When I drift back to consciousness, I'm curled up on a bunk in the riders' barn, deliciously limp and snug. I let out a loud yawn, and the blanket over my legs moves. A slobbery tongue trails across my cheek. I jolt upright. "Tucker!" I fall on his neck, sobbing and hugging him to me, inhaling the familiar scent of him. He licks the salty tears tracking down my face and swishes his tail contentedly back and forth. I sink back down on the bunk and snuggle him to me, savoring his healing presence that demands nothing of me in return. I close my eyes and try to go back to sleep, but my mind keeps replaying the clip of the explosion. I sit up with a sigh and swing my legs over the edge of the bunk. My stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything in the past twelve hours. I reach for my boots. Time to remedy that.
The following days are a blur of activity as we try to come to terms with everything that's happened. I still can't believe the sovereign leader is gone, his remains, thankfully, incinerated in the explosion. For the most part, the Sweeper hostages from the Megamedes remain subdued and cooperative. The members of the world government will stand trial for what was done in the name of science under their command. Despite their insistence that what they did was for the advancement of humanity, the deviation holocaust and the wretched abuse of the participants in Sektor Sieben is more than enough to condemn them in the eyes of the Council.
In the end, it has cost a lot of blood to live the life we believe in. But Big Ed reminded me that if we can't live free we're not fully alive to begin with. We all agree we would pay the price again for every Undergrounder, clone and deviation we saved from the Sweepers' regime.
Other than the select few who saw him, no one knew Lyong was on board the Megamedes, which is a good thing. His is a face best forgotten. The biggest loss in my mind with the destruction of the Megamedes is the fact that we won't be able to use the weaponry to destroy the outposts like we'd hoped. The sovereign leader's death leaves them isolated, but still with the potential to continue the cloning experimentation. It's a problem we'll have to deal with at some point, but today's agenda is all about integrating the new arrivals.
Jerome comes into his office in the courthouse where I'm going over housing arrangements with Trout and Big Ed. Tucker lifts his head and eyes Jerome with a doleful look as he sizes up the situation. He shadows me everywhere I go, committed to keeping me within licking range at all times.
"I wanted to stop in and say goodbye," Jerome says. "I'm heading back to the Craniopolis to take care of the deviations."
"How long will you be gone?" I ask.
"As long as it takes to persuade them to relocate to the city. We can set them up in their own section and integrate them more slowly this time like we discussed."
"I'm sorry we couldn't save the deviations on board the Megamedes," I say.
Jerome casts his eye downward. "The best I can do to honor them is to pour my energy into the living."
"Can you stay for the celebration?" I ask.
He nods. "I'll leave in the morning."
I talk to Big Ed and Trout at length before I feel prepared to address the city. There's so much to say at tonight's victory celebration, and so much that's best left unsaid. Big Ed agrees I need to focus on the future rather than seeking retribution for the past, especially when it comes to the decimated Rogues.
"More blood won't change their hearts," he says.
Who knows how calloused the remaining Rogues are without Rummy, or Blade, or The Ghost at the helm. They've been cautious since their battle with the Schutz Clones, but when their wounds heal and their egos recover, they may try to usurp us, despite the presence of the military clones.
"Do you think I should let the Rogues stay here or tell them to move on?" I say.
"You'll figure it out," Big Ed says. "Show mercy and speak truth. That's all I got."
Regardless of what's gone down, including the deaths of Undergrounders from my own bunker, I want to reach out to the remaining Rogues and offer them a home here. Some, no doubt, will move on, disgruntled by the presence of former foes. Those who choose to remain will have to learn to live in a way that respects the freedom of others. It won't be an easy process, but my dream is for Shoshane City to become a sanctuary to anyone who comes in peace.
The Sweepers and members of the world government are scheduled to stand trial next week. It's pretty much a given that the Council will return a guilty verdict, but any vote on the death penalty will likely be contentious. If I've learned anything in my time as a leader it's that freedom is messy, which is probably why the world government seemed like a good solution at first.
"We should go," Trout says, interrupting my thoughts. "Everyone's waiting on you."
I scrub my hands over my face and get to my feet. I know how to rally a crowd to war, now it's time to test the power of my rallying cry for peace.
My eyes widen when I see the throng of people clustered around the makeshift wooden platform that the military clones erected by the container gate. Tables piled high with food are stacked along the barricade, and I hear the strains of guitars and singing. As I scan the crowd, my heart swells. This isn't the same segregated group I faced before inside the courthouse. Undergrounders, Rogues, clones, and scientists are interspersed throughout, engaged in conversation, sharing food, and laughing with one another. I'm not naive enough to think it will always be like this, but it's a beautiful sight while it lasts.
I position myself on the wooden platform and survey the faces pressing in around me. At the front I spot Izzy twirling on her toes, clutching her brother by the hand. I smile to myself. I can't put a price on the value of one life. Even if all of this had only been to save Izzy, it would have been worth it.
I raise my hand for silence, but suddenly someone starts clapping. Bursts of applause erupt from the crowd, followed by a series of loud cheers and whoops. I glance uncertainly at Big Ed. He removes his hat and bows his head. I look around, confused at first, but then I realize everyone's clapping for me. Tears well up and slide down my face. I don't deserve this unconditional outpouring of their praise. I'm inadequate in so many ways, but it's enough for them that I acted.
When the applause dies down I wipe my eyes on the back of my sleeve and clear my throat. "Tonight we celebrate victory, our victory. We fought hard for the freedom that is once again ours." I hesitate and swallow back the sob still stuck in my throat. "Ours has not been an easy journey. We have made mistakes and decisions that cost us along the way. But we fought a good fight. Our knees buckled beneath us at times, but our hearts never failed us." Whistles and more clapping drown me out for a moment. "Today," I continue, "we celebrate the end of tyranny and a new beginning with freedom for all, regardless of life expectancy, ability, or past wrongs. With this freedom comes responsibility, and we all play a part." I pause, and they seize the opportunity to raise jubilant fists in the air and start cheering again. Only this time they don't quit. I grin at Trout who's doing some kind of crazy jig with Izzy. It's all the confirmation I need that it's time to stop talking and let the party begin. I jump down from the platform and join them. Maybe, just maybe it will be possible to build something beautiful out of the ruins of Shoshane City.
Epilogue
When spring comes, I take Mason's ashes up to Elk Creek Rapids. I hike alone, despite multiple offers from Sven and Owen to accompany me. This is something private between Mason and me, a tribute I've wanted to honor him with for a long time, perhaps in some small way to atone for the jealousy that kept me from getting to know the real Mason until it was almost too late. Fiercely loyal and protective; an insanely brave man who risked everything to escape the Craniopolis and to save us from the Sweepers. A man who should have grown old and told his story to his grandchildren.
The sun sears my skin as I reach into my jacket and pull out the worn pouch I've carried around with me for months. "Thank you for your strength and courage, Mason, and for believing I could lead them when I scarcely believed it myself. I'm sorry I was such a pain." I
blink back tears as I release his ashes into the foam that crashes and peaks in the sea of granite teeth below. This time, he won't return in the flesh.
I wipe my sleeve over my eyes. I know Mason would be pleased with the spot I chose to scatter his ashes in. This is where he proved to me I could trust him, and revealed to me who he was, and this is the place he came back from. In a strange way, it gives me hope that I'll see him again, in another realm.
I hike back to the city feeling lighter than I've felt in a long time--like I've been forgiven. Wildflowers perfume the canyons and there are more birds nesting in the forest than I've seen in years. The world is beginning to heal from the meltdown, and the Undergrounders are finally beginning to heal from war.
There have been no more sightings of Hovermedes despite the numerous scouting missions Jody and Ida regularly conduct on the city's behalf. With some reluctance, the Council finally ruled it safe to begin building settlements outside the barricade. The homesteaders are gearing up to leave at the end of the month. Jakob and Hannah, along with Owen and Nikki, will accompany the group, but this time, they'll leave with my blessing.
They tried to persuade Trout to join them, but after some consideration, he chose to remain in the city and I have to admit I'm relieved. He's been a dear friend to me through all of this and I couldn't bear to lose him too. His common sense and dry wit got me through some of the toughest days of my life. And I'm not the only one he's been a tonic for. He's become like an adopted son to Dimitri. I think they understand each other's deep losses better than most.
Big Ed and Lou are inseparable. I never truly understood the meaning of soulmates until I saw those two together. Whatever thoughts Big Ed had of succumbing to his bout of pneumonia, they're long gone. He's walking with a whole new spring in his step that tells me he plans to be around for some time to come. The two of them disappear into the mountains for weeks on end at times, but they always show up again to dispense their wisdom on whatever issues the Council is facing.
Jerome has entrusted the city to me when he expires. At twenty-four units, and then some, his day is drawing near. I may not even have time to recover from everything we've been through before I'm called upon to take on that mantle of responsibility. The deviations have resettled in their own section of the city and some of them, with Jerome's encouragement, enjoy a limited amount of interaction with us. Most, however, are too traumatized to ever fully heal. They remain content with their own company, and we respect their wishes. I assured Jerome I'd do everything in my power to protect them when he's gone. Dimitri and the other scientists have sworn to devote the rest of their lives to finding a cure for ossification, but the truth is they may be too late to save any of the remaining clones or deviations. The best we can do is to stop it ever happening again.
As for my beloved Sven, I don't know if he will make it to twenty-five units, or even to twenty, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that whatever time we have left together will be enough for us. He has proven his love for me time and again in his selfless acts of sacrifice and bravery. And I've even seen him shed a tear or two, proving he's more man than machine, not that he ever gave me a reason to question it.
At my request Big Ed and Lou have made a special effort to be in town this week. I can't stop smiling. It's finally happening. Big Ed even let Lou trim his beard for the occasion. At sunset tomorrow, on the steps of the courthouse in front of every faction in the city Sven and I will seal our promise to love each other until death do us part. I hope his expiration date never comes.
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BIO: Award-winning author Norma Hinkens writes Pretty Gritty YA at a pace that will leave you slack-jawed. She’s also a travel junkie, legend lover, and idea wrangler, in no particular order. She grew up in Ireland, land of make-believe and the original little green man.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. For more information about the author, please visit www.normahinkens.com
Text copyright @ 2016 Norma Hinkens
All rights reserved.
No part of the book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Dunecadia Publishing, California
ISBN 978-0-9966248-4-8
DEDICATION
For Sandy Blackwell and strong women everywhere
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Parts of this novel are set in Idaho. I have taken liberties with the geography of that state, including names of places.
Judgement: The Undergrounders Series Book Three (A Young Adult Post-apocalyptic Science Fiction Thriller) Page 25
