The video cuts out and we all stand in silence for a few moments.
"Fascinating," Clint says finally. "Do you know where the Hybrid designs are?" He asks, inspecting the area around the screens.
"I'm pretty sure all the conceptions are in this safe," Trey replies, casually moving some robots out of the way to reveal a large black container in the corner of the room.
Clint approaches the safe and eyes it with interest.
"Clint, find out how to open the safe."
He runs his fingers along the back of the container and pulls out a transparent panel about three quarters of the way up. He etches an elaborate pattern on the panel with his fingers, and as soon as he finishes, the outer layer of the safe disintegrates to the floor, exposing a tall stand holding a tiny chip.
"This must be it," Clint announces as he plucks the chip from the stand and puts it in a small case. "The Governor will be very eager to see this."
Suddenly, Juro starts screaming. We all turn around to see what's wrong and see him clinging to Alia's leg and pointing at the ground. It takes a moment to figure out what he's pointing at, but soon it becomes clear. The particles of the disintegrated safe are crawling into the walls and into the robots in the corner. I watch in horror as the walls begin to crumble and the robots come to life.
"Everybody get out now!" Brice yells, but we've already started to flee the disappearing building. Back out in the snow, it's easy to see the path of the black flecks that used to be the lab. They're moving to the towering headquarters, and once they reach it, I can't believe what happens.
Instead of disintegrating like the other building, the structure breaks down and reassembles into hundreds of huge, fierce-looking machines. They're about 20 feet tall with sharp claws for appendages, and they're all coming toward us, probably to recover the chip we took. In a few moments, the foreboding robots are standing between us and our only chance of escape. We'll have to go through them to get to the ship.
There is a moment of chaos as everyone commands themselves to do something different. Liam is shielding Alia while shooting at the robots' legs, Cassidy and Tristan are running around frantically, Joby is burying himself in the snow, and Clint is climbing up one of the machines. It takes a moment for Alia, Brice, Kaylie and Trey to realize that their Amplifiers are now activated because of the far reaching signal from the transmitters me and Clint have embedded in our Amplifiers, but soon they're also in action. Everyone is doing something except for me.
I'm standing in range of several of the dangerous robots, but none of them are attacking me. In fact, the only person they're going after is Clint, the one who has the information. I watch as all the machines converge on the one Clint has climbed on. So far, he's avoiding their blows, but with more coming, he won't last long.
"Clint!" I yell. "Throw me the chip!" He only hesitates for a moment before he digs in his pocket and tosses the case to the ground several feet in front of me. I run to grab it, and immediately the robots start moving in my direction.
"Mari," I command myself, "avoid the robots and get to the air ship.”
I run past a few without getting trampled, but the closer I get to the ship, the denser the army of robots. I dart around in the snow, their clawed feet stomping all around me. Soon I'm completely surrounded. I need to get rid of the chip.
I catch a glimpse of Liam running through the ranks of robots.
"Liam, take this!" I call out as I hurl the case in his direction.
Luckily, he hears me. He doubles back and scoops up the case while the robots change direction to pursue their new target. Clint must have alerted everyone else to the plan, because soon the chip is being thrown back and forth between the nine of us. The black machines crash into and stumble over each other as they continually change course to follow the case. It would be almost comical if there weren't several of us bleeding from contact with the robots' sharp claws.
Tristan is the first to get to the ship. He steps up and struggles with the door.
"It won't open!" He cries, pulling down on the handle with the weight of his whole body. The ship must be on lock down now that it's back in its own domain and may even be in attack mode. I look around. Clint is running right beside me and several machines are behind us and gaining. And I have the chip.
"Mari," I say loudly as I slow down a little, "find out how to revert the ship to its former programming."
I lunge at the ship, but almost at the same moment the sharp claws of one of the machines dig into my leg and pull me back. I hear Clint taking over the command I just gave myself.
"Clint, figure out how to revert the ship to its former programming."
The robot that has me releases my leg to get into a better attacking position, and I take the opportunity to scramble up the side of the contraption. For now, I'm safe from its claws, but the other machines are closing in. I see that Clint has opened the ship and everyone is rushing in. I wouldn't be surprised if they left me, the situation here is far too dangerous. But they won't. I still have the chip.
Whoever is piloting the air ship flies low and plows through several of the robots that are surrounding me, knocking them over, and I'm momentarily free. I charge toward the ship. It's still so low that I don't even have to jump very high to grab on to one of the runners. The side door slides open and Brice reaches out to pull me up. But just as I'm trying to grab his hand, the ship pitches downward and I nearly lose my grip. One of the robots has attached itself to the back of the ship and is inching its way over to me.
The ship starts to drag as more robots grab on to the sides, and I can hear screaming coming from inside. I'm wondering if I should just let myself fall to the ground when I notice that there is a massive gorge up ahead.
"Hey! Give me a parachute!" I call up to Brice.
"Are you crazy?" He asks, his eyes wide.
"Just do it!" I yell.
He disappears for a moment, then comes back and hands me a pack. I struggle to put it on with one arm, alternating my grip on the runner. After what seems like hours, we're finally flying over the gorge. I take a deep breath and let go of the ship just as one of the machines swings its claw into the place where my face used to be.
I fall through the freezing air and attempt to twist my head around to see if the robots followed me. I can't make out much, but the black objects filling the sky above me is enough confirmation that my plan is working. Let's just hope none of them run into me, I think as I pull the cord to release my parachute. My body jerks as the air fills the chute, and I watch a dozen or so of the machines fly past me and crash onto the rocky floor of the gorge.
After a few moments, I feel another tug. I look up and see that there are several hooks in my parachute, and it deflates as I'm pulled back up to the ship. I reach into my pocket to make sure I still have the chip. My fingers close around the cold case and I shudder. I'm not so sure that taking that information was a good idea.
Chapter 9
"We are certain the information on that chip is tantamount, as massive security measures had been put in place to prevent it from being stolen," Clint explains nervously with the fancy vocabulary I heard him command himself to use in the hall.
The Governor paces back and forth in front of us and eyes the chip skeptically. After we got back from the North, Governor Plenaris ordered all of us to immediately report to him. We're standing at attention in a large room of the control tower while the Governor asks us various questions. It looks like Joby, Cassidy, and Tristan might fall apart.
"Who is this?" He demands, pointing at Juro, who is hiding behind Alia's legs.
"This is General Remington's son, and to our knowledge, the only surviving member of the North," Alia responds with a slight edge in her voice.
"Interesting," the Governor says as he inspects the little boy. "We'll have to find somewhere to place him."
"That won't be necessary," Alia responds firmly. "I will take responsibility for him."
My jaw drops. I'm s
hocked at Alia's boldness.
"That is not your decision, young lady," the Governor spits out. "You are a soldier. Do you really imagine you’ll be able to take this child with you into combat and to your other duties?" He scoffs.
"I'll find a way to work it out," Alia asserts, her eyes flashing.
They stare at each other for a few tense moments.
"You'll take him for a few weeks until we figure out what to do with him," Governor Plenaris says finally, "but don't expect to be exempt from any of your work."
"Understood," Alia concedes, but I can tell she's not satisfied.
The Governor strides over to Brice. "How did you survive up there if everyone was dead?"
"There was some food in General Remington's quarters," Brice responds. "When that ran out, we had to scavenge the other dwellings."
"Is this true?" The Governor suddenly barks at Kaylie.
"Y-yes," she stammers, looking like she might cry.
"You do realize the punishment for eating real food is loss of Amplification, don't you?" He remarks menacingly.
There are gasps from several of us. He can't be serious. Would he really punish them for trying to stay alive?
"Okay, fine," Brice replies, crossing his arms over his chest defiantly. Governor Plenaris hesitates. He wasn't expecting this kind of response. He was probably hoping they would all beg to keep their Amplifiers. But it's clear that Brice, who has been surviving without the use of an Amplifier for the past several months, has become more strong willed and self reliant than most members of the Community.
"Of course, since you were all instrumental in recovering the North's technology, your offenses will be overlooked," the Governor backtracks. I think this is the only time I've ever seen him look uncomfortable. Alia challenged his authority and Brice called his bluff. No wonder he seems ruffled.
"We're certainly relieved that you've all made it back from the North, we've been worrying about you for months," Governor Plenaris says flatly, making it clear that he couldn't care less that the abductees are back. "You will all be integrated back into Service over the next few days. You are dismissed."
We all start to file out of the room.
"Clint," the Governor calls out, "I'd like a word.”
“Sure thing, Clarence,” Clint responds. The Governor makes a sour expression at Clint’s use of his first name, but doesn’t correct him.
The rest of us leave the room and wait until we get to the front steps of the control tower to voice our concerns.
"He didn't seem very happy we were back," Kaylie says timidly.
"Why would he be?" Brice remarks. "There are now four of us who know more about the North than the Governor ever wanted anyone to."
"But everyone there is dead," Trey says.
"Exactly," Liam cuts in. "I'll bet he wouldn't want everyone finding out how they ended up."
"You think something like that could happen here?" Kaylie asks.
"I think there are safer places to have this conversation," Tristan states coldly, looking pointedly at me.
I should be annoyed by his suspicion, but he does have a point. As a Restrainer, my allegiance is supposed to lie with Governor Plenaris. Technically, I'm supposed to report any treasonous conversation.
Tristan stalks away and Kaylie and Trey look at me uncomfortably as they leave the group. Cassidy gives me an apologetic smile before turning around and running after her brother.
I glance over at Alia and see that Juro is asleep on her shoulder.
"What are you going to do with him?" I ask her.
“I’ll leave him with my aunt when he can't be with me," she responds, stroking his bright hair.
"Alia, why are you doing this?" Liam interjects.
Alia's eyes fill with tears as she takes his hand. "I'll tell you later," she says softly. "See you guys," she calls out as they walk down the stairs together. Next to me, Brice exhales loudly.
"How long have they been together?" He asks.
"I'm not sure," I reply hesitantly, not really comfortable with talking about their relationship.
"She should be with me," he states.
"Yeah?"
"I mean, I'm glad you guys rescued us, but if you hadn't, Alia would have fallen for me eventually."
"You're probably right," I admit, "but is that how you would have wanted it? Just the four of you, alone and cut off from everything for the rest of your lives?"
"I don't know, it's kind of romantic ... " he drifts off. I raise my eyebrows at him. "All right, that would be pretty awful," he concedes, turning to face me. "How about you?" He asks abruptly. "Outside of all of your Restrainers duties do you find time to get involved with anyone?"
"Are you asking me out?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, looks like you got over Alia pretty fast."
"Not at all. When you go through a traumatic experience like that with someone, it takes a long time to forget them," Brice explains, looking wistful. "No, I just need a distraction."
I laugh in spite of myself.
"I appreciate your honesty," I reply, "but trust me, you don't want to get involved with me. I'd probably just end up trying to shoot you in the head."
"What?"
"It's a long story."
Luckily, I don't have to explain myself because Clint walks out of the tower.
"Quillen, I'm glad you're still here," he bellows, slapping me on the back. "I've got news for you."
"Okay, what is it?" I ask apprehensively. I've learned that when Clint's in a good mood, it's usually bad for me.
"You're going to prison!" He announces cheerfully.
"What?" I sputter. "But the assignment was successful and I didn't-"
"Calm down," he cuts in, "you're going there as a guard."
"Oh."
"You better get ready, the prison transport leaves in 2 hours."
"What about you?"
"I'm not your handler anymore, you're going alone."
"Ah, that's why you're so happy."
"Don't get me wrong, I loved ordering you around, but it'll be nice not having baggage with me all the time."
"Wow, thanks." I say sarcastically.
"Don't take it personally, Quillen," he responds, and I'm surprised to see a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "Now get going! You have prisoners to wrangle!"
———
The transport driver motions for me to take the passenger seat up front. I climb up into the large van and glance back through the grate that separates me from the rest of the passengers. They're the most mild looking prisoners I could have imagined. Although, I guess you really don't have to be a ruthless criminal to be sent to prison, just act out against the Equality Movement. I remember Brexlynn telling me that all her parents did to get imprisoned was make people question the Amplifiers. They probably looked about as decent as the people behind me.
"How far is the prison from here?" I ask the driver when he gets in.
"About 45 miles," he responds. He starts the van, and we ride in silence for the first 20 minutes. We drive out past Compound A into the open desert. I take another look behind me at the prisoners sitting quietly. I suppose they're so well behaved because they are either peaceful people who made a mistake or they're Amplified people who are currently being commanded through the Override not to act out. I start to wonder how the driver knows how to get to the prison with nothing to mark the way. I guess he just uses his Amplifier.
"They used to only need two Restrainers at the prison," the driver announces, seemingly out of nowhere, "but lately they've been taking on a lot more."
"Oh really?" I respond politely, not even sure he's talking to me.
"Yeah," he confirms. "I've heard good things about you, though. I'm sure you'll be able control him."
"Control who?" I ask weakly, even though I know exactly who he's talking about.
"Prisoner 568. Miles Paxton.”
Chapter 10
The most disturbing thing is that he looks com
pletely normal. After several months of being experimented on in confinement I thought he'd look more haggard, more demoralized. But he seems almost content as I view the live surveillance coming from his small cell. His dark hair is combed, his skin is smooth, and he appears slightly more muscular than when I last saw him. It's only in his honey-brown eyes that I can see the carefully hidden rage.
The prison is basically divided into two sections: the area for prisoners who were Amplified, and the area for those who weren't. There is a severe difference between these sections. For those who were never Amplified, the cells are made of heavy steel, with numerous locks on the doors. Most of the time the prisoners are kept separate from each other, except for once a week when the guards take them all outside. They are constantly shackled and monitored, and their simple requests are rarely granted.
On the other side of the prison is the space for those who used to be Amplified. In this area, security is far more relaxed. The cells are comprised of four rooms, one prisoner in each room, with shared bathing facilities. There is one simple lock on the cell doors that could probably be opened if someone spent enough time with it. These prisoners are allowed to go outside twice a day, but no one ever goes. In fact, this part of the prison looks more like a hospital. A handful of soldiers rotate through the cells to feed the prisoners capsules and give sponge baths. The prisoners rarely leave their beds. For them, the most effective means of confinement was removing their Amplifiers.
Then there's the area where Miles is kept. A separate wing on the east side of the prison houses Miles' tiny cell. The room actually seems bigger from the outside because it's surrounded by several walls and a dozen doors, each with intricate locks and codes. Next to his cell is a large arena where the Restrainers practice using the Override on new prisoners who haven't had their Amplifiers removed yet. It's also where they've been conducting experiments on Miles.
One of the guards told me how he had fought back when they tried to sedate him in order to implant his modified Amplifier. Apparently, one of the Restrainers almost lost his leg. The special Amplifier they gave Miles is enhanced, but it only responds to the Override; he can't command himself to do anything.
The Restrainers: Third Book in The Amplified Series Page 4
