by JN Chaney
“It’s been busy. Mother’s Day is almost here. Lots of contracts to approve.”
“Sounds rough,” said Mara.
“Yes, I suppose so,” said Ava.
They each took another drink.
“So, dear,” said Ava. “Is this how you want to do it?”
“What’s that?”
Ava cocked her eyebrow. “Is this how you’re handling the news about your son?”
Mara shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”
The woman giggled. “Come on, Mara. I know he told you.”
“And you’ve been spying, have you?”
“Of course I have,” she said. “But I was surprised, honestly. Bishop’s never been one to share that kind of information, although I can certainly see why he did it. You’re the child’s mother, after all. Well, it’s one reason.” She grinned, winking. “I have to admit I was excited for the boy. To hear he’s at the top of the compatibility list…always a good sign. If the procedure works, and I’m fairly certain it will, he’ll make history. Hell, he and the rest of those children have already made history, if you think about it.”
Mara didn’t answer.
“Ah, you don’t want to talk about it. Strange, considering it’s been four years since you gave him up. That’s time enough to move on, don’t you think?”
“You’re right,” she said. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Ava Long cocked an eyebrow and stared at her for a moment. She had always been so calm, so professional. For decades, she’d been the idol of the flock, a woman whose influence was vast, who, despite having retired many years ago, continued to be a force in the world. Even Mara had envied her once. “Remember what I said to you the day you agreed to be a part of the project?” asked Ava.
“You’ll have to be more specific. You said a number of things.”
“I said you were doing important work. I had faith in you.”
“I believed it, too,” said Mara, a bit of contempt in her voice.
Ava ignored the tone. “We were all excited in those days,” she said, running her fingers through the tips of her silver locks. Her eyes grew distant as she spoke. “We had the dream to drive us. A dream, I think, no one truly believed in. But that’s the way it is with dreams. You rarely expect them to come true. And when they do, we’re shocked.
“At first, you’re happy, because it’s a miracle. You think it can’t be real and you question if you’re worthy. Why this time? You ask yourself. Why was this one different? But rarely do we get an answer.
“Before long, you start to doubt it. You think the dream’s going to come crashing down on you. Maybe it’s going to explode, killing you in the process. You might even lie to yourself, say you’ll never get attached, but when you can see it and you can feel it and it speaks to you and it laughs and it cries, everything about your life changes. You watch it grow, and as it does, so too, does the fear of losing it. But you can’t stop yourself, because you’re already in love.” She paused suddenly and cleared her throat, shifting in her chair. “It isn’t such a bad thing.”
Mara took another sip from her drink and sighed. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“If that’s how you want to do it.” She reached out with an empty glass. “Would you mind?”
“So that’s it? You’re dropping it?”
“Look, I didn’t come here to preach to you or convince you. I came here to lend an ear, and if you don’t want to talk about whatever the hell it is that’s bothering you, that’s fine too. It saves me the hassle.” She tossed the poison back into her skull and let out a small hiccup. “Now let’s have another, sweetie. I think I’m starting to remember how all of this is done.”
*******
August 12, 2343
The Maternity District
Mara sat quietly in Ava Long’s office, her thoughts scattered. The headmistress had called for her earlier that morning, but she could hardly think of a possible reason. The other night, they’d sat together in Mara’s apartment, drinking thoughtlessly and hardly speaking. In all that time, Ava never mentioned anything important. She never said a word about a meeting. Yet here Mara sat, without any explanation, waiting in the matron’s office.
The door behind her opened, and she turned to face it.
“Please hold my calls, Julia,” Ava said beyond the cracked door. “I’ll let you know when I’m done.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said the secretary.
Ava entered the office, closing the door and smiling. “Sorry for the wait. I got held up.”
“It’s okay,” said Mara, standing to greet her friend.
“Now, now, you sit right back down, young lady,” said Ava, walking behind her desk. “Were you waiting a long time?”
“Only a few minutes. I was late getting here. The train got delayed again.”
Ava chuckled. “Good. That’s less guilt for me.”
Mara watched as Ava casually swiped her fingers across the edge of her desk. “I’m sorry about the other night. I didn’t mean for you to see me like that.”
“What are you going on about? All you did was have a drink.”
“It was unprofessional,” she said.
Ava nodded. “That might be true if you still had a profession…or did you come out of retirement when I wasn’t looking?”
“No, of course not. It’s just that—”
“It’s okay, Mara. You don’t have to explain anything to me. That’s not why I called you in.” Ava paused, grabbing a pad on her desk. She started swiping through a collection of images. After a moment, she smiled and looked at Mara. “I never told you how I got to be in this position, did I?”
“No, but I’ve heard stories about it. Rumors, mostly.”
“I’m sure they’re all scandalous lies,” she said, still grinning. “But go ahead and tell me the version you’re familiar with. I’d like to hear it.”
Mara sighed, immediately filled with regret. Embarrassing the headmistress wasn’t something she’d planned for today. “I barely remember it,” she lied.
“Try, dear. Don’t worry. I’m sure I won’t be angry. I’ve developed quite the shell for gossip.”
“From what I remember, the story goes you tagged a high level sponsor, and he helped you out a little.”
Ava chortled. “How did he help me?”
“He had political pull, so you went to him whenever you needed assistance. It made you look good to have that kind of influence. After a few decades, it paid off.” She shifted in her chair. “At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”
“An interesting theory.”
“But everyone knows it’s not true. None of the mothers believe it. Well, maybe one or two, but none that I know.” She folder her hands on her lap. “I’m sorry. It’s so silly.”
Ava smiled, glancing at the pad once more. “I see. So you don’t believe the story?”
“Of course not,” said Mara. “Everyone knows you’d never do that kind of thing.”
“But why not? Is it really so hard to believe? How do you know it’s not true?”
Mara paused before she answered. “I guess I don’t. But I’ve seen how you are with the girls and even with me. You’re good at this job. You earned your way.”
“That doesn’t mean I didn’t have help. Haven’t you ever taken advantage of a situation before?”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, think about it, Mara. A few evenings ago I asked if you’d heard the news about your boy, and you admitted to it. You’re not supposed to know anything about him, right? But you knew plenty. His compatibility rating, his health. I’d be surprised if you weren’t keeping tabs on his grades, too. And all because you know a certain colonel, yes?”
Mara didn’t answer.
“Don’t be ashamed,” said Ava. “I’d have done the same thing in your place. In fact, I commend you for taking advantage of the situation like you did…and f
or being the mother you are. So many others give up their babies to that school and forget all about them until they come back. But not you, Mara. You don’t forget. It’s what makes you a good mother.”
“I don’t know what to say, matron.”
“You don’t have to say anything, dear,” said the old woman. “I was only curious about it. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about your arrangement with the colonel. It’s your own business.”
“Thank you, matron.”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me matron? We shared a bottle of alcoholic piss together. I’d say we’re more than simple friends now.”
They both laughed.
“Right,” continued Ava. “So back on point.” She flipped the pad in her hand around so that the screen was visible. It was a portrait of a man. Middle aged, gray hair, a mustache. He wore a military uniform, though the style was outdated. “His name was Alvin,” she said.
Mara recognized him immediately. General Alvin Stone, ten years deceased, but once the most powerful man in the city. For the better part of a century, he’d controlled everything from the top down. It wasn’t until a few decades before his death that he completely restructured the city’s leadership. He split the mothers and the science department into their own divisions, disseminating responsibilities and power to key individuals. Before that, everything was unified. If it hadn’t been for General Stone, the mothers would still be under the control of the military. Granted, the military still controlled the academy, but they couldn’t tell a mother what sponsor to take or which contract to acquire. Now, they had to go through the matron if they needed anything.
They had to go through Ava Long.
Mara blinked, staring at the screen. “Are you telling me that you’re the reason General Stone gave up the mothers?” She leaned forward. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m afraid it’s true, dear.” She set the pad down, patting it with her palm. “And I’m quite proud of it, too.”
Mara was stunned. The implications of such a thing—did Ava even understand what she was saying? For her to have that kind of power over someone like the general and then for her to manipulate him into completely reshaping the government—it was outrageous. “I can’t believe this,” she muttered. “You’re telling me it was your idea?”
“Of course. You don’t really think Alvin had the brains to come up with such a bold proposition, do you?”
“What about the rest of the government? The science department? Did you ask for that, too?”
“Sort of,” she said. “I couldn’t go to Alvin and ask for special treatment. He’d never do it. I had to plant a few seeds, you know, talked to him about overhauling the system. The science department was part of it, but I didn’t give two shoots about them. All I cared about was the motherhood.”
“And it worked.”
“Sure did, honey. No more forced contracts, no more unexpected births. Now, we control our own lives.”
Mara leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I never knew.”
“And you can’t tell a soul about it, either.”
Mara’s eyes drifted to the floor. She scratched her hand with the tip of her nail, uncertain of what to say. “I don’t even know why you’re telling me all of this.”
“A few reasons,” said Ava. “First, I knew about Bishop, so it’s only fair you know about my Alvin. We’re friends, aren’t we? I trust you not to spread this little rumor around.”
Mara nodded, but she wasn’t stupid. If she told anyone about Ava and the general, there’d be nothing stopping her from revealing Mara’s clandestine dealings with Bishop. It was blackmail, pure and simple. Then again, she didn’t have to tell her anything. She could’ve said she knew about James and left it at that, but she didn’t. She confided in her. It doesn’t make any sense, thought Mara.
“Then, there’s the other reason,” said Ava, grinning. “The same reason I called this meeting.” She leaned forward. “I’m retiring, dear, and I want you to replace me.”
The words lingered in the air like steam.
“Mara? Honey, did you get all that?”
“I don’t understand. You’re…retiring?” In all Mara’s years of mothering, Ava Long had always been the matron. She and the motherhood had nearly become synonymous. It was hard to imagine one without the other.
“Any week, now,” Ava said. She ran her fingers through her silver hair. “I’ve been at this game long enough. I think it’s time.”
Mara didn’t know what to say. The idea of the motherhood going on without its matron was difficult to imagine. Ava had a hand in almost everything in the organization, while also acting as its representative to the rest of the local government. Her absence would leave a gap in both the motherhood and the political power pool—a gap that, given the chance, Bishop and Archer would undoubtedly try to exploit. If the mothers weren’t careful, they’d lose the autonomy that Ava Long had fought so hard to win them all those years ago.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” said Ava. “Go on. Don’t keep it all to yourself.”
Mara hesitated. “It’s a mistake. You’re too vital to the program. What are we supposed to do without you?”
“We? And here I thought you were retired.”
“I am,” said Mara. “But that’s not the point.”
“Isn’t it, though?” The matron stood, pushing the chair back with her thighs. “You say you’re done with the job, but you certainly don’t act like it. You’re more involved now than ever before.”
Mara scoffed. “Maybe I’m fitting into retirement, then, growing old and having opinions about politics. That’s normal.”
“Maybe it is,” Ava mused. “Or perhaps you’ve got regrets about leaving.”
Mara rolled her eyes. “Hardly.”
“No?” taunted Ava. “You’re spending so much of your newfound freedom talking to Bishop and me, discussing things retirees shouldn’t be talking about. You’re more a part of this world now than you ever were before. Don’t you find it interesting?”
“Maybe I’m just bored.”
“Or maybe you’re hungry,” said the matron. She walked around to Mara, gliding her fingertips across the surface of the desk. “I’ll need a replacement, you know. Someone who understands the system, who knows how to get things done. I’ve got my eye on someone, but I haven’t asked the question yet.”
Mara wanted to stop her right there, to tell her no before she even asked. Instead she said nothing, only watched and listened as the old woman said what was already floating in the air.
Ava nodded at her. “I’m talking about you, Mara.”
There it was, plain and unmistakably clear. If Mara was going to turn her down, now would be the time to do it. She stared down at her palms. They were trembling. She was so nervous.
Ava went on. “I’ll admit, dear, I had ulterior motives for visiting your apartment. I wanted to see how you were handling retirement…to gauge whether or not you were right for the job. I wasn’t sure at first, but I am now.”
Mara clasped her hands and shook her head. “How can you say that? I was a wreck the other night.”
“A wreck?” Ava asked. “Hardly. You were restless. Don’t pretend with me, dear. I’m not your colonel or your child. I’m your matron, and I have been your whole life. Do you think I don’t see what’s going on? You can’t handle retirement. It’s not who you are. Even now, the gears in your head are turning, trying to figure out how to deal with this situation…what you should do. You can’t stop thinking, and so you can’t stop acting. It’s the reason you still have those meetings with Bishop, and it’s why you won’t decline my offer. You care too much about this world, Mara, and the cracks in your armor are starting to show.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’ve left me much of a choice,” said Mara.
“Would it make you feel better if I asked you directly? Alright then, how about it? Do you want to become t
he most powerful woman in the world or don’t you?”
Chapter 6
Amber Project File Logs
Play Audio File 225
Recorded November 18, 2343
BISHOP: Are we fully prepared for the next phase?
ROSS: Yes, sir. The gym is being converted as we speak. We’ve also outfitted the battle gear with bio-sensors in order to monitor their vitals. Everything should be completed by the end of the week.
BISHOP: Good. Tell Henry to start the combat training as soon as it’s done.
ROSS: Are you sure we shouldn’t wait until after the exposures?
BISHOP: We need something to compare our results with. We put them in the arena now while they’re still normal, then watch what happens once they’re exposed to the gas. It’s the only way to see how drastic the changes are.
ROSS: Does Archer actually expect them to change all that much?
BISHOP: Not at all. In fact, he’s expecting minor physical changes.
ROSS: Then why put them through the drills, sir?
BISHOP: Two reasons. The first is that placing them in a situation where they’re forced to test themselves is the best way to see where their limits are, both now and after the exposures begin. We need to see what they can do under stress. You can’t get those results by sticking them in a classroom. We need their hearts pumping, their muscles aching. They have to be pushed.
ROSS: And the second reason?
BISHOP: Simple. They need the training, Ross. Remember where we’re sending them.
End Audio File
January 11, 2344
The Academy, Central
The new classes were different. Completely different and not in a good way. They had jumped, maybe even dived, from subjects like algebra and basic history to others like genetics and physics. What was even stranger was the fact that the students were now required to pass a combat efficiency class. It was a break from the books, sure, but why did they have to learn how to use a gun or a knife? When would they ever have to kill somebody with them? John said maybe it was for when they got to the surface, but if nobody was actually there, which was probably true, what would be the point?
