“End this,” I whisper.
He doesn’t.
Godwin rolls his eyes. “Cease these silly theatrics. Thorne and I will talk and see what we can arrange.”
Thorne drops his hands from my neck, and I immediately miss the touch.
Which is weird.
Godwin acts supremely interested in his control console. I haven’t known the guy for long, but I can tell one thing: he’s scheming. “We’re through here,” declares Godwin. He waves absently to Thorne. “Take her to her dorm.”
Guess that’s Godwin’s way of saying I passed the tests and have the project.
Whoa.
I open my mouth, ready to push for a solid ‘yes’ on having twenty four hours to find my team, but Thorne takes my hand again. We share a long look. Somehow, I know the request hidden in Thorne’s eyes.
Give me a chance to chat with Godwin.
I shrug. It’s my way of saying, give it a try.
As I’m led out of the Simulacrum, I can’t decide if I want to cheer or scream. I survived the tests. Cheering would work because I want to bring down Godwin and save the undesirables as well as the Lacerator. Screaming is a good idea because there are just too many ways this can go wrong.
In the end, I stay silent as Thorne walks me back to my cell. This time, I’m able to notice more of my surroundings along the way. The Underground is basically a loop of concrete corridors lined with mostly identical doors. I’m guessing the majority are bedrooms, like mine. Every so often, a set of double-doors breaks up the monotony. I notice one that’s marked Simulacrum while another says Laboratory. My pulse speeds.
A lab? Yes, please!
I point to the door in question. “How about we check out the lab?”
“Godwin sent you to your room.”
Once again, I’m left wondering if I imagined all his winks, touches, and soft glances. And what was that hand-trembling thing from before? I got the distinct feeling Thorne would never want to hurt me, but then again, this is how Stockholm syndrome starts, isn’t it?
We reach my door.
Thorne’s face is unreadable as I step inside my cell. My guard quickly closes the door and snaps the lock.
What a creep.
I’m tempted to scream nasty phrases at the closed door when I notice it. There’s a small desk in the corner, complete with a data pad. In all the drama with the Simulacrum, I’d forgotten about that part of my room. Things are looking up. With a live workstation, I can build out my plan.
My real one.
So I get to work.
9 Thorne
“Love and transcendence should be treated with the utmost care. Despite the promise of eternity, they can easily be destroyed in an instant.” – Empress Ophelia, The Lost Book of Transcendents
After I drop off Meimi, I trudge back to the Simulacrum. Godwin is still there, fiddling with the control console. He looks up as I enter.
“Is she sleeping?” asks the doctor. No question who she is in this scenario. Meimi.
“Doubtful. My guess is that she’s at her workstation.”
Godwin stops typing and turns to face me. “Why would you say that?”
“Call it a hunch.”
In truth, the more time I spend with Meimi, the more I can anticipate her actions. It must be a benefit of her being my transcendent. I wish we could share thoughts and visions again, but that will take some time to return.
If it happens again at all.
There’s no way I’m activating our bond again any time soon. It means placing Meimi and my brothers at risk. Not that I have much choice anyway. My powers are still nil so long as we’re in the Boston Dome.
Godwin adjusts his small glasses as he eyes me carefully. “You’ve a natural affinity for my new patient, don’t you?”
“As much as anyone.”
“Don’t be shy. This is a good thing. I want you to seduce her.”
With everything in me, I wish to punch Godwin’s face off. Instead, I merely ask a question. “Why?”
“She made more progress today on the Engine than my own team of twenty scientists did after years of research. The idea of a second controller? Brilliant.”
“All the more reason not to have her distracted.”
“She’s headstrong and foolish. I’ve seen her type before. High-minded. Principled. She says she’ll build my Engine, but when it comes to the last mile, she won’t have the guts for a cleansing.” Godwin narrows his eyes. “Or am I mistaken?”
There’s no point lying here. I’ll only seem like a fool. “It’s obvious the girl has strong convictions about what she will and will not do. Threatening violence doesn’t seem to affect her.”
“Precisely. Which is my I need more hooks into her.” Godwin types onto the control console. A few yards ahead of us, a hologram of Meimi now stands on the concrete floor of the Simulacrum. “First, there’s the science.” Godwin reaches for the control panel again.
Tap. A lifelike hologram of the Crawler appears beside Meimi.
“Clearly, this girl likes to build things. The tech will keep her interested for a while. But that won’t be enough to finish the job. You must take control of her heart.”
Tap. A hologram version of me now stands next to Meimi.
“Then,” continues Godwin. “There’s her past. The girl will find her memories powerful, even if she can’t access them. I’ll bring back Luci and Josiah.”
Tap. Luci and Josiah stand behind Meimi.
I remember those two from the hospital … and the day they helped take Meimi away. Luci is actually Meimi’s older sister. But that’s in DNA only. In reality, Luci took the lead in betraying her own blood.
“Those two?” I frown. “Are you certain that’s necessary?”
“Positive,” states Godwin. “When it comes to cleansings, you’re another one who’s too squeamish. Luci and Josiah have no such limitations.”
“I’ve done my share of killing. Fact is, those two already chatted up Meimi at the hospital. They failed.”
“It’s true that Luci and Josiah didn’t immediately form a strong bond. That doesn’t mean they’re useless, though. With my guiding hand behind the scenes, I think Luci could be a critical agent.”
Worry rattles through my limbs. Luci and Josiah? Not sure I want them back in Meimi’s life. Over the last few weeks, I researched them both. Small-time criminals, the pair of them.
“What are your plans for those two?” I ask.
“Nothing that needs to concern you. Instead, this is where I want you to focus.” Godwin returns to the control console once more.
Tap. Holograms of Chloe, Zoe, and Fritz appear. Chloe is seventeen, tall and slim in overalls and pigtails. Zoe, her twin sister, wears a sleek trench coat. Fritz is a middle-aged mountain of a man with spiked-up white hair.
I make sure to frown, as if I’ve never seen these folks before. Godwin doesn’t know I met Meimi before he erased her memories. Back then, my girl told me all about Zoe, Chloe, and Fritz. And yes, I spent the last few weeks researching them even more.
All of which is why when I next speak, I make sure to act like I don’t know the histories, motivations, and even shoe sizes of all these people.
“Who are Chloe, Zoe, and Fritz?” I ask.
“Who I want you to recruit for the team. They’re all from our girl’s previous life. Chloe is an expert in engineering, Zoe knows chemistry, and Fritz is an underworld thug who can acquire hard-to-obtain parts. Chloe and Zoe work in a garage. 1430 Lexington Avenue, Winter’s Run, Massachusetts. Fritz hides in a secret lair outside town. He and I have done business before, but he refuses to get involved in the Engine. It’s your job to convince him. He’s expecting your visit.”
“No street address for Fritz?”
“Only if you consider an underground sewer a street. I’ll message you how to get there, as well as the specific date and time for your meeting.”
“What about Chloe and Zoe? Don’t you worry they’ll help her rega
in her past?”
“If that were going to happen, it would’ve taken place with Luci in the hospital.” Godwin shakes his head. “Before I wiped out her memories, our girl was positively obsessed with Luci. Thought her older sister was some kind of saint.” He winks. “That’s why I’m certain you can wheedle your way into Wisteria’s heart. Seducing someone that weak-minded shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge.”
My hands ball into fists again. The urge to pummel this guy is almost overwhelming. “You’re not the one who’s seducing.”
“Good thing you know the Berkshire Resort, then, eh?”
It takes me a few seconds to realize what Godwin is really saying.
He knows about my fake rendezvous.
I’d deny that I go the Berkshires, but it’s all part of my cover-up when I visit my brothers. Now more than ever, Godwin needs to believe that when I leave the Boston Dome, it’s to meet up with ladies. Even so, I’m surprised the doctor’s been tracking me so closely. Godwin’s trickier than I thought.
The doctor chuckles. “No need to respond, I know you keep a love nest. Take Wisteria there. Do what you need to do. Return in twenty-four hours.”
The idea sends a pang of worry across my chest. Meimi deserves to be courted slowly, not dragged off to a hotel. After all, I’m an alien. She’ll need tons of time to readjust to that reality alone.
“Twenty-four hours.” I shake my head. “That’s not a lot of time, sir.”
“Which is why you should go now.” Godwin raises his pointer finger. “And when you return, be sure to bring the team with you.” He gestures to the door in a way that says, I’m done talking.
“Yes, sir.”
As I leave the Simulacrum, I try to tamp down the tsunami of emotions inside me.
Rage.
Worry.
Affection.
Once we’re outside the Boston Dome, this will mark the first time Meimi and I will really be alone since her operation. Finally, I can reveal who I truly am.
An alien.
Even better, I can back up my claims with actual displays of sentient power. Before Meimi lost her memory, she knew I was an alien. Maybe she’ll accept it again.
Or perhaps she’ll turn catatonic with fear.
There’s only one option here. For a discussion this huge, Meimi needs some time to mentally prepare.
But how can I give her a heads-up?
10 Meimi
Time flies when you’re plotting how to take down psychopathic doctors. First, I had to crack open my data pad and remove any trackers—no way does Godwin get access to my work—but I got that done in short order. Since then, I’ve drafted both my official plans for Godwin, and my real plans for me. Everything is organized in neat little rows of to-dos using a spreadsheet program.
I do love spreadsheets.
My next step? Find a team to make all those to-dos happen. Those names appear in my mind once more. Chloe, Zoe, Fritz and the Hollow.
I’m so engrossed, I don’t even hear Thorne come into my room. Before I know it, he’s standing beside my desk. Having him so close by, my stomach starts doing flip flops.
Stupid internal organs.
“We’re good,” says Thorne.
“With Godwin? What did he say?”
“He’ll give us twenty-four hours.” Thorne steps toward the door, pauses, and then turns around. “Are you coming?”
“As in now?” And just us two?
Thorne nods. His eyes are doing that large, brown and soulful thing again. It’s making my flip flops even worse. I clear my throat and try to refocus on the mission.
Going on a trip with Thorne. I can do this.
“Sure thing.” I scoop my data pad from the desk and take off toward the exit.
Just as we pass the threshold, Thorne grips my shoulders, presses me against the wall, and says, “Shhh.”
There’s a moment that lasts forever where I feel the hard planes of his body against mine. His breath fans out against my neck. And I know this isn’t a good thing, really. I should scream or something. But there’s some terrible-yet-unavoidable part of me that’s perfectly happy right now. It’s like when I set Thorne’s hands against my throat, only far more intense.
I’m really losing it.
Thorne leans in until his mouth almost touches my ear. “This is a blank spot for cameras and audio.”
“Oh,” I say.
This is awesome, I think.
Maybe Thorne and I can set up a little meeting spot on this stretch of wall. I could put up curtains. Bring snacks. All of a sudden, this is the comfiest I’ve felt since I woke up in the hospital.
Maybe part of me likes Thorne. A little.
Or perhaps more of me is going insane. A lot.
“I need to give you a heads-up. There are things we must discuss. About me. Once we’re outside the Boston Dome.”
For some reason, I really have to force myself not to wind my arms around this guy’s neck. More insanity.
“Sure,” I whisper. “That’ll be great.”
Thorne takes in a long breath. Did he just sniff me? I think he might have sniffed me. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad.
Probably bad.
I haven’t showered in a while, after all. Although, the nurses may have washed me before they put me in this onesie.
Huh. That’s an even weirder thought.
I make a mental note to add take a shower to my checklist of to-dos. Level of importance: URGENT.
“Good,” says Thorne at last.
With that, he steps away from me. Instantly, it’s like the interaction never happened. Thorne is back to being Mr. Stonyface as he marches toward the elevator bank. I walk beside him, thinking one question over and over.
What just happened, exactly?
11 Thorne
“The sentient decide which universe is the prime or central version. That said, the branch or parallel worlds can be far more pleasant to visit.” – Beauregard the Great, Instructions for Visiting Parallel Worlds
In all honesty, this version of Earth is not my favorite. It has a crap atmosphere. Awful government. Lame tech. Still, this world has two perks. The first is Meimi, of course. Although she’s more of a miracle than a perk. The second comes with being an adjunct to the Star Council.
I get access to their motor pool.
For today’s trip, I’ve selected a Land Rustler Hover-All 5000, military edition. Part SUV, part sports car, all power. Nothing compares.
Meimi isn’t too impressed with the hovercar, though. As we tool through downtown, she’s more amazed by the view. Her gaze stays locked out the window as we tour the city streets. Every glass and concrete skyscraper leaves her gasping in awe. My girl’s never been under the Boston Dome.
Well, not while she was awake, anyway.
The dashboard’s clock reads 2:03 p.m. as we reach Checkpoint Seven, the exclusive lane for Star Council members, and it’s manned by my favorite guy.
Captain Vargas.
The Merciless warrior strolls up to the SUV with his attack animal Marro at his side. Meimi remembers Vargas from his visit to the hospital; she twists the metal cuff on her wrist. That sets off my instinct to shield Meimi at all costs. Already, I’m picturing my sentient forming body armor. They can’t appear yet, but that won’t stop me from fighting the old fashioned way, if necessary.
After all, I never did get to take down Vargas last time.
Vargas strolls over to the car window. “Hello, Thorne.” He makes a point of slowly looking over Meimi. Twice.
Protective energy courses through me. When I speak, my voice is tight. “What is it this time, Vargas?”
He nods toward Meimi. “Is this your slice when you leave the city?”
“Stop it.”
Vargas addresses Meimi anyway. “Is he taking you to the Berkshire Resort? That’s where Thorne meets all his ladies.”
Meimi’s face turns pink. This is not how I wanted her to find out about my fake alibi for m
eeting my brothers. Now how is my big speech going to sound? Hey, I’m not sneaking out to meet girls. I’m actually an alien from planet Umbra.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. What a disaster.
Just because Meimi is my transcendent, it doesn’t mean that Vargas can’t screw things up for us.
White-hot rage heats my bloodstream. Before I know it, I’ve pushed the hovercar door open, stepped out onto the cement, and nailed Vargas in the face with a right hook. I follow it up with a round of speed-hits to his torso. The guy’s body armor cracks like an eggshell. He falls over to the ground, unconscious.
“I warned you,” I say.
Next Marro gets into the act. Spreading out its wings, Marro screeches and dives toward my face. Meimi comes out of nowhere, grips the animal, and pulls off its golden collar. It hops from her arms and mews.
“That’s all right. Run. Go.” Meimi makes shoo-fingers at Marro. “He can’t make you do anything anymore.” She tries to snap the collar in two, but the metal is thick.
“May I?” I ask.
“Sure.” She hands over the collar and I crush it in my fist.
Marro mews once more. After that, the little creature skips off into a nearby line of trees. “You may have just started a new race of domesticated cat-snake-bats.”
“About time,” says Meimi. “Someone needed to.”
I can’t help but grin. This girl.
Vargas groans from the ground. “He’s waking up,” I say. “We should take off.”
Once Meimi and I are back in the hovercar, I realize something important.
After taking down Vargas, Godwin will get an alert within two minutes tops. Plus, I know how the doctor thinks. Godwin will suspect I’m getting even more attached to Meimi than is necessary. Which could be a problem.
Even so, I don’t care.
Punching Vargas was worth it.
Now that I’m back in the driver’s seat, I pull out through the dome’s archway. All the while, Meimi stares at me, pale and wide-eyed. No doubt, now that the excitement with Marro is over, she’s focusing on Vargas’s revelations about my so-called love nest.
Alien Minds: Dimension Drift, Book 1 Page 6
