by V. St. Clair
Risa probably thinks Jessamine is going to take Carl from her, too.
“I’m glad to hear it,” the Vicerina allowed, turning as Hera entered the room. Something about her posture became slightly more rigid and formal, though Ana couldn’t put her finger on what changed. “Have you received any word from Topher yet?”
“No, Vicerina, not yet,” Hera responded.
Jessamine frowned at this.
“There has been nothing on the news yet, either,” Maxton added.
“There wouldn’t be,” Jessamine answered without breaking eye contact with Hera. “No matter what is happening inside the Augenspire, they would do everything possible to keep the public from hearing about it until things were under control again.”
“Nice to have a transparent government,” Risa mumbled mutinously, earning a reproving glare from Hera.
“If we didn’t have to worry about terrorists and resistance groups, we might be more comfortable with transparency,” Jessamine replied coolly. “Any sign of turmoil within the government will be viewed as weakness by our enemies and will be taken advantage of.” She glanced around the room as though to say, “Thanks for that.”
She walked past them and wandered into the living room, settling herself onto the couch and looking tired. Ana assumed she probably hadn’t slept well last night, after nearly being murdered in her own bedroom.
“I want Topher,” she announced to the room at large, and for a moment Ana wasn’t exactly sure how to interpret the statement. Then she added, “I can’t plot out my next move until I have more information about what is happening inside the government, and the quickest way to get it will be for Topher to return.”
She paced the room for a moment, talking to herself now.
“I suppose if this drags on too long I could call Reya–unless she is compromised as well. Best to avoid the Majors altogether until I have a clearer picture,” she convinced herself. “Andrea and Vince will be able to report on any high-level news, and can infiltrate anywhere I need them to be.”
“I’m sure Topher will be back soon—” Maxton began, but Jessamine cut him off.
“He’ll only return when he’s sure he isn’t being watched. It could be days before he makes it back here, and every day I remain in hiding is time lost. My father will keep things functioning without me, and will reach out to me through Topher to coordinate a timeline for my return when he feels it is safe.” She spoke with absolute confidence. “I’m simply being impatient and beginning contingency plans. I hate being out of the flow of information.”
No one had anything to say to that, and for a long minute they remained in total silence. Ana was studying Jessamine closely, trying to guess her thoughts without making eye contact with her and actually probing her mind. That kind of thing would get her killed.
She’s not much older than me, really, Ana mused idly. I can’t imagine being in her position in five years, having the future of the planet resting on my shoulders and worrying about terrorists, assassins, and resistance groups trying to kill me.
Well, Jessamine had been raised from birth to inherit control of the planet, so she must be used to it by now. But not everyone could rise to such a challenge, whether they were trained for it or not. Some people folded under pressure, or didn’t take their responsibilities seriously. Jessamine didn’t seem like the kind of person to break under pressure.
“Sorry to ask it, but why exactly did you want me to be here?” Carl spoke into the silence, addressing Hera. “I thought we agreed to go our separate ways as part of my new career goals.”
Hera opened a hand and said, “The situation is evolving. Now that we are allying directly with the Vicerina and her father, it doesn’t make sense to keep you out of the loop anymore. If we can get you into the military, you can be another ally for them on the inside, another set of eyes and ears to help spot threats before they become real issues.”
Carl made an exasperated face at her and said, “That’s all well and good, but I’m having a hard enough time getting through the interrogation process as it is, and you keep giving me new information I have to find a way to hide. If most of the building—like the Provo-Minors—don’t know Jessamine was attacked or that she is currently in hiding, then you’ve now made me responsible for keeping another massive secret from them while under chemical interrogation.” He looked angry with her. “Never mind the fact that you—Hera—are the mother of a Provo-Major, which means I could give you up in a heartbeat under my next dose of Synplex, and you and Topher are both going to be in a world of trouble.”
Hera shook her head at this and said, “Topher is a clever boy and he’ll sell me out in a heartbeat to maintain his position. I’m sure he will come through it unscathed.”
Jessamine frowned and said, “Topher is a good man.”
Hera sighed. “I’m not suggesting he would take joy in selling me out and seeing me executed, but he is my son. He understands the cause is more important than the individual, and in this case, you and your father are his cause. He will stand by patiently and watch them hang me—whether he wants to or not—if it means keeping himself in a position to serve you and your father.”
She didn’t sound like she would blame him for it, but Ana thought it was a cold sentiment to express about family.
Hera is more like her son than she would care to believe, she thought privately.
“You’re missing the point,” Carl sighed, aggravated now. He ran his fingers through his hair, causing it to stick up untidily. “I would rather you stop giving me top-secret intelligence when you know I’m going to pour my brains out to people who may or may not be our enemies.”
Jessamine was watching their exchange, but now she interjected. “If you can postpone your next interview until I get in touch with my father, I’ll see that he greases the way through for you. Hera is correct—I need more eyes and ears I can trust on the inside, so I’ll do what I can to help you bypass the other chemical interrogations.”
Carl looked mightily relieved by this and said, “Thank you, Excellence.”
Jessamine waved an acknowledging hand at this and said, “You all should sit down and watch some television. We have nothing to do but wait for news.”
Ignoring her own advice, Jessamine got to her feet and walked towards the stairs leading to the basement, her eyes focusing briefly on the dent in the wall where Topher punched the frame with his gauntleted fist the night before.
“What are you doing?” The words were out of Maxton’s mouth before he realized how impertinent they were, but before he could apologize, Jessamine responded.
“Topher left his heavies in the basement. I imagine he thought it would be suspicious if he returned from the theater in them. I’ve hung them up for him, but I should do his inspections for him and polish the armor before he comes back.”
“Would you like assistance?” Hera asked politely.
“No, thank you. I’ll be back in a little while; feel free to carry on without me.” And with that, she descended the stairs and shut the door behind her.
“She doesn’t want us knowing how their armor works,” Risa spoke baldly into the silence that ensued.
“I can’t really blame her,” Carl admitted. “The Majors are pretty close-mouthed about the capabilities of their heavy armor, since it’s part of what keeps them from being killed in a fight. And of all people to share secrets with, she’s probably not terribly comfortable with the ones who have been challenging her father’s government for the last decade.”
“Of course you’re taking her side,” Risa rolled her eyes.
“What do you mean?” Carl narrowed his eyes at her, bracing for a fight.
Ana tried to calm everyone down and bypass this conversation all together. “Let’s all just sit down and watch some—”
“Perfect Jessamine is always in the right,” Risa talked over her. “Just because she’s pretty and powerful and can swoop in and wipe out all the tough interviews for you so you can
have your dream job, you’re ready to roll over and accept anything she has to say.”
“Risa…” Hera began in a tone of warning.
“You really must not think much of my character.” Carl raised his eyebrows at her, offended. “You’re doing yourself a disservice, Risa. You shouldn’t take out your low self-esteem on a woman you barely know, just because you’re jealous of her for having Major Topher at her beck and call.”
“Oh shut up, Carl, you’ll only embarrass yourself.” Risa’s tone was scathing, her cheeks flushed with anger.
“I don’t need this right now. I’m headed back to the Academy.” He turned to Ana. “Are you coming, or are you going to find your own ride later?”
“Oh, uh…” she looked around helplessly, eventually making eye contact with Max, who seemed hopeful she would stay. “I guess I’ll find another way home later,” she said on a whim, thinking she could take the bus if nothing else panned out.
“Really, Carl? You’re just going to leave us here?” Risa scowled. “Very mature.”
“Yeah, I am.” He turned and walked out of the front door, ears red with anger and posture rigid.
Risa looked like she couldn’t believe it, running to the window and watching him get into his ground-car and take off.
“That son of a—”
“Well, that was pointless,” Hera sighed, rubbing her eyes tiredly. “Risa, you must get better control of your temper if you are going to be useful in our new objective. We can’t have our allies going at each other’s throats.”
Risa looked chastened but still angry, and Max turned to Ana and said, “Hey, have you seen the beans I planted in the backyard? They’re starting to sprout.”
“No, I haven’t. Show me.” Ana seized on the diversion gratefully, and the pair of them linked arms and fled through the kitchen and out the back door.
Alone at last, Max said, “Talk about drama.”
“I lost my ride home because of it.” She sighed, realizing that Max hadn’t released her arm yet. After a moment of consideration, she decided she was okay with that, and allowed him to lead her to the row of bean sprouts.
“Let’s stay out here until dinner. Maybe everyone will have calmed down by then, or at least Jessamine will be back and everyone will be too stiff and formal to tear each other apart in front of her.”
Ana took a seat on a patch of grass beneath the shade of a tree and said, “Sure, we can romantically stare at these sprouts until then.”
Max grinned at her in a way that made her very aware of him and sat down beside her.
“Sounds like a plan. While we’re staring longingly at the plants, you should tell me more about your family and where you grew up.”
I’m starting to suspect he might like me…
It wasn’t a displeasing thought, and Ana suppressed a smile and said, “Sure, why not?” She paused and tried to think of where to begin, finally settling on the most basic information. “My mom’s name is Elissa, and my dad is Rand. I was born and raised in Giana, and it took me years to shake the horrible accent—”
“Oh yikes, this is you after years of trying to be rid of it?” Max gave an exaggerated wince.
Ana punched him in the arm and said, “Careful. I can still call it up if I need to.”
4
Topher Augen
~
You think you have known pain, little hero?
It has only just begun.
~
Topher walked purposefully into the High Chamber with an air of cold utility. Most of his peers were sitting around, awaiting orders from a useless Shellina. That wouldn’t do.
“Were you able to get in? Where is Jessamine?” Darius jumped to his feet, the first to approach him. Topher couldn’t tell if the man was genuinely concerned for her wellbeing or just worried about his marriage contract falling through, but he didn’t have the energy to spare debating it right now.
“We got in, but Jessamine is gone,” Topher stated bluntly, approaching Shellina and stopping in front of her, speaking loudly enough for the rest of the room to hear.
“Gone?” Shellina asked worriedly, lip trembling in fear. “You mean she’s—”
“We found no sign of her,” Gareth spoke now, to allay her fears. “The window was smashed open and Major Fox was lying dead in her bedroom, but no sign of the—of your sister. We think she has escaped through the window and is in hiding.”
Topher tried not to flinch at Gareth’s slip. He could understand why Gareth had chosen not to call her by her title, since Jessamine was now the Vicereine-elect until her confirmation as Vicereine. It was still jarring to think of the Viceroy being dead.
“She went out the window?” Jora asked in amazement. “On the three-hundredth floor?”
“Fox was dead in her room?” Andro asked quietly, looking shocked. Since Topher strongly suspected him of being part of the coup—he was close to Fox, and had encouraged Topher to stay out late tonight—he thought the man was a fantastic actor.
Or maybe he’s just surprised Fox was killed in the attempt on Jessamine’s life.
“It seems Parl wasn’t the only traitor in our midst,” Reya spoke now, disgusted. The others glanced around at each other uncomfortably, undoubtedly wondering who else was betraying them.
“But how could Jessa escape by herself?” Shellina demanded, still frightened and disbelieving. “It’s too high up to climb down from—”
“Unless she fell,” Kristoff suggested, grimacing unpleasantly and looking defeated once more. In the harsh light of the High Chamber his beard stubble was evident and his skin had a sallow look, though he was clearly trying to pull himself together. “Has anyone checked the probable trajectory of descent and searched for signs of her?”
They collectively shuddered at the thought of what a body would look like after falling past three-hundred floors of the Augenspire before hitting the ground.
“That will be the first place we look, once we receive official orders,” Gareth broke the silence, glancing at Shellina, who didn’t seem to realize they were still waiting for her to do something.
“Falling isn’t the only option. Perhaps she had help escaping,” Dred suggested, looking imposing in his heavy armor, which was only slightly darker than his skin tone. “She can’t fly out of here, but we can.”
“It would explain how she managed to overpower Fox when he was in his heavies,” Andro allowed, though he glanced around the room once more as though trying to determine who was absent. Aside from Nate and Pierce, who were still down in tech, they were all accounted for.
“If anyone was in a position to fly out of here with Jessamine, it would have been you,” Jora said to Topher.
“Oh sure, while I was at the Tetra with Lorna I just magically flew back here without my armor on and whisked the Vicereine-elect out of her window to safety from an attack I didn’t know was coming,” he said as derisively as possible, the first to refer to Jessamine by her new title. “Instead of us standing around uselessly speculating about how she escaped, we should be doing something productive to find her.”
“What a great idea, Topher. You’re the first one to think of doing something useful. Thank God we have you here to guide us,” Andro rattled off sarcastically. He seemed to grow more defiant after discovering that two of his friends were traitors.
Probably because he already knew.
“Then why are we all standing around?” Topher’s frustration was genuine, but he kept his tone as light as possible. He was furious with their lack of efficiency in dealing with this emergency. They were supposed to be better than this.
“We don’t have orders,” Andro glared at him, before gesturing to Shellina. “Since we have no proof that Jessamine is alive or coming back, we must take our orders from the Vice—” Topher shot him a look that was pure venom and he finished with, “—rina…”
If he dares call Shellina ‘Vicereine,’ I’ll kill him myself.
There was a collective exhale from
the group at this. No one was comfortable choosing which Vicerina to back right now, since if Shellina claimed the title for herself it would be seen as a setting aside of Jessamine, who could come back and have them all executed for treason. But if they refused to take orders from Shellina in favor of Jessamine, and Jessamine never came back, Shellina could strip them of their rank and bring them up on charges of insubordination. Topher wondered how much of their tenuous position Shellina understood right now.
“Vicerina,” he turned to her now. “There are things we need to do immediately, and we will need your authorization in order to do them.”
“Like what?” she asked softly.
“We need to pull the entire Tech group together and put them in interrogation until we figure out which of them are traitors. It can hardly be a coincidence that our entire communication network went down during an attempt on the Viceregals’ lives, and there is evidence that Fox gained access to Jessamine’s room, yet my biochip access was revoked when I attempted to get in just now.”
There were some alarmed noises at this, but Topher continued without stopping to address them.
“You need to detach a number of us to look into plugging the leak in Tech before anyone has a chance to flee the building. Another group of us—a large group—needs to split up and go search the city for Jessamine without drawing a lot of attention to the fact that she is missing. If she was attacked by one of us, she won’t know who she can trust right now, so we’ll need to pair off and try to return her safely.”
Shellina was staring up at him with wet eyes, listening silently.
“Whoever is left will need to work with Ground-Leader Skye and Sky-Leader Rolf—both of whom you need to wake up and summon here now—to discuss the best strategy for what to tell everyone else regarding the sudden absence of the Viceroy and his heir, while we try to recover the latter. You’ll need to be prepped for an internal press conference, and, depending on how long it takes us to find your sister, possibly an external one as well. You’ll need to call the General Assembly together to confer on how to keep things running smoothly in the interim. If this takes a while, Darius’ father will need to be notified and the terms of his stay here renegotiated.”