The Phoenix Project

by M. R. Pritchard

  “Why should I help you?” I ask him. “You’ve ruined my family. You’ve taken my child from me, my husband. You’ve done something terrible to this town.”

  “My Dear,” he reaches forward placing his cold hands on my arms. I lean back, anticipating some sort of pain, but he just pulls the detector leads off me. “Walk with me for a moment.” He holds onto the arm of the chair, spinning it around, waiting for me to stand. I notice he’s short, only three or four inches taller than I am. I follow him towards the large window, spanning the width of the room and at this height; almost the whole northern county can be seen.

  “Take a look, Andromeda.”

  My gaze follows to where his open hand points. My eyes follow the lakeshore, towards the nuclear power plants. There’s no steam coming from the three cooling towers, indicating that the nuclear reactors have in fact been shut down. I continue to search the nearby land until I see what he is indicating. Further to the north, not far from the lake, is a large charred circle of land, a small crater lies deep in the ground. The trees are gone, disintegrated, and radiating around the blackened area are downed trees, pushing out in all directions. The forest trees lie on the ground for miles, then gradually resume their normal stature.

  “What happened?” I whisper.

  “That my dear, is the point of impact for the non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse. Or what the media is referring to as the epicenter of the earthquake.”

  I know he can see the disbelief on my face, my mouth gaping open. His face wears a smug smile. Suddenly, it all makes sense, the power outages, how none of the electrical equipment would work, the stalled vehicles on the road. The electromagnetic pulse knocked them all out.

  “But the newspaper said there was a meltdown. How did you prevent that, or didn’t you?” I ask him.

  “Ha!” He claps his hands together, excitedly, “I knew you would be curious. These nuclear reactors have much more protection built around them, better than say, the reactors in Japan. And the blast wasn’t strong enough to damage them.”

  I stare, trying to process the information he has just given me. “Who is responsible for this? Terrorists?”

  He smiles at me. “Oh, Andromeda, this situation is a far cry from terrorism. It is indeed something greater, better even.” He is much too excited talking about this, reminding me of a wound up school girl, his face overly animated.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I would like to introduce you to a new society, a better society, an improved society. No longer will there be poverty, disease, depression, indolence. Welcome to: The Phoenix District.” He tells me, proudly, waving his arm out, spanning the window.

  “What…?” I whisper.

  This launches Crane into a lecture of modern society’s downfall, the corrupt government, corrupt healthcare system, the lack of jobs, and downfall of a corrupt stock market. The scary part is, it’s all true, every word of it, every person in the U.S. has been suffering from the worst recession since the Great Depression. “The leaders of this world are tired of watching this country spin out of control. It’s embarrassing really. More people are on public assistance than those who work. The population is at unrest. It’s blatantly evident; there have been uprisings, certain political groups have already started movements to overthrow the government. It’s time to move on Andromeda, it’s time for a better society. We can’t let things stay the way they are or it’s only going to get worse.”

  I can barely believe what he is telling me, that this could actually happen where I live. “But this is the United States of America. What about the army, the government. You will never get away with this.” I argue with him.

  “For someone so intelligent, you are certainly quite naïve. Your government is fully aware of this. Who do you think authorized it? Helped us sneak a bomb into the US territories? That EMP should have been blasted out of the sky thousands of miles away before it ever reached this area. Who do you think is keeping the populace away from here? Blocking travel? Feeding stories to the media? I know you’ve seen the papers, the barricades.” He gives me a moment to collect my thoughts before he continues. “After your president saw our results, from the trial in Japan, he was more than impressed and ready to get the ball rolling here in the U.S.”

  Japan? What happened in Japan? Then I remember. There was a tsunami that hit the shoreline of Japan, causing a meltdown to their two nuclear reactors. The last news report I saw the area was still off limits, a chain link fence equipped with barbed wire had been erected and patrolled by guards, guards in grey uniforms.

  “But the people? What about all the people here? What have you done to them? To my husband? My daughter?” I’m trying to control the rising panic in my voice.

  “Ah, this is where you come in, my dear. Currently, they are receiving a medication, via their rations.” I remember the canned food in my cupboard. “To keep them calm, subdued, happy and most of all cooperative.”

  “What kind of medication?”

  “I really do enjoy these questions, you are so inquisitive. It’s a mixture of hormones, oxytocin and testosterone inhibitors. I’m sure you know that the oxytocin works to soothe the brain, overriding the amygdala, making it much less responsive to anger and fear. Making them cooperative, subdued, malleable.” I can barely believe what I’m hearing. This man plans to take over the town, and control everyone living here with these hormones. It sounds absolutely absurd. “But we need to do more,” he continues. “We need a full genetic analysis of the residents, selective breeding programs need to be initiated, to prevent inbreeding and bring out certain traits in people, to ensure cooperation, so we can eliminate the medications.” He turns to me, eyebrows raised, making sure I’m taking all of this in.

  I have to try and stop this. “You can’t do this. You’re talking about dissecting the human race, producing sub-breeds. We are not dogs!”

  “How odd that you should bring up dogs, so you do realize that humans have been selective breeding hundreds of species for hundreds of years. Dogs, cats, farm animals, even rats, each time getting closer to the perfect breed, the perfect species. This has been a long time coming; it’s amazing it hasn’t happened sooner.”

  “But this is eugenics. It’s unethical, you would be no better than Hitler!” I try to control the panic in my voice. I look around the room, hoping for someone to speak up, to comment, but the room is silent, everyone listening to our conversation.

  “Would you like to talk about ethics, Andromeda? How about the ethical treatment of patients, the ethical vow you took when you became a nurse. How about we discuss patient abandonment?” I stare at him with horror on my face. “Obviously you have no problem breaking the rules of ethics when it comes to your family.”

  Then, I hear from outside the door, the sound of a young child talking.

  Lina!

  Crane lightens his face. “Did you know that you have produced quite a gifted child?”

  “What are you talking about? What did you do to her?” I can hear her talking outside the door. I start walking towards it but he reaches out, grabbing my wrist, stopping me.

  “We did nothing to her, just a few tests. Did the school ever tell you her IQ results?” I shake my head no. “She scored very high. Genius level, actually, usually, a child with her scores is also afflicted with social disorders and deficits. They’re medicated for acting out, for not being able to focus, or not being able to interact with other people, but somehow, not your child. I’m not sure how you did it. But your child is very important to us, as are you.”

  Her school never said a thing to us about IQ testing. She has always just been a normal five year old, playing soccer, dressing up like a princess. Nothing has ever alerted us to be concerned about her development. I can hear her outside the door. Chattering, talking with someone.

  “Is my mommy in there?” I hear her ask. Someone is speaking to her in a low voice.

  He pauses, watching me watch the door. “Do I have your
cooperation?” He asks.

  “I want her back!”

  “Yes, I know. If you agree, we will discuss your conditions of work, and her schooling and training.” His orange hair looks like a glowing halo with the setting sun over the lake, and I know I am about to make a deal with the devil.

  “What about Ian?”

  “Sadly, Andromeda, we can’t risk many people being off the medication right now. We can’t risk rebellion at this tender moment in the District’s organization. And it is my understanding that your reunion with Ian, did not go very well.” My face flushes with embarrassment. The only people that knew about my hysteria were Ian and Adam.

  “What are you going to do with him?”

  “Unfortunately for you, Andromeda, you do not get a choice in the matter; you get to keep your daughter. Ian is no longer of your concern.” He smiles smugly at me.

  “So you’re taking him from me and I’m supposed to be fine with that because you’re letting me have Catalina back?”

  “Don’t worry, he won’t remember, and I’m sure in time you will move on.” He pauses, giving me only a short time to think, to decide between my daughter and my husband, he gives me just a few seconds to decide who I want to save. “Would you like to see your daughter now?”

  My heart starts pounding again. She is just a child. She can’t take care of herself. In less than five minutes I make the hardest decision of my life. “Yes, give her to me.”

  “Then I need to hear that we are in agreement.” He responds, smiling at me, tapping his fingertips together.

  “Fine. I agree,” I respond through clenched teeth.

  “Excellent.” He claps his hands together in excitement. “Let the child in,” he waves to Adam.

  I hold my breath.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Mommy?” Lina asks as the door opens. “Mommy, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for you!” She giggles and runs to me. I scoop her up in my arms, squeezing her tight to my chest. I can barely talk through the tears as I set her down and look her over.

  “Are you okay baby. Did anyone hurt you?” She’s wearing her favorite pink dress and pink sandals. “Are you hungry? Did they feed you?”

  “Yes mommy. They even had my favorite. Mac and cheese, it was SO yummy!”

  Oh no, the food, the medication. I look to Crane who is watching us.

  “Don’t worry, she didn’t get the medication.” He answers without me asking.

  I hug Lina again, burying my face in her hair, the scent of strawberries now gone. She giggles. “Mom you’re squishing me.”

  “I’m just so happy to see you again,” I tell her.

  And now, for the rest of my life, I know I will forever be judged as the wife who didn’t save her husband.

  --

  Crane provides a few details to our agreement before nightfall. I am to begin work in approximately three days while a lab is set up. We are assigned to student housing, and since I can’t go back to the home I shared with Ian, guards are sent to pack up the house and bring our things: clothes, toys, pictures and books. I request our dog, Stevie, be allowed to live with us and I am surprised when Crane agrees without argument.

  A guard brings us to the local grocery store where we shop for food and supplies. After seeing the emptiness of my cupboards at home I ‘m amazed to find the grocery store is fully stocked. There are fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, and cereal. I stock up on our normal foods, staying away from anything canned. I grab a large bag of dog food for Stevie and new dog bowls. I decide to splurge and get two bags of coffee and filters. We see no one else at the store. It feels odd bagging up everything and walking out without paying.

  As the guard drives we pass a sign pointing to the student housing. There are three rows of townhouses facing the lake, each having five units. We pull up to the middle townhouse. The guard gets out and opens the door for me. I turn to Lina and find that she has fallen asleep. I pull her into my arms and carry her towards the house. The guard retrieves the bags of groceries and proceeds to open the garage door, Stevie bounds out, running to us and licking my hand. I notice in the middle of the large garage is a pile of boxes, our belongings from home. We’re lead up a set of steep stairs, which brings us into an open living area. There is a large kitchen, dining space, a living room, and a deck facing the lake. All of it fully furnished. The guard sets the bags on the counter then turns to us.

  “Mr. Crane requests a list of lab supplies tomorrow evening. Someone will be by to pick it up.” He nods, then turns stiffly and leaves.

  I lay Lina down on the couch and check all the locks on the doors and windows. I was not given a key, so I can only assume that the absence of crime is also a new objective for the Phoenix District. I search the boxes in the garage for Lina’s bedspread. I find it in the second box and bring it upstairs to cover her with. She sleeps soundly. Peacefully. Like nothing in this world has ever changed. I kiss her forehead then return to the kitchen to start unpacking the groceries. I watch Stevie as she sniffs all the corners of the townhouse, inspecting. Finally she settles on the floor of the kitchen, lying down to watch me put things away. I can’t figure out how this man, Crane, thinks this will work. But I have Lina back, and I will do whatever I have to, to keep her safe.

  Stevie’s ears perk up, and she walks to the front door. There are three faint knocks. I hesitate for a moment, then walk over and open it.

  Standing on the front porch is Adam.

  “What do you want?” I ask him. Stevie pushes past me and licks Adam’s hand.

  “I wanted to explain.” He raises his eyebrows, hopeful.

  He’s no longer wearing the gray uniform. Instead he has changed into jeans and a white t-shirt. His bruises are mostly healed, leaving him looking more handsome than yesterday.

  “I don’t think I want to talk to you right now.” I start to close the door, but he steps in, placing his foot in front of the door, stopping me.

  “Andie, you don’t understand. I had to-” he starts.

  “You had to what Adam? Betray me? You were the only person I had left to trust here!” I speak angrily through gritted teeth, trying not to wake Lina. “It took you three minutes to jump into bed with this new Phoenix District. What did they have on you? What did they hold against you Adam? Because this entire time they’ve had my daughter and they took my husband.”

  “Andie, I have no one left. You know that.” I do know that he has no one left. I saw it in the graveyard on our way into town. His family is dead, all of them. “I just need you to trust me,” he pleads.

  “I barely know you and whatever little bit of trust I had in you…” I shake my head. He takes his foot away from the door. “I don’t know when I will be able to do that again, Adam.” I think I may actually see disappointment in his eyes. But that doesn’t stop me from closing the door in his face.

  I lean my forehead against the door and take a deep breath. I’m sure Crane would want him as part of the security team. He’s a soldier, a marine, highly trained and skilled. I’m sure he’ll move up the ranks quickly. But I can’t worry about Adam right now. I have to figure out how I am going to get through this and keep Lina safe. I grab a notebook and pen and sit on the end of the couch where Lina sleeps. I start making a list of supplies for the lab. Computers, programs, backup drives, and I add some basic office supplies. I don’t intend to sleep, but somewhere in my list making I drift off and dream of Ian.

  It is our wedding day. I’m dressed in my wedding gown, nervous and giddy. I hear the wedding march start and head down the aisle. I can see Ian, smiling proudly. He looks so handsome in his black tuxedo. His hair is longer, but still its natural blonde. We are young, I was nineteen, and he was twenty. As I get closer to him the butterflies in my stomach get stronger. Standing in front of him we listen to the pastor, then repeat our vows, I lean in to kiss Ian. But his lips never touch mine. I open my eyes and he’s standing in front of me. But he’s different now. His eyes are pale brown, not their usua
l dark brown. His smile gone, replaced with a slack face. He looks at me strangely, like he doesn’t know who I am. Then without a word, he turns and walks down the aisle, away from me without saying a thing. Instantly I’m crying, weeping, and my heart is broken. Our family and friends in the crowd get up and leave as I turn my back to them. The pain of him leaving me hurts so much that I fall to the ground on my knees, wrinkling the white wedding dress. I feel a hand on my shoulder. When I look up there is an old lady with red hair standing at my side. “Some things are not meant to be.” She tells me in her old, crackled voice. Then she disappears, leaving smoky wisps of air where she once stood. A black feather flutters out of the smoke, brushing across my cheek, before dropping to the ground.

  --

  I wake up slowly, there is heavy pain in my chest and a wet tear drops into my ear. I wipe at my face and sit up. Lina is still sleeping soundly next to me and Stevie has curled up on the floor at my feet. I miss Ian terribly and I want him back. But Crane has made his intentions known, I can only have Lina. I watch her sleep, wondering to myself how long will it take for the pain of losing Ian to go away. I know that it would devastate him if he knew Lina and I were alive and well, forced to move on without him. All I can hope now is that he won’t remember any of this. It seems the medication they are giving him will probably do just that.

  I work on the lab supply list and when the sun begins to rise I get up and I make a full pot of coffee, savoring the sharp scent. I put down the food and water bowl for Stevie. After she eats she goes to the sliding door in the living room and whines. I open the door and follow her out. She bounds off the back deck, inspecting the new yard.

  “Mommy?” I hear Lina wake up. She walks out onto the deck and stands next to me. “Wow mom, this is amazing!” She is looking out at the lake which is a few hundred yards from the deck we are standing on.

  “Yes, honey, it’s very nice. Let’s get you something to eat.”