center because of General Strader. Your position can easily be revoked.”
Blythe remained unshakable; she wasn’t about to let the elitist peckerwood threaten her future. She’d toss him over the side of the Administrative Building before she’d give him the upper hand.
“Would you please address the events that took place with regard to Miss Strader’s mother?”
Blythe ignored Faraday and addressed the council members. “I don’t know how many of you know Ava Strader, but she’s a stand-up lady. She took me under her wing when I was a kid and taught me all about the mainframe. She encouraged me to use my brains, as well as my brawn.” She raised her sharp eyebrows at Faraday. “Anyway, the night of the dance when Grace came runnin’ into the courtyard, telling me what happened, I offered to help her track down her mother. Grace didn’t want to involve me, but I wasn’t about to let her go off on her own. She needed my help. So did her mother.”
Grace was surprised Blythe had generously taken some of the blame. It would help her defense.
Faraday slightly winced, confounded by Blythe’s response. “Why didn’t she notify the authorities? That would have been the responsible thing to do.”
“I told her it was a waste of time. That every second she spent goin’ through the bullshit academy red tape would make it harder for us to find her mother.”
“Language, Officer.”
“Sorry.”
Grace thought back to the night of the gala event, trying to recall if Blythe had told her to dodge the authorities. No, that was solely Grace’s decision. Blythe was lying to protect her. Why was she risking her posit
ion to save Grace’s ass? While Faraday ruminated on his case notes, Blythe glanced over her shoulder and winked at Grace. She bit her lip to keep from laughing.
“Still,” Faraday continued. “Ultimately it was Miss Strader’s final call to gather up the cadets and execute an unofficial and illegal search and rescue mission. Was it not? Need I remind you that you took an oath?”
“Nah, we pooled together our best resources and took a vote. It was a team effort. That’s what you teach down at the academy: team building.”
Grace gaped at her friend. Blythe was turning things around.
“So Officer, you’re swearing in front of the West Coast Regional Council that Grace Strader wasn’t the sole person responsible for formulating the plan and convincing the team of cadets to leave campus? That you worked together? You stand by this statement even if it means you could be penalized for a false testimony?”
“Yep. You think she came up with that strategy on her own? Ha!”
A few of the council members smiled. Grace could breathe again, finding it ironic that Blythe would be the one to sway the members in Grace’s favor.
Faraday continued, more intensely. “And what about her recent escapades kidnapping the child? Did you help her execute that plan too, Officer?”
If Blythe sided with Grace on that one, she’d be punished and put into containment. Grace gave a subtle nod, letting her friend know it was okay to pull out.
“No, sir,” she said.
“Did you know about her decision to sneak off?”
“I didn’t.”
“Did you assist her with getting back into the city center?”
Grace shot up in her trial box. “Sir, Officer Ballesteros had nothing to do with any of it.”
“You’re speaking out of turn!” Faraday shouted.
That was when James finally intervened. He got up, walking to Faraday. “Actually, Director, I think some of us would like to hear more from Miss Strader on this matter. This is why she’s standing trial. Is it not?”
Faraday regained his composure, adjusting his suit jacket. “Fine.”
