by K. Makansi
Everyone nods vigorously and no one says another word. I sink down into the seat beside my father. We must not have been far from our destination, because the tram slows. The doors open, and I follow my father and Aulion up some stairs into the town hall. All three of my guards are right on my heels.
“The citizens are assembled in the town square,” Clarisse says, her voice shaky, as she steps ahead to lead us through the building. “We’ll go out front where we’ve set up a stage on the steps.”
“Excellent,” my father says, all trace of his anger gone.
Clarisse continues. “We asked every able-bodied citizen not working today to attend, so you should have quite a crowd.”
My father turns to me. “Vale, are you ready for your big appearance?”
I nod. What do you want me to say, Dad?
“Good. I’ll open with a few words and turn it over to you. They’re going to love you, Vale.”
He’s the golden boy. Eli’s words to Soren. Our ace in the hole. I’d overheard them talking as Eli made the case for trusting me, for allowing me to be a part of their plans. I have to stop myself from smiling when I remember Soren’s response. More like asshole. Seems like an age ago, even though it’s only been a few months. I grit my teeth and wish the words I have to speak today were my own, instead of the lies my parents have written for me.
I follow my father and Clarisse through a broad set of double doors, out into the blinding sunlight under a cloudless sky. We’re on a small stage surrounded by several thousand citizens, all with their eyes trained on us. I wait for my own eyes to adjust, and then squint out at the crowd. Curious, but neutral faces. Careful faces. Not the adoring crowds my father is used to addressing.
“Citizens of Windy Pines!” my father says, waving his arms in a welcoming gesture as if he’d just invited everyone over to the chancellor’s house for a picnic. A roar rolls through the crowd in response, mostly shouts of approval and applause, but there are a few stoic faces, set jaws, crossed arms. “Thank you so much for coming out today. I know many of you are giving up precious free time to be here, and my heart is gladdened by your presence.”
I catch a flash of red in motion in the crowd, and I startle, trying to follow its movement without being obvious.
“Today, I come to speak of dark and dangerous times ahead. You know about the threats that lurk at our borders, the terrorists and the Outsiders who oppose our way of life, who would steal our food, our wealth, our freedom, right out from under our noses. Since our founding mothers and fathers dedicated themselves to the Okarian Sector, our citizens have worked hard to be free from fear, free from want, free from war. But, as you know, the terrorists have proven themselves capable of taking the very things we hold most dear.” He turns, opens his arm to me, and I step forward right on cue. “They took my own son from me,” he says with a heaviness in his voice.
This time the crowd’s reaction is louder and fists pump the air along with shouts of “Destroy the Resistance!” and “Traitors!” from the true believers standing right down front. I take it all in and then catch another flash of red, this time in a different part of the crowd, further back, to the right. What is that?
“Valerian,” Demeter whispers in my ear. “Listen, I’ve got Eli …”
“Though we have made significant progress in destroying Resistance bases and shutting down their networks, there is still work to be done before this cancer is eliminated. Members of the Resistance are dangerous, not because they are not like us, but precisely because they are, in so many ways, just like us. They were once our friends and colleagues, but now they have subverted the very principles upon which our small nation was founded. Principles that have kept us safe and secure in troubled times. Now, we are at a turning point in our efforts to crush them once and for all. My fellow citizens, the Resistance is desperate.”
“Vale? Vale, are you there?” In my ear, I hear the unmistakable voice of Elijah Tawfiq. All the practice in stoicism I’ve had in captivity can’t prevent me from sucking in a breath, from letting my eyes go wide, letting the excitement show on my face. Always at my side, I feel Aulion’s gaze burning through me like a laser. I exhale, force myself to relax, and focus on my father.
“He’s tuned in, Eli,” Demeter says. “He can’t respond, but you can speak all you want. Go ahead.”
“And in their desperation,” my father goes on, “they are taking risks, making mistakes that make them vulnerable to detection. That is why we are here today. To ask you to join the fight.”
“Vale, listen to me,” Eli says. “Demeter’s filled me in about your situation. Here’s what you need to know. We’re not producing as many seeds as we hoped, and distribution has been a bear—ha! Bear, get it?—anyway, we’ve got some good news. We’ve stolen another 3D printer and we’ve figured out how to print actual food. We’ve got one printer on seeds and one on food. Rhinehouse is working twenty-four-seven and is one grumpy son of a bitch, but what’s new? Production isn’t ideal, we can’t do it in high volume, and it’s no substitute for growing from scratch, but we don’t have time to cultivate the printed seeds en masse. We’re printing as much food as we can and shipping it out as fast as we can. Bear is our point man on the Farms. He’s working with Zeke’s team to infiltrate existing supply routes between factory towns and Farms. It’s slow going, but it’s progress. ”
Philip steps forward to the edge of the stage. “To ask you, my friends, to watch for infiltrators within our communities. Infiltrators like Jeremiah Sayyid who kidnapped my son. It is up to each one of us to be vigilant against traitors in our very midst. We must not let a few disillusioned radicals undermine the Okarian Sector.”
“I’ve got more good news,” Eli says, his words tumbling out in near-breathless excitement. “Our little Bear has been busy. Hell, he’s a fucking grizzly. He’s got teams assembled on all the Farms and between him and Zeke, shit is getting real. People disappearing, walking off the job, civil disobedience … I mean, that boy is a talker. And every time he opens his mouth, somebody falls in love with him. Who knew, right?”
“My friends, I am here today to tell you that we are in the final stretch, that we are close to victory. My son, Valerian Orleán”—my father turns toward me with a proud look on his face—“who heroically escaped captivity to return to us, is preparing to lead an all-out assault on the last remnants of this terrorist network.”
Lead an all-out assault? The words ring in my head as I see another flash of red. And another. I catch glimpses, out of the corner of my eye, of fabric leaping from palm to palm, as crimson and bright as fresh-spilled blood.
Red in the morning, sailors take warning …
“Vale, now that we know how to communicate through Demeter, we’ll keep you—”
“Eli, who are you talking—” a voice shouts in the background. Zoe?
“For fuck’s sake, give me a minute!” Eli yells.
“Citizens, it is time to strike the final blow—” Philip says, even as his eyes grow wide and his shoulders tense. He takes a hesitant step backward and glances at me, then at Aulion. Before us, the crowd is swimming in red.
Eli’s voice again. “And did you see Remy’s video? Was that fucking brilliant or what? And by the way, I’m perfectly fine now. Rhinehouse replicated Corine’s vaccine, thanks to Demeter, and I’m feeling fine and dandy, thanks for asking.”
I try to stand still, to look impassive as I listen to Eli rattle on, watch my father, and process what’s unfolding in front of us.
“Eli.” It’s Demeter’s voice now. “Vale is in Windy Pines with his father. Something is going on. Stand by.”
A hundred, no, maybe two, three hundred hands are in the air, defiant fists above the crowd, wrapped in red, organized to form a pattern, a sign, but what is it? More hands join in. More red. Visible only from above, from the raised platform my father and I stand on, the symbol becomes clear. A slow smile spreads across my face. At my side, Aulion growls and signals for the nearby
soldiers to head into the crowd.
“Arrest anyone with a scrap of red on them.” He turns to the SDF soldier behind me. “Get me drone footage from every angle possible. I want access to every open network in this quadrant. Pull up Personhood and activate the facial recognition program. I want names.” He points at one of the black ops now hovering uncomfortably close to me. “Notify Madam Orleán.” He turns toward me with a look so sharp it could flay the flesh off my bones. “She’ll want to see exactly what’s going on.”
“I had to disconnect you, Vale,” Demeter says. “Sector security probes are looking into this connection. Eli’s gone now.”
All I can see is red. The letter R.
Resistance.
10 - VALE
Spring 76, Sector Annum 106, 13h21
Gregorian Calendar: June 3
We’ve got over sixty under arrest. We’re tracking the rest down.
Where are you holding them?
Some in the cell here at the town hall, but there’s not enough space. The rest are in a warehouse by the airfield.
You’ve got back-up security around the perimeter of town?
Of course.
Demeter tapped into the security system to monitor my father and Aulion as they talk about the protest, but there’s no audio in the room. Instead, she’s monitoring the video and is able to read their lips and translate what they’re saying. As she feeds the dialogue, along with her commentary, directly into my ear, I try to remain impassive.
“Aulion hasn’t been using the honorific ‘sir,’” Demeter says. “I find this interesting. He’s standing at attention, hands clasped behind his back. Your father is pacing.”
In your capacity, General, what do propose we do with the prisoners?
I recommend adopting some of the director’s methods.
No. Corine has her ways of dealing with problems and I have mine. I won’t go that route. I need another option.
I strongly suggest, sir, that these traitors not be given the opportunity to infect others with their ideology. Especially not after Remy Alexander’s video.
A pause. I hold my breath. I can’t betray any emotion, can’t act like I’m hearing anything. Just a few moments ago, my father and Aulion disappeared—alone—into a room in the Windy Pines town council building, leaving me waiting outside the door, my guards never far.
You must realize how few options there are.
“Your father is upset. Aulion is doing nothing to placate him. If anything, he seems to be provoking him. Aggressive body language, slight sneer, hostile tone.”
Treason is like a virus and we must inoculate ourselves against it. We must dispose of this problem before—
Dispose? Like Evander disposed of the problem at Round Barn? Look where that got us. We won’t be using those tactics again. Do I make myself clear?
Is Aulion suggesting murdering the protesters? It seems too far-fetched even for him, but I can’t imagine another possibility.
“General Aulion has said nothing. He’s standing motionless in the center of the room.”
I know what you’re suggesting, Falke, but I won’t do it. I refuse to take that step.
There’s a long silence. Demeter says nothing. I can only imagine the tension in the room between my father and the general.
I await your orders, sir.
“Your father seems appeased. He’s finally turned back to face the general and his shoulders are more relaxed now.”
Take as many prisoners as you can round up, requisition as many airships as you need, and get them all back to the capital. Lock them up where no one can find them. Keep looking for the others. We’ll deal with them all later.
Yes, sir.
The door opens and Aulion strides out. He barely looks at me, but instead speaks to the guards. “Come with me.”
“But—” one of them protests.
“Now!”
“I’ve pulled up the video system schematic and will continue watching Aulion as he leaves the building,” Demeter says. “Once he’s outside, I may be able to get an audio feed if there are security drones monitoring the perimeter of the building.”
After what seems an interminable amount of time, my father appears in the doorway. “Vale?”
I stand to greet him.
“Aulion is taking care of the protestors, and I need you to wait here while I meet with the council members. Then we’ll return to the airfield and take the chancellor’s airship back to the capital. We’ll have some time alone. Just you and me.”
“Vale!” The urgency in Demeter’s voice startles me.
“By myself? Are you sure?”
My father looks me in the eye for a long moment. “I trust you.” And then he’s gone.
I trust you? What have I done to merit my father’s trust?
“Deme? What’s up?”
“It’s Aulion. He’s contravening your father’s orders.”
“He’s what?”
“Listen. I was able to record it. As soon as he got outside, on the stage. There are drones programmed to record the speeches and I managed to tap into one.”
Aulion’s voice fills my ears. His tone is hushed, but clear. “Set up a perimeter and take only your most trusted troops. Keep it simple and clean. Bolts set to kill. Get a hazardous waste demarcation kit to keep the building off limits. I’m going to issue a lock down order for the whole town. After dark, we’ll dispose of the bodies in the woods west of town. There’s an old quarry out there. No one will ever find them.”
“Lead me to him.” I say, already moving. I open the door and check the hallway. My father’s nowhere to be seen. I don’t have a weapon. I don’t have a plan. All I know is I have to stop a monster from committing mass murder.
“Take a left here and at the end of the hall, go down the stairs. That takes you back to the lobby and you’ll see the main doors out to the stage.” I obey, running down the corridor. Luckily the town hall is practically abandoned. My father and the council members are meeting somewhere, but right now there’s not another soul in sight. Everyone must have dispersed after Aulion’s troops headed into the crowd. “Just caught him on another camera. Once you’re outside, take the steps to the right of the stage and go around the building. Aulion is heading for a hovercar parked out back, the black ops in tow. What are you planning, Vale?”
I have no idea.
I fly down the stairs and burst through the doors, taking the steps out front beside the stage two at a time. I round the corner and see Aulion in the distance. Screeching to a halt, I press myself up against the building. There are two SDF soldiers waiting at the hovercar. I can’t take them all down, and I can’t risk them getting in that car. Before I can decide what to do, Aulion stops. He points and everyone turns to look into the distance. After a few moments, the SDF troops take off behind the building where I can’t see them anymore. Aulion talks to the OAC soldiers and a moment later they get in the car and pull out, leaving Aulion behind.
I pause, unsure of what to do. Do I try to follow the black ops who are probably headed toward the prisoners? Or the man who gave the kill order, and who could reverse it?
It has to be Aulion. He’ll only be alone for a moment. I don’t have long. He remains in the parking lot, standing stock still, head cocked slightly as if listening to something I can’t hear. A C-Link? I wonder if he finally managed to convince the Board of Directors he needed one.
After a moment, I realize he’s heading back my direction, toward the town council building. What’s he up to?
As he walks, he puts his hand on the butt of his holstered Bolt. Unarmed, even with the element of surprise, I realize forcing Aulion to recall the order will take more than training and luck. I need a weapon. Still hidden by shadow, I slide back around the corner of the building, bound up the steps, and push through the door into the lobby. It’s still empty, quiet as a morgue except for my footsteps. I sprint toward the information desk and hurl myself over it. And there it is. A small hand-hel
d fire extinguisher. I pop it out of its holding clip and check the pressure gauge. Perfect. Trigger-loaded like a grenade, I pull the pin and wait. Aulion will have to walk right past me.
The door opens, and footsteps echo in the empty room. Closer. Closer. Closer. I wait until he is just past the desk, then launch myself at his back, the trigger of the extinguisher clasped tight in my hand.
Damn, he’s fast. He’s already pivoted when I make contact, Bolt clear of its holster. I knock him flat, but he uses his shoulder to break the fall and brings the Bolt around toward me. I don’t give him a chance to aim. I twist around and press the fire extinguisher’s trigger, blasting him in the face, white foam piling up like a chemical ice cream sundae. He bucks me off his back with an unearthly roar, clawing at his eyes with both hands as his Bolt skitters across the tile floor. With my free hand I stretch out to grab the weapon, clutching the fire extinguisher in my other hand, not daring to let go.
Aulion wipes the foam from his face with a sleeve and struggles to get to his feet. I don’t wait. I leap at him, pressing my knee into his chest and the bulk of the fire extinguisher into his throat. I hold the Bolt in my right hand, pointed at his head.
I push the fire extinguisher hard enough into his throat that his breath comes in ragged gasps. Evander’s words ring in my head: Aulion always said you were a coward.
“Rescind the order,” I say, jamming the Bolt into his temple.
He laughs. A bizarre sound barking out from his white-flecked, scarred face. “No.” His voice is rough as he squints up at me with weeping, bloodshot eyes, rimmed in red.
“Call them off!” I push my knee harder into his chest, constricting his breathing, making it clear I would have no trouble killing him.
“How did you know?”
“Maybe your troops aren’t as loyal as they seem.” Might as well take the opportunity to sow some divisiveness and suspicion. “Give the order now!”
He wipes his face again, then spits at me. “They’re as good as dead already.”
