Stargazer

by Melanie Matthews

  I sat back against the pillows and headboard. “You know, you’re very different from how I first met you.”

  “When I was torturing you?”

  He didn’t smile. The question wasn’t meant as a jest. But he was telling the truth. Dr. Keller had administered the poison, but only on his orders. Although, I was sure, if he wasn’t there, she would’ve done it anyway.

  “Yes, when you were torturing me.”

  He sighed. “I wish I could go back in time and prevent that from happening to you. How do you feel about me? Do you hate me?”

  “I want to hate you. I should hate you, but I don’t. I’ve already forgiven you.”

  “Forgiven? That’s not a Stargazer reaction, but sometimes, it doesn’t seem to be a human reaction either.”

  “I have only been around just a few of you, but from what I can tell, most are deceptive, like John and Loren. I thought they were my friends, but they were always in the service of the Corporation.”

  “We all serve the Corporation.”

  He recited the official doctrine, but there was no fervor in his voice. He said it lazily. It seemed not too long ago that John and Loren were like that as well—not absolute devotees—but after their actions, especially Loren’s and his theory of my dreams revealing the truth, I had to conjecture that their heart and soul were bound to Pallas and his status as a deity.

  “Are you going to stay awake all night?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “Yes.”

  “How can you do that?”

  “I can manage. It seems that before you arrived, I’ve been asleep for far too long.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means that you have awakened something in me.”

  “What?”

  “It’s like I have a purpose now or a desire to be better than who I am.”

  I smiled. “Not a torturer?”

  He smiled back. “Not a torturer—more of a…what’s the opposite of torturer?”

  “Oh, well, how about…rescuer?”

  He snapped his fingers. “That’s it! I want to be a rescuer!”

  “Who do you want to rescue?”

  “Who do you think?”

  “I can’t be rescued. If you try, you’ll be deemed a traitor. I’m sure with Medusa monitoring, and the Red Woman listening, you’re guilty as charged.”

  He laughed. “The Red Woman—that’s what you call her?”

  I laughed too. “I didn’t know her name when I first woke up, so I named her that.”

  “Well, it fits.”

  “Aren’t you scared of her and of Pallas?”

  “We’re all scared of Pallas. The Red Woman didn’t get particularly frightening until you showed up. I think she fears you.”

  “Why?”

  “Think about it—you’re basically the enemy—yes, you are an anomaly, but look at the freedom you’ve been given. You don’t know this, but any Stargazer captured alive is treated very, very harshly. Pallas is the only one, the only one who can be allowing you to have such liberties. Look at us—talking—here—in my room. We’re not bonded. You could overpower me, get up and flee—knockout the guards and escape. You probably wouldn’t make it far, but you’d do a lot of damage along the way.”

  “Why am I being treated so differently?”

  “I don’t know, but the whole Corporation is aware of you, and your lack of ill treatment. Everyone’s whispering—whispering as to what the answer could be.”

  “Wouldn’t Pallas want to silence these whisperers?”

  “There are too many of them. He wouldn’t have any citizens left to run Sanctuary.”

  “So he’s weak without you?”

  “Yes, I would say he is.”

  “You know, you’re probably labeled a traitor right now,” I said, staring at the bedroom mirror, knowing Medusa wasn’t in sight, but in hearing range, as well as anyone else listening in.

  “I was labeled a traitor when I stopped Dr. Kessler from injecting all five syringes into you. I was directed to administer every one. I thought another doctor would take my place, continue the experiment, but it was halted.”

  “Why did you stop?”

  “You were in pain.”

  “But I remember you smiling at me.”

  “That was poor judgment on my part, sorry, but I just wanted to make you feel better. It had been a long time since I had to console someone and I didn’t quite get the expression right.”

  I chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”

  “You haven’t changed your mind? I’m still forgiven, right?”

  “Yes,” I said without hesitation. “You’re forgiven.”

  “Good, now go to sleep.”

  “What if I dream and you hear something that makes you hate me?”

  “I could never hate you, despite official doctrine to do so.”

  I realized that Victor and I were both pawns in Pallas’s game. I just didn’t know what it was. Why would the president allow so much when I was the enemy? Never mind my agenda. What was his agenda? And how much did he trust the Red Woman? Were they bound? If one of them fell, would the other follow?

  Chapter 8

  If I’d dreamt anything, I didn’t remember. I wanted to ask Victor if I did, but he wasn’t lying on the narrow sofa. But I wasn’t lying on his soft bed either. Somehow, by someone, I had been moved from his room back to my prison cell.

  It was smaller than I remembered, cramped. I felt claustrophobic. A tray of water, cold soup, and black bread was next to the cold table I had been lying on. The dress with my designation was still on me; my shoes were on the floor. Someone had placed a blue blanket on me that was bunched up at my feet. I shivered and wrapped it around me as I approached the white wall.

  “Medusa, are you there?”

  The wall faded to a black screen and she appeared.

  “Yes?”

  “Where’s Victor?”

  “Dr. Victor Jamison has been transferred.”

  “W-what do you mean?”

  “His services were needed elsewhere.”

  “Where is he?”

  “That information is classified.”

  “But he’s still alive?”

  “Yes, I am monitoring his heart rate as we speak.”

  “Why are you monitoring his heart?”

  “I monitor everyone’s health.”

  “Why?”

  “I act as a first responder in matters of medical attention to ensure a rapid rate of survival.”

  “I thought the machines were supposed to be magic.”

  “Magic does not exist. The machines are exceptional in their quality, but if a person is unable to reach the infirmary or a medical unit within a prescribed amount of time, considering their condition, it could mean a debilitating illness or his or her death.”

  I thought about Victor’s widow, Miranda and her child.

  “What’s the population of Sanctuary?”

  “There are one billion, three hundred million, six-hundred-seventy-eight thousand residents.”

  My eyes went wide, shocked at so many. The dome must be enormous in size.

  “What’s the infant mortality rate?”

  “It is less than one percent.”

  “What would cause a mother and her child to die?”

  “There are many factors. Shall I bring a list of possible causes in view?”

  “No, thanks, that’s all right. Is Henrietta around?”

  “She is occupied with President Pallas.”

  “I need to go to the privy.”

  “Will you wait for Henrietta or do you want another attendant?”

  “How long will she be?”

  “I will inquire.” Medusa tilted her head all around, pushed buttons, and then continued, “If she leaves now, she can be to you in three minutes.”

  “Three minutes? Is President Pallas so near to me?”

  “I am unauthorized to verify the proximity between your two locations, however,
as you may be unaware, travel between quadrants is rapid.”

  “The elevators, right?”

  “That is correct. Would you like Henrietta to be your attendant?”

  “Yes, please, and also send for Dr. John Goode and Dr. Loren Valier. Can we meet somewhere other than my cell? It’s very small.”

  “I will process your need for Henrietta. I am calling Dr. John Goode and Dr. Loren Valier. I am sending your request for a large meeting area to the Madam Secretary.”

  Medusa did her usual actions and I sat back down on my table and started to eat. I wanted warm soup and soft bread, but I would take whatever they gave me. I was starving.

  “Henrietta’s time of arrival is now ten seconds. Dr. John Goode and Dr. Loren Valier have accepted your request for a meeting. The Madam Secretary has allowed for you to access Room 1201—Floor 12—Level 10, of Quadrant Echo.”

  “Where’s Echo?”

  “You are in Quadrant Echo.”

  “How far is that from Delta?”

  “I am unauthorized to give you that information.”

  I sighed. “Well, I guess as far as companions go, you’re not that bad, Medusa.”

  “Thank you for your compliment. As far as anomalies go, you are not that bad, either.”

  I smiled. “Medusa, I didn’t know you had the ability to joke.”

  “I cannot joke.”

  “You know what, Medusa? I think you don’t know everything about yourself, just as I don’t know everything about myself. I dare say you’re an anomaly too.”

  “You are incorrect. I am a quantifiable and qualitative machine. Henrietta is outside your cell.”

  “Let her in.”

  Henrietta stepped through with a smile on her face. “It’s good to see you again.”

  I smiled back. “It’s good to see you too. How are you?”

  “I’m well. How are you?”

  “I miss Victor. Do you know where he is?”

  “He’s been transferred.”

  “And if you knew, you couldn’t tell me, right?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not privy to such information.”

  “Speaking of privy, I have to go.”

  I held out my hand for her. She clasped my hand and we bonded, walking out of my cell as the door opened, and down the hall to the restroom I had been in before.

  After I was done, I asked, “So what if I want to take a shower?”

  “President Pallas has allowed you to shower with freedom, but only if the door to the privy is sealed.”

  “Why couldn’t he do that first time instead of Victor staring at me naked?”

  “I don’t question the president’s decisions.”

  “Well, you’re incredibly loyal, but I don’t think others are.”

  “There are traitors in the Corporation.”

  “Has Victor been branded a traitor?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I know what. How about I take a shower and we’ll talk. You can tell me what you do know.”

  Henrietta turned to the door. “Medusa, seal this room.”

  The green light turned red along the frame of the door. Henrietta separated her hand from mine and went to sit on the lid of the toilet. She didn’t watch me as I undressed, but when I stepped into the shower, she pushed a button on the wall. A dark tinted glass rose up and sealed me in with only my head and shoulders in view.

  “Thanks,” I said. “I wish I had known that when Victor was here.”

  Even though I didn’t like that he had watched me bathe, I still missed him. I hoped he was only transferred and not transferred, as in the ground—dead. I sighed and looked at the panel in front of me. I found the water button and adjusted the temperature. I stood there, letting the warm water soothe my tired bones.

  “So, Henrietta, are you married?”

  “Slaves aren’t allowed to marry.”

  I should have known that would be the case, but I still didn’t like it.

  “Have you ever been in love?”

  “I love President Pallas.”

  “Yes, I’m sure everyone loves him, but I mean really love.”

  “I love him.”

  I peeked above the glass at her face. She was looking at me, sad.

  “Oh, I didn’t know. So, what is ole Julius like?”

  I hoped to gain information from her by being informal.

  She smiled. “He’s very handsome.”

  It worked. “Ah, how old is he?”

  “He’s thirty.”

  “Are you sure? That seems very young for a president.”

  I didn’t know why I thought that way, but I did. I didn’t know that much about presidential age requirements. Everyone who was here and young were really smart, but did that qualify them to be doctors or the leader of over a billion people?

  “He says he’s thirty, and I believe him.”

  “How long have you been in his service?”

  “Five years.”

  “How old are you?”

  “I turned twenty-five yesterday.”

  “Oh, why didn’t you tell me? We could’ve celebrated.”

  “Celebrated what?”

  “Well, your birthday, of course.”

  “Birthdays are not celebrated in Sanctuary.”

  “Well, that’s not right.”

  “President Pallas has decreed it.”

  “That doesn’t make it right. Do you have a cafeteria nearby?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do they serve cake?”

  “We are only allowed one sweet a day, and it must fit into our required caloric allowance of 1,400 for females, and 1,800 for males.”

  I shook my head under the waterfall. I didn’t know what it was like outside the dome with the Stargazers and the Rebels, but I think I’d prefer to be out there.

  “So, you can’t have any cake?”

  “Yes, but I couldn’t eat anything for the rest of the day.”

  I shook my head again, wondering who could live in such a place, and pressed the button for the honey soap. I closed my eyes, waiting for the mist, thinking of Victor, and how he smelled of the same scent. After, I let the water rinse the soap off and shut everything off. I pressed the button on the wall to lower the glass and stepped out. Henrietta handed me a towel, looking at my body, but not scanning me as Victor had done.

  I wrapped my hair in one towel and dried my body off with another. I looked at my dress.

  “Can I get something else to wear?”

  “It is standard issue prison wear. You can have a cleaner one, if you’d like.”

  I nodded, accepting anything that covered me up. Henrietta took my dress and deposited inside a white chute. I wondered if I could shimmy down it, but I was afraid I’d get stuck and most likely, there was something there to stop people from doing that—like rotating blades or jets of fire. She pressed a button on the wall and within a few seconds, a panel opened, and a metal tray slid out with new prison attire on it. I dressed and then towel-dried my hair as I glanced occasionally at my face in the mirror.

  “You’re very pretty,” said Henrietta.

  “Oh, thanks. You’re pretty too.”

  She lowered her head. “I don’t think so. If I was, Pallas would want to kiss me.”

  “So, as a slave, you really just read to him?”

  She nodded. “I tried to kiss him, but he pushed me away.”

  “What was his reason?”

  “He didn’t give one and I didn’t ask.”

  “He’s thirty, right? Does he have a wife?”

  “No, but there have been several partners picked out for him. All the ladies of the Corporation are eager to marry the president.”

  “Why hasn’t he chosen? The Madam Secretary seems perfect for him.”

  “She’s too old. Only females between the ages of eighteen to twenty-five are chosen to be his potential wife.”

  Henrietta was age appropriate, but she was also in servitude.

  “How did you b
ecome a slave?”

  “I was born one. At birth, I was given an injection called Obedience.”

  “And that makes you do whatever anyone wants.”

  “I serve the Corporation.”

  “Why don’t they inject this Obedience in everyone? Including the Stargazers and the Resistance?”

  “It is only effective at the newborn stage. After that the body rejects it.”

  “So the others who are obedient do so because they serve the Corporation, and others merely act obedient.”

  “There are traitors in the Corporation.”

  I didn’t feel like talking to her anymore. She was nice, but indoctrinated. We clasped hands as we headed into the elevator, traveling to the meeting room where I was anxious to see John and Loren. Everyone continued to stare at the pair of us, but it was more subdued now, as if they had either gotten used to me or to two girls holding hands.

  In the room, which was white and clean and sparse like Victor’s apartment, John and Loren were waiting for me. There was a white table in the center of the room and they both stood up to greet me. John was smiling. That smile would soon fade. Loren looked uneasy.

  “I got you some coffee,” he said, showing me the paper cup on the table.

  I was tempted to throw it in his face, but I sat down without a word on the other side of the table with Henrietta.

  “Can we separate?” I asked her.

  “Medusa, lock this room down,” she requested.

  The door sealed and Henrietta let go of my hand. I reached forward and grabbed the coffee cup. Loren and John sat. There were wearing casual blue-green and gray clothes, absent their lab coats.

  “It’s so good to see you,” said John with a smile. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too,” added Loren.

  I held onto the coffee, trying to hold back my anger.

  I motioned to Henrietta. “Do you know her, John?”

  He looked at her and nodded. “She attends to Pallas.”

  “And she also had a child last year that you experimented on.”

  “What?” he asked with wide-eyes. “What’s the meaning of this?”

  “Medusa, are you there?” I called out.

  A white panel of the wall changed to a black screen and she appeared.

  “Yes?”

  “When Henrietta was forced to mate with an incarcerated Stargazer and this produced a child, what happened to said child?”