by Tanya Ross
A Sciolist? Health assessment? Her mouth went dry. Her stomach dropped. Would a health assessment uncover her empathic abilities? And, what would happen if it did?
23
Will’s Vindication
Talking to Wee had given Will a boost of inspiration. He could hardly wait to get back into the Plauditorium the following morning, knowing that so much depended on his being the best sleuth he could be. Under the radar he would get some solid information about the ring and Talesa. He would win Ember back.
The Plauditorium was quiet and lightly staffed when he arrived. Only three people had come in before him, and they welcomed him with the Tranquility acknowledgement. Austel was not yet present. All good. He could avoid clocking in until he gave himself access to files. Disloyalty to City Hall was a serious crime, and he struggled with how terribly it violated his moral code. His greatest desire in life was to not only advance in Status, but to be entirely clean, unblighted. Already this deception on Ember’s behalf ran contrary to his deepest core values. He was good, and pure, and honest. It was his very nature.
He was risking severe punishment—even banishment to The Outside—should he get caught. He was already preparing himself for these dark thoughts to show up in his Alt readings. But he was also devoted to Ember and had a million questions whirring in his mind about everything that had happened to her.
His monitor and computer turned on, he began with a general search of the ring ceremony, this time trying to find the recent recipients of the award. There must be a way to find a list other than just the first class. Where to find more recent information? Hmmm…perhaps…the obvious answer hit him like a bullet. There’s a History of Tranquility page. All the victories and successes in the city were glorified for all to see here. His own story was there. He zeroed in on the past events, looking specifically for any Celebration of Life or the Day of the Ring Ceremony from last year when Talesa Vinata received her accolades. He saw no Celebration of Life listings. But there…the Day of the Ring…he could see a picture of all eighteen beneficiaries, their names listed in bold under each photo. This was not some ancient list from the past; this was recent. Those in the photo would still have their rings, and their home addresses would be in the system.
It would be time consuming to interview them all, so he had to be smart about whom he chose. He would begin with the Level One awardee, Carol Eros…then choose Level Nine, Lennard Robus…and finally Level Eighteen, Omar Sensus. He could check in on them on the pretext of making sure their quality of life was exceptional. A personal visit from a distinguished Level Twelve officer like himself would applaud their accomplishment. After all, wasn’t that part of the Plauditor’s duties? To guide and inspire? Who knew what he could find out from just speaking to people? And no one would know what he was up to. He could manage the deception physically and emotionally knowing it was also an acceptable and encouraged Plauditor’s business. He was elated. His Alt glowed with happy points.
Not a second past his self-celebration, his Alt chimed. “Call from Ember Vinata.” The Alt’s voice feature resonated with a sexy, electronically generated voice.
“Hey, Ember,” Will said. He tried to keep the nervousness out of his voice and out of his body. Would she be calling to hassle him about the ring?
“Will, I’m calling to… apologize.” Ember’s voice sounded strained, a mirror of his own mood. “I shouldn’t have been so defensive yesterday. I panicked and lashed out. I know you didn’t take the ring.”
“You know I didn’t take the ring? How?” Will asked, his apprehensions slipping away. What a relief. Happiness again.
“The ring…the ring was turned in to City Hall by Austel. He must have found it and knew I was keeping it illegally.” Ember’s eyes filled up, watery, at the memory. She swallowed hard, trying to push out the dark feelings.
Will began to fume, but took deep breaths, allowing his own mantra to calm him down. Several seconds went by.
“Will? Do you forgive me?” Ember’s voice was small. A whisper.
“Of course, Ember. I was never upset with you…just worried about you. And I’m gonna get to the bottom of all this, just like I promised. Today I’m going out on visits to some ring recipients from your mother’s class from Day of the Ring. Want to come?”
“Yeah!” It was like she couldn’t catch the word before it exploded from her lips. Will smiled, his spirits beginning to soar. His lips twitched in amusement as she continued to speak, trying to sound less exited. “Umm… thanks. I’d…I’d love to see you again.”
Will jumped in the air, pulling down a fist pump. Was this the best day ever?
But Ember’s next words settled him down. “I need to tell you about what happened with the Magistrate.” Her voice quivered. “The Sciolist came and… collected me. Then I was questioned. By the Magistrate! It was horrid. Traumatic.”
Oh my god. What was going on? “I’ll grab a CommuteCar after work here today…and I’ll see you at your place—probably around 5:00. Sound good?”
“I’ll be ready. See you then.” Ember clicked off and Will sat back in his chair. All was right between Ember and himself. But there was more to worry about, she said. No! —no worry. Now was just the time to make everything alright with the world, the way it should be.
Will looked up to see Austel slide into his seat, his arm raised in a one-fingered flag. “You beat me to work today, Will. I think that’s a first,” Austel quipped, logging in with his Alt.
“No, just got in a shade before you. Logging in now,” Will lied. Lying’s not ethical, and definitely negative. He brushed the guilt-laden thought away, but felt the vibration hit his Alt. With reluctance, he returned Austel’s greeting but now had to navigate the distrust polluting his mind. No matter what Austel had done, he couldn’t allow the man to get the best of him. He purged his consciousness with a determination he pulled from that iron-clad spirit that set him apart from most people of the city. Austel would never know, nor would his own Alt reflect, the invading distrust. A vapor, and then it was gone. I wasn’t called ‘Will’ for nothing, he thought.
“Will…how’s your friend, Ember? Any fainting spells today?” Austel pulled up his sector on the monitor and made sure his Alt was in synch with the system. His face looked serious, but his Alt points consistently seemed to register a positive return.
“Ember’s fine…now.” He cleared his throat. “I understand you turned in Ember’s ring to City Hall,” Will said. “Where’d you find it?” Not taking his eyes from his screen, Will hoped his questions didn’t sound like he was starting an argument.
“Between you and me, I found it when she fell asleep in the lounge. Wouldn’t you know? I noticed she had her hand over her chest there.”Austel put his own hand over his chest to demonstrate.
Will picked up an empty cup from his desk and put it underneath in the cubby for used dishes. It was immediately vacuum sucked from the area to travel down to the Plauditorium’s recycling center. He glanced over at Austel, hoping the typical behavior looked nonchalant. “So? What’s so odd about that?”
“I was worried that she might have had a heart attack. Or that we might have to call someone for emotional intervention. So, I was checking her out when you left the room.”
“Checking her out?” His voice grew loud and gritty. He couldn’t help it. Austel’s claim sounded far too personal. Too intimate. Looking at her chest, too? What the—!
“Settle down, Will. I saw a bulgy outline in her front pocket. Didn’t know it was a ring. Just wondered what it was. So, I pulled it out. Once I saw it was an honorary ring, I sent it through the Vac-U tube directly to City Hall.”
Will bristled. Austel actually touched the pocket on her chest. He didn’t care if Austel was concerned for Ember’s health or not, he shouldn’t have touched her. “You shouldn’t have done that. That…was a personal invasion.” Will wished his eyes were lasers. His Alt vibrated. He was taking a hit.
“Will…Will. I wasn’t hitting o
n her. But she is hot. Too hot for you.”
Will began counting in his head. Slow the breathing. Blow out. Relax. One…two…three…four…five.
Will stood up from his chair, barely aware that he’d already clocked in and should be watching his screen like a hawk. “And you didn’t say a word about finding the ring. Even when I asked you if you’d found anything?” Will looked Austel directly in the eyes, the emeralds burning like fire. “Why would you keep it a secret?”
“Decided you might want to keep your job here and your Status intact. I mean, if you knew she had the ring—and I’m not saying you did—you should be making sure it was turned in. You think this girl is pretty special. I didn’t want that to cloud your judgment. Just lookin’ out for you, Will. And, honestly? I wanted the credit. I never want to miss an opportunity to give my Status a shot in the arm.”
Will shook his head in disbelief. Austel had gone behind his back. Been creepy with Ember. Yet, that was the job of a Plauditor, to make sure that everything was in order. It wasn’t like they were good friends or anything. But poor Ember. She took the brunt of it.
The hours dragged by, Will not making any conversation with Austel unless it was absolutely necessary. That was one way to keep emotions in check—stay away from the negative influences.
At exactly 4:45, Will welcomed the night shift Plauditor to his station. He was always grateful he was assigned the day shift. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out the door to meet the CommuteCar at the curb. Fifteen minutes later, he knocked on the purple door and waved to the surveillance camera.
Seeing Ember open the door sent his heart racing. “Hi, Ember,” he said, trying to sound casual. He leaned against the doorframe for effect.
“Hey. Come in.” She ushered him into the Great Room, its orderliness in sharp contrast with the last time he was there. “Do we have time to sit down and talk before we go? I have so much to tell you.” Her eyes were cloudy, her brows drawn together in an upside down ‘V’. Will felt his heart swell.
He touched her shoulder gently and sat down in the nearest chair. “Definitely. I want to hear all about it.”
Ember related each detail of her conversation with the Magistrate. Keeping the ring could have been considered treason. He was so relieved she had no punishment. She was lucky she didn’t get Removed.
“Ember, you did all the right things. You showed great courage. The Magistrate can be …intimidating. But he’s capable and unusually fair, an admirable leader. And the health check shouldn’t be a problem. In fact, it’s a good thing. I want to make sure you’re okay, too.”
The fainting spell bothered him. Was she sick? Too emotionally unstable? She might be in trouble. Worry began to gnaw away. The incident with Austel was awful. Her questioning session with the Magistrate—that was scary. And he was putting it all on the line himself. For her. Gladly.
Ember gazed back at Will with wide eyes. He always felt she could see right through his soul. It was a weird feeling.
“I know. I don’t know why I had that spell, so… I should find out. I’m soooo happy he didn’t put me in counseling. I’m glad I don’t have to go back to see him. And telling you about it makes it all seem okay.” She smiled, and it was like her face was lit from within.
Will stood up and walked over to her, and took her by the hand, leading her toward the door. “Let’s talk more on the way. Right now we’re off to the Level One’s White Sands address to see Carol Eros. She’s the first one on the list of honorees from your mother’s class.”
“What do you think someone from White Sands knows?”
“Maybe nothing. Maybe, though, she’s going to help put this puzzle together.” He sure hoped they’d find an easy answer. In the meantime, he’d stay on the tightrope.
24
Xander’s Leadership
Xander wasted no time getting back to Camp with his followers. The next challenge was to get his fellow REMs outfitted to represent a united force. It was the spine of a plan he had been dreaming up; his crew had to feel they were winners.
He wanted them to have long capes—easy to make and symbolic of greatness. Getting cloaks sewn for his crew would require his teaching the REMs how to make something that looked not only decent, but impressive. He would have to train them in yet another skill. He silently thanked his seamstress mother for her insistence that he learn the basics of sewing when he was a young teen. What began as an interest in fashion helped motivate him to create pieces he wore in the city, and he got good at it.
But first they needed scissors. Knives would not do what they would need done. Convinced that the tool shop was the place to begin, Xander identified the best tool workers in the building. He found a couple of REMs willing to take on the project. Rebar, skeleton pieces of the crumbling buildings, lay everywhere in the camp. These could be melted, then flattened and shaped into blades on an anvil. With some heat in the center, a spring could be formed. Once cooled and fired to make them flexible, the new scissors would be functional.
Using thorns of the hawthorn bushes that dotted the landscape, they made needles for sewing. Dead and dried, the thorns had sharp points. The group whittled sticks as well, each REM trying to best the other on how sharp and fine their needles could be. Nettles were stripped for their fibers to use as thread.
Each member of Xander’s crew now had the simple tools to make the crimson mantles that would set them apart.
Without any fanfare, Xander worked feverishly to create his own cape, knowing he was always the inspiration to his pack of outcasts. Well, they won’t look better than me, but they’ll have some pride.
Eager to copy Xander’s example, the REMs could hardly wait to sew up their own. And, just like that, in less than a week, Xander’s gang was looking transformed. He was ready for the next step. It was time to share his vision.
REMs gathered for their Rock Masters game in the courtyard as if it was any other day, joking and threatening each other’s upcoming losses. This day, every REM sported a new cape that billowed in the dry, cold wind. Like superheroes of lore, the glorified clothing seemed to empower them, each one becoming a cock-fighting rooster strutting about the court.
Xander’s stepped up onto the top of a broken wall, his face infused with a glow rivaling a full moon on a dark night. “Fellow REMs, you’re looking royal and like…warriors,” Xander shouted.
A cheer rippled through the crowd.
“I want you to know, you don’t just look good—you’re destined for tremendous things. Thank the stars you have me to lead you.”
The REMs shuffled about, some sharing some confused looks, others whistling or clapping.
“Tranquility shamed us—only because we want to be ourselves! We want a full range of choices and emotions. Because we’re all human, we had no quality of life without permission to speak our minds and share our hearts. So, we are here. In the land of broken things, wild things. This is wrong.” Xander paused a full fifteen seconds, although all eyes were on him. He savored the way the throng hung on his every word.
Jasper interrupted the silence. “Xander…we all know this. We’re with you, but we’re stuck here.”
Xander snickered. “Yeah, you might think so, buddy.” He reached out and grabbed Jasper’s shoulder. “But we’re gonna start taking back our rights. We’re gonna take the city.” A murmur swelled through the group.
Graham spoke up, turning to the crowd, a cold wind whipping his cape up around his chest. “Xander must have a plan, so let’s all listen before we go thinking we’re all gonna be dead.”
“Graham, you told me that something goes on out here, out to the east, and it isn’t your grandma’s barbecue. Tranquility’s involved. In fact, you warned me not to follow the smoke. We’re gonna do exactly that. If they’re coming out here, they’ve got to go back in, and I want to see exactly what they’re doing.”
Journal Entry #5597
The Elite. They’re my family. No matter what, they’re sworn to defend the city an
d myself. Over the years they’ve accepted that what I tell them is true. When people become overly virtuous, it is suspicious. I have to watch out for citizens in the upper Status levels. We must keep our affairs quiet and secret. To do otherwise would be betraying the confidence of our people and increase unhappiness in our very special world. I’m grateful that my Elite is loyal.
--Serpio Magnus, Magistrate
25
Ember’s Visit
Ember was relieved that Will couldn’t read her emotions as she read his. As she rode along in the CommuteCar with him, she was more excited and content than she had been in days. She was with Will and knew he could be trusted. More than that, she finally admitted to herself that he was pretty beautiful. As he looked her way, his deep, vivid green eyes alone left her weak.
I wonder if this is how people feel when they’re drunk. I’m giddy! The random thought made her smile. There would be no issues with her Alt points today. She was falling in love! She’d been easily able to discern his feelings for her all along; he was an open book to her, his aura flexing and pulsing. But because of the trauma she had experienced, she’d had no space in her head and heart to acknowledge her own attraction to him until now. She had worked hard to put everything, including her mother’s death, into perspective, suppressing the grief and negativity until it was no more than little dust particles hiding in the recesses of her brain.
She still desperately mourned her mother… but she couldn’t allow those thoughts to tear her down emotionally. She had to put her sorrow and confusion on hold, no matter how difficult it was.
