Reservation 1

by Krista Street

  I just rolled my eyes. I wore a brown blouse and tan slacks, hardly earth-shattering in its attractiveness. “Is that all you wanted to tell me?”

  He chuckled. “No, I want to show you something. It’s something I’ve been working on lately.”

  He stepped back and raised his hand and then glanced at me again. “Ready?”

  I shrugged. “Sure.”

  He flashed a smile before his face tightened in concentration. A second ticked by and nothing happened.

  Then, a few sparks shot from his fingers. Actually shot from his fingers, not like the usual small sparks he achieved from mundanely flicking them.

  I crossed my arms and leaned forward.

  Sage’s eyebrows drew together as a few beads of sweat popped up on his brow. He brought his arm back, like he was going to throw something, and shot his hand forward. A flash of light flew three feet in front of him.

  “What the…” I mumbled, my arms falling to my sides.

  Sage brought his arm back again before throwing another bolt of electricity from his hand. This time, it shot all the way across the room, hitting the concrete wall as a loud boom echoed around us.

  “Sage, you’re gonna have to stop that!” his guard said disapprovingly. “He’s been getting it farther and farther all week.” He glanced over his shoulder at me.

  Sage turned to the window, grinning. Sweat dripped from his face. “Did you see that?”

  I just stared at him, my mouth gaping. Sage had Makanza strain 27, which meant he could generate electricity along his skin, rather like an electric eel. However, I’d never heard of a Kazzie with that strain being able to shoot lightning bolts.

  “Are you okay?” I finally managed.

  He just laughed. “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

  I glanced at the small hole in the wall and wondered what the state representatives would think knowing a Kazzie could do something like that.

  I switched off the microphone. “Keep this between you and me, okay?” I said to the guard.

  “His researchers already know.”

  Crap. “In that case, don’t tell anyone else.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Sage asked.

  The guard pushed the microphone button again and pointed at Sage’s wall. “Just that Liam’s not going to be happy about that.”

  Liam Nichols and Tom Madison were two of the technicians that serviced the Kazzie’s cells. They’d no doubt be the ones repairing Sage’s handiwork.

  Sage had the decency to look sheepish, although I could tell he’d throw another bolt in a heartbeat. “Think you could convince the higher powers to give me a room to practice this stuff in?”

  I sighed. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. You could get hurt.”

  Or you could hurt someone. Senator Douglas would have a hay day with this…

  Sage laughed. “Meg, seriously, even if I was put in the electric chair, I wouldn’t die. I can’t get hurt from electricity.”

  “You don’t think millions of volts from a bolt of actual lightning would kill you?” I retorted.

  He shrugged. “You wanna let me outside during a thunderstorm and we’ll try it out?”

  I smiled. “Nice try.” Like all of the Kazzies, Sage was always coming up with some reason to be allowed outside. “But hopefully, with any luck, you soon won’t need an excuse.”

  “So your trip was a success?” His voice rose in hope.

  “We’ll see.”

  I said goodbye a few minutes later, after Sage promised to not damage his cell further. With his new skill, his researchers would probably be making a few adaptations to it. I had a feeling there’d be a large shipment of rubber coming within the next week.

  I hurried into the next cell. Victor was still asleep. The last access door waited. In a few steps, I’d be in Davin’s hallway.

  Just the thought got my heart racing, my breath coming a little shallower. How could it be that I’d known Davin almost a year, yet this reaction never changed. If anything, it grew.

  “Seriously Meghan,” I whispered to myself. “Get a grip!”

  He was awake when I entered his hall. I knew he would be. Davin had always been an early riser. When our eyes connected, he grinned.

  That look stopped me in my tracks. Davin’s midnight hair, blazing blue eyes, and broad shoulders would make any woman look twice, but when he smiled like that, my stomach flipped, and I felt lightheaded. I was thankful for the four inches of bullet proof glass that separated us. I was pretty sure he would have heard my thudding heart otherwise.

  Sergeant Rose was sitting on his stool in the watch room when I stepped inside.

  “Morning, Dr. Forester.” He took a sip of coffee. “How was D.C?”

  “Still there.”

  He chuckled. “Going in today?”

  “Yes. Will you help me suit up?”

  We entered the containment room, attached to Davin’s cell, and proceeded to do all of the biohazard suit’s safety checks. I grumbled at how unnecessary it was. If Davin and I lived in Washington state, and this was Compound 10 or 11, I’d have been visiting with him for months without a suit.

  I sighed audibly.

  “Everything okay?” Sergeant Rose raised his eyebrows.

  “Oh, yes. Sorry, I’m just tired of this suit. That’s all.”

  “Hopefully you won’t need it much longer. I hear the president’s addressing the nation on Monday.”

  “She’s supposed to. With any luck, it will be good news.”

  We finished the safety checks, and Sergeant Rose exited to the watch room.

  Davin’s face appeared in the door’s window as the dials began to turn, depressurizing the room. We both smiled at one another, and my heartbeat answered in reply.

  Calm down Meghan, it’s not like you’ve never seen him before.

  When the door finally opened, Davin did his usual. He took my hand and guided me to his chair. It had become such a ritual, it was like neither of us thought twice about it.

  I could feel his heat through my gloves. He rubbed my thumb absentmindedly. He probably didn’t know he was doing it.

  Shivers traveled up my arm. I took another deep breath when I sat on his desk chair.

  “It’s good to see you.” He perched on the edge of his bed and clasped his large hands. He wore his usual jeans and tee, with his bare feet planted on the floor. It always amazed me that he never minded the cold concrete on his soles.

  “You too. How was your week?” I asked.

  “The usual.” He shrugged. “Read a few books, hung out with the gang. Do you really want me to go into the details?”

  I laughed. “No, I’m sure I can guess.”

  “So, do you want to come down here on Monday and watch the president’s speech with all of us?”

  “Yeah, of course. You know I’ll be here.”

  Monday couldn’t come fast enough.

  5 - STATE OF THE UNION

  Monday finally rolled around, and its effects on everyone were obvious. Researchers were more quiet than usual. No music played in any labs. The cafeteria was like a ghost town. The jittery snacking apparently keeping workers full.

  Everyone seemed on edge.

  Tonight was the night. We’d finally know the outcome for the Kazzies: freedom or continued imprisonment.

  “I never thought I’d be so nervous.” Amy sat beside me at our bench, pipetting solution by hand. We’d decided the only way to make time pass faster was to work. “I mean, after tonight, everyone’s lives could change. If the Kazzies are free, what becomes of the MRI? What becomes of our jobs?”

  I frowned. “I’ve never thought of that.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “You haven’t? How could you not? In a few years, we could be unemployed. I feel it’s safe to say we’ll have a job until then. We still have a lot to learn about Makanza, but after we figure everything out, then what? Will the MRI still exist? And what the hell are they going to do with all of the Compounds?”

/>   I thought of the fourteen empty cells in our Compound alone. They’d been sitting vacant ever since I started. Is that what will become of the Compounds? Will everything in them be sealed up and locked down? Like it had never been? Funny how that thought made me smile.

  “That seems like progress.” I snapped on a new pair of gloves. “We never had Compounds before Makanza. Isn’t that a good thing?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” She didn’t sound convinced.

  “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll get a job somewhere.”

  She chuckled. “I am pretty marketable.” She held up her gloved hands. “I come with mad skills.”

  I laughed. “Are you going to stay tonight and watch the president’s speech with the Kazzies?”

  “Yeah, I think a lot of the researchers are.”

  I tried to picture dozens of my colleagues in biohazard suits in the Kazzies’ entertainment area. I couldn’t. Usually, it was just me and the Kazzies. They didn’t have the affinity to anyone quite like they did to me.

  It probably didn’t hurt that Davin and I had been behind the vaccine breakthrough – all of the Kazzies knew that. It also didn’t hurt that I had a telepathic connection with Sara.

  “Come on girls!” a booming voice called.

  We turned to see Mitch and Charlie standing at the lab’s entrance door.

  “Let’s grab something to eat before the party starts.” Mitch’s lab coat draped open. A typical comedic shirt appeared. Sometimes I wonder, “Why is that Frisbee getting bigger?” Then it hits me.

  I chuckled and nudged Amy. “I take it they’re staying too?”

  “Yep.” Amy glanced at her watch. “Wow, it’s already half past five. The address starts soon!”

  We joined Mitch and Charlie and hurried to the rail system. When we reached the cafeteria, a hum of voices, and scents of freshly cooked food, filtered into the hall from the cafeteria’s open doors. It was jam-packed.

  Great. People everywhere. “Looks like everyone’s appetite is back.” I shrank closer to the wall when someone brushed against me.

  “And it looks like everyone’s sticking around for the big announcement.” Charlie crossed his thin arms over his chest, surveying the room for an open table. He had a small Asian build and only stood a few inches taller than me.

  Mitch towered over all of us. A thousand years ago, Mitch would have been a Viking. I was sure of it. His Nordic ancestry was apparent in every line of his body. Sandy blond hair, pale blue eyes, and a brawny build that towered to at least six-four made him one of the most physically intimidating men I’d ever met.

  However, Charlie had one of the sharpest minds I’d ever encountered. If it came down to a game of wits, Charlie would be the more worthy opponent.

  “There’s an open table over there.” Amy pointed. “I just saw a group stand up.”

  “Ready, set, go!” Mitch joked. He took off, striding towards the table before anyone else could swoop in and take it. When the rest of us caught up, we draped our lab coats over the chairs before getting into line for food.

  “Be quick about it.” Amy checked her watch. “We don’t want to be late.”

  Mitch raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it us who picked you up? Perhaps you should thank us for saving you from a dinner of lab solution.”

  Amy smirked. “There are plenty of vending machines in all the wings. I’m sure I would have managed just fine.”

  Mitch chuckled. “It kills you too much to say thank you, doesn’t it, McConnell.”

  “Fine, thank you.”

  “Behave children.” Charlie held a full tray. “I wouldn’t want to put you in a time-out.”

  “Meghan wouldn’t let you. She likes me too much.” Mitch grabbed two sandwiches and a large bag of chips. “She’s gonna be our boss someday.”

  “I’m not going to be your boss.” I ladled chili into a bowl, my cheeks heating at Mitch’s comment.

  Charlie gave me a sympathetic shoulder pat. “Oh yes you are, you just don’t know it yet.”

  “In other words, Meghan, you can fire them both on your first day, or just Mitch.” Amy gave Mitch a wink.

  “Ah, I’m your favorite, right, Megs?” Mitch put his arm around my shoulder and squeezed.

  I waited until the squeeze was over before extracting myself from his massive limb. “Of course, Mitch. I’d miss your t-shirts too much to get rid of you.”

  Mitch’s bark of laughter turned a few heads.

  “Don’t mind him,” Charlie murmured to those watching us. “He doesn’t get out much.”

  The four of us returned to our seats and wolfed down dinner before hurrying to the Inner Sanctum. A steady trail of researchers headed the same way.

  We opted to enter the Kazzie’s entertainment area through the researcher’s direct access which allowed us to bypass the cells. However, by the time we arrived, dozens of employees were already in front of us. I tapped my foot as we waited. We only had thirty minutes until the State of the Union address.

  A scratchy feeling rubbed the back of my mind. I opened myself up to Sara. I’m trying to get in.

  So you’re not in yet? She groaned. It’s going to start soon.

  I know. Trust me. I’m trying to hurry.

  I checked the clock again. Twenty-two minutes until it started. I should have gone by myself to Davin’s cell and gone in that way.

  Just get in here as soon as you can.

  It was five to seven by the time we finally donned suits and passed all the checks.

  Mitch chuckled. “Keep your pants on, Forester. We’ll make it in time.”

  I just gave him an irritated glare as we finally entered the entertainment area.

  The first time I’d seen the entertainment rooms, I’d been speechless. True to the Compound’s style, everything was huge, no expense spared. The multi-leveled library that we entered into was architecturally stimulating. Everything about the tiered levels and open design beckoned tranquility and serenity. Large skylights adorned the ceiling. Natural sunlight streamed from them as clouds drifted by. Tall bookshelves were packed with books. Random chairs and couches were strewn about. It put the Sioux Falls public library to shame. Obviously.

  “Every time I come in here, I’m amazed at how nice it is.” Amy surveyed the room through her hood’s viewing shield.

  “We do spoil them,” Charlie agreed.

  We reached the elevator and ascended to the second level, where the TV and billiards room was located. All of the Kazzies and a few dozen researchers were already in the large room when we entered.

  Straight ahead, six huge, plush couches, with stadium seating, were stationed in front of a large, movie-sized screen. A kitchen was in the back, stocked with snacks and drinks. Next to that was another sitting area.

  Three couches were arranged in a horseshoe pattern, meant for those who just wanted to sit and chat. A few researchers currently sat on them, talking about who knew what before the speech.

  To the left of the stadium seating was another room with two pool tables, arcade games, darts, and other grown-up toys.

  Everything about the Kazzies’ entertainment rooms was luxurious. The exercise rooms were no exception. They contained a basketball court, large pool, soccer field, weight and dance room, and a running track. In other words, humungous.

  And in reality, not entirely necessary for a facility that could only ever contain twenty Kazzies. Yet, if the Compound was to be the Kazzies’ home forever, I agreed that spoiling them was the least we could do. After all, they weren’t criminals.

  I searched for Davin but didn’t see him.

  “I think I see Gerry.” Amy stood on her tiptoes. “I’ll catch up with you later.” She lumbered off in the huge suit before I could say anything. Charlie quickly did the same. That left me and Mitch.

  “Meghan!” a voice called.

  Sara strode toward me, the researchers parting like the Red Sea as she passed. They all stared. Her blue skin always got a person’s attention, but I im
agined it was the large grin on her face that really got them curious.

  “Hi,” I said when she reached me.

  “I was debating if you’d make it.”

  “Yeah, Amy and I were a bit distracted in the lab. Luckily, Mitch came to the rescue.”

  Sara glanced at Mitch. I felt his hovering presence over my shoulder. She didn’t smile or say anything to him, instead, she looked back at me. “Come sit with us. We have the best seats.”

  She grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I felt Mitch follow.

  I looked down the stairs to the couches that were quickly filling. My eyes connected with Davin’s bright, blue gaze. He was staring right at me. Those eyes moved to Mitch, a questioning expression in them.

  “He’s been waiting for you,” Sara murmured. “Not very patiently I might add.” She waggled her eyebrows.

  My cheeks heated. It wasn’t the first time Sara had teased me about Davin. The screen suddenly turned on, making the room grow quiet. “Come on, let’s go.” Sara’s thin, blue fingers pulled me gently down the stairs.

  “Is there a seat for me too?” Mitch didn’t seem bothered by Sara ignoring him, but I knew he’d be hurt if I snubbed him.

  “Of course, come sit with us.”

  I grabbed Mitch’s hand, since I knew he’d never ask for help. The last thing we needed was a researcher plummeting down the stairs in a bulky suit.

  Everyone else was finding seats by the time we reached the other Kazzies.

  The Kazzies had reserved the front two couches. Each couch could easily seat six people. The one in the front row held Sophie, Sage, Victor, Garrett, and Dorothy. They all turned to greet me.

  Davin sat by himself on the one behind them. The researchers crammed together as best they could in the four behind that and whatever seats that were left up by the kitchen. The bulky biohazard suits made that awkward.

  An ever-present flash of annoyance coursed through me. We’ve all been vaccinated. We don’t need these suits!

  Davin watched me until I reached his side. I smiled and had to stop myself from touching him. We’d been waiting for this moment for so long. I wanted to hold his hand but knew that was not something a friend would do.