by Pond, Simone
“I have an appointment to beautify our dear and most gracious leader, Chief Morray,” she trilled.
The other guard pulled out his clipboard and ran down the list of names. “No mention of that on this list,” he said.
“Well, that’s rude! I came all this way! Let me see the list.” She reached for the clipboard and the guard lifted his arm, blocking her advance.
“Miss.” He kept a firm stance.
Ava fake tripped, falling against his chest and grabbing his arm, holding on tight. “Oh, dear.” She pressed close against his body, using her allure to throw him off.
The scent of gardenias laced her body. He inhaled the intoxicating scent and awkwardly assisted her back to balance. “I’m sorry, miss.”
“It’s quite all right. But I really don’t want to be late for my appointment. You must have heard Chief Morray has a big announcement at the Arena this evening. You wouldn’t want him looking drab, would you?” She tilted her head, peering into the guard’s eyes.
A blush spread up his neck. “Well, I suppose I could take you up there myself,” he said.
“Oh, that would be most helpful!” She curtsied.
The guard stepped into the elevator, motioning for Ava to enter, and they rode to the fiftieth floor.
“Are you taking me to the presidential suite?” Ava dug around in the beauty kit, rummaging through the products
“No, he’s currently in his office with Planner Dickson.”
“I suppose I’ll just have to work on him in his office, then.” She removed a bottle of glitter spray, holding it close to her side.
The elevator door opened and the guard escorted Ava down the long corridor to Morray’s office.
“You wait out here,” he instructed.
Ava moved in closer. “But wait …”
“Hmm?”
He turned around and Ava aimed the glitter spray in his eyes. He screeched, holding up his hands.
“I’m so sorry! Here let me help you!” She got close and kicked him in the groin, bashing him over the head with the beauty kit. He collapsed to the floor and she dragged him across the hall, dumping him into an unoccupied office. She ran back to Morray’s office just as the door opened, and a middle-aged man wearing an expensive charcoal gray suit stepped into the hallway. Chunks of gray streaked his dark hair. She recognized him from one of the archive files.
“Dickson,” she whispered.
“What’s going on out here?”
“I’m sorry. I tripped, Planner Dickson, sir.”
“What are you doing here? You don’t belong on this floor. How did you get up here?”
“I’m here to beautify Chief Morray, sir.” She bowed, keeping her head lowered.
“Please get up,” he said, pulling her arm. “I apologize for the mix-up, but Chief Morray won’t be needing your services this evening.”
A man stepped into the hallway. “I beg to differ, Dickson. Step aside and let this fine young woman come in and do her job.”
Ava glanced up to find a much earlier version of Chief Morray standing in the doorway. She remembered him from the archive files. This was the very first body Dickson had used to upload Morray’s consciousness into. Handsome and debonair, but still welding the same menacing grin.
“Oh, Chief Morray, sir.” Ava giggled and performed another curtsy. The act grated her nerves, but she was pulling it off. The key to her freedom was behind that office door––access to the mainframe servers.
“Please, my dear. No need for such formalities.” He assisted her up. His touch sent chills up her arm and down her spine.
“We need to work, Morray. There isn’t time for this,” Dickson said.
“I’ll let you know what I have time for. Why don’t you go back to your office and I’ll call you when we’re finished here.”
“The event begins in forty-five minutes,” Dickson warned.
Chief Morray wrapped his arm around Ava’s shoulder. “Plenty of time, isn’t that right, Miss … I’m afraid I don’t know your name.”
“Ava,” she blurted out.
“Miss Ava and I won’t be long,” he told Dickson.
“I’ll keep working on your speech while you, um, attend to your business.” He scowled and walked off.
Chief Morray steered Ava into his office. The room looked similar, only this Morray had more furniture. In the future, he removed the clutter and installed technology. Walking to the couch, she pulled the glitter spray from the pocket and prepared to attack Morray. But he had other plans. He pounced, shoving her onto the black leather couch. In the commotion, she dropped the bottle. His hands groped at her as he devoured her neck with kisses. She tried prying herself away, but he had her pinned down tight.
“Sir, please,” she choked out.
“Shhh, keep quiet. We don’t have much time.”
“But, sir, I came to do my job.” She writhed underneath his body. He pressed down harder, her form now melding into his.
“You are doing your job. Just stay quiet, my dear. It’ll be over soon.” He smothered her with his mouth.
Ava reached around and pulled his hair. “Stop!” she yelled.
“That’s right. Fight back,” he mumbled into her ear.
She grabbed a crystal bowl from the coffee table to smash over his head, but he grabbed her wrist.
“What are you doing?” He squeezed her fingers until the bowl dropped to the floor with a heavy thump.
“You’re hurting me.” She wriggled around, trying to free one of her legs.
“Of course I am.” He yanked her zipper down, exposing her chest.
“Once a monster, always a monster!” She rammed him in the ribs with her knee, then elbowed him in the nose.
He leaned back, holding his face, shocked from the blow. She dropped off the couch and crawled across the floor until she could get to her feet. She scanned the room for something to use as a weapon. In his desk drawer, she found a shiny black 9mm.
“Stay where you are, you bastard.” She aimed the gun at Chief Morray as he tended to his bloody nose, seething.
From behind she heard a soft chuckle.
“Well, this is rather interesting,” a man said.
Ava glanced over her shoulder to find her version of Morray standing at the door, pointing a gun at her head.
23
The conference room had been wiped clean, leaving no signs of the brutal attack. President Sullivan sat at the head of the table, Faraday to her right. Every so often she’d gently bump his shoe, or brush his elbow, causing acidy bile to burn his throat. He forced out a sugary smile, telling himself he could tolerate another few weeks playing her lap bitch, because soon everything would change. He had a plan––one that didn’t include Sullivan.
While everyone was distracted and recuperating from the attack, Faraday had visited Christian in the nursery. It appeared Dickson’s file upload process had fully integrated. The child’s DNA coding was interacting with Dickson’s program. He had become a distribution system, sending coded information across the entire network of servers, reaching across all regions. Soon Faraday would have the ability to locate Morray’s identity matrix and bring him back. More importantly, they’d have complete control of the mainframe.
The torrent had started.
Faraday had proven his worth to the council. Now they’d have to bring him on as a member. Once that happened, he could easily acquire their votes to become President of the Pacific Northwest. Everything was coming to fruition. Only a few more wretched encounters with President Sullivan and he’d be a free man. He had two remaining items on his agenda, which is why the remaining council members were gathered in the conference room.
President Sullivan took the floor. “After the brutal attack upon our council, I cannot thank you enough for being here today. Some of you suffered terrible injuries, and I’m not alone in saying how good it is to see you alive.” She clapped and the others joined in. “Since we’re down a few council members, I’ve in
vited Director Faraday to assist. He’s been extremely helpful this past week, first by containing Grace Strader, and second, by working on a strategy to deal with these vicious criminals. I thought it only fair to bring him on as an official member of our council. If anyone is in disagreement, please speak freely.”
The council members nodded in agreement. To display any signs of dissension during such a vulnerable time would look like treason. The traumatic attack had pulled the group closer together and they stood united. Faraday bowed, thanking them for their approval.
President Sullivan sat down, winking at Faraday. “Councilman Faraday, will you please take the floor.” She rubbed his thigh and he jumped up out of his chair.
“It would be my honor. We have two items on the agenda. The first is discussing a war strategy. The second is voting on Grace Strader’s termination.” He motioned to the guards at the door to bring in his guests.
General Wade Stier of the East Coast Region entered, followed by two military constituents. With General Joseph Strader out of the way, Faraday had a direct line to Stier. There had always been contention between the generals; each had differing ideas of how to manage discord between Outsiders and Insiders. Like President Jordan, General Strader believed in equality among all people. But General Stier’s viewpoint was more along the lines of Faraday––he appreciated the tidiness of Chief Morray’s hierarchical structure of order. The infallible system had held up for over three centuries, and the ranking system operated to perfection. Until Ava Rhodes disrupted the balance and caused a revolt. Wade believed that humans needed strict and uncompromising supervision; otherwise, their differences would lead to utter collapse. With General Stier as his military arm, Faraday would be unstoppable.
Just before the door closed, Officer Lucas West entered the room on his glider chair. He wore an eye patch and medical bandages around his neck to conceal the six-inch gash. Faraday’s entire body tightened. He thought he had taken care of all loose ends tied to Grace. The Officer had strong affections for the girl and would fight against her termination. He hadn’t expected Officer West to survive the attack, or come out of the coma he had been in for the last three days. It seemed that every time Faraday plugged one leak, another would spring. Regret darkened his vision, wishing he had killed Grace the moment she had returned to the city center.
He stood before the injured Officer and feigned a respectful salute. “Good to have you with us, Officer West. I’m sure I speak for the entire council when I say how much we’d appreciate your superior strategic input on this matter, but are you well enough to participate in discussions?”
The nurse situated Officer West at the far end of the table. “Absolutely, Director. I refuse to let this act of terrorism go unchecked. These criminals can’t get away with this behavior. There must be retribution for their attack––even if that means going to war.” He spoke in a hushed, but serious tone.
Faraday returned to his chair and sized up Lucas. Was this an act––a way to get to Grace? In the past, he took the opposite stance on matters of war. He had been in alignment with General Strader, and thought rebels should be marked and dealt with individually, rather than a widespread total war approach. Faraday found their commitment to maintaining peace irritating. Soldiers were bred to fight.
“In the past, you’ve never taken this viewpoint. In fact, you’ve vehemently fought against the idea of going to war. This entire last year you’ve been negotiating peace treaties throughout the East Coast Regions, butting heads with General Stier and his men. I understand you were injured in the attack, but this is a complete change in position.”
“Well, sir, the attack hit a little too close to home.” Lucas paused to collect himself. “Not only did I come very close to death and lost an eye, but we lost a good soldier. The natives must be held responsible for General Strader’s death, as well as the others we lost.”
“I see,” Faraday said.
“Additionally … I heard that Grace was involved and I find this news to be abominable. She used her strategic training for the wrong purposes. I will never forgive her for what she’s done. She sacrificed her own father for her cause. This type of reckless disregard is dangerous.” Lucas adjusted the patch on his eye, pausing a moment. “I want to make sure she’s properly punished for her crimes. There’s a dark cloud hanging over this city, and it’s our responsibility to make things right. As General Strader’s Second Officer, I have no choice but to be involved in these discussions.”
Faraday reeled at Lucas, surprised by his indignation and vitriol. But betrayal changes people and hardens hearts. The Officer’s desperate need for justice would be the perfect motivation to go to war. Not that the council needed much convincing. War was imminent. But there was still the matter of Grace’s termination. He believed he’d get the vote, but that was before Officer West had meddled.
Faraday gauged the council members’ reactions. Some faces were long and drawn-out, others leaden with concern. Most remained quiet, too traumatized to speak. But that’s where he wanted them––in a vulnerable position.
He continued addressing Lucas: “Of course, we’re honored to have you on the tactical team. I believe your input with developing a war strategy will be valuable. However, regarding our other matter, my concern is that your relationship with the prisoner could interfere with the council’s overall objective.”
Lucas sat up straight. “I assure you, the only reason to keep Miss Strader alive is to extrapolate location coordinates. She lived out there for three months and has useful information. We get those coordinates, and this war will be quick and efficient. We will come out victorious. If she wants any sort of redemption before her termination, she’ll provide that information.”
Faraday hadn’t considered that angle. They could use Grace for insider information on the Outsiders. It was smart, but he’d rather just get her out of the way. The threat still lingered as long as she was alive.
“That’s an excellent point, Officer West,” General Stier said.
The ship was slowly sinking and Faraday needed to do some damage control before they went under. “I agree––quite strategic––but do you honestly think she’ll hand over those details? Not when she knows her death is forthcoming. It’s too risky keeping her alive. In fact, I’d like to make a motion to terminate her immediately.”
President Sullivan nudged Faraday under the table. He was moving hastily, but he couldn’t take any chances.
General Stier continued: “Actually, Director, the Officer is right. We need to at least attempt to extract this information from the prisoner. It will give us the advantage.”
Faraday nervously wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. “But we already have the advantage. We have technology. Those animals won’t be able to defend themselves against us.”
President Sullivan cleared her throat and stood up to address the room. “Let’s stay on course. First, we need to vote on the motion that’s already on the table: are we definitely going to war? I’d like to start with that item.”
Faraday stared at President Sullivan. Why was she derailing the meeting? As far as he was concerned, the matter of going to war was settled. He could already feel the red tape starting to muck up the process.
President Sullivan furrowed her perfectly arched eyebrows. There would be hell to pay later. “Let’s vote on the first matter. All those in favor of going to war with the natives, please raise your hand.”
Faraday shifted in his chair, looking around the table as each member lifted their hand. Sullivan turned toward Faraday, placing her hands on her hips. The same hips he’d have to grab hold of later on in her bedroom. “Faraday?”
He pushed out a light chuckle that almost sounded like a whimper. “I apologize, my first time voting as a council member.” He raised his hand, wishing the moment could’ve been more heroic.
All members were in favor of going to war.
“Now that we’ve addressed that matter, let’s move onto the next issu
e.” She waited for Faraday, her glossy lips twitching. His stomach knotted up.
He despised the bureaucratic nonsense, but he was somewhat grateful that Sullivan had swooped in and got the plan back on track. Still, he longed for the day when this time consuming bullshit was over. The system worked much more efficiently under Morray––one person deciding for the people. The hope of everything returning to its previous regime gave him the strength to stick it out.
“Now to the matter of Grace Strader,” Faraday said.
General Stier stood up. “Before the council votes, I’d like everyone to consider keeping the prisoner alive another couple of days so we can try to glean some intel.”
Faraday quickly jumped in. “I guarantee she won’t respond to torture or threats. She’s a stubborn beast.”
“He’s right,” Officer West said. “If anyone knows that, it would be me. I have an idea I’d like to propose, if that’s okay with you, Director?”
Faraday choked back a sigh. He didn’t want to hear any more ideas. He wanted to vote now. But he politely nodded at Officer West. “Of course. Please share.”
“Grace trusts me. I know how she thinks and what motivates her. Regardless of the loss, she’ll believe the natives were justified in the attack in order to save their land. And she’ll want to protect them. But if she’s in a containment cell, she’s helpless. Her desperation will make her susceptible and I will get her to open up.”
“You really think she’ll just willingly give you location coordinates?” Faraday chuckled, looking around to the other members for support, but everyone kept their attention on Lucas.
“I’ll get her on my side by letting her think I’m on hers. I’ll tell her I think you framed the natives in order to go to war. I’ll convince her that I want to warn them before you annihilate their villages. I’m their only hope.”
Faraday shook his head. “No, no. She won’t buy it. You were attacked by the natives––why would you want to help them?”
“Like I said, I’ll lead her to believe I think the attack was a set up. That if I don’t do something, the natives will perish. I know how important they are to Grace.”