Reintegration

by Eden S. French

  “So our plan is to trap ourselves in here?”

  “Essentially, yes.” Without taking his eyes off Turani, Kade retreated to the fire escape door and set the bolt. “As far as I know, this is the only spot on campus that’s defensible and that offers a scenic view.”

  “Sure. Don’t want to die without a scenic view.”

  There was an immense clang as the elevator panel fell to the floor, followed by the tearing sound of Callie taking apart wires. “Mind if I fill my pockets? This is good copper.”

  “Sure. Take anything that isn’t nailed down.”

  “Pssh. You think nails could stop me?” Callie poked her head out of the elevator. “Let the poor woman sit down, you asshole.”

  “If you insist.” Kade indicated a study table. “Take a seat, agent.”

  Instead of sitting, Turani leaned against the window with her arms folded. “Why do you people call yourselves revolutionaries? What are you in revolt against? We don’t claim authority over you.”

  “Have you actually read the Code?”

  Turani looked away, scowling, and Kade allowed himself a smile. “Well, I have. Your Code is the embryonic doctrine for a single world state. It dictates a future in which there are only two possible outcomes. You’ll either try to convert us or you’ll wipe us out to prevent contamination. It all depends on whether you have a gentler or more brutal Committee on the day you decide to make your move, and frankly, I don’t like the outcome either way.”

  “You can’t predict the future.”

  “Predictions aside, you already rule over us through collaboration with the city’s gangs. You imagine we can’t see the strings that bind Gaspar Tamura to Samuel Brink, but we can.”

  “I don’t know who Samuel Brink is.”

  “If you were in District Affairs, you’d know the name, but you still wouldn’t know what I’m talking about. That ladder you’re aspiring to climb, Agent Turani, you don’t really want to know where it leads.”

  Callie emerged from the elevator, stuffing bundles of copper into her stolen uniform, and approached a vending machine. “Anyone want a snack?” She peeled back the maintenance panel and poked at something inside. The machine spilled a cascade of foil bars, clinking bottles, and brightly colored bags. “I won, I won!”

  “That doesn’t belong to you,” said Turani as Callie snatched up a chocolate bar. “Leave it where it is.”

  “You can afford to lose a few candy bars.” Callie stripped back the wrapper and smiled at the dark stick of chocolate in her hand. “I once found a whole box of these in one of your supply trucks. Four days of gorging later, I moved up a belt size.” She devoured her trophy and licked the brown mess from her lips. “No regrets.”

  “Try to stay focused,” said Kade. “Lachlan will be here at any moment.”

  “Don’t you ‘stay focused’ me. I know the score.” Callie shoved a handful of bars into her pocket before picking up two bottles of soda. She cracked one open, took a sip and sidled across the room. “Would you like a drink, shut-in?”

  Agent Turani glared at the bottle without replying.

  “Try not to stand too close to her,” Kade said. “Code Intel trains all agents in martial combat. They’re usually quite good at it.”

  “I bet they still get thirsty, though.” Callie waggled the bottle, a persuasive smile lighting her face. “Come on. This one’s on me.”

  Still glacial, Turani looked away. “I’m not interested.”

  “Well, do you have a name?”

  Fascinating though it was watching Callie try to befriend an agent, Kade couldn’t let himself be distracted for long. Lachlan would be in the building by now, making his cautious way up the stairs. The thought set a steady drum of apprehension beating in Kade’s chest.

  “I bet you know my name,” said Callie, perching on a desk. “I suppose you have a file on me. Given all the things I’ve stolen from you guys, it’s probably as big as my butt.”

  Turani’s lips twitched. “You already know my name. Agent Turani.”

  “You sure you don’t want one of these chocolate bars? They’re so good. I don’t know how you shut-ins don’t walk around stuffing your face with candy all the time.”

  “If you’ll stop hassling me, I’ll take it.” Turani swiped the bar from Callie’s hand. “But unlike you, I intend to pay for this afterward.”

  Callie’s cheeky grin widened. “Hey, sure, me too.” She swung her boots onto a chair and took a swig from her soda bottle. “Come on, you must have a first name. Or did your parents name you ‘Agent’?”

  It was the first time Kade had seen someone angrily eat a chocolate bar. Turani paused from her furious chewing to give Callie a look of focused contempt. “My first name is Jasmine. Now I suppose you’ll pass that information to your revolutionary friends.”

  “Jasmine. That’s a beautiful name. And just so you know, I’m not a revolutionary.” Callie tipped her bottle in Kade’s direction. “I love this dude, but I haven’t understood a single word he’s said since we got in here. No offense, Kade, but it’s true.”

  This time, Turani couldn’t conceal her confusion. “If you don’t agree with his twisted worldview, why are you here with him?”

  “Ah, you know. Because I like the guy.” Callie took another sip of soda. “I don’t see why we can’t all get along. Look how rich you shut-ins are. What’s the harm in sharing a little?”

  A thump at the door interrupted them. Kade jumped to his feet while Callie set aside the bottle and drew her pistol. Turani disposed of the silver foil in her hand, perhaps afraid to be caught in her larcenous indulgence.

  Kade raised his voice. “Can you hear me, Lachlan?”

  “Of course,” said the familiar voice behind the door. “I’d rather not have to shout, though.”

  “We have Jasmine Turani. We’ll trade her for our freedom.”

  “Granted! Unless you mean ‘freedom’ in that improbable wider sense of ‘freedom from all oppression.’ I’m afraid that’s rather beyond my means.” Even through the doorway, there was no mistaking Lachlan’s distinctive deep chuckle. “Open the door, then.”

  “Not just yet.”

  “Please? I’d break it down, but it’s property of the University. I’d have to fill out a form afterward.” Another thump. “Pay heed to my indignant battering and let me in. Didn’t you just hear me say I’ll accede to your demands?”

  “Forget about me, sir,” said Turani. “Don’t negotiate with these people. I’ll die for the Code if I have to.”

  “Good God, agent, why would you do that?” The handle turned and the door shifted as weight was put against it, but the bolt held firm. “If you’re anxious to know, Kade, I’m here by myself. I didn’t want to run the risk that Amity was lurking on one of the landings, an ill-tempered spider waiting to devour my agents whole.”

  It seemed unlikely that Lachlan could break the bolt, but he’d always been impressively physical, and there was no knowing what augmentations he’d picked up in the last few years. “I don’t believe you,” Kade said.

  “No, you do believe me. You’re just stalling. Though for what, I have no idea.” The handle rattled. “Is that notorious smuggler inside as well?”

  “Callie Roux is with me, yes.”

  “Here’s something I haven’t figured out yet. Why is she involved in this? I’d assume a romantic motivation, but I know her tastes don’t run to rugged men like yourself.”

  Callie beamed. “They really do have a file on me.”

  “Let me provide a proposition of my own. I’ll trade myself for Agent Turani. You can hold me at gunpoint instead, and we’ll talk.”

  Kade glanced at Turani, who remained motionless by the window. “I don’t know about that.”

  “What’s your alternative? You aren’t going to hurt her. I know you, Kade, and maiming hostages simply isn’t your style. If you were cold enough to smear Turani’s cranial contents across that picturesque view behind you, you’d also have been
cold enough to ignore a certain young woman’s plea for help.”

  In the ensuing silence, a bird shrilled. The same abrasive double note that Kade had heard earlier. Callie took a quiet sip from her drink.

  “And speaking of that young woman, you’ve wasted your time.” Lachlan’s voice had grown softer, harder to make out through the intervening barrier. “She’s not on campus. In fact, she warned me you were coming.”

  “That’s bullshit,” said Callie, jumping to her feet. “She never would!”

  With silent speed, Turani rushed her. Callie spun, aimed her pistol—and hesitated. Turani lunged, tackling Callie to the floor. With the sureness of a trained wrestler, she pinned Callie down and grabbed the fallen gun.

  Kade stood frozen. He hadn’t even had time to shout a warning.

  “Stay there.” Turani pointed the pistol at Callie’s crestfallen face and returned to her feet, keeping Callie in her sights. “Move and you die.”

  “I’m sorry,” said Callie, still flat on her back. “I couldn’t shoot her.”

  “You shouldn’t have let me see your weakness earlier, Roux.”

  “Maybe. But nothing’s easier than pulling a trigger when you’re scared.” Callie gave a regretful smile. “What’s really tough is stopping yourself.”

  Turani blushed, but didn’t lower the gun. Helpless, Kade watched as she circled the room, reached the door and released the bolt.

  Lachlan entered smiling, empty-handed and alone. He patted Turani on the shoulder. “Good work. Let Roux get up and keep your gun on her. Comrade August isn’t afraid to risk his own life, but he tends to be more cautious when his friends are at stake.”

  Far from putting on flab, it seemed Lachlan had gained muscle, filling out the black uniform that he’d sworn to Kade he’d never wear again. Only a few new lines marked his handsome face, which still seemed to possess a million muscles for him to flex in sarcastic ways. Just as familiar was that raised left eyebrow, as if his wit were a firearm with the safety off.

  “Look at you, Kade,” he said. “Unkempt as ever.”

  “And I see you’re still drowning yourself in that damn grease.”

  “We’re all slaves to habit.” Lachlan smoothed back his oily brown hair. “Though it must be said, you two proved especially easy to predict.”

  “I hate the way you talk,” said Callie. “Like you’re sucking off every word that comes out of your mouth.”

  Lachlan laughed deep from his chest. “The great and daring Callie Roux. I’ll ask again. Why is someone of your reputation working with an unsavory gang dealer like Lexi Vale?”

  “You’re in no place to judge. All I hear is what a major jackoff you are.”

  “Oh, if jackoffs had military rankings, I’d be a general at the very least.”

  “Stop trying to be funny and zap my brain already. It’s not like it makes any difference to me. I’ll still have my hot body.”

  Lachlan produced his cunning smile, the one Ash had always complained made her uneasy. “You’re very engaging in a brash sort of way. I’m lucky to have been given such amusing prey.”

  “You get off on being the villain, don’t you? I’m surprised you didn’t come through the door in a big black cape.”

  “Brilliant. I could continue this all day, I really could. Unfortunately, I need to talk to the mastermind alone.” Lachlan gestured to the dim stairwell behind him. “Agent Turani, please detain this smuggler outside while I negotiate.”

  “But sir,” said Turani. “You’re unarmed, and August has a gun.”

  “Just trust in my judgment, please.”

  “Very well. Roux, move.”

  Callie shrugged, took another gulp from her soda bottle, and trudged out of the room. Turani followed, pistol raised. Lachlan shut the door and set the bolt.

  “Would you mind not pointing that revolver at me?” he said. “It’s not liable to be the solution to your problems.”

  As reassuring as the revolver was, Lachlan had a point. Kade engaged the safety and placed the gun on the nearest table. “Now I suppose you’ll race across the room and snap my spine.”

  “You know I’m not that kind of cyborg.” Not even sparing a second glance for the gun, Lachlan walked to the window. “It’s a nice view from here. Look, there’s a student trying to hide up a tree.”

  “Is tree climbing a Code-approved activity?”

  “So long as they’re not competing to reach the top, I see no objections.” Lachlan’s expression softened. “You admirable idiot.”

  Somehow, the mood had shifted. It was still Agent Reed by the window, of course, the fearsome enemy of the people, the most unpredictable operative in Code Intel. But it was also someone else. An imposing physical presence that, once, had been so reassuring. A broad face with a sarcastic cast that, once, had been so endearing. Lachlan.

  Kade joined him by the window. Sure enough, there was a student clawing at the limbs of a stout tree not far from the base of the hill. “People died yesterday, Lachlan.”

  “Well, you did bring Amity with you.”

  “I shot somebody on a bike. I assume they’re dead too.”

  “Very dead. By the way, he had an infant daughter. Or should I not mention that?”

  “I wish you hadn’t.”

  Lachlan gave a sympathetic smile. “I’ve been keeping tabs on you, so I won’t ask tedious questions about what you’ve been up to. I’m happy to field your tedious questions, though, if you have any.”

  “I know you’ve been planting moles in Open Hand. Amity told me about the incident a few days ago.”

  “A little fun, that’s all.”

  “Did you really know something about the mole’s daughter?”

  Lachlan glanced away. “She’s dead. A drug overdose. I didn’t have the heart to tell him.”

  “So instead you exploited the tragedy, sold him false hope and turned him into a spy.”

  “When you put it like that, I sound like a real bastard, don’t I?”

  Kade sighed. Shameless as ever. “Speaking of your character defects, why did you lie just now about Mineko? We know she didn’t tell you we were coming.”

  Lachlan moved his shoulders in an almost imperceptible shrug. “I was trying to provoke a reaction. The truth is, I often can’t help myself. Imagine you’d found a string that, when pulled, makes people dance. How much strength of will do you think it takes to refrain from pulling it?”

  “More than you possess, it seems.”

  A group of students crept across the lawn below. Lachlan chuckled. “Look at them. They have no idea how to react to disruption in the order of their lives.”

  “Disruption is the order of life.” It was time to see how much research Lachlan had really done, and how much reality he’d decided to ignore. “Did you know that Lexi is Ash’s cousin?”

  “I did find that out, yes.”

  “I used to ask myself how it was that Ash could die while someone like you kept living. Then I realized it’s a pointless question. She died precisely because she wasn’t like you. Cowards live. Heroes die. That’s why those words have the meanings they do.”

  Kade waited, but Lachlan didn’t rise to the provocation. “Tell me why you’re protecting Mineko.”

  Lachlan laughed softly. “You won’t believe me.”

  “That’s true for anything you might say, so don’t let it stop you.”

  “I’ve watched her since she was a child. She’s always studying the world around her, that somber little face hiding a mind like a cutting edge. She has her mother’s iron will and her father’s labyrinthine intellect, but unlike them, she’s capable of empathy. And humility.”

  Lachlan’s smile returned, though now it was more wistful than anything else. “Where is our savior? The one who’ll truly set us free? Amity wants us all dead. Nikolas is timid. Sarabelle is just a loudmouthed opportunist. Even you, Kade, you’re too reluctant to be a leader, even though you’re the only worthy one. No, nobody out there is going to tear
these walls down.”

  “But Mineko? You can’t mean it.”

  “I do, comrade. There’ll be a new Committee someday, and a Fourth Moral Code. The natural successor to the throne of Gaspar Tamura is his beloved daughter. I just have to ensure she makes it that far. Then I’ll show you a revolution.”

  “But she’s not a tool for you to use. She wants to be free.”

  “She’s the only chance I have. She hates me, but that’s just as I intend it. My role is to fuel the fire inside her, the one building out of control. When it comes out, I want to see them all burn.”

  “She’ll burn first.”

  “You underestimate me. I’ve persuaded Code Intel that you’re no threat, convinced them it’s instructive to simply monitor your pathetic efforts. A few years ago, Gaspar floated the idea of purging the districts of the so-called revolutionaries, and I alone argued otherwise. Something else would arise in your place, I said, and might even prove competent. Better the enemy we know. You can guess whose argument prevailed.”

  “You’re a true hero of the cause.” Yet Kade couldn’t put any venom into his sarcastic reply. What if it were true? Did he and his friends only still live because of the intervention of Lachlan Reed? Was he still fighting for them in his own selfish way? God, what an irony…

  Lachlan glanced sidelong. “I learned something about you while researching Lexi’s past. I assure you that until then, I had no idea.”

  As if Kade hadn’t endured enough unpleasant surprises today. “My history is none of your business.”

  “I fully agree, which is why I omitted that detail from your file. I’d never let those bigots degrade you. The language they use to describe men like you is utterly dehumanizing.”

  Kade’s mouth had become dry. He took a sugary sip from Callie’s abandoned soda bottle. “If you’re looking for gratitude, you’re too optimistic.”

  “Don’t worry, I won’t mention it again. Though I can’t help but wonder if it’s the reason you’re so damn handsome.”

  “No. That’s just my winning personality coming through.”

  Lachlan smiled. “Project Sky is only the beginning. We’re already thinking of imitating the genetics work they’re doing in Port Venn. Clones. DNA splicing. All the things banned before the war. It’s almost as if nobody had ever read a dystopian novel.”