“But if they become a spirit, can they be put in a new vessel?” I’d rather not submit more people to the pain of the merge than necessary.
No idea. Typically, once a body has been affected by the pendants, it cannot be affected again. Besides, if someone is a spirit, they no longer have a body to work from.
Heat flushes to my cheeks. “Still, they have powers. You have powers. The whole point of the Legion Spore’s hub is to harness their powers, correct?”
Yes, but I do not know if using the pendants on them a second time might destroy them or their artifact. If a spirit’s artifact is destroyed, the spirit is also destroyed. There are occasions in which a spirit attaches itself to something more fluid—something that can be replenished over time, but those instances are rare, and those spirits are strong. A spirit with that kind of power? Good luck making it conform to your wishes. You would be better off destroying it.
“I didn’t know that kind of spirit existed.” I squeeze my knees tighter. Something doesn’t add up.
Benjamin looks to me with a creepy, knowing smile. I’ve met a few of them. One is my future self. He has a fondness for spectating… and tweaking events. Which reminds me… The spirit digs into one of the drawers, then extracts an orange pill bottle. He said you might want this back.
He tosses me the bottle. I fumble for the thing and barely catch it. The bottle is almost empty, but the white label reads Timothy Zaytsev, along with the side effects for adominogen. And the date…
My mouth hangs open, speechless. I lost these almost a week before I helped Jenna escape from the coolers. That’s how I was able to use my powers while we were still in the Community. I uncap the bottle and count the pills. It’s the same number of pills I had remaining before I should have received a new shipment. “Impossible.”
His eyes glint in the light and he grins. Impossibility is relative, Timothy, especially to a fourthwaller.
“I don’t need these things anymore, nor do I want them.” A cold shiver runs down my spine. Fourthwallers are typically known for their fondness of reality bending and enhanced insight powers. Given Val’s premonition that I might not be at the next dance, that I might be gone, this is hitting a little too close to home.
I push the bottle at Benjamin. He doesn’t take it. Instead, he shuts the book he was flipping through. You might find a use for them yet. In the meantime, I should warn you that fail-safes are not invulnerable. If you knew there was an object or a bit of code that could destroy you, would you let it sit there, waiting to be used?
Goosebumps travel across my back and arms. “No. That would be stupid.”
The spirit chuckles. I tried creating a fail-safe once, similar to the one you’ve created. Didn’t work out well. He traces the ragged flaps of leather on the surface of the book.
I swallow hard. At least I have some idea of what to do with the second Legion Spore in the event that Kita becomes a problem. I just need to make a few tweaks to the code. “Thanks for the information.”
The spirit shrugs. I’m curious to see what you do with it. Perhaps, this time, what you don’t know won’t kill you. He gives me an unnerving smile. Uneasy, I leave the spirit to his experiments.
I need to talk to Val.
I pace in front of my bedroom door, my fingers twisted through the knot of chain that belongs to Val’s locket. “They’re creating a second Legion Spore.”
Val sits on my bed with her legs folded underneath her. She flips the ruby pendant in her hands and runs her nail along the thin wires. “I thought you were still fixing the first one.”
“That’s why I’m stuck going back to Japan tomorrow.” I flop down beside her. The mattress bounces underneath me, and I wish I could just forget about the whole matter.
She tilts her head, her curls falling across her face. “What does the commander think about your concerns?”
“He thinks we’re fine.”
She punches my arm, and though she’s meant it to be playful, I grimace. “You’re smart, but Commander Rick does have more experience with hubs. Maybe you’re worrying about nothing.” She looks nervous, though, like she’s trying to convince herself.
I shake my head. I may not have her powers of intuition, but I can still get a bad feeling about something. This feeling is like one of those old, pre-Community jigsaw puzzles where a couple crucial pieces are missing.
“It’s not nothing,” I protest. “I can’t find the code for the Legion Spore’s personality. It has an AI, but the personality… overrides it. It’s separate from the Legion Spore’s programming. I’m worried about what happens if its personality becomes less friendly.”
Val twists her lips into a cute look of confusion. “Has the Legion Spore ever done anything to intentionally harm you?”
I frown, thinking of the different glitches: suspending my life to heal me, trying to turn me into an ice cube to restrain me, strangling me because it thought I was a traitor…
It’s hurt me plenty of times, though not intentionally.
“Why would the second one be any different?” she asks, worrying her fingers through her toes.
I take a deep breath. “Remember visiting the OA training base back when we were with the Coalition?”
Val picks at the nail polish on her big toe and nods.
“Do you remember our tour guide, Commander Kita?”
She eyes the ceiling thoughtfully. “Kind of. He wouldn’t let you ride a mech—and Jenna looked like she was about to stop being such a pacifist and strangle him with her vines after how he talked about beasts.”
I grunt. Yep, she remembers him. “He was the hacker.”
Val abruptly stops picking at her nail polish. “He’s the one who got into the telepathic controls?”
Her alarm takes me by surprise. “Err… yes. Special Forces captured him, and the commander plans to use his powers in the next Legion Spore.”
Val’s hand clamps around my elbow, pulling me closer. “That’s ridiculous—did you tell Commander Rick about the dreams you’ve had—about the guy who knew what would happen to him?”
I lick my lips nervously. “He thinks we can control him.”
She stares at me, her mouth forming words she doesn’t say. “What do you think?” Her voice is almost a whisper.
I close my eyes. “I can’t tell you why, but using Kita—it feels like I’m signing a death warrant.” And after what Benjamin said, and the way he looked at me… and Val’s premonition… that’s not helping me feel better. Val gently rubs my shaking hands and pulls me into her embrace. Her touch is reassuring, but I’m colder now than I was before.
“What if you, well…” She lowers her eyes. “What if you killed Kita first?”
“Val!” I push myself upright. I’m not sure if I’m more scared of what Commander Rick’s reaction would be if I actually killed one of his prisoners, or of what would happen if I failed the attempt.
She brushes a finger behind my ear, tracing the hair to my neck. “Kita tried to kill you when he hacked the Legion Spore. Remember that feeling I had, back at the ball?” She entwines our hands, and then lays them against her stomach. “I want our baby to have a father.”
My chest constricts. “I…” What do I say to that? We’re going to be parents. No matter how many times I think that, the thought still hasn’t processed in my mind.
Val holds my gaze with hers. Her normally dark brown eyes have a green ring of fear around the irises. “You need to tell Commander Rick or Lady Black.”
“The commander’s too stubborn, and I don’t feel comfortable talking to Lady Black after those dreams.” Community, I feel bad about that one. I really should have stopped letting those glitches happen sooner.
Val hugs me tight, and I think she means to be comforting, but it makes me feel worse. How would I feel if she was dreaming about the sexiest leader alive? Granted, there’s probably a lot of people who dream about Lady Black, it’s just… most of them don’t actually have to work with her.
“Then what?” I ask. “What’s she going to think about the fact that I have her lover’s last memories?”
Val scrunches her nose. “It’s that, or have you die terribly because we didn’t pull someone out from the Legion Spore project who has already tried to kill you once.” Bits of electricity crackle around her fingers.
You could run, Master Zaytsev, the Legion Spore suggests.
My blood drains to my heels. Why in Benjamin’s name is the Legion Spore in my head? I’m pretty sure the vessel is supposed to be in Japan. A quick scan of my tablet confirms that—and suggests that the ship linked to me the same way that I linked to it from Egypt.
Val stares at me, her eyes wide. She must have heard it, too.
We have been listening to your conversation since your return, Master Zaytsev. We had hoped you might keep us company. You are certainly kinder than the commander. We were disappointed to learn you will not be returning after the final confirmation of our successful programming.
Val lays her hand on my arm. “Tim, is it supposed to be talking with us?”
I shake my head, mute.
Our apologies, Master Zaytsev. We only mean to help.
I sigh. We might as well hear it out. “Legion Spore, we’re Camaraderie leaders. We can’t run.”
We ran an analysis on the precedents. Seth Black fled, and he was in line for leadership. As did Clara, one of the original members. Seth Black led a remarkably long life compared to his fellow rebels after his betrayal of the Camaraderie. There’s a hint of glee in the Legion Spore’s voices, as if it’s thrilled Val and I are giving it attention.
“Seth’s wife was executed a few years later,” I point out, “and then Lord Black killed Seth. I don’t think the commander’s going to be happy if we just disappear. We know too much, and I wouldn’t be able to help the Community, or even protect our child,” I say. Val slides her fingers between mine. If I needed proof that the Legion Spore isn’t acting normal, I’ve got it.
Master Zaytsev… though you protest running, you have clearly determined you are in danger.
“Tim…” Val glances at the ceiling. “What if it’s right?”
I clench my jaw. “I’ve done enough running.” I ran from the Community, and I ran from the rebels. Am I supposed to run from the Camaraderie now, too? Where would I go?
Sadness washes over me, and I nearly double over at the strength of the emotion. It isn’t mine; it’s a wave of several feelings, all merged into one. I take a shaky breath. “Legion Spore—do you have emotions?”
We are not programmed for emotional output. However, your research clearly indicates we are capable of emotional responses.
Val places her hand on my shoulder. “Legion Spore, what are you feeling at this moment?”
The Legion Spore hesitates. There is a saying that history repeats itself. We have grown fond of Master Zaytsev, and we do not wish to see him harmed. Given the situation, and a review of the memories from our organic components, we are concerned for both of you. Our review suggests you should at least consider the song which our glitch fixated itself on: ‘Better to flee from your path of birth, and risk your life’s command. Why drive your love to the brink of death, to die in a monster’s hands?’
I catch my breath. The Legion Spore’s soft singing gives me the chills. The song carries a residual memory, some mix of the glitches, and I’m sure Martinez knew it.
Val’s mouth drops. “I’ve heard that song before.”
Please do consider our warning, Master Zaytsev.
“Thank you,” I whisper. I feel the vessel close the connection, its mission accomplished.
“I’m calling a council meeting,” Val says, her face devoid of color. “I’ll call for it tomorrow, after your mission with the Legion Spore. You should prepare a presentation with the details of the Martinez memories.” She closes her hands around mine. “I know it’s going to be awkward, but I’d rather have you live.”
I nod, numb. “I’ll get the files ready.”
“Good.” Val hums the final line to the song and I clasp my fingers around our locket. The same lyrics are there, hidden inside.
“I love you, Val,” I whisper, and take comfort in hearing her say the same.
Emily flings herself into my arms the moment the door clicks behind her. I stagger against the bed, surprised. She’s strong. “My lady?” I raise my eyebrows, then feel her chest rising and falling to her sobs.
The room grows cold. I lift her to me.
“It’s today.” Her breath catches in her throat.
I rest my chin on the crown of her hair and kiss the place where her hair parts. She clutches me tighter, her not-so-fragile fingers stroking my back, and then she looks at me through watery eyes. Her mouth is a sweet, unhappy form. My chest constricts as if I was back in the binds she originally had me wearing. Perhaps its Stockholm syndrome, but I don’t think so.
She presses herself against me and the soft silk of her dress flutters around her. “How can you be so calm? Do you realize what’s going to happen to you? They’re going to—”
I press my finger to her lips. She quiets. I’ve had plenty of time to rant and rage at the door. To curse the guards and their existence. To kick the wall and run my knuckles ragged against the metal walls. To scream until my lungs were hoarse.
My life-spirit powers always healed me in the silent daze that followed.
Emily brushes the tears from her eyes, and then sits lightly on the cot and leans her head against my shoulder. She’s still pretending to be the leader she wants to be. But she’s not the cold, heartless leader her grandfather was. I push myself onto the bed and wrap my arm around her waist. I’m not sure how many days it’ll be before the project is complete, but I’ve got a gut feeling this is my last night to be with Emily.
My last night to be human.
“Not much else I can do,” I explain, keeping my voice steady.
It was a cold numbness that spread through me this morning, the moment I finally realized I don’t get to die. That, if Emily is right about the scope of this thing, I’ll be part of a monster that will kill everyone I care about. That the Camaraderie will use my powers against me, and I won’t be able to do a damn thing about it.
I’ve considered asking her to kill me. To keep it from happening and leave me with an ounce of dignity. But, disgusted as I am, I don’t want to hurt her.
Besides, there’s a little part of me that thinks that if Emily sees me, the person she loves, being turned into a monster, it might give the rest of the rebels the fighting chance we need. That she might be more lenient to others in the future.
Or it might make her colder.
I lean into the sheets and pull her onto me, tracing her spine until I find the zipper to her dress. She stops my hand. “Don’t.” She shakes her head, her eyes pleading. I can’t find the words to speak, but I remove my hand. I’m surprised—normally it’s the first thing she wants.
Instead, she lays her head against my chest. I count my breaths softly, marking the seconds we have left. I stroke her cheek, the soft curve from the bone of her jawline to her tender throat.
Funny. I could kill her so easily. I close my eyes, feeling her heart pulse, the uneven thrumming that settles into my powers. I spread out along the sense of life. It stops at the edge of the room, an abrupt wall where a shield cuts me off from the outside world. If she could open the door, temporarily break the circuit, I could knock out the guards and suspend their lives so they couldn’t stop us. We could escape.
Emily shuffles closer, her nose against my neck. I want to stay with her. The need is overwhelming, a warmth that crushes me into the cot.
All we have to do is leave.
I prop myself onto my side. Emily blinks, confused at the sudden disturbance. “Listen to me. We don’t have to stay here. We could run.”
Her eyes grow wide and I set my mouth in a grim smile. I can make this happen.
She shakes her head so subtly that at first I don’t notice. “We can’t.”
“I’ll suspend their lives. Anyone I don’t, you can persuade to turn aside.”
Her eyes flit to my hands in hers. A warm tear falls against my knuckles, then drips between the soft flesh of my thumb and forefinger.
“Trust me,” I whisper.
She struggles to speak. “I trust you.”
I take her shoulders in my hands. She feels so much smaller than me. “Then what are we waiting for?”
She tries hard to smile, but her lips tremble. Her shoulders shake beneath my grip. “Even if we run, he’ll find us. He found my father. He’ll find us, too.”
Right. Seth. His success, his failure—it’s going to unnecessarily complicate things with her.
“We’ll stay hidden,” I tell her. “We’ll lead a quiet life. You can do your work in secret, shapeshift when you need to. No one will know it’s you.”
She closes her eyes and rests her forehead against my cheek. “You don’t understand. It doesn’t matter where we hide—he’ll still find us.”
I frown, tipping her chin upward so I can see her beautiful eyes. “Commander Rick has better things to do than search for a woman who doesn’t want to be found.”
Emily sets her jaw, straightening her back in fierce rebuttal. “Not him.” She opens her mouth to speak, but her lips move wordlessly. She tries again, and again, words never leaving her mouth. I frown. I’ve never seen anything like it. Like she wants to say who, but can’t.
“Emily?” I whisper.
She screeches her frustration, then thrusts us down on the bed and holds me there, sobbing.
I grimace. “You can’t say, can you?”
She merely nuzzles her head under my arm. I stare at the LEDs in the ceiling. They’re bright spots in my vision, blurring the longer I stare at them. I guess it doesn’t really matter if I find out who she’s talking about. There are plenty of secrets for the Camaraderie to hide. I inhale softly, so as not to upset her. I’d hoped to bring Emily with me, but if she won’t come, I’ll make the escape myself. Perhaps, one day, I’ll find her again.
The Glitch Saga- The Complete Collection Page 28