by Jackie D
Kaelyn put a carrot into her mouth and really tasted the food for the first time. She wasn’t sure if her memory was playing tricks on her, but these vegetables tasted different than she remembered. The carrots seemed crisper and the tomatoes juicier.
“I have to admit, it’s better than I remember. But why vegan? Are there no longer animals?” Kaelyn dashed a bit of pepper onto her cucumber.
“We aren’t entirely sure if there are animals outside the weather bubbles. I’m not sure how many of them would survive the harsh environment, but we haven’t been able to do that much research on the subject. Inside the weather bubbles, we don’t raise livestock. The impact it would have on the weather bubble is too severe. We wouldn’t be able to process the air quality fast enough, so we simply don’t do it. There are still cats and dogs. People managed to keep them when they fled to the Resistance camps, but that’s it.”
Kaelyn hadn’t considered the loss of animals before now. It hurt to think of them suffering and perishing for no fault of their own. Some surely would have survived. Animals, after all, had endured through some of the most extensive transformations the earth had ever undergone. Something would still be out there. She needed to believe that.
“Tell me more about the weather bubbles.” She sipped her water and saw her bracelet brighten slightly, highlighting her hydration level.
“They’re pretty much exactly what they sound like. It’s sort of a dome, and it regulates the climate inside it. You can’t see it necessarily, but you’ll know once you leave it. We’re responsible for their maintenance, but the Hand of God has a kill switch. They could, if they were so inclined, turn it off.”
“And then what?” Kaelyn asked, although, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
“We’d be exposed to the elements it’s protecting us from. Everyone would die pretty quickly.” Arrow wiped her face with her napkin and picked up her tray. “You done?”
Kaelyn looked down at her tray, not realizing she’d finished everything. She grabbed the apple and put it in her pocket. “Yeah, thanks.”
She followed Arrow out of the canteen, wanting to know and understand everything in her new world. She wasn’t sure where they were heading, but she didn’t really care. She liked listening to Arrow talk. Yes, a lot of the information was frightening, if not shocking, but the way Arrow explained things and her slow and easy speech made her feel secure somehow.
“What do you do for water?” Kaelyn asked when they made a right at the end of a long hallway.
“There are a few different ways we conserve. The weather bubbles are limited when it comes to creating a rainstorm because the technology just isn’t there yet. But we create our own water from the air and sun. Our water panels draw air in with fans, and the water vapor in the air passes through a condenser, creating water. The water is collected and mineralized for optimal health and taste. When we shower, the water that goes down the drain is collected, treated, and reused for more showers or for crops. Toilets, on the other hand, are a little different than they were from your time. They’re all compost machines.”
“That’s incredible,” Kaelyn said.
Arrow looked at her, surprised by her answer. “The technology was there during your time. People were just too greedy to do the right thing with it.”
“Unfortunately, that doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.”
Kaelyn wanted to know more, but she had a feeling their tour was ending for the day. “I haven’t asked you the most obvious question of all. What exactly is a Guardian? I mean, I’ve put together that you’re a combination of a soldier and a police officer, but what is it exactly?”
Arrow shoved her hands in her pockets and leaned against the wall. “There are classes and levels. I’m Guardian class. The military force has been divided into three levels of Guardians. I’m Level One. This means I’m assigned to the overall safety of the people within the Resistance colonies. Except for Valor and me, we’ve been assigned to the Phoenix Project our entire lives. The other two levels may also serve as teachers or trainers in various professions. But this is all we do, and it’s all we know. We’re placed into these levels at birth. The other classes can pick their professions or pursue their interests, but we don’t have that option. If you’re born Guardian class, you stay Guardian class.”
Kaelyn looked surprised. “How do you feel about that?”
“Feel? Feeling anything about it isn’t an option. This is how it’s done,” Arrow said.
Kaelyn leaned against the other wall, taking in the information. “That’s not really what America represents. This is supposed to be the Resistance, the enduring will of the country. I don’t understand.”
Arrow shrugged. “Things are different now, and we do what we have to do to survive.”
“Why were you chosen for Level One?”
“My grandfather on my dad’s side was one of the top military advisors to your father. My grandmother and grandfather on my mom’s side flew combat missions during the same time. Both my parents were about ten when the Hand of God dealt the final blow to the Republic. They helped form the colony where the Resistance now resides. My dad and mom both ended up becoming generals in the Guardian class, and then Mom became president.”
“Are you assigned to me by choice?” Kaelyn asked.
Arrow stood up a little straighter. “No, Valor and I were chosen for you at birth.”
Kaelyn had more questions. It was a tremendous amount of pressure to realize that people had been chosen specifically for her, the day they were born. The expectations for her success in this project were far greater than she had ever imagined. It felt like a weight being placed on her shoulders of an even greater magnitude than what was already there.
Arrow turned them down another hallway, and for the first time since they started walking, Kaelyn recognized where they were. “I don’t want to go back to the hospital.”
CAM’s voice came through the speakers. “Kaelyn, you have an appointment with the physical therapist, and then you will require nine hours of sleep to be at your optimal level.”
Kaelyn looked up at the ceiling. “Does she listen to everything?”
Arrow and CAM answered at the same time. “Yes.”
Kaelyn didn’t know why, but it made her uneasy to realize she’d be separated from Arrow. She wasn’t a needy person, or she’d never been before, but she found that she trusted Arrow. And that was a feeling she needed amid so much unfamiliarity.
Arrow must have noticed because she put her hand on her shoulder and slightly squeezed. “I’ll be back for you first thing in the morning, and as soon as the doctor gives the go-ahead, we’ll get you set up in your own room. Then I can keep answering any questions you still have, okay?”
This made Kaelyn feel better, but only slightly. “Okay.”
Arrow smiled at her, not just any smile, one that came from her eyes, the best kind. She watched as Arrow moved down the hallway and made a left, leaving Kaelyn to herself. She was thankful for Arrow, glad she had someone who felt trustworthy and reliable. It made this crazy experience a little more bearable.
Chapter Five
Arrow walked through the treatment center doors just as she’d done the last four mornings. The only aspect that had changed since the initial visit was the excitement she felt knowing she’d see Kaelyn again. She waved to the nurses and headed toward the rehabilitation center. Kaelyn would be finishing her morning workout, and Arrow wanted to be there when she was done.
She stopped in front of the large glass wall. Kaelyn was on the treadmill, moving faster than she had been the day before. She glanced up and saw Arrow waiting and smiled. Arrow felt a flush of excitement work its way through her limbs. She put her hand on the palm reader, and the door slid open.
“Good morning, Major,” Kaelyn said between breaths. “I only have about a mile left.”
“You’re doing great, Kaelyn,” Arrow said as she walked over to the doctor.
“Her sp
eed and stamina have increased very well. It’s impressive.” The doctor tapped a few keys on his tablet.
“She’s very impressive,” Arrow said.
“She’ll be ready to go in no time.”
“You don’t have to talk about me like I’m not here,” Kaelyn said. “But I like the praise, so please continue.” She smiled and dabbed her face with a towel.
Kaelyn pulled the water bottle from the holster next to her and took a few sips. “CAM, increase my speed to six.”
“That is not advised, Kaelyn. Your heart rate is in the optimal training zone. An increase at this time may cause injury. You’ll need an override.”
Kaelyn stared at Arrow, who felt herself stiffen . “CAM usually knows best. I’m not going to give you an override.”
Kaelyn’s eyes grew larger. “CAM, how often does Major Steele ignore your advice to increase her training routine?”
“Major Steele has ignored my recommendation one thousand four hundred and seventy-three times.”
Kaelyn laughed. “Oh, is that all?”
Arrow looked at the doctor, hoping he would back her up.
He shrugged. “CAM, increase speed to five and a half.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Kaelyn smiled.
Arrow glared at him, and he shook his head. “I don’t want the Phoenix mad at me.”
Arrow understood his logic and didn’t have a reasonable rebuttal, so she changed the subject. “How much longer does she need to be under supervised sleep?”
The doctor scrolled through his tablet. “As far as I’m concerned, she’s okay as of today. If anything major changes, CAM will alert me and I’ll have her come back in.”
The treadmill started to slow and then came to a complete stop. Kaelyn hopped off and clapped her hands together. “Check me out! I did three miles today. I haven’t run three miles in like seventy years!” She laughed at her own joke.
Arrow, try as she might, couldn’t help finding this aspect of Kaelyn adorable. She often laughed at her own jokes, which always fell somewhere between terribly obvious and not all that funny. But Kaelyn’s enjoyment made Arrow laugh just as well.
“So far, you’ve showed me where you eat, your control center, the photo archives, and where you work out. When are you finally going to show me what’s outside these walls?” Kaelyn ran the towel over her arms and then tossed it across her shoulder.
“We’ll show you today as soon as you shower.”
“Who’s we?”
“You finally get to meet my better half,” Arrow said as she walked toward the door. “I’ll meet you right outside the rehabilitation center when you’re done.”
* * *
Kaelyn showered quickly. She’d fallen asleep the last several nights wondering what it was like beyond the walls she’d been confined to since she’d awakened. She was both curious and terrified to see for herself. She’d asked Arrow hundreds of questions about what it was like and what to expect but had received very little information. Arrow told her to take her time to acclimate and to rest before trying to fully understand. Kaelyn wasn’t sure if that was because things were so bad she couldn’t put them into words or if she was truly that concerned with her well-being.
In the four days since she’d been awake, almost all her contact had been with Arrow and her doctor. Not that she minded. She thoroughly enjoyed Arrow’s company. Arrow was patient with her questions and had a rare ability to focus on her like she was the only one in the world. Kaelyn assumed Arrow had a million things going on, but she’d taken the time, all her time, to be with Kaelyn, to make sure she was acclimating and adjusting. Arrow laughed at her jokes and walked her to the rehabilitation unit every night, even when Kaelyn had insisted she knew the way by now. She’d explained the intricacies of her bracelet, of CAM, and of her training regime. She made Kaelyn comfortable and, well, happy. She’d avoided discussing several subjects, explaining that Kaelyn would come to understand with time and that too much information at once could be overwhelming.
Now, she’d be meeting her partner. Arrow spoke of him frequently and with great fondness. Today, her real training and understanding would begin. She felt like she was getting her training wheels off and that she could be trusted. It felt good to think Arrow could trust her and saw her progress. Arrow believed in her. For some reason, this seemed to mean everything. She wanted Arrow to feel that way about her. She wanted to impress her.
Arrow had eased the transition, but just the same, it hadn’t been easy. Everything was new and different, from the food to the walls inside the complex. They looked like cement but felt warmer when you touched them. Arrow had explained that they were made of an energy conserving material that kept the facility at a certain temperature, eliminating the need for tools like air conditioning and heating.
All access was either granted through CAM or by a palm recognition system. The floors, while sounding and looking like metal, had a much softer feel under her feet. People who passed her in the hallways nodded at her in recognition, but no one ever spoke to her. It would’ve been tremendously isolating had it not been for Arrow.
Now, she was ready to take the next step, to move forward. She pulled on her clothes and headed out to the area where Arrow told her she would be.
Arrow stood there waiting and smiling. “The transport is ready.”
* * *
The transport was waiting in front of the lift when the doors slid open. Arrow put her hand on the fingerprint pad on the back door, and it rose.
Once she got in the front seat, she said, “We still use ground vehicles. They make it easier to evade and hide. We can put them in places the government drones can’t reach. Inside Eden, the main city, they have hover vehicles. We’ll get around to that.”
Valor turned around from the driver’s side of the transport and put his hand out to shake Kaelyn’s. “Hi, Kaelyn, I’m Captain Valor Markinson. I’ll be your other tour guide today.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Captain. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Valor pulled up to the protective barrier. “Please, call me Valor. CAM, clear the barrier.”
A few moments later, the wall in front of them dissolved from sight. This was an everyday occurrence for Arrow and Valor, but she heard Kaelyn gasp from the back seat. “Holy shit.”
“I’m sure you’re going to see some things you aren’t expecting, and we’ll do our best to explain, but if there is something you don’t understand, please ask,” Arrow said.
Kaelyn moved over to the middle of the bench in the back seat. “My father was painfully vague about what this project would look like in the end. The people that planned Phoenix were meticulous about how to get here, and they were clear about not wanting to give too many instructions for the future since it was impossible to predict how things would unfold. So I want to start with the basics. Where are you taking me, exactly?”
Arrow pointed out the window. “This is NV2, a Resistance colony. Each colony is overseen by one of the headquarter units, where we just came from, where you’ve been staying. Our headquarters, Station One, oversees eight colonies in total. NV2 is the closest to Station One.”
Arrow turned in her seat to see what Kaelyn was seeing. She tried to imagine looking at it for the first time. The world Kaelyn was from only existed to Arrow as pictures from history lessons. The tall buildings that once existed here with their bright lights and flashing signs were now diminished to identical dwellings and small gardens.
“This would be what you once knew as Las Vegas.” Arrow couldn’t imagine the gaudy place she’d seen in photos.
Kaelyn gasped from the back seat and Arrow turned to look at her. She had her hand over her mouth, and tears welled up in her eyes. “What happened?” She reached for a door handle and then looked around when she didn’t find one.
“You can’t get out. No one outside headquarters can know Phoenix has been initiated. Not yet, anyway,” Valor said.
Arrow hopped over the middle and got int
o the back seat. “After you were put into the cryogenic state, you were moved to a secure underground location, which is now our base. About a year later, a massive drought swept through California, Arizona, and Nevada. It wasn’t like anything anyone had ever seen. Temperatures reached one hundred and forty degrees for two full years. Even when the temperatures tapered off to one hundred and thirty, it was still too hot to grow food. The water supply dried up, farmers couldn’t produce anything, and people began to starve.”
Arrow watched as the horror crossed Kaelyn’s face. She didn’t want to tell her everything yet, but she needed to know, and somehow, she knew Kaelyn would appreciate the truth as opposed to sugarcoating anything. “It wasn’t just here. There was a mass migration all over the world. People were coming here from Mexico, Africa, South America. The whole world had heated, and people who had almost nothing to begin with were left with even less. They flooded the borders of surviving countries all over the globe, hoping someone would take them.”
Kaelyn looked down at her hands. She was rubbing her thumb up and down her palm. “This had already started when I went into my cryo state, but it clearly escalated. I think I know what happened, but I’d like you to tell me anyway.”
Arrow nodded. “The Hand of God and their followers took to the streets. Your father, well, he tried to restore order. He let as many refugees into America as possible, setting up camps everywhere until they could figure out what to do next. It was mayhem. Then, the Hand of God overthrew our democracy. They declared martial law and restored what they called order. The new president, if you could call him that, had a force field of sorts erected around the United States. They burned the refugee camps and killed anyone who wouldn’t swear their loyalty to the president and his family. The hotels and casinos that used to be here were demolished during something the Hand of God called a purge. They’d been shut down because of the drought and were being used by refugees for shelter. MacLeod destroyed them, hoping it would force the people out of the country. He dropped bombs, used tanks, and when all else failed, he’d simply set them on fire. This dried up area to your right, where you see the crates of food ready for transport, is what you’d know as the Bellagio fountain.” Arrow pointed to the empty expanse.
