Reintegration

by Eden S. French

  “And I thought cyborgs were bad enough.” Kade sipped the soda again. Tasted like a purple sugar explosion. “I can’t let you hurt Lexi. I love her.”

  “I realize she must feel like the last link you have to Ash. But she’s too dangerous to leave to her own devices. I have to get to her first.” Lachlan drummed his fingers on the window, his face thoughtful. “Here’s what will happen. I’ll report that you and Roux were sent to the nearest security outpost for interrogation. Sadly, the van arrived empty, Roux having picked the locks en route. We shake our fists, curse the heavens, and get on with our business.”

  “So what’s the reality?”

  “I escort you outside, scold you both and tell you to run along. But if Roux tries this again, I’ll have no choice but to send her on for Reintegration.”

  “And if I try it again?”

  “I’m hoping you won’t make me contemplate an answer to that question.”

  “Just let Min go. She deserves the chance to live her own way.”

  “There’s no life out there. The good die like Ash died, while the bad join together and oppress the merely inadequate. If you think—”

  Lachlan’s mobile-comm crackled. “Mr. Reed,” said an irate male voice. “I’m trapped in a kitchen.”

  There was a brief moment of silence. “What?” said Lachlan.

  “A student trapped me in here, sir. She lit a fire and tricked me.”

  “Describe this student.”

  “About five-seven, long black hair, light brown complexion…”

  Oh, shit. Kade looked away, but it seemed Lachlan had already read his face. “You know this person, don’t you?” He turned off the comm, silencing the agent mid-ramble. “So that’s why you’re buying time. There’s a third invader on campus.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t be obtuse. Listen to me, Kade. Mineko is dangerous. If you encourage her fantasy of escape, it’ll backfire. You’re only giving her an outlet through which to destroy herself, and then we’ll all be—”

  A nasal, uncertain voice boomed from a speaker in the ceiling. “Staff and students, this is the Dean of Politics…”

  CHAPTER 30

  Beyond the office window, the harsh disc of the sun crested the distant southern wall, forcing Mineko to squint as she looked at it. The campus had become entirely hushed. Even the birds observed the silence.

  If she went through with this plan, she could never go back. Was it too late to change her mind? She could step away…

  No. She couldn’t. This moment had been inevitable from the day she’d walked into her room to find Callie Roux waiting for her.

  A girl like you deserves the world.

  “Fellow students, this is Mineko Tamura. I speak to you at a moment of crisis. Enemies of the Code are among you. Disguised as agents of my father, they have come to abduct me.”

  The Dean made a strangled sound and covered his mouth.

  “These imposters intend to take me hostage and escape to the districts from which they came. But they didn’t count on our bravery. Some of us have fought them all the way to the Medicine building, where even now the counterfeit Codists press their threat against our harmonious lives.”

  How easily the rhetoric flowed. Those grandiose lectures, the manipulative passages in her textbooks, they were all so simple to emulate.

  “You know my father, Gaspar Tamura, the great man who ensures the stability of our society. You likewise know my mother, Kaori Tamura, the decorated general who keeps us safe from wasteland savages. I am their daughter, and today I will make them proud. Join me and earn their favor. Prove that no insurgent can stand against Codified brothers and sisters. March with me to the Medicine building. We are the boldest generation yet, and when our time comes to be custodians of this planet, we will be fearless. This is your true exam.”

  Mineko set down the microphone and nodded to the Dean, who disabled the speaker system with shaking fingers. “Find somewhere safe to hide,” she said. “You’re too old for this.”

  Before Mineko could make it more than halfway down the hall, Riva caught her by the arm. “Min, what are you doing? If you send these students to fight against agents, they’ll be hurt, even killed.”

  “Don’t preach at me.” Mineko glared at Riva. Who was this woman, to emerge from nowhere and try to impede a realization of purpose? “For my entire life, I’ve been forced to suppress all that’s true about myself and inhabit a sickening lie. Believe me, in my position, you’d do the same.”

  “I’d do a lot of things. But not this.”

  “How could you even know? Besides, anyone who believes what I said is already a lost cause. The clever ones will stay hiding in their rooms.”

  “You’re lying to yourself. The bravest will be the ones who follow you.”

  Idiot. Cowardly idiot. “Callie and Kade will be wiped if we don’t act. Are you telling me these stupid students are more important?”

  “It’s wrong to have innocent people fight our battles.”

  How absurd and galling this was, given the patient self-sacrifice Mineko had adhered to until now. But it was futile to take out her temper on some well-meaning—albeit utterly infuriating—stranger. “Tomorrow, we’ll consider what we might have done better,” Mineko said with as much patience as she could. “But today, we must fight to protect what we have. Please trust me.”

  “Do you really think Callie would be comfortable with this?”

  Now that crossed the line. “Emotional blackmail is something I’m very used to, Latour. Don’t waste your breath trying it on me again.”

  Riva flinched. “I didn’t—”

  “If it helps your conscience, rest assured that Lachlan won’t hurt any of the students. It’d be the end of his career.”

  “The agents I saw yesterday seemed brutal enough.”

  “Those were different circumstances. Are you following me or not?”

  Riva averted her eyes. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

  Presumably she hoped for some gentle word, some sign of forgiveness, but Mineko wasn’t in the mood. Instead, she nodded and continued on her way. After a second of hesitation, Riva fell into step behind her.

  Mineko descended the stairs in a state of brooding uncertainty. It seemed she had become a hypocrite—she had relished seeing others submit to her authority: Jasmine, the Dean, this Riva woman. It had been pleasurable to overwhelm their weaker resolves. Did that speak to some dark strain in her own nature?

  Well, if so, she would be prudent in her use of that power. And Lachlan Reed would be the first to feel it.

  CHAPTER 31

  For some time after Mineko’s announcement, Lachlan kept silent, though the glint in his eyes suggested his mind was working in a frenzy. Kade had learned to both admire and fear that look.

  “What are you going to do?” said Kade.

  “I’m…” Lachlan rubbed his forehead. “I’m thinking.”

  “You have to admit, it’s clever of her.”

  “I’m swelling with pride, believe me. But the part of me that doesn’t want either of us to be Reintegrated is very pissed off.”

  Lachlan pressed a button on his mobile-comm. “Agents, listen. Do not interact with any students. Keep your distance, even flee from them if necessary. Try not to let them harm you, but if you value your careers, do not under any circumstances harm them.” He switched off the comm and exhaled. “Hell.”

  “You’re taking her threat seriously, then?”

  “Very much so. She’s astute. The Code encourages ambition even as it stifles competition, allowing for very few routes to the top. So when these students see a golden opportunity… Well, let’s just say I’m lucky we don’t keep pitchforks and flaming torches anywhere on campus.”

  “What’s your plan?”

  “Short of whimpering and running? I’m not yet sure. I could call Gaspar and tell him what’s happened, but that would be the first step to forfeiting my memories and perso
nality. Still, I’ll figure something out.”

  “You can’t seriously believe you can cover this up.”

  “Of course I can, at least to an extent. The challenge will be doing so while protecting Mineko. As I told her yesterday, she’s my queen, and I’m very reluctant to sacrifice her. Though she didn’t appreciate the remark.”

  “Most people aren’t pleased to be compared to game pieces.”

  “I think it’s a compliment. Without them, the board is meaningless.”

  The mobile-comm buzzed. With a weary look, Lachlan reached for it. “Reed here. Talk.”

  “The students are mobilizing, sir,” said a nervous voice. “They’re behaving strangely. One of them saw me and made an aggressive gesture. Should I talk to them?”

  “Did you not hear me before? Keep your distance.” Lachlan put away the comm and opened the door. Callie and Turani blinked at him. “Get inside, you two. And for God’s sake, agent, put that gun away.”

  Turani frowned. “But sir, how will I stop Roux escaping?”

  “I don’t give a damn if she does escape. The worst she can do is steal more confectionery.”

  “With all respect, Commanding Agent, enforcing the Code is our duty. And this woman is a murderer and a criminal.”

  Lachlan sighed. “Agent Turani. Forget whatever they’re teaching you now in the academy, leave the law enforcement to District Affairs and focus on your priority, which is to maintain social cohesion.”

  “But we should at least subdue them.”

  “Then go ahead and tie Ms. Roux up. She might well enjoy it.”

  Turani’s mouth fell open. “Sir!”

  “Don’t be so distressed. I’m permitted a sense of humor. It’s a liberty I’ve earned from loyal service.”

  “Whatever you say, sir.” Turani matched his mocking gaze. “Why did Mineko Tamura tell all those lies?”

  Lachlan’s smirk vanished. “I expect somebody forced her to express those absurd sentiments. Our responsibility now is to take her to safety.”

  “So that’s our objective? Find Mineko Tamura?”

  “Yes, but I’d rather handle it myself, if you don’t mind. This is a delicate situation that only I’m qualified to deal with.”

  Turani lowered her dark lashes, turning her eyes into suspicious slits. “Because of your augmentations?”

  “That’s a little insubordinate of you, but yes, if you like. Because I’m a terrifying cyborg.” Lachlan said the word cyborg with such theatrical emphasis that Kade was unable to keep back a chuckle, much to Turani’s obvious irritation.

  “Look down there,” said Callie. At the base of the hill, a group of perhaps fifteen students had gathered. “This kinda fucks you over, doesn’t it, Reed?”

  “I wouldn’t myself have found such a poetic way of saying it, but yes.”

  “May I suggest something?” said Turani. “We could strip the uniforms from these two. You wear August’s and I take Roux’s. Then we force them to wear our old uniforms. The students will target them instead.”

  Callie grinned. “You just want to see my panties, don’t you?”

  “I didn’t ask for your opinion.” Turani flushed, clenched her fist and impotently opened it again. “Mr. Reed, your thoughts on my plan?”

  Lachlan shook his head. “It would only feed the possibility of violence, not to mention disrespect our uniform codes.”

  “I see.” The chastened Turani hung her head. “I apologize for my inappropriate suggestion.”

  “Cheer up, Jasmine,” Callie said. “I thought it was clever.”

  “Don’t talk to me!”

  “Agent Turani.” Lachlan spoke with the forced patience usually directed at unruly children. “If you’d be so kind as to reconnoiter the ground floor.”

  “Sir.” Still scowling, Turani clanged down the fire escape.

  “I should ask for her number,” said Callie. “I think she likes me.”

  Lachlan chuckled. “That would explain why she seems so determined to pull your hair.”

  “By the way…” Callie picked up Kade’s revolver and flicked back the safety. “If I shoot you now, I solve all our problems, right?”

  It was such a casual invocation of violence, it took a moment for its importance to sink in. Kade stared at her, mouth open to speak, but not yet able to articulate an objection.

  “Hardly.” True to form, Lachlan seemed unfazed by the gun pointed at him. “Anyone else would have hauled you straight to Reintegration. I’m the only Codist who’d prefer you keep smuggling. Spreading the wealth.”

  “But you’re hurting people I care about. What if I let you go and you kill Lexi? How would I forgive myself?”

  Lachlan tensed. “A fair question.”

  “I killed a shut-in yesterday. It was the worst moment in my life.” Callie took aim. “But for Lexi, I’d do it again, because I’m sentimental that way. She’s my friend, and I won’t let you hurt her. So close your eyes and think of something clever to say before you die.”

  No. Kade had to act. Whatever his sins, Lachlan didn’t deserve to die here. Nor did Callie need to live with yet more blood on her conscience.

  “Put the gun away,” Kade said. “As much trouble as Lachlan has caused for us, he’s the only one who can command these agents.”

  “Exactly.” Lachlan visibly relaxed. “Turani is next in rank. Shoot me and she’ll report what’s happening. Your charming insolence inclines me to show you lenience, but it won’t get you any further with her.”

  “But still, you’d be dead,” said Callie. “And you’re the kind of guy who can’t imagine a world without himself in it, aren’t you?”

  “Why threaten me? What can I do? You’ll find there isn’t any prize available to you. Shall I give you Mineko?” Lachlan held out his empty hands. “She’s not mine to give. She’s out there raising a rabble to overthrow me. Shall I let you walk out? I already have no intention of stopping you.”

  “I don’t fucking get it. You keep giving up your advantage, and I can’t figure out why. No matter what happens, you act as if you planned it all along. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were a total lunatic.”

  Lachlan shot Kade a quick, knowing smile. “You’re confused only because you believe what you’ve been told, that I’m a bad man. The truth is, I’m not a bad man, and I want what you do. I think Mineko should be happy, safe, and successful. We just disagree on what those words mean.”

  “And Lexi? What about her?”

  “Honestly, I have no desire to see her hurt.”

  “I saw that bruise on her forehead from where you hit her. You stuck a dart in Amity. Your thugs beat up Zeke and Kade.”

  “Did I say I wasn’t a savage? You know Foundation is no place for the weak. Lexi built the brutal crime syndicates of Vassago and Contessa. Amity and Kade have killed countless Codists, and unlike you, they don’t lose sleep over it. I’m no different from any of your friends. No better, yes, but certainly no worse.”

  “You are worse. How can you say you aren’t worse?”

  “Well, I’ve never taken a woman hostage. Nor have I ever tried to trick naïve students into attacking armed agents.” Lachlan’s lips shifted in a faint smile. “And I’ve never broken into a vending machine.”

  Callie looked to Kade. Her big, dark eyes expressed heartbreaking doubt. “Do I shoot him?”

  “I don’t want you to,” said Kade. It was terrifying how much he meant it.

  “Riva wouldn’t want me to either.”

  “No. She wouldn’t.”

  “But if I can’t shoot him, how can we ever end this?”

  “Your mistake is thinking it ends with me.” Lachlan sounded almost gentle. “I’m big, but not as big as you think. If you want to protect Lexi, take her somewhere I can’t find her. Shooting the hunter won’t stop the hunt. It’ll merely ensure they send out a nastier hunter.”

  “The way the others tell it, the shut-ins don’t have anyone nastier than you. Kade, you pretty muc
h said so yourself.”

  Potentially true, yet the lesser of the truths here. Hadn’t Amity been shunned once, hated by comrades and criminals alike? Kade, Ash, and Nikolas had befriended her and shown compassion, and time had proven their decision to be wise. Kade knew what it meant to be offered a reprieve—an opportunity to try again from a new perspective. Lexi had given him a similar gift once. A new life. A new name. A second chance.

  Could that someday be Lachlan? Who knew?

  Kade held out his hand. “Give me the gun.”

  CHAPTER 32

  Kaori Tamura could have been a desk officer, protected by her family name, yet she’d never shied from combat. Mineko had seen all her battle scars—where a bullet had grazed her ribs, a knife had cut her shoulder, an explosive had burned her back.

  Mineko was her daughter. She had the same blood. And now she had her own army. They waited for her at the base of the hill, a group of young men and women, all students. That wasn’t surprising. Codist academics were typical propagandists. Derivative, insipid cowards.

  A skinny girl with a chestnut bob spoke first. “Is what you told us true?”

  “Yes. My father warned me to expect a kidnap attempt. It seems that today, his fears came true.”

  A heavyset young man cleared his throat. “But they looked like real agents.”

  “Anyone would, in a black uniform.”

  “I don’t understand how they got in,” said a short, spectacled student with a threadbare uniform and scuffed boots. Presumably the daughter of low-ranked parents. “There’s no way in but the subway.”

  “They broke in through the service doors,” Mineko said. “We’re not as safe as you all think.”

  The revelation sent a shudder through the assembly, save for one boy, a wide-eyed, pale creature with a sprinkle of freckles. He was a fellow sufferer of Social Ethics, a quiet student who always sat in the back while seeming on the verge of sleep. He stood apart from the others and watched Mineko with obvious skepticism.