The preparations had been made and everything was in place. Chastity had even written what Freya should say in front of the cameras. Freya’s hands were sweating, which was not a normal response for her body to have toward stress.
It was imperative that she be completely professional to Colin. A greeting welcoming him back to Earth, a handshake, and an address to the people: then she could be free of him. He would have performed his token gesture, and she would play her part also. He could head back to his new life, and she could continue with her own. All she could hope for was that he would stay on the other side moving forward.
She stood in front of the transport device, with crowds of civilians watching in the atrium. She had to look as petrified as she felt; luckily, people seemed to interpret it as having other causes. Did anyone other than Chastity remember that I was coupled with Colin, or that I had even been coupled to begin with? Part of her found comfort in the thought. If no one knew their history, then it would be that much easier to treat him as a stranger.
The technician turned on the transport device, and curiosity took over her fears, as she had never seen it function up close before. She had expected it to make sounds of some sort, yet it just displayed a series of lights. Chastity then appeared at Freya’s side and clipped a microphone onto her shirt. Freya squared her shoulders to the onlooking people.
“Welcome, citizens.” She paused. “Today is a day that will change our lives forever. Today we bear witness to the superior technology the State has provided for us. Today we will not only show that colonization is possible, but that it is also viable.” She paused again for dramatic emphasis.
While in her pause, her mind went blank. She had not brought her speech with her. Chastity insisted she memorize it to look more commanding. As she couldn’t remember any more, and the longer she remained silent, the more troublesome it would be, she decided to simply speak from the heart.
“This transport device will increase our resources on our world, and allow us to travel to the other world as our population increases. Once this transport device has been cleared as completely safe, I hereby declare the migration to the colony world open to any civilian who desires to live there. It is time for us to spread our wings and soar higher than the confines of this dome.”
Freya would have said more, but the atrium burst into a collective roar. Everyone was cheering, clapping; most were crying. Freya looked around, dumbfounded. She never knew that so many people wanted to live on the colony world. Like a current of electricity bouncing around the room, everyone felt the effects of the power of her words.
The lead scientists reached out for her hand, and led her to the device. She activated the transport device, and the atrium reignited their cries of victory. A bright light filled the atrium, coming down in a pointed beam on the ground a few feet in front of the transport device. The light disappeared, and in its place stood Colin.
He looked around, disoriented, and then he realized all these people were cheering for him. He raised a hand and waved as he looked around the space, which only made the people cheer even more. He waved slowly, gradually turning in a circle until he looked behind him. His eyes locked on Freya and his hand fell limply to his side. He opened his mouth, and then closed it again, his eyes never leaving her.
“Our brave traveler has arrived,” Freya proclaimed into the microphone. The crowd erupted again. Freya moved closer to Colin. She extended her hand to him, which he just stared at without responding.
“Earth welcomes you back, and thanks you for your courageousness.”
Colin finally reached out and shook her hand, and then Freya raised her hands up, still holding his. The crowd ate it up. She then let his hand drop, as a crew of military guards and doctors shepherded him away. Freya saw Chastity, who immediately grabbed her arm, and they began to follow them to a clinic.
As soon as they were behind the closed doors, Chastity and Freya took the underground military access back to the State house. Chastity did not say a single word to Freya until they reached the privacy of her office.
“And you said you didn’t want to be the head of State anymore.” She grinned.
Freya doubled over and crouched into a ball near the floor, breathing heavily.
“You were perfect.”
Chastity rubbed her back while Freya worked on evening out her breathing. After a moment, she got up and sat in the desk chair. Chastity left momentarily, and returned with a plate of food for Freya. She didn’t try to engage her in conversation; she just placed the plate in front of her and left her alone.
Freya expected to feel torn apart, to feel as if she were bleeding, yet she felt nothing. She had just done the hardest thing she would ever have to do. She had just faced her ghost head on, and made it to the other side. It was over; she might never have to see him again. He could return to being a ghost; no, he would be nothing more but another colonist.
Freya didn’t have much time to gather her thoughts, or get any work done, for that matter. A message came through that the Council was calling an emergency meeting.
Panic instantly took over her. Had the doctors found something wrong with Colin so quickly? Could he have just keeled over dead or something? Chastity came hurriedly into the office and turned on the monitor to prepare for the meeting. Freya greeted everyone, and waited for the news to be delivered.
“Madam head of State, the Council is requesting that you retract your statement delivered at your address today.”
Freya’s jaw nearly came unhinged. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand,” she stammered. “Is there news about the colonist who came through? Is he not in good health?”
“Thus far, his state of health has checked out satisfactory,” replied the male voice. “What we are referring to is where you declared that everyone who wishes to move to the colony world may do so as soon as the colonist was found healthy.” He paused again. “This was not a part of the speech that was written for you. We do not have a viable plan in place for mass migration.”
Freya nearly scoffed. The Council couldn’t change a light bulb without careful calculations. “So then we make a plan for that migration,” she replied in a sharp tone. “Of course I can appreciate that the masses can’t be moved all in one day, but we can start the process. We will send out a survey, just as we did for the population increase.”
“It is not that simple. We can’t send any part of the population who would be a burden, ones who are either too old or too young to help to build the colony.”
“As I said, we will treat this like our population increase. We will send out a survey, and only send the ones who can help to build until the infrastructure is in place to set up education centers for the youth.”
“That could take a decade, or perhaps even more. You stated that they could simply go if they want to. You didn’t mention any selection process or that there would be a wait time,” he replied.
“I think you are underestimating the intelligence of the general population. Of course we can’t send everyone who wants to go tomorrow,” she snapped back at him. Freya had always spoken to the Council with humility and respect. Something about the tone he was taking with her got under her skin. “I will, of course, be happy to give regular updates, if you feel more information about the process needs to be given. But until our colonist comes back with a clean bill of health, this is a moot point of discussion.”
There was a long pause on the other side of the monitor.
“So you are refusing your retraction then?” he asked.
“Perhaps you could be spending this time to form a proper migration plan as opposed to arguing about our lack of a plan,” she replied.
“Very well then,” he said, and the meeting abruptly ended.
“Chastity, I want you to draw up the survey. I want it ready to be sent out the moment we receive notice that Colin has cleared his medical.”
“Who am I to send it to?”
“Everyone. Every single man, woman, and
child will be given the survey. Once we have the data of who wants to go, we will decipher who to send first.” Chastity nodded to Freya and took her leave.
Freya thought for a moment about how to start the screening process, yet her mind quickly wandered. Let the Council come up with their blessed plans; there was a different plan it was time for her to figure out. The plan that needs the most attention right now is how to take down the Council.
Chapter 18
There was a strange kind of peace that came over her while drifting off to sleep. She had taken on the Council, and it felt amazing. It was time to let the old ways go and open a path for a new dawn. This archaic way of life would soon be something in the history books. Those history books would need to be objectively written, which was a task she felt qualified to perform. The State was needed at a time—due to the blunders of a previous civilization, but that time was drawing near its end.
Both would need to be studied and understood. It was the only way a moderate government could stand. Her hands would be full in the months to follow, but she dreamed of what lay beyond the immediate struggle. She still held to the dream of stepping down when a new government could be properly formed and spend the remainder of her days in the garden of the State house.
She had a better sleep that night than any she could remember. Sleep had not been that delicious since her time with Colin, yet she didn’t ever revel in it as she was not hungry for it. The sun was rising as she started to stir. She must have slept for a solid seven hours. It was not just the sleep that was wonderful; she had not had a single nightmare.
As she headed to the exercise room, she noticed that the elation she was feeling the previous night was carried with her. She had stood up against the Council, and there wasn’t a damn thing they could do about it. Ursa would be proud of her. She had lived up to her end of the bargain. Everyone who wanted to live on the colony world would, and there was no need for war. They had both won, and now she felt Ursa’s soul could finally rest.
Her workout was brief but thorough. She didn’t need to exercise to keep her emotions in check; it was simply out of habit that she exercised for optimal health. Once she had showered and dressed for the day, she walked to her office with a spring in her step.
The number of messages in her inbox was even more excessive than ever. She sifted mindlessly until one subject heading caught her eye: ‘Colonist Medical Report.’ Without a single thought, she dove straight into the message. Her body instantly broke into a cold sweat.
There were so many numbers; she didn’t understand numbers. His heart rate, cholesterol, neural activity, muscle function, reflexes—all broken down into data—a language in which she was not fluent. Fortunately, there was one sentence at the bottom of the report written in words.
“All tests conclude the colonist is in equal health as to the time before the departure of the spacecraft.”
Freya let out a heavy sigh, which was shortly followed by tears, and somehow she started screaming. The door to her office had been left ajar; Devina ran in first. She tried to grab her by the shoulder, but Freya just grabbed her back and started to jump up and down.
“Okay, crazy, what is going on?” Devina nearly yelled. Chastity rushed into the room.
“He’s fine,” Freya stammered. “He’s fine!” she yelled. She broke off her grip from Devina and turned to face Chastity, who, although she held an air of being completely calm, had tears running down her face. “He’s fine,” she repeated.
“I know. I have your survey ready to send on your command.”
“Who’s fine? What’s happened?” Devina cut in.
“The colonist—his medical report has cleared. The transport device is safe,” Chastity said calmly.
Devina sat down on a chair and propped her feet up on Freya’s desk. “Well, consider this my resignation then. You are going to have to find yourself a new cook.” She crossed her arms, shortly after she burst out laughing. “But seriously, when can I go?”
“There is a survey being sent out. You may fill yours in and wait in line with the others,” Chastity replied.
“Oh, come on! I deserve to go to the top of the list. I’ve got connections.” She winked at Freya.
“Well, being that I don’t know how to cook my own food, I can’t make you any promises,” Freya replied.
Devina pretended to sulk off angry, but turned and hugged Freya at the last second before she left.
Chastity looked to Freya with a more serious tone. “I have your speech ready. I think it would be best for you to make your address immediately.”
“Wow, you wrote this already?” Freya looked over at her tablet.
“I felt optimistic, so I wrote it last night,” Chastity responded.
Freya read it over rapidly. A broad grin spread across her face. It was perfect. It said everything that needed to be said, and still gave the Council a small token.
“Let me know when you are ready,” Chastity said.
Freya nodded, and she activated the monitor. The logo for the State came up on the screen, the sight that let everyone know it was time to stop what they were doing to watch the broadcast. Chastity cued Freya to the camera, and she began the address.
“My fellow citizens. It is with great joy that I come before you today. Our medical reports have shown the transport device has been deemed a viable form of transportation between our two worlds.” She paused for a moment; her voice was beginning to crack a little. Tears welled up in her eyes, but for the first time in her life, she was crying tears of joy.
“Today you will all be sent a survey to inquire into your interest in taking part of the colonization project. All possible candidates will be given an interview where the risks will be explained. Our lead team of scientists are forming a list of the needs anticipated on our new world. Each candidate will have an opportunity to relocate as the infrastructure of the new world becomes available. It may be weeks for some of you, or months—possibly even years. It will take much strength, much diligence, all qualities I have seen of you in the past year leading up to this moment. We all have sacrificed; we all have worked past the point of exhaustion. I assure you, your efforts have been noted, and they have not been in vain.” She paused again, wiping away her tears. “You should all feel a sense of pride, as I am proud to call you my people, my great citizens of the State.”
Chapter 19
If there was a wind sweeping through the State, a flurry of excitement, Freya would have no idea. She had sealed herself inside her office. Chastity would deliver her meals, and otherwise the door was closed. There were so many messages in her inbox, so many that needed her attention, and simply not enough hours in the day to keep up on it all.
The messages were almost completely about the colonization project, which could possibly account for the fact that she did not immediately open the one email that truly needed her immediate response. As she read the message, her mind instantly rejected it. She looked at the time it was sent, the time it was currently, and then just stared at the message again. It was simply incomprehensible.
Madam Head of State,
The colonist has requested a meeting with you in your office before returning to the colony world. As he is the leader in communications on the colony world, we have agreed to his request. He will be arriving at 18:00 via the military passage directly to your office.
Regards,
The Council
He was to arrive in five minutes. It was too late to stop it. He was undoubtedly waiting at the checkpoint now, the place where Lewis had trained her before their mission. A numbness came over her entire body; all color drained from her. Colin was simply going to appear in her office.
Why is he doing this? Why is it necessary? Did he come to gloat? Is he going to speak of politics as though he had never known me? Would he even know about his mother, or that we had known each other?
There was a knock from under the floor. She had been staring at the screen of her tablet for five minu
tes. The door opened, and a military officer stepped inside.
“Madam head of State, I present to you our brave colonist who has requested a meeting with you,” he said, and saluted her. “He has passed a thorough security check.”
“I am not concerned for my safety,” she replied dryly. “I trust your capabilities.”
“Madam, he has requested a meeting in private. The security check was necessary.”
Freya let out a big sigh. She had held onto the thought that they would not be alone, and that was when the numbness turned to nausea.
“I see. I suppose you granted this request.” Her voice sounded clear and confident, a trick she was learning slowly as the head of State, how to stop letting her emotions be heard in her voice.
“Yes, Madam head of State. We see no risk, and the Council approved it.” He paused. “His name is Colin. I will take my leave now and send him in.”
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