by Nick James
“How?” Eva asks.
He glares at her. “Our home became unstable years ago—tremors that evolved into great fissures. Haven was eating itself alive. Self-destructing.” He pauses. “Some blamed it on our actions. Others took a more philosophical stance. Everything has an expiration date. Either way, an evacuation was called for.”
My memory fills with historical videos the teachers made us watch about the founding of the Skyships, crowds of people taking off from the chemical-stained Surface in search for a better life. It helps me visualize Ryel’s words. Otherwise it’s too big to imagine.
“It was gradual,” he continues, “especially at first. Dayto-day, it was easily ignored. The Authority looked to the stars for suitable replacements. They found Earth. Led by King Matigo, they sought to send a battalion to conquer. This planet was large and plentiful with resources. With a few adjustments, we could live well here. At your expense, of course.”
“Tell me more about this guy,” I say, forgetting that I’m not supposed to interrupt. “Matigo.”
Ryel doesn’t seem angry. “Number 207. A rare name.”
“He’s a Drifter, like you?”
“Like you. Like us, yes.” His shoulders tense. “He’s a Shifter as well, and a very powerful one. The ability to shift Ridium guaranteed him an important role in our society. With his power and ambition, it didn’t take him long to become the figurehead of the Authority.”
“He’s the leader,” I mutter. “He’s the one.”
“He is dangerous. And he’s on his way.” Ryel pauses. “When Haven’s destruction became imminent, it wasn’t difficult for him to convince our people that invasion was their safest option. Behind closed doors, he’d been planning to conquer other galaxies for years. It was a convenient excuse to … how do you say it … get the ball rolling.” He turns back to me. “And that is what your parents were fighting.”
“I don’t understand,” I reply. “They’d rather die than come to Earth?”
He shakes his head. “They believed there was an alternative. Riskier, and far less luxurious. Others had discovered another planet in a neighboring galaxy. It was closer than Earth and held the resources we would need for survival. Managed right, it could have been a fine home for us. And, most important, it was uninhabited. No need for an invasion. They called it Haven II.
“But Matigo was intent on populating Earth.” He sighs. “The Resistance went behind the Authority’s back. At first they planned to splinter and take Haven II for their own. Start a new society, free from the Authority’s rule. But your parents were too honorable for that. They knew they couldn’t live their lives at peace while Matigo destroyed another planet. They waged war. Gaining supporters wasn’t difficult, especially among those in the outer regions, far from the central cities.”
“Are they alive?” The words pour from my mouth without me realizing it.
“I told you. I’ve never met them.” He leaves it at that and continues his story.
“Outnumbered at every turn, your parents devised the Pearl Transport System to get off-planet and warn the people of Earth. Though he had been born into a life of farming, your father showed a great interest in many of the sciences and eventually became one of the planet’s leading physicists. He found a way to reverse the body’s growth process and shield the resulting material in what has now become known as Pearl Energy. In a way, Pearls are like a portable womb, carrying and protecting bundles of genetic information. Atoms. Molecules.” He pauses. “Utilizing a wormhole at the edge of our galaxy, Pearls were sent to Earth.
“Your parents hoped that if they could get here first, they’d be able to fight back. With the help of humans, of course. When the Authority learned of this, your family was targeted. You and your brother were targeted. You would have been killed, too, if your parents hadn’t managed to get you off-planet before the Authority showed up.”
My whole body shakes. I didn’t notice it before, but my heart’s pounding like a drum. My mind hurtles back to the dream—memory—I had in the security center last spring with Avery. The syringe filled with liquid. The pops and hisses from the small laboratory. The cloudy green energy. There were soldiers there, when my parents put me inside the Pearl and set me loose. The door busted down. There were gun shots.
Ryel bows his head slightly. “That was the night the Authority discovered Pearl technology. They’ve been augmenting it ever since, playing around with the formula. Strengthening it. When they land, they’ll be more powerful than us.” He grits his teeth. “But you have no army. You haven’t done your job. Your parents would be—”
“Don’t say it.” My fingers clench.
“Your leader is incompetent. He fears that we are the invaders, that every Drifter is the same. You people have yourselves to blame for your destruction.”
I wince.
“Where’s your brother? Please tell me he’s still alive.”
“Cassius is … ” I look down at the rocks. “It’s complicated.”
“Can you contact him?”
“I can try.”
“Good.” Ryel stands. “We’ve much to do. Pearls aren’t meant to stay locked.”
I pull myself to my feet. “Don’t you think I know that?”
Eva slinks away. “I’m going to go see about disabling our radar. The longer we stay here, the more likely the Academy will—”
“No.” I hold out a hand to stop her. “I’ll call Cassius inside the shuttle. I want to be alone for a minute.”
Ryel crosses his arms. “You’re the Pearlbreaker, Jesse. Don’t forget it, even for a second.”
“Yeah.” I don’t meet his eyes. Instead, I turn and trudge to the shuttle. I can’t do this without Cassius. Not anymore.
My arms tremble. It’s real, now. These past weeks, it’s been all I can do to stay sane, but now that I know the truth, I’m not sure I can handle it. There are too many things coming at me at once, each stealing a piece of my attention.
Water surrounds me on both sides. My feet sink into the ground. Below me are cities, subway cars, and skyscrapers, all buried by time. A look at our future, perhaps.
There used to be more of Japan. Hell, there used to be more of me.
17
Cassius sat cross-legged on the stripped floor boards, back against the wall. It had been several hours and Madame hadn’t shown any sign that they’d be leaving the abandoned Fringe building. He wondered if she’d told anyone at the Lodge what was happening. Or maybe she didn’t care. Maybe this had become too personal.
She was off in a different room of the old hotel now. Theo acted as her watchdog, standing just beyond the closed door, guarding. Madame’s voice remained ever present in Cassius’s head. It was only a precaution.
Sit. You’re not needed now. Not yet.
Avery sat on the side of the bed, kicking her heels back and forth, silent. Cassius hadn’t gotten to know her very well last spring. She’d been raised at the Lodge until Madame planted her as a spy in Skyship Academy, but Cassius never remembered seeing her. Of course, back then he’d only been a child. The more he learned, the more he began to doubt his entire opinion of the Lodge. How many kids did Madame have running around, harnessed as weapons?
Avery cleared her throat. “I remember when we were scared of you.”
“You were never scared of me.” He glanced up.
“That’s true. But Jesse was.”
His eyes shifted to the communicator beside her. “What are you gonna say to him if he calls?”
“What Madame told me to. The words she’s forcing into my brain.”
“I can try to dig it out,” he replied. “I ripped the old microchip from my wrist. If you’re not afraid of a little blood—”
“No, you can’t,” she said. “You’d like to think you can, but you’re harnessed. The moment you laid a hand on me, she’d know. Trust me. I’ve tried.”
Cassius’s shoulders deflated. “So what’s her plan? Bring Fisher here so she can collec
t the pair of us?”
“I’ll bring him here,” Avery replied. “After that, I don’t know.”
“Do you still love him?”
Her heels fall still. “What do you mean?”
“You did love him, didn’t you? He talks about you like you did.”
She sighed. “I’d do anything for him. I don’t know what you want to call that. Guilt, maybe. For spying on him.”
“You’re gonna feel much guiltier after this.”
She reclined on the bed. The room fell silent for a moment before she spoke again. “Do you ever think about what your life would be like if Madame hadn’t found you?” “I try not to.”
“The way I see it, I’ve lived two lives, one with her and one at the Academy. And neither one was really mine.” She paused. “When Jesse and I were running through the Fringes, away from you, it was scary. But even though we didn’t know what was going to happen to us, at least we were making our own decisions.”
Cassius’s gaze fell to the floor. “Madame’s the only mother I’ve ever known.”
“Pretty screwed up.”
“We’re all screwed up. And that kid, Theo? She’s done it to him, too. But he’s still young. Maybe someone can knock some sense into him. If he’s lucky.”
The door swung open. Theo strode into the room, cutting a line between the two of them. His eyes blinked rapidly. His steps were uneven.
Cassius backed up. “Were you listening to us?”
“I don’t know why she hasn’t separated you two,” Theo replied, twirling the handle of his knife around his finger. “It’s asking for trouble.” He turned on his heel and paced to the opposite wall, feet kicking the ground as he went.
“Stop that.” Cassius crossed his arms.
The kid’s dirt-specked face hardened. “Or what? You gonna do something about it?”
Cassius’s fist tightened. For a moment, he thought he’d be able to break through Madame’s control and strike the boy.
The moment passed.
Theo chuckled. “Didn’t think so.”
Avery yawned. “Just ignore him.”
“No.” Cassius took a step forward. “We don’t know each other very well, do we kid? Where did Madame pick you up? Some trash heap behind her office?”
“I told you.” Theo paused, wiping the sweat from his brow. “My real mom was a—”
“I don’t care who your real mom was. That wasn’t what I asked you.”
His knife stopped spinning. “How’s that harnessing treating you? We could get you on the floor if you want.” He grinned. “Make you cluck like a chicken.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Cassius smiled. Maybe he couldn’t lay a finger on this kid, but that didn’t mean there weren’t other forms of abuse.
Theo’s eyes narrowed. He retreated to the foot of the bed, leaning on the frame. “I don’t know. Where’d she find you?”
“In the middle of a war zone,” he replied without hesitation. “Wading through a haze of chemicals, fresh from outer space.”
Theo laughed. “Hmm. Funny.”
“It’s true.”
“You can actually remember that?”
He shrugged. “Only bits and pieces.”
“Then how do you know that it’s true?”
He crouched low, eyes at the same level as the boy. “She told me.”
Theo looked away.
Cassius smiled, content in the thought that he was getting to the boy. “She hasn’t told you anything, has she? You don’t even know where you come from. And yet you follow her around like she owns you. It’s pathetic.”
He frowned, eyes fixed on the wall. For a moment, he looked like the child he was.
“How old are you, anyways?” Cassius continued. “Eleven? Twelve?” He laughed. “Not past puberty. That’s for sure.”
“There was an accident.” Theo grit his teeth, glaring at him. “I don’t remember anything past that.”
Cassius’s brows raised. “An accident can mean so many things with Madame.”
Theo pounced to his feet and resumed his irritating pace. Back and forth. “Yeah, well, at least I didn’t run away like a coward.” He paused. “There were Fringe Towns. I remember the heat. I hated it. I’d look at the Chosen Cities in the distance and think that I was imagining them. Then one day I collapsed, face first into the dirt. I would’ve died, but the Unified Party picked me up. Saved me.”
Cassius watched him move, more loose and agitated than before. “Where’d you learn how to do that, with the knife?”
Theo froze. His fist gripped the handle of the weapon. “This thing?”
“Those Fringers out there didn’t stand a chance against you. That’s what Madame said.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been good with a knife since before the accident. Madame said I didn’t even need training. Said I was a natural.”
“Sure.”
“But that’s none of your business, is it? I see what you’re trying to do. It’s not gonna work. She loves me. And I love her. Like a son.”
Cassius laughed. “Right. Like a son.”
The town rumbled behind the window.
Cassius cocked his head. “What was that?”
Theo smiled.
Avery rose to a seated position. “This town’s been quiet for days.”
The rumbling strengthened. Cassius stood and turned, crouching to stare through the open slits of the window. He could just make out the obstructed horizon, clogged with rows of buildings. Patches of spotless blue sky.
Then shadows.
Something descended on the town. Several somethings.
Ratty flags whipped in the air on the tops of buildings as a fierce wind kicked up. Sharp, black shapes fell to the earth. They reminded him of detached shark fins. Impenetrable.
Unified Party Cruisers.
Cassius had piloted several as part of his training at the Lodge. They were sleek and menacing, designed for aerial fights. They were also excellent transports for troops.
He turned. “Madame’s blanketing the town.” Theo’s smile widened.
Cassius moved back to the window and watched the cruisers set down in the streets. Most disappeared behind buildings, but he could imagine the troops pouring out of each one, hiding in derelict structures, waiting to strike.
“An army,” he whispered. “She’s brought an army.”
“They’ll shoot Fringers on sight,” Theo said. “Clear the town before getting in position. Then reload.”
The outside door swung open and Madame marched into the room. She moved immediately to the window and gripped the boards. “Marvelous, isn’t it?”
Cassius backed away from her. “You never said anything about—”
“This is the best sort of town for hiding,” she continued. “A hundred men can disappear.”
“Why bring me here?” Cassius glared at her. “Why didn’t you let me stay at the Lodge?”
“I want you to see this,” she said, still gawking through the cracks. “You’ve forgotten. All those weeks in Canada and you’ve forgotten where you truly belong.”
“I don’t want—”
“I’ve always had big plans for you,” she cut him off. “You’re capable of such great things.”
“Like killing.”
“Look at the cruisers,” she ignored him. “Like beautiful black birds seeking prey. He’ll be here soon. Our little Pearlbreaker.”
A succession of beeps sounded from the side of the bed. Cassius turned, instantly recognizing the call. It was his communicator. Fisher was on the other line.
Madame bristled at the sound, then turned with a smug smile on her face. She nodded at Avery. “Go ahead.”
Cassius took a step forward, prepared to leap to the bed and grab the communicator away.
Stop. Madame’s voice echoed in his mind. Watch.
“No,” he forced the word out.
“Quiet, Cassius.” She turned back to Avery. “Please answer his call. I will be lis
tening.”
Avery’s hand shook. For a moment Cassius thought she was going to drop the communicator. But she’d been harnessed by Madame far longer than he had—possibly months. She had her orders.
She pulled the communicator closer and stared at it. Madame nodded, egging her on. Lips trembling, Avery raised the device to her ear.
She hit the button. It was done.
18
I sit in the passenger seating of our shuttle, head bowed, communicator pressed firmly against my right ear. My shaking finger presses the contact button. It beeps several times before Cassius picks up.
Silence.
“Cassius?” I whisper at first. Then louder. “Cassius?” No answer.
He’s usually reliable, but there have been times he hasn’t picked up. He’d seemed worried the last time we spoke. “Cassius? Are you okay?”
I set the communicator on the seat beside me and give into panic. Static comes over the upside-down device, muffled by the cushion. Then a voice. “Jesse?”
It’s not Cassius.
But I recognize it immediately at a gut level, though it takes my brain a moment to catch up with my heart.
No way.
I reach for the communicator and flip it over. The voice pours from the speaker again, more clearly this time. Her voice. “Jesse?”
I dip low and hover over the speaker, refusing to believe it’s true. “A-Avery?” My voice trembles as I say her name. I haven’t said it out loud in weeks. “Is that you?”
Silence.
“Avery?”
“Thank god, Jesse,” she replies, and I can almost see her smile like she was in the room with me now. Her face begins to etch itself into my mind, every last piece. I see her standing outside my dorm at the Academy. I see her laying beside me in the Fringes of Washington State, in the old playground outside of Lenbrg.
“Avery,” I repeat her name like it’s the only word that exists. My brain can’t process it. It’s really her voice on the other line. “How are you … ? How do you—”
“Shh. Don’t worry. I’m okay. I was hoping you’d call. Cassius said that you had the other communicator.”
