by Jeremy Flagg
“What the hell?” Skits asked.
“There is no science to support one or the other. There is also no science to support a precog being able to see the future, let alone affect it through changing major events. To know this, I would need to know every future Eleanor witnessed and what she did to affect change. With that knowledge, I could indeed begin predicting the probabilities she witnessed with her powers.”
Vanessa didn’t attempt to understand the majority of his ramblings. Ultimately, she knew she saw a dead woman and somehow, the woman navigated her way decades into the future to make contact. She had wondered what questions she might ask the woman and her heart felt heavy with the long list of things she wanted to know. At the end of it all, she said her thanks, and even if Eleanor didn’t know what it meant in that moment, she hoped someday it would make sense.
“We take it as a sign.”
“A sign?” asked Dav5d.
“I can’t see the future, and we don’t know enough of Eleanor’s past. So we take it as we can. We saw our founder in a time of need.”
“We will persevere,” Conthan said.
“We will,” she echoed.
Skits’s hands flared brighter as the tunnel widened. They reached the junction where four different subway lines intersected in one grand maze. Vanessa let her wings expand outward, stretching them for the first time since they entered the tunnels. She didn’t like closed in spaces. Thankfully, she wasn’t claustrophobic, but the idea of not being able to utilize her additional limbs made her antsy.
Inside the massive room, she located a giant metal box with wires exiting in every direction. She pushed a button and flipped a switch and a motor roared to life. Skits and Dwayne let their glows fade into nothingness, casting the room in pitch black. The roar seemed louder in the dark, consuming their senses for the moment.
Light. Lights illuminated the barren corridor. They were dim and far too few, but it was enough after being in the dark for so long. The generator forced lightbulbs several years old to come to life. Several exploded in a fury of tiny sparks and raining glass. The rest cast enough of a glow that the station almost seemed inhabitable.
The tunnel they were in led to a subway platform on both sides. Stairs led upward to the next level where three more lines met. To move any further in any direction they’d have to move toward the surface. Thanks to the confusion of the Boston subway system, they’d be able to lose the military without problem.
“If we take the Orange Line one stop north, we can take the Blue Line and regroup at the airport.”
She agreed with Dav5d, they needed a place to rest, recharge and gather their resources. The airport had enough underground areas they’d be able to avoid any detection until they were ready. Hopefully by then, the pursuit would be called off and they’d be considered a lost cause.
She reached the ledge and jumped straight up. With a single flap of her wings, her foot cleared the lip of the platform. She reached down, took Alyssa with one hand and Skits with the other, and pulled them up. She pointed to the stairwell leading toward the streets. In a few minutes they cleared the stairs and were standing in a massive junction where several lines of the subway connected.
There were at least a dozen tunnels, each heading in slightly different directions. The platform were flush with the tracks and commuters were able to run back and forth across the station. She had a faint image in her head of the thousands of people rushing from one spot to the next in an effort to get to their jobs. Each abandoned subway car had carried thousands of passengers a day, sending them deeper into the city as they fought for survival. Reality set in as she realized nearly every face she saw in the echoes was dead, eradicated by a nuclear explosion.
She felt the concussive force before she heard it. An explosion strong enough it sent her flying backward into a turnstile, breaking the archaic machine. Dust filled the air and a new light source reached the dismal darkness they hid in. Metal beams collapsed into the subway station and rock fell from the ceiling. The scraping of metal on pavement filled the air. Her mouth went dry as she reached a new tier of panic.
“Machines,” she screamed.
Chapter 13
2033
“You can stop lurking, Lily.”
“Jacob, you c-can—” her voice stuttered “—sense me now?”
He turned from the computer screens hovering above the table to the woman in white standing in the doorway. Beneath tightly bound lace dress, he could spot her black bra and panties, enough sex woven into the fabric that he couldn’t ignore it. There had been a time when she was forced to utilize her feminine charms to survive. He wished he could read her thoughts now; he wanted to know if she was attempting to survive with him.
“No,” he said returning to his screens. “At least not yet.”
Her heels made a clacking noise each time she stepped further into the room. Her steps were deliberate and careful. He had no doubt now, she was attempting uncover her position in Jacob’s new order. The Society said there must always be four, and with one dead, did it mean they would replace Salvador or was the group dissolving? He wouldn’t tell her just yet, but planned on getting rid of those who sided against him.
“Is your cleansing underway?”
“You think it’s a poor use of Genesis Division’s resources?”
Her laugh was condescending out of habit, as if she practiced it while looking down on her peers. He knew not to take it personally, but his slight growl sobered her. She shook her head promptly.
“These people killed the Warden,” she said as if that explained it all. He didn’t blink as she took a seat and crossed her legs, accentuating her sexuality. “If they are capable of killing a man who not only eluded us, but managed to take control of the most secure facility in America, I believe they deserve our attention.”
The voice in the back of his head quieted, satiated by her explanation. It was what she didn’t say that spoke volumes more. “You don’t like the competition, do you?”
She waved him off with her hand. “Rivalry? Does it look like I have a rival? They’re dangerous because they’re unknown. If they want to meet me, I will gladly snap their necks myself.” Dark blue eyes met his gaze, the jab at him stealing her abilities hanging in the air.
Explosions on his computer screen grabbed his attention. For now, it seemed Lily would continue surviving. As for the Children his company hunted, that was another story entirely.
Chapter 14
1993
“Goddard, you look absolutely a wreck.”
Mark kept his composure at the president’s assessment of the security guard. Goddard nodded, agreeing with her, keeping his eyes on the screen and avoiding Mark. “Things got a bit heated in the gym.”
The television’s pixelated screen projecting the image of the President of the United States of America did nothing to hide her suspicious glance. She didn’t believe him and she let her slight eye roll give it away. She might be a thousand miles away, but the camera recording the meeting room was not hiding their tells. Mark wanted to punch the man again, just to make sure Goddard maintained a level of fear about him.
“Gentlemen, I have a country to run. Do you have anything new to tell me or am I just going to hear about you wasting taxpayer money?”
“The cybernetics division has begun implementing the prosthetics you approved. The soldiers are not just able to function again, they’ll be returning to active duty.”
“Is that all you have for me?”
“We will be moving forward with the second phase of the cybernetics program. We have secured several volunteers who are willing to undergo installation of hardware directly into their brains. If it is successful, we will be able to speed up their cognitive functions, accessing their hearing and even visual abilities in due time.”
“It sounds promising, Mr. Davis, but you know I’m only half-heartedly invested in your tinkering with soldiers’ brains. What about the real reason for this call?”
“Ariel has been an outstanding subject, Madame President. She’s been extremely cooperative with Dr. Volkov.”
The president leaned in closer to her camera. She pointed at Mark with a scowl. “I do not care about her good behavior, Mr. Davis. She’s not your friend, she’s our test subject. What have you learned from her?”
Mark didn’t appreciate the woman’s dehumanization of Ariel. He understood he was too close to her, that he saw her as a daughter. Despite his fondness for the girl, he knew she was also a means to an end. However, he tried to always remind her she was a person and that her humanity remained essential to her survival.
Ivan cleared his throat. “Her abilities are immense, Madame President. She has shown amazing potential; these powers allow her to influence matter from a greater distance than we originally imagined. I understand with your...” He paused, eyes seeming to search for the right phrase “…particular connection with mentalists, you have no fondness for their kind. However, I think there is potential beyond simple study, research, and containment.”
“At least one of you is working,” she scolded Mark. “What are you hinting at, Dr. Volkov?”
“They have weaponizing potential.”
Mark couldn’t help but notice the shock on the woman’s face. It couldn’t have been much different from his own. Mark didn’t care for Ivan’s treatment of Ariel, or his pursuit of this pure science, but up to this point, it had only been for the sake of research. This was the first time he was hearing the man discuss the potential for weaponizing them.
“Explain.”
Ivan cleared his throat again. “If Ariel was to be placed in a military unit, her ability to support them would be unparalleled. She would be able to trip bombs, defuse weapons, or even subdue enemies before the platoon arrived. If that isn’t enough—I’m speaking hypothetically at the moment—what if we had the ability to put her abilities in your elite soldiers?”
The president paused at the thought, tapping her fingers against her desk. Her nails rapped loudly against the wood. She finally leaned forward, staring directly into the camera. “And how would this be different from that vile woman Eleanor attempting to put a bullet in my head?”
Mark ignored the dig at the woman. He was amazed at how fast his concept for the center was being bastardized and turned into a military training ground. “I would advise against that, Madame President.”
“Your objection is noted, Mr. Davis. Do you have an answer, Dr. Volkov?”
“From what little I know about Ms. Valentine, she was a guest in the White House. She was a friend of yours for many years. These aren’t friends, these are tools. Putting a solitary mentalist into a unit of skilled soldiers would enhance their capabilities.”
“And how would you advise we prevent a telepath from controlling their minds and forcing them into submission?”
“I’m not saying the science is quite there yet. However, I think with more studying of our asset and those like her, it is attainable.”
She leaned back in her chair and pursed her lips. Mark noted she kept glancing over to where the couch was placed, the infamous spot where Eleanor bled to death. She grimaced when she caught him watching her.
“So be it.”
Mark’s eyebrows rose in surprise at the simple phrase. He had wanted to protect mentalists, save the kids from being slaughtered by overzealous police officers. He had never anticipated he would be overseeing a military training facility. He knew it would only be a matter of time before soldiers flocked to his doors, learning to work with people like Ariel. He wasn’t sure if being a slave to the United States government was better than a fast death.
“Mr. Davis, I expect to see the first report on the transition within the week. Dr. Volkov, I appreciate your expertise on this. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this military ‘body shop’ you’re creating to keep our soldiers safe.”
She leaned in again. “And Mr. Goddard, you might want to be a bit more careful in the gym. Wouldn’t want to send in somebody to replace the head of security.” Her smile bordered on cruel. She knew how much power she had in this situation, and she had no problem flaunting it. With a wave of her hand, the video feed cut off and the three men stared at a black screen.
“Ivan, I can’t believe you offered to weaponize mentalists.” Mark felt the rage from last night returning. It fed through his chest and his hands clenched.
“She was about to terminate the program.”
“How do you know?” asked Mark.
Ivan glanced at the dark screen again. “I don’t, the tone in her voice perhaps? She was going to terminate the program and I have a sneaking suspicion she’d terminate every asset.”
Goddard turned around to walk out the door. “We’re assets,” he said matter-of-factly as he left.
Ivan nodded. “That we are.”
Mark let his hands open up, his nails leaving small half-moons in his palm. He didn’t like the plan, but he had a feeling Ivan wasn’t wrong. There was something particularly cruel about the president, and if they weren’t doing something for her, it meant they were on the chopping block.
“You do whatever you must to survive.”
“But at what cost, Ivan?”
Before the scientist could answer the rhetorical question, an alarm sounded through the building. A light on the wall flashed red as a blaring tone filled the room. Ivan ran over to the telephone and picked it up, punching the keypad. “What…”
The smile on the man’s face, the near sick grin spreading from ear to ear, unnerved Mark. “Our new assets have arrived and one of them is going berserk.” His bad news didn’t overturn his delighted features. He listened to the receiver for a moment longer. “It’s a pyro.”
He dropped the phone as the men bolted for the door. Ivan turned to head toward the lobby. Mark turned in the opposite direction. “Do what you can, I’m getting backup.”
Mark reached the elevator and put his hand on the scanner. The doors opened more slowly than he remembered. As he punched the button to head down, he was convinced he moved at lightning speed and the world around him crawled.
“Come on, come on, come on.”
He jumped out of the small elevator as the doors opened. He didn’t have time to hunt for her. “Ariel! I need you.”
The tween’s head popped around a glass door, the one leading to her play room, where she spent most of her time reading fantasy novels. She held one such book t her chest as she walked closer, the concern on her face growing. “Mark?”
“Come with me. We’re going to need your help.”
“What’s wrong?” she asked as she creeped forward.
He noticed her feet were lifting off the ground. “We have two new mentalists and their abilities are flaring. I don’t want Goddard to kill them, I need your help.”
Her feet touched down onto the cement and she set her book on a nearby table. She mustered a serious face and gave him a nod, determined to prove herself. She jumped forward into the elevator. She didn’t speak; in fact, her jaw was tense, her teeth clamped shut.
He knelt in front of her. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Whatever you do, do not put yourself in jeopardy. If you can help, go for it, but don’t hurt yourself.”
He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly. “Ariel, I don’t want you in danger, but I need you to show everybody in that room how amazing you are.”
He pulled back and stared into her brown eyes. The slight nod of her head was her only assurance. Barely fourteen and already capable of more amazing gifts than he would ever manage. He felt guilty using her like this, showing her off to make a spectacle, but he knew it was the best chance she had of surviving. She was an alpha dog; he needed everybody else to see it.
The doors opened and they sprinted down the hallway. They dodged through doorways and security guards did nothing to stop them. At this point there weren’t many who dared to speak out against the young girl. As they reached the final do
or to the lobby, Mark pushed the button for the scanner to appear. He relaxed his eye, chin on the stand, trying not to blink. As the light flashed red, he growled and started over.
Grinding metal filled the air. One step, two steps, he moved back as he watched Ariel hovering off the ground, her arms pushing out wide. Her auburn hair floated upward as she exerted her abilities. Mark watched as the door threw itself open several feet. He was amazed at how strong her abilities had become since they first met.
As he stepped in front of her, entering the lobby, he thought he’d stumbled onto a movie scene. There were several security staff lying on the ground, barely moving. To one side of the giant water fountain, a man bellowed, engulfed in flames.
“Ariel, water,” Mark said quickly.
Without further prompting, water from the fountain shot outward and knocked the man to the ground, stopping the flames. Mark continued to survey the room, looking for the source of the fire. He found a teenage boy on the far side of the lobby, nearly at the steps leading to the mezzanine. Mark pointed to the kid. “Ariel, can you knock him down?”
She looked at him, her eyes concerned.
“Don’t hurt him, we just need to get his attention.”
Before they could get any closer, Goddard stepped out of a side room with his gun drawn. “Stop or I’ll be forced to kill you.”
Mark wanted to yell, but he couldn’t argue with the man. They had casualties, people whose families he would have to call later today. It didn’t make it easier, but if he had to, he’d do what needed to be done to protect these people.
Goddard didn’t wait for the teen to reply. As the teenager took another step up the stairwell, the trigger was pulled and three loud bangs filled the room. All three projectiles burst into flame, losing their momentum and falling to the ground. Before Goddard pulled the trigger again, the gun in his hand exploded, sending him screaming to the ground.