by Magus Tor
“Aurelia,” began her father, as she and Elza sat. “I want you to know firstly that I love you. I'm very proud of you, and I have never, ever deliberately lied to you. That is important to me.”
Aurelia looked around. Okay. Enough was enough. “Dad, just tell me,” she said. She let the irritation in her voice shine through. She was tired, annoyed, and just wanted to know what the hell was going on.
But it was Jonathon who spoke. “I'm not sure that you should be speaking to the newly appointed head of Earth Resistance like that,” he said with a smile.
It took a second for the words to sink in. “Head? But...what?” stuttered Aurelia.
Her father smiled. “Aurelia, there was a reason that you were head hunted into the Resistance. And the reason is because of where you came from, or maybe who you came from. Your mother and I have been working with the Resistance for a long time, since before you were even born.”
“But why did you never say anything?” she asked in amazement. “Why did you keep it secret?”
“Because you had to make your own choices,” said her father, after a pause. “That's the whole point, isn't it? You shouldn't have to join the Resistance just because your mother and I brought you up to do so, though we tried our best to make sure that you were brought up to believe in the right things, to be moral and good. But you had to be the one who decided, not us.”
She thought back to her childhood and realised that this all made sense. She had known that she was different than others, knew that her way of thinking was different, the way her parents made her analyse problems herself rather than imposing rules and punishments.
“And also,” her father continued, “because we wanted to protect you. If anything had happened to me and your mother, it was safer if you knew nothing. Maybe you would have been allowed to live.”
She did understand, and she suddenly realised what a terrific sacrifice it must have been for her parents to keep her safe, to keep their secrets, to never let the person that they loved the most suspect that they had other lives. “Thank you,” she said simply.
“When Jonathon told me that you'd agreed to join him, it was the proudest moment of my life,” her father said.
“You knew that you'd done everything right.”
“I knew that what we were working for could actually work. That people will make good decisions if allowed to choose. But also that you, my precious child, had the capability to empathise with others and the strength to want to change what you saw as unfair. And those are abilities that many people no longer have.”
Aurelia smiled at him. “I think those things are due to you,” she said.
“No.” He shook his head. “No, those things are inside you, part of who you are; and they make me proud of you as a person, rather than as just a daughter.”
Aurelia looked over at Elza, who was looking at her plate, not catching her eye. Jonathon, too, had been silent up until now.
“You have to know,” Jonathon said, “that you were chosen to join us because of who you are, not because of who your parents are. Yes, we were prepared to consider you because of your background. But it was on your talents alone that we recruited you.”
Aurelia nodded. She was emotionally confused. Partly, she was glad to learn all this, to know that her parents were indeed the people she had thought them to be inside. But she was also shocked and maybe a little hurt that she hadn't been told earlier. Jonathon had told her that he'd spoken to her father, but he had refused to answer any of her questions about it.
“This is my fault,” her father said, guessing why she was upset. “I wouldn't allow Jonathon to tell you. I wanted to tell you myself. I wanted to look in your eyes and be honest with you. It was a little selfish, maybe, but I felt I deserved it.”
“And now, now you're head of Earth Resistance?” she asked incredulously.
“Well, it's a fairly new position,” said Jonathon. “We haven't tried to bring together the different Resistance factions in different Cities before now. It was always safer if no one knew about anyone else, if you know what I mean. But now the time has come for us all to join forces, and that's where your father comes in.”
“I look harmless,” joked Aurelia's father. And he did; with his greying hair and average build, he looked like the absentminded tech Worker that she had always believed him to be.
“But don't let it fool you,” warned Jonathon. “Your father is a powerful negotiator. He reads people well and can be extremely persuasive. Not only that, but he's logical and deals easily with problems that others see as insurmountable, which makes him perfect as our coordinator.”
Her father grinned at Jonathon. “And it gives me a chance to keep an eye on the man that's trying to steal my daughter away.”
Jonathon laughed. “That too.”
“Aurelia, is there anything you wish to say?” her father asked her.
Was there? There were still plenty of questions spinning around in her mind, and confusing emotions weaving in and out of each other. She decided that those things would take time to sort out. For now, she had to speak from the heart. In front of her was a glass of water, so she picked it up and stood.
“I'd like to congratulate my father on his promotion,” she started. “To congratulate us all on making it this far. And mostly I'd like to thank my father, and I hope that one day he will be as proud of my work as I am of his.”
The others raised their glasses and drank.
“Well, perhaps we might eat something?” Jonathon asked.
The platters of food were handed around, and Lukas stood, large knife in hand to carve the meat in the centre of the table. Aurelia's mouth was watering again, her stomach grumbling. She accepted slices of the meat without asking which animal it came from, then piled her plate high with delicacies from the platters. There was a little synth food, it seemed, easily recognisable by its strange texture, but nearly everything else looked fresh enough. Within a few minutes, everyone was eating.
“So, tell me about your trip,” her father said. “From what I've heard, it was not altogether unexciting?”
They regaled him with the tale of their descent to Earth. Jonathon dragged Aurelia up from her chair to show him how he'd escorted her as a prisoner. Everyone laughed and Aurelia's blushed as Lukas told him how she'd given the game away on the shuttle. Then it was Elza's turn. Glancing between Aurelia and her father, she told them of what had happened in the jungle, what Aurelia had done to save Nicholas. The table was silent except for the sound of Elza's words, and the three men paled a little as Elza told how Aurelia had raised the knife.
“And how is he now?” Jonathon asked.
“In the clinic. He's going to be just fine,” said Aurelia.
“Due only to Aurelia's quick thinking,” added Elza.
Aurelia saw her father smiling proudly at her, and Jonathon regarding her with interest. Lukas still looked shocked.
“She cut off his hand, just like that,” Lukas said, eyes wide.
“And if she hadn't, he'd likely be dead by now,” said Elza.
Stomachs full and distended, they sat around the table, glad to be together. Aurelia was even gladder when a fresh pot of steaming coffee was produced. It had been days since her last cup, and she gulped the hot liquid down with pleasure and accepted a second cup.
“There are quarters for you all upstairs,” Aurelia's father said.
“Thank you, Mr. Cole,” said Jonathon.
“I think it's about time that you started calling me Stefan, don't you?” he said, smiling.
“Then thank you, Stefan,” said Jonathon, smiling back.
“Well, I'm going to check on Nicholas once more,” said Elza. “No, no, Aurelia, stay here. You've done enough. I'm just going to look in on him.”
She got up from the table and eyed Lukas meaningfully.
“Ah, yes,” Lukas said, coughing over his last mouthful of coffee. “Let me escort you. I can bring you back and show you where your quarters are a
fter.”
The two left the room, and Aurelia noted that Lukas seemed familiar with this place. He must have been here more than once, she thought. Now she was left with her father and Jonathon, both of them lingering over their drinks. Aurelia knew that they both wanted to talk to her alone, so she decided to put them out of their misery. If I don't, she thought, we might well be sitting over the same cold cups of coffee this time tomorrow night. Stubborn men, both of them.
“Jonathon, have you heard from Tara?” she asked.
“No, but I haven't had a chance to contact her,” he admitted.
“Well, now's your chance. Why don't you com her, and I'll come say goodnight and hear her news in a little while.”
“Ah, ever diplomatic.” Jonathon grinned. “Alright, is there a com upstairs in my room, Stefan?”
“Sure, everything you need is up there. Go up to the third floor, and it's the first door on the right.”
“I'll wish you good night, then. Tomorrow we talk business.”
Aurelia's father nodded, and Jonathon winked at her as he left.
“Are you okay with all of this?” her father asked gently, once they were alone.
“Yes,” she said. “I was a little surprised, to put it mildly; but I understand more or less everything, I think.”
“You're a very brave girl. I've heard a lot about what you've done in Lunar. And about your involvement with the Clone cause.” He paused here for a second. “I never expected anything less of you. Besides, it's a wise move to get the Military Class to side with us.”
“Dad,” she said, looking into his twinkling blue-green eyes. “How much can you tell me about what's going on here?”
He did her the courtesy of not denying that there were plans, secrets. “Not a lot,” he said. “I don't know everything myself yet.”
“I think, I mean, from what I know and what I've seen, it seems that Jonathon is preparing us for more than just an election.” She was almost afraid to speak the conclusions that she'd come to while walking in the jungle. Her hands toyed with the empty cup in front of her. “I think that we're being prepared for more. Revolution. Protest. War. I don't know.”
She looked again into her father's eyes and saw something there. Worry, maybe. Concern. “I know,” he said. “I know no details, but I have come to much the same conclusions as you.”
“And what do you think?” she challenged him. “Do you still think we're doing the right thing?”
He leant back in his chair and sighed. “You're old enough now to realise that there are always sacrifices to be made, that no choice is black and white. If you want to know what I think, then I think that wars or revolutions are terrible, bloody affairs that are to be avoided at nearly any cost. But I also think that freedom is the ultimate right. And we shall do what is necessary to free those that want to be freed.”
She knew he was right. The cup stood still in front of her.
“And I think you have to trust Jonathon. Trust that he will always do the right thing. And that if we need to force our goals, to fight for them, then those of us doing the fighting are willingly sacrificing ourselves. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I do.”
“It would be best if you mentioned this conversation to no one,” her father said.
“Understood.”
She was about to wish him goodnight when she thought to ask: “Is Mum here?”
He smiled at her. “She will be soon. She's doing a little work in City 04 right now, but I'm expecting her any day now.”
And her family would be complete again. She bent to kiss her father's cheek. “Good night,” she said.
“Your quarters are next door to Jonathon's,” he told her with a smile. “Sleep well.”
She took the stairs to the third floor, climbing slowly and carefully. Her legs ached—every part of her ached, but her stomach was full, and nearly everyone she loved most dearly was gathered in one place. That made her happy. She couldn't wait for her mother to arrive and wondered what she was doing in City 04. It had been her home when she was a child, meaning her mother had many friends and contacts there. She supposed it made sense that her mother would be the one to undertake some kind of Resistance work in 04.
She came to Jonathon's door and knocked. He opened it, pointing at the speaker in the ceiling. Aurelia could hear Tara's voice chattering.
“It's not certain yet, so don't do anything too rash, okay? Jonathon, you gotta promise me that. I'm only telling you what I've found out so far, so you gotta give me a few more days, right? Jonathon? You listening down there?”
“I'm listening,” Jonathon said. “Aurelia just came in.”
“Hey, Aurelia,” Tara's disembodied voice said. “Heard your trip was exciting. Glad I didn't come now. Anyway, I gotta go, so you guys be careful and com me as soon as you can, alright?”
There was a click as she hung up.
“She's always like that,” Jonathon said. “It's almost impossible to interrupt her, and she never waits for an answer. Most annoying.”
“And what did she say?”
“Well,” said Jonathon, looking serious. “There's some news.”
Chapter Eight
Lying in bed, Aurelia thought about what Jonathon had said. Tara had taken to detective work extremely well, and though she had little to go on had managed to track down the dealer who had sold the barb. With a little help from Bryn, whose looming presence did tend to be quite persuasive, she'd managed to get a description of the man who had bought the weapon. Finding the man turned out not to be terribly difficult, since Tara had immediately recognised the given description. A sec Worker, he was assigned to the Hansen compound.
Tara, however, was more than thorough. The Worker in question might have bought the barb, she’d said, but he certainly hadn't been at the event where Aurelia had been shot, for the simple reason that he was dead. An accident during training two days before the event had seen a stunner blow up in the man's hand; and therefore, commented Jonathon dryly, he was out of the running as a suspect. The investigation was ongoing.
The thought that someone so close to the family could be doing this was frightening, but at least for now they were out of danger—well, from assassins, at least. Which was what allowed Aurelia to sleep that night. That and the fact that she was completely exhausted. Fortunately, she didn't dream.
The morning found her refreshed. Sitting up and stretching in bed, she found that her skin was less dry and she could breathe more easily. Earth air agrees with me far more than the filtered Lunar stuff, she thought. Appearing for breakfast, she found her father, and the two spent a pleasant hour lingering over their coffee and talking. Talking with her father had always comforted Aurelia. He managed to be both logical and emotional at the same time, a strange combination but one that made him nice to talk with. He told her more about his and her mother's work with the Resistance, and Aurelia listened with interest. Once Jonathon came down, though, it was time to talk shop, and Aurelia diplomatically decided to go and visit Nicholas. She wasn't happy about being left out of things, but it was obvious that both men wanted her to leave. She'd have to have words with Jonathon about that later. Keeping her out of meetings was ridiculous.
She found Nicholas awake—and smiling, even. Elza was by his bedside.
“Ah, the butcher has arrived!” he said, looking in Aurelia's direction.
“Huh?” She wasn't fast on the uptake this morning, no matter how refreshed she might be feeling. She was, however, very glad to see Nicholas looking so well.
“I was kidding, Aurelia. It seems like I owe you my thanks once again.”
She sat on the side of his bed. “I did what needed to be done,” she said, embarrassed at his thanks. “And I'm sorry about your hand.”
He shrugged. “Better than being dead, right?”
“Besides,” Elza put in, “the engineering Worker will be here later to talk about a new hand.”
Watching carefully, Aure
lia saw a mutinous look flash across Nicholas's face, but before she could comment on it, it was gone. “Ah, good luck, then,” she said.
She spent a few minutes talking to both of them but had the distinct feeling that she was a bit of a third wheel. Hmm. Interesting. Whatever was going on between Nicholas and Elza, it was none of her business, but they both looked happier than she'd seen them for some time. Her business or not, though, she vowed to get to the bottom of it and promised herself that she'd grill Elza later.
In the meantime, I’m at a bit of a loose end, she mused, walking out of the clinic and into a hot, muggy morning. It seemed that no one was especially interested in her company today. There were plenty of people around; and exploring the small village, Aurelia found that not only were there living quarters and a clinic, but also an entertainment centre, a canteen, and something else.
The small building had only one floor, and unlike the other houses, this one had closed windows and doors and no one walking in the vicinity. She wondered what the building was for, and she was about to ask a passing Worker when the large door in the middle of the white facade opened. People came pouring out. No. Children came spilling out. Around thirty children, mixed in age, dressed in cut-down adult uniforms rather than the training uniforms she was used to seeing on a child. They started running, shouting, and playing, their high-pitched voices echoing joyously around the clearing.
“I see you've found the school,” said a voice.
Turning around, she saw Lukas grinning at her. “School?”
“Yep. There's no training here, of course, and no one here wants to put their kids into training schools anyway. So instead we have this.”
“And what exactly is it?” she asked, turning back to watch the children play.
“All of the children attend, every day, and they all learn a little bit of everything. We figured that that was the only way they'd know what it was they wanted to do when they were older.”
A life without a definite purpose seemed odd to Aurelia, mostly because she'd never experienced anything else. She, like all children she knew, had been pushed into training when she was eight after a brief general education and assessment period. She had to admit that the children here looked happy, though—less weighed down with responsibilities. Aurelia barely remembered playing at all, and certainly not outside.