“What do you mean?” He lowers his arms and steps toward me.
“I can’t connect to her mind. She’s shielding me. I thought it was because she was talking to you.” I slouch against the doorway.
“I haven’t seen her since earlier.” His brow creases with worry.
“What? She said she was coming to talk to you. That was hours ago. Where the hell is she?” My new heart starts to pound feverishly in my chest.
“Did you check the observation deck?”
“Yeah, she’s not there.” It was the first place I looked.
“What about her dad’s place or Ruby’s?”
“Not yet, but I’ll head there now.”
“I’ll come with you,” he says, turning and grabbing his boots from the end of the bed.
“I’d prefer to go alone.” I straighten up. “I’ll let you know if I find her.”
Cal barks out a short laugh. “I’m tagging along whether you like it or not. And I don’t need your permission.”
I’m not surprised. From what I’ve seen, he’s prone to overreaction and his temper flares quickly. I also understand that his natural inclination is enhanced by the drug-and-mind-altering program he was subjected to on Novo. I’ve a horrible suspicion that what he said earlier was just thrown out in the heat of the moment. I fear I’m correct. But I can’t claim a monopoly on caring for her. I know he does too, and I can’t stop him if he wants to try to find her. Besides, I’ve heard that old chestnut about keeping your enemies close, and he definitely slots perfectly into that category, as would anyone attempting to take away my reason for existing.
“Fine. Hurry up.”
We spend an anxious, uneasy hour searching the compound for Ari. Ruby doesn’t know where she is, and Malcolm, Ari’s dad, is nowhere to be found. I draw the line at speaking to Commander Remus. I’ll never forget the horrific torture I suffered at his hands while incarcerated on Novo, and I’ve no desire to even see his face, let alone speak to him. So Cal tracks him down on his lonesome, to find out if he knows anything, while I wait in the observation deck.
My eyelids droop as I watch the fish swim in front of me. In general, I’ve been quite tired since the operation. Doctors have said it’s totally normal and to get as much rest as I can, which is a bit difficult when so much expectation lies on my shoulders. I’ve only received scant instructions from Calista, but the brief was clear enough all the same: I’m to head up a special IT project team and continue the work I had begun in Clementia.
The sound of approaching footsteps jerks me awake. Rubbing my eyes, I tilt my head as Cal approaches. I stand and face him. He looks like someone just smashed his favorite guitar into itty-bitty pieces. “She’s gone,” he says, his voice dripping bitterly.
I frown. “Gone where?”
“To Greece.” His eyes drift to the glass window momentarily.
“Why?” This is hardly the time for a vacation.
“She didn’t tell you?” His eyes sparkle with curiosity. I shake my head. “We wanted her as far away from this war as possible. She’s gone to work with Raina’s grandmother, to develop her psychic gift. Her ability to see into the future could be very important to the cause.” His mouth is set in a displeased line.
“Who is we? Did Raina go with her?” I school my features into a neutral line so he can’t see the strength of my emotions. We’ve only been reunited and now she’s been ripped out of my arms again? Despair and rage are a heady concoction in my gut, and I’m struggling to keep my frustration in check.
“Malcolm and I,” he admits, and I don’t like that one little bit. There was a time when Malcolm and I sat together and made plans to protect Ari. That I’ve been replaced on this front as well picks at the festering wounds of my insecurity. “Raina didn’t make it.” His voice is low, reverential even.
“What?” I drop down on the floor, dumb-founded.
The ground shifts slightly as he settles alongside me. “We lost Raina and Riga in the escape from Clementia. They never made it off the stealth-craft.”
We are both silent for several minutes. “What are your plans?” I ask, turning to face him. “Are you going after her?”
“Why should I tell you anything?” His eyes narrow to slits as he sends me a challenging look.
“Fair enough.” I shrug. “You should know though, I won’t be easily pushed aside this time. She remembers her relationship with me now and that changes things. Spending a couple of weeks thinking I was on death’s door has given me new focus. I want her back,” I say, jumping up. “She belongs with me.”
He straightens up and glares at me. “In case you haven’t realized it, she left us both, buddy, without so much as a goodbye.”
Though I don’t want to admit it, he’s right, and it hurts. But I’m sure she wouldn’t have done that on purpose. My Ari would never be so thoughtless. Then again, we’ve all changed, shaped by circumstances we’ve been thrust into, molded by the choices we’ve made.
I travel back to my apartment and crawl into bed. My eyes close before my head even hits the pillow.
I sleep straight through to the next morning.
A sharp, piercing noise cuts through my slumber and wakens me. The holographic screen in the room flips to life, and Malcolm’s face confronts me. “Zane, can you please report to Command Center in thirty minutes?”
“Sure,” I say, my voice heavy with sleep. Throwing my legs out of bed, I shower and dress and stop off at the cafeteria en route. I try connecting with Ari again, but the shields are still up, and it does nothing to brighten my mood. Is Cal right? Has she left consciously without saying goodbye? Is she deliberately shutting me out because she regrets what transpired between us before she left? My mind rehashes our time together, and while I know she was conflicted, I didn’t see anything in her eyes, or feel anything in her touch, to indicate she regretted our intimate reunion or that she wasn’t feeling it as much as I was.
I step into the cafeteria and gather my troubled thoughts. It’s early, but the place is buzzing. Ben runs toward me and hugs me quickly. “It’s so good to see you, man. Cal told me you were here. How are you feeling?”
I knew he was here; Calista had informed me of that fact at the briefing yesterday. I’d wondered if this might be awkward, him being Cal’s best bud and all, but it’s not in the slightest. When we reconnected in Clementia, it was as easy as breathing—we’d effortlessly picked up right where we left off as kids. Still, he’s known Cal much longer, and I thought he might have felt conflicted considering Cal and I are locked in a battle over the same girl. That he’s not is proof of what a great guy he is.
“I’m good. New ticker,” I say, patting my chest. “Feel like I could climb mountains.” That’s only partly true. While I do feel like my no-name brand batteries have been replaced with the best money can buy, exhaustion still swirls around me like a dark cloud on a stormy day. Adequate recovery time is a luxury that cannot be granted right now.
“We were all so worried about you,” Ben says, his look showcasing his sincerity. I spy Cal’s approaching form behind Ben and I stiffen. Not everyone.
“Have you spoken to her?” Cal asks the second he steps in front of me.
“Hey to you too.”
“Cut the bull. Have you contacted her or not? Is she okay?” He crosses his arms in front of him.
“No,” I exhale deeply, the familiar anxiety punching holes in my chest. “She’s still blocking me.”
A tiny smirk curves his lips, and my hand itches at my side. I’m not a violent guy, but Cal has the kind of face that begs to be hit. When you add his irritating mouth into the mix, it’s a pretty enticing combination.
“I think someone may be eating his words,” Cal says, outwardly smirking now.
“And someone may find it’s too late to take back certain words,” I retort. His gaze darkens as he leans toward me.
“Knock it off,” Ben interjects, his gaze flitting between both of us. “If this is typical of what go
es on, then it’s no wonder that Ariana has taken off. You’re already giving me a pain in my face. The best thing you can both do is give that girl some space and let her make up her own mind.” Ben is remarkably well informed, though I’m hardly surprised.
I open my mouth to respond, but I’m waylaid when a stunning blonde-haired girl materializes beside Cal. “Morning, guys. Please tell me you haven’t eaten everything in sight?”
“Amber,” Ben says, addressing the girl. “This is Zane. Zane, Amber,” he says, motioning between us.
I reach out and shake her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She smiles widely and I instantly warm to her. “So, you’re the Zane I’ve heard so much about?”
I arch a brow and stare at Ben. He shrugs, in an “I don’t know what the hell she’s on about” way. Glancing at Cal, I suspect I know where the intel has come from. “I wouldn’t believe everything you’ve heard.”
“If I wasn’t heading out with my unit today, perhaps I could’ve discovered that for myself,” she says, whirling around Cal’s back and swiping an apple from the counter. Cal glares at her as if she’s just sworn to hand her firstborn to the devil. An intimate look passes between them, and I’m instantly curious to know exactly who Amber is and whether there’s any history there.
I know a loaded look when I see one.
An alarm sounds on my wristwatch and I know that’s my calling card. Time to whip my ass into gear. Offering up a quick goodbye, I snatch a muffin and carton of juice and make my way to Command Center.
The vastness of this underwater compound takes my breath away. I’d thought that nothing had the power to amaze me anymore, but this place is something else entirely.
My mind wanders as I walk.
During my darkest days, when I was in a coma and trapped in my mind, I had copious time to contemplate my fate. I’d been so scared of dying before I’d accomplished anything I wanted from life. When I told Ari to leave, I genuinely believed I wouldn’t see her again, and I’d come to terms with that. I told her to stay with Cal, knowing that he loved her as completely as I did. When the authorities came for me, I’d been completely rattled, unsure of what they wanted or what they were planning to do with me. My heart slams against my ribcage as the terror revisits me, and I feel as if I’m experiencing the futility of my situation for the first time.
To feel such horrific anxiety, such helplessness, and to be completely powerless to do anything about it was the scariest feeling in the world. A virtual prisoner in my body, I’d had to watch in silent panic as I was transported to Novo and then poked and prodded with needles by strange doctors in a room full of blinding lights. There’d been nothing but darkness, and as it swept in to lay me low, I had actually welcomed it and embraced the possibility of my imminent death. I made my peace with it, said my goodbyes to the love of my life, and prayed that her life would go on and that it would be a good life.
When I woke up and realized I was alive, that I could move on my own and breathe on my own, the exhilaration of that moment overpowered any dread I might have ordinarily felt at being incarcerated again on Novo. To be alive when I’d thought I was drifting toward my death was indescribable.
I made a promise to myself then to grasp this second chance with both hands and make it the best life it can be—to fight tooth and nail for the things I want out of life, starting with my beautiful Ari.
I’ve already reached Command Center though I’ve no recollection of the walk here. I type the code Malcolm gave me into the key pad and the steel doors slide open.
Malcolm’s head flips up at the sound of footsteps. Walking around the table, he grabs me into a hug. The first words out of my mouth shouldn’t be any shock to him. “Where is Ari?”
“She is safe, I promise. I’ll update you fully after the meeting.” I take a good look at him, noting the bruising dark circles under his eyes and his unnaturally pale pallor. His uniform hangs loosely from his shoulders and more gray hairs dot his hairline. A fine layer of stubble graces his chin, and he wears his body like a second skin he would love to shed. He’d told me quietly about Anneka yesterday morning, and I don’t need him to say it. His disheveled state is more than enough evidence of how cut up he is inside.
No matter how often I’ve felt that we’re through the worst, something else always happens to remind me that we’ve still a long way to go.
Reluctantly, I nod my agreement. I follow Malcolm to the table and take the proffered seat. Calista makes quick introductions. Most are men and women I’ve never met before. Commander De Luca smiles warmly at me. My worst nightmare on the end, Commander Remus, Cal’s father, barely acknowledges me, and I return the gesture. My body no longer trembles in his presence though I still detest the very sight of him. As the meeting progresses, I notice the vicious looks he throws Malcolm’s way and how Malcolm purposely ignores him.
“I’ve reassigned all those you asked for, Zane,” Calista says, grabbing my attention. “And we’ve set up a project room for you over there.” She motions behind me and I swivel in my seat, scrutinizing the enclosed door. “Would you mind updating the council on what you told Commander Skyee and myself yesterday, so everyone is fully up to speed,” she adds, gesticulating at her colleagues around the table.
I clear my throat. “I created this project initially when I was part of Southern Connecticut University’s pre-entry graduate program. The project objective was to develop a system that could hack into military software and override their programs. The aim was to have the ability to control their air and ground vehicles, access military plans, and take over all functionality, replacing it with an agenda of my own.” Low mutterings of discontent spread around the table, and I catch a few suspicious glares.
“Hold up, “Calista says, raising her palms. “Let him finish.” She motions for me to continue.
I straighten in my chair and project my voice across the table. “I wanted to prove I could do this to exploit weaknesses in the United States military systems, and then develop a firewall to prevent others from replicating my actions. My primary aim at that time was to showcase my tech skills in order to secure the best possible employment. There was never any malicious intent.”
I swipe the glass of water on the table in front of me and drink greedily. “I informed Clementia of this when I first banded with them, and they equipped me with the necessary manpower and resources to develop the project. We made a few key breakthroughs, but work stalled thereafter due to my hospitalization.” I take another glug of water, my throat working hard to ease the dry layer coating my trachea.
“Tell them about your visit from Calavero on Novo,” Malcolm prompts, his fingers tapping idly off the table.
“When I woke from my operation, President Calavero was by my bedside. He told me in no uncertain terms that I’d been spared in order to continue my work on Novo. He threatened me, said if I didn’t cooperate that he would activate the kill-switch on Ari’s”—I trail off as I notice a few puzzled expressions. Of course, most of these people don’t know who she is—“on my girlfriend’s Vita,” I explain. Commander Remus strains forward in his seat, searing me with a venomous look that I’m unfortunately already well accustomed to. Fixing my eyes on his, I boldly hold his stare. I’m damned if that man is going to exert any more control over me.
“Explain your actions, Zane, please,” Calista says, trying to move things along.
I retract my gaze from Cal’s dad and address the table as a whole. “I knew he couldn’t hurt my girlfriend,” I say, placing emphasis on the word and shooting Commander Remus a knowing look before continuing, “so I took the opportunity to embed a hidden virus in their programs. When the time is right, I can hack in and activate it, temporarily shutting down all their systems, allowing me access to whatever we need.”
Heads nod subtly around the table. “This will give us the window of opportunity we need to gain access to Novo when the time comes.” Calista beams at her colleagues, and then he
r bright smile lands on me. “I’m sure I speak for everyone at this table when I say you have our everlasting gratitude, Zane. And we are so pleased to have you on board.”
My skin flushes. I’m not accustomed to such public praise, and it doesn’t sit easy with me. I’m much happier working unobtrusively in the background.
“How long will it take you to get the project up and running? I assume you have to start from scratch?” A tall man with chestnut brown hair addresses me.
“I copied all my work to a private cloud server. The project will kick-off from where I last left it.”
“That’s excellent news.” He acknowledges me with a respectful nod of his head.
“There’s still a lot more to do,” I caution, my eyes returning to Calista’s. I had tried explaining this to her last night, but I always find it’s difficult for non-technical people to fully grasp all that’s entailed.
“We understand, Zane. That’s why we have established your project team immediately. There is no time to waste, and we need you to get to work straightaway.”
“I appreciate that, Calista. But there are some things I need to attend to first.” My head turns to meet Malcolm’s eyes. I know he understands that this is about Ari, but I have other concerns too. Namely, my mom and brother Eli, and I don’t know what’s happened to Isla.
It was total chaos when they arrived into the Clementia hospital to take me. I remember Isla screaming blue murder during the commotion, but I’ve no idea what happened to her after that. I need to find her, to know that she’s okay. I explain this succinctly to Calista, not wishing to broadcast my private business to the world and its granny.
“Zane, we all have people we care about who are unaccounted for. There will be adequate time to sort things out after we have assumed control,” Calista says. She raises an elegant hand and drinks from her glass.
“Those are my conditions if you want me to head up this project.” I won’t be talked down from this. I need to know that those I love are safe, and then I can focus one hundred percent on what they need from me. Without that assurance, I’ll be too distracted. And they can’t afford for me to be distracted. Calista surveys me coolly, her pleasant smile never wavering. I can’t say the same for the others. I deflect a few disgusted looks thrown my way.
Destiny Rising Page 11