by Amy DuBoff
“And what will happen to everyone else?”
The High Priest’s glowing red eyes focused on Raena. “They will live to serve their gods.”
Yep, the Priesthood needs to go. She needed an escape plan, and fast.
“It’s time to see what will come of this pairing,” the High Priest continued. “Test their resonance.”
Four of the people dressed in light gray stepped forward from their positions along the back wall, two flanking each gurney. The one to Raena’s left swung out a support platform from the side of the gurney, which extended her left arm toward Ryan. The attendant on Ryan’s right did likewise. Their fingertips were mere inches apart but too far to reach. She wished she could make physical contact with him and seek comfort, but she was powerless while he continued to lay unconscious on the gurney.
“What are you testing?” Raena asked.
“Your resonance connection. The nanotech you both carry will tell us everything we need to know about your genetic compatibility and potential of your pairing,” the High Priest replied.
Suddenly, the light above their gurneys pulsed in rapid succession. Raena’s blood momentarily felt like it was boiling. She cried out in pain but it was over in an instant. Next to her, Ryan’s face contorted like he was also in pain, but his expression softened as soon as the pulsing stopped.
When the lights returned to normal, a holographic overlay appeared around Raena’s and Ryan’s bodies. Threads connected points between them, but Raena had no idea how to interpret the lines.
The High Priest studied the connections. “That’s curious.”
“Those gaps…” one of the acolytes began.
“There shouldn’t be any.” The High Priest frowned. “Run a complete analysis. We need to be sure.”
The acolyte bowed his head and initiated a genetic analysis, which was depicted via the holographic projection in the open space above the two gurneys.
The attention of her captors around the room began to drift while the analysis ran in the background. It could be the opening she needed.
When is Ryan going to wake up? We need to communicate if we’re going to get out of this. With talking out of the question, she hoped the little preview she’d been given of telepathy would be enough to help them coordinate. Drawing on the connection she felt with Ryan, she reached out to him, feeling his presence across the room. That connection would need to be enough to guide her.
She took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind of fear and uncertainty. She focused on Ryan’s unconscious form.
“Wake up!” she implored him telepathically.
He twitched on his gurney but his eyes remained closed.
“Ryan, you have to wake up!” she shouted in his mind. “We’re in danger.”
This time, his eyes fluttered open. He tried to jump from the gurney when he caught sight of his surroundings but the restraints held him in place.
“Stay calm. Focus,” she told him. “Are you okay?”
No response.
She tried again, this time calling out to the invisible bond that connected them. “I know you can hear me.”
After a moment, he nodded.
Relief flooded through her. That’s a start! She refocused her attention. “Hold a thought in your mind. I’ll try to pick it up.”
There were only her own thoughts in the background at first, and then a message came forward. “They’re never going to let us go.”
“We have to break out,” she replied.
“How?”
“I need to catch them by surprise—try a telekinetic attack.”
Ryan shook his head. “We’re hundreds of feet underground. There’s no way out.”
“We have to try.”
“It’s impossible, Raena. We need to hold on until someone comes for us.”
“There’s one way,” she told him. “We need to stop time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Controlled telekinetic spatial dislocation. My grandfather was able to do it without training. I might be able to do it, too.”
He didn’t respond at first. Then, “That’s a big gamble.”
“What other choice do we have?”
“We wait for—”
“For what?” she cut in. “For help that may never come? For them to ‘breed’ us, or whatever sick aim they’re trying to accomplish. No. We’re getting out of here.”
Ryan smiled slightly, despite the grim circumstances. “You know, I really like you, Raena.”
Her heart warmed. “Good, because I’m pretty fond of you, too. But you better start thinking in terms of ‘must’ rather than ‘can’t’ or we’ll never get the chance to see what’s between us.”
Before he could reply, the analysis displayed on the holograph above them completed.
The High Priest frowned at the results. “This is not what we predicted,” he said in Old Taran.
Raena came to attention. They don’t know I can understand them!
Another one of the black-robed figures stepped forward, also speaking in Old Taran, “I told you that you should have taken him, as well.”
“None of the models showed this scenario.”
“That’s why we must prepare for all contingencies.”
The first High Priest nodded. “An oversight we will rectify. We will set them at ease and then make our move in transit.”
Who are they talking about? Raena wondered. Whatever was going on, it sounded like there’d be a delay from whatever the Priesthood had planned before. If we don’t get out now, we might not get another chance.
The High Priest returned his attention to the two captives, speaking in New Taran, “We will know the best path soon enough. You’ll eventually come to understand that this is the only way.” He departed through the door.
“When he comes back, that will be our chance,” Raena said to Ryan.
“I have no idea how to ‘stop time’,” he objected again.
“Let instinct take over, like your life depends on it—because it does.”
* * *
Wil gathered his family in the guest suite he was sharing with Saera. Morning light illuminated the gardens outside. Six hours had passed since Raena and Ryan’s capture. They needed to take action.
Jason seemed particularly perplexed as he sat down between his mother and grandmother on the couch. Cris stood next to Wil, facing them.
“I know we’re all tired and worried,” Wil began. “Given the forces at play in this situation, I think it’s best that we keep what will happen next confidential. The more we can keep the Sietinen Dynasty out of it, the better.”
Cris nodded. “We’ve had a feud going with the Priesthood for years but this is the first direct action they’ve made against us. At this point, we can’t assume any of us are safe.”
“Why take them and not me?” Jason asked.
“We don’t know for sure,” Wil replied, “but we suspect it has something to do with genetic coding. Certain traits are carried by men and women. Whatever they’re after, they must be done with the Sietinen men.”
“Regardless, we’re not going to let them get away with whatever they’re planning,” Kate stated. She placed an arm around Jason’s shoulders and looked up at Wil. “Do you know what you’re going to say?”
“More or less,” he replied.
“Wait, what’s going on?” Jason asked.
“We’re going to try asking the Priesthood nicely to back off,” Wil told him. “If they don’t, the TSS will initiate a coup.”
Jason’s eyes widened. “I thought the entire point was a political solution—to vote the Priesthood out of power?”
“Yes, but that was before they took your sister,” said Wil. “I’ll bring them down myself, if I have to.”
“But first, we put them on notice. Their response will dictate what we do,” Cris stated. “However, if we do have to turn to force, we’ll need to get out of here immediately.”
Wil nodded. “T
he four of you would go back to Headquarters while I go in with a team. I’m not sure what kind of retaliation they could launch, but that’s the most secure place to ride it out.”
“I—” Jason started to protest.
“We don’t have the luxury of second-guessing or biding our time,” Saera interrupted. “Go pack and be ready to leave if we need to.” She stood and brought Jason to his feet with her. “Kate will stay with you.”
He frowned but nodded his consent.
“I’ll wait in the common room,” his grandmother said as they headed for the door.
When they had exited into the hallway, Wil took a deep breath. “All right, let’s do this.”
“Stars!” Cris fumed. “I still can’t believe we’re going to talk to them like this can be resolved without us smashing their faces in—”
“Dad… Just let me do the talking,” Wil said.
Saera nodded. “We’ll follow your lead.”
Wil brought up the communications control interface on the viewscreen and initiated a manual contact protocol. Accessing the Priesthood’s inner network was impossible, but he had figured out how to direct a message to a specific user based on their permissions profile. He couldn’t be certain, but High Priest Quadris appeared to be one of the highest authority figures within the organization. “Here we go…” He initiated a video call to the account.
The viewscreen remained black with a swirling VComm logo in the center while the transmission awaited a response. A minute passed with no answer.
“Are they ignoring us?” Cris asked eventually.
“Maybe,” Wil frowned. “Or this backdoor doesn’t work anymore.”
Then, the onscreen logo dissolved. The image resolved into a figure robed in black sitting at a desk with a smooth white stone wall behind him. The man’s face was shrouded in shadow.
“I’m surprised,” the High Priest stated. “I thought you’d come knock down our door.”
Wil glared at the robed figured. “I didn’t want to dignify your actions with a call, but here we are.”
“You’re wise to recognize you’re powerless in this situation.”
“That’s not the term I’d use. I just want to resolve this in a civilized fashion.” If that’s even possible dealing with such a monstrous organization.
“Your daughter is with us now,” the High Priest stated. “That matter is not negotiable.”
“What have you done to her?” Wil demanded.
“She’s safe. We left you your son—don’t make us regret that kindness.”
Kindness? These people are foking psychopaths. “I appreciate your consideration. However, I’m afraid I can’t let matters go so easily.”
The High Priest scowled beneath his hood. “You have fulfilled your purpose. Let us do what must be done.”
“Which is?” Wil prompted. “At some point you assumed we’d be at odds, and since then you’ve tried to get us out of the way while still manipulating our lives. Didn’t it occur to you that maybe we could work together?”
“You would never see things our way.”
“Try us.”
The High Priest scoffed. “Go, resume your lives with the TSS and keep plotting away. You’ll never unseat us.”
I guess they know what we’ve been up to. No wonder they swooped in to grab Ryan so quickly. “You should know by now that we don’t give up easily. This is your one chance to resolve this matter.”
“There’s nothing to resolve,” the High Priest replied. “We have taken what is rightfully ours.”
“So that’s what we are to you—property?” Cris blurted out. “No wonder you always talk down to us.”
A frown was visible through the shadow of the High Priest’s hood. “We made you, just as we made the Taran civilization what it is today.”
“You may have manipulated our genetic code, but we’re sentient people,” Wil replied. “You don’t own us and you certainly don’t have the right to hold anyone prisoner.”
“We have no prisoners,” the High Priest stated. “Enjoy your freedom.”
The transmission ended. The viewscreen displayed details about the call, including the exact coordinates of the receiving equipment.
“That was worthless,” Wil declared. Though at least now we know the location of Quadris’ office.
“Smug bastards,” Cris muttered.
“That’s it. We have no choice,” said Saera. “You need to go in.”
“Take Jason back to Headquarters,” Wil told his wife and father. “I had some of the Primus Elites board a transport to here as a precaution. I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but we’ll do what we have to.”
Saera hugged him. “Be careful.”
“I’ll try.”
Cris gave Wil a quick hug, too, before running into the hall to retrieve Kate.
“Show no mercy,” Saera stated, her tone cold.
“This time, I won’t hold back.”
* * *
Raena’s heart pounded in her ears while she waited for the door to open. She had no idea if she’d be able to pull off the crazy maneuver she’d need to escape, but there was no way she would allow herself to be a part of the Priesthood’s perverse experimentation.
Behind her, one of the other High Priests was conversing with an acolyte in Old Taran. “It appears that the line needs to be crossed back,” the acolyte said.
“I feared that might be the case,” said the Priest. “The margin of chance is great enough that such a cross-back is the only way to guarantee success.”
“For certainty, it may require an additional pairing.”
“We’ll make that determination when the time comes.” The Priest sighed. “Two more generations… I really thought we were ready.”
“Soon, my eminence.”
Raena swallowed hard. I have no idea what they mean, but I don’t like the sound of it. She glanced over at Ryan and saw that he looked completely lost. “They miscalculated something,” she told him. “This is our chance to get away.”
“You can understand them?” he asked.
“We got the imprinting for Old Taran when we got New Taran. Didn’t think it’d come into play like this, though…”
A chirp sounded at the entry door. The lock clicked open.
This is it. We need to move. Raena cleared her mind. “Now!” she shouted telepathically to Ryan.
Instinct took over. Without conscious intention, Raena yanked her arms upward and the tethers binding her broke away. She tore off her ankle restraints with a wave of her hand.
Ryan was still trapped on his gurney.
Raena jumped to her feet as the two High Priests and seven acolytes leaped into action. “No!” she shouted as they ran for her. She threw up her arms and the nine men flew backward against the wall.
Ryan stared at her, mouth agape. “How did…?”
“You better find it in yourself if we’re going to get out of here,” she replied, dashing over to him. She tried to break his bonds like she’d done with her own, but nothing happened.
“Get me out of here!” Ryan pleaded.
“I’m trying—”
A shout sounded at the entry door.
Raena’s skin tingled as the hum of energy filled the air. Attack!
She ducked just in time to avoid an energy orb hurtling toward her. It struck the monitor next to Ryan’s bed, raining sparks over them.
Ryan raised his hands to shield his eyes—breaking the straps that bound his wrists.
The sparks ceased and he stared with wonder at his freed hands.
“Don’t think. Act!” Raena told him. She ran headlong for the High Priest re-entering the room.
Another energy orb shot toward her from the High Priest in her path and an even stronger charge filled the air behind her.
I need to be behind the Priest, she thought to herself. Ryan and I need to be in the hallway.
Ryan came up alongside her as she barreled toward the Priest.
Her eyes
met Ryan’s in silent understanding. She had to get them out, no matter what. “We need—”
The world froze around her. The High Priest barred her path, an energy orb half-formed between his hands. She turned her head and saw the two other High Priests and the acolytes preparing attacks behind them. They only had a second to escape.
Next to her, Ryan swiveled around to take in the room—the only perceivable movement. He looked back at her, completely mystified. “What..?” he questioned in her mind.
“We did it!” she replied, intoxicated by the glow of energy surging through her. “Now run.”
They dashed toward the open door while the world around them appeared to stay frozen. Raena nimbly side-stepped the High Priest and Ryan went around the other side. The door was beginning to close, but there was just enough of a gap for them to fit through.
The straight hallway through the women’s cells was clear. Raena sprinted down the hall in the frozen world, the imperative to get away at the forefront of her mind. We can’t help them now. We’ll come back for them.
Her heart ached as she saw a young woman not much older than herself standing near the front of her cell with a hand on her stomach, just beginning to show the pregnancy that had been forced upon her. Raena wished she could set them all free, but there was no time.
She pressed on, silently willing Ryan to follow.
They reached the end of the hall. Another door barred their path.
“How do we get through?” Ryan asked.
“We just do.” Raena placed her hands on the smooth surface and nodded for Ryan to do likewise.
The door groaned.
“Break!” Raena shouted telepathically.
The door gave way with a shrill, grinding shriek. The metal peeled back from the frame, providing an opening for them to slip through.
The women in the cells jumped up with wonder. With renewed panic, Raena realized that the spatial distortion had collapsed—they were once again moving in real-time.
Ryan grabbed her hand. “Run!”
They took off through the opening and sprinted down the hall.
Footsteps sounded ahead of them and shouts rang out from behind. There was only one way ahead and one path behind. Forward was the only option.
“We did it once. We can do it again,” Raena said.
“I’m with you.” Ryan squeezed her hand and ran forward.