The Last Singer (The Falcon Chronicles Book 1)

by Marjorie Lindsey

  I raced across the recpod track to where Jarryd, Marta and Weyland were gathered. “Finally. I worried they’d transported you.” I realized it was a stupid remark when my brother glared at me.

  “Be careful what you say, Bryn. We’re being watched, remember? Let’s run as we talk.”

  We did a few laps in silence.

  “My father says that they’ve sentenced a man who works in the media lab.” Marta brushed my arm with hers as she ran alongside. “He’s being transported.”

  “Stick.” I felt nauseated and slowed my pace. Weyland crashed into my back and we both tumbled to the track.

  “Sorry,” mumbled Weyland, untangling his long legs from mine.

  My ankle ached and my knees were sore from ramming the hard, running surface. I forced a hobbling run when several curious guards advanced from their stations along the walls.

  “Split up and meet near the swim change rooms.” Jarryd and Marta sped off, leaving me limping, with Weyland at my heels. The guards stationed by the track lost interest as we moved away.

  Our group of four blended in among the chattering clusters of people gathered in the aquatic area. Only a couple of men glanced our way as we met up. Off-duty guards by the look of their shorn hair.

  “I think they’re watching.” I nodded toward the two nearby.

  “Probably, but they’ll soon lose interest if there’s nothing to see.” Jarryd strolled past them.

  “They look irritated.” Marta’s voice was tight.

  “It’s the extra hours of guard duty. They’re not getting much time off,” said Jarryd.

  “How do you know?” Her surprise mirrored mine.

  Jarryd headed to four seats farthest from the pool and other swimmers. He lounged back, stretched out his legs and closed his eyes, but continued to speak.

  “I know one of the guards. He was the winner of last year’s Steepchase and he became a member of Delio’s personal security force. He’s from Nuvega. We became running buddies before the games.”

  I could hear deception in Jarryd’s tone. “What else?”

  His eyes crinkled to slits as he laughed. “I never could fool you, Bryn.”

  “What aren’t you telling us, Jarryd?” Marta grasped his arm.

  “He’s one of my contacts and keeps me informed about Delio.” His answer appeased his fiancée, but I knew there was something more. He traded my questioning look with one of warning. There was something he didn’t want Marta to know.

  Sensing his reluctance, I changed the subject. “Have you discovered anything concrete about Delio’s plans?”

  “Not yet. It’s frustrating that the council is still denying any serious threat. With Delio controlling the communications, everyone thinks there’s nothing to worry about and there’s no pressure for him to reveal his solutions. Father is still trying to get proof to persuade the council to question the Premier, but until that happens we have to hope that Delio makes a mistake.”

  “Or that the vandals get their message across.”

  I told them about Stick and the discussions after he was arrested.

  Jarryd nodded. “Despite the graffiti, people only seem concerned about the curfews and cameras. They don’t believe the planet’s in real danger. Making them take the threat seriously is our…the biggest obstacle.”

  “Our?” I heard the slip he tried to correct.

  “I mean for all of us.” He recovered, but it was lame.

  I would demand an explanation when we were alone.

  Marta looked at the poolside clock. “It’s too late for a swim. We’d better get changed and back to the dorm before the new curfew. Is there anything else we can do, Jarryd?”

  “Not for now. Just keep us informed if your father tells you anything useful. My father isn’t responding to my messages. I suspect he’s trying to be protective, but it’s irritating not to know what he’s doing. All we can do is watch and wait for Delio to slip up.”

  “What if he doesn’t?” I hated being the doomsayer.

  “He will. As freedoms are eroded, resentment will rise. With a little encouragement, people will become vocal and start protesting. Then he’ll really have his hands full. He’s a vain and boastful man. One day he’ll go too far.”

  We left for the change rooms. Marta seemed unusually down. I searched for something cheerful to say.

  “I’m sure we’ll find a way to uncover Delio’s plans before anything bad happens.”

  “I hope so.” She hesitated, then quickly donned her juba.

  “What’s wrong, Marta? Is something else going on?”

  “It may be just a coincidence, but three people who work in the market have disappeared. Two were artists. The other was an old janitor at the café. They’ve been gone over a week.”

  “Would they have said or done anything that might have gotten them into trouble?”

  “I don’t think so. The artists were friendly but kept to themselves.”

  “What about the janitor?”

  “He was a fatherly type, always kept an eye on things. He’d recently started back at work after a fall. He walked with a cane. Everybody liked him.” Marta shook her head. “Maybe I’m being a little paranoid. It’s just that I remember Father mentioning that since Delio took power the number of people transported from Hypor City has increased.”

  “But that’s only for offenses, isn’t it?”

  “Supposedly.” Marta shrugged and tried to smile. “It’s probably nothing, but those three are so vulnerable.”

  “How?”

  “One of the artists is mute and the other has a shriveled hand. They depend on each other, and I’ve never known them to be away for so long.”

  Vulnerable and missing described my roommate Rebecca as well. Was there a connection?

  When we met up with the others, Jarryd spoke privately with Marta. He frowned as he watched her leave for her dorm. I didn’t want to upset him further, but I needed some answers.

  As Jarryd, Weyland and I made our way to the dormpod, I decided to confront him.

  “What is it that you didn’t want Marta to know? Is it about the note? And what is the secrecy around that guard?” I was breathless by the time I’d finished my list of questions.

  Jarryd laughed as if I’d told him a joke. “Smile and keep your voice low. Don’t forget the cameras. And move.” He strode along the tube.

  I fixed my lips into a grin and kept up. “Tell me.”

  “Okay, but this is between us, no one else, not even Marta. I don’t want her to worry.”

  “I think you underestimate her, but okay.” I glanced at Weyland, who looked like he was solving a complex equation in his head.

  “It’s okay, he knows.” My brother grinned at his gawky friend. “I trust him with my life.”

  Weyland gave a goofy smile.

  With more time, I’d appreciate their bond, but we were almost at the dorm. “Okay, great. Best friends. I get it. Now tell me about the guard.”

  “He’s a member of the rebel group.” His voice was so low I thought I’d misheard. It was the first time I’d heard the term ‘rebel’ mentioned.

  “He’s what?” I stopped walking then started again when a sentry glanced at us.

  “The note was from him. We’re working together.” Steely determination in his voice matched the hard line of his jaw. He was no longer the laughing jokester who had teased me all my life. I saw a warrior, fighting for our future.

  Despite having my fears confirmed, I was relieved to see Jarryd strong and purposeful.

  Anticipation pulsed through my body. I wanted to do my part.

  “What can I do?”

  “I’m not sure. Just be patient for now.” He nodded congenially to the two men posted at the entrance of the dorm as he entered the men’s side.

  Patience wasn’t my strong suit. I was determined to find a way to help.

  “Swimming tomorrow, Brynna Bokk,” called Weyland as he followed my brother.

  16


  The Betrayal

  My imagination swirled as I climbed into bed.

  I was part of the rebel force, saving the world with Circe on my arm and a sword in my hand. The thoughts of thwarting Delio were exciting and scary. He was a powerful opponent but in my dreams he was easily conquered. I was on the verge of vanquishing him when an ear-splitting alarm bell sounded. This time I knew what it was.

  Three of us pulled on jubas. The fourth bed was still empty. Rebecca’s braces had disappeared. Marta’s concerns about missing colleagues flashed into my mind but were pushed aside as the Podmaster’s assistant hurried us out the exit.

  Again, only the women filtered out of the dorm. Suspicions were high and the women glanced nervously at one another. There was whispering about another theft.

  An hour later, the guards left the area and we were told to return to our rooms. Tired and grumbling, I shuffled back inside, hoping this would be the last of the late-night inspections.

  The next morning, I awoke to a roommate shaking my shoulder.

  “Have you seen my earrings?” she asked.

  “No,” I mumbled, snuggling back into my bedcovers. But with two women noisily rummaging through their belongings, sleep was impossible. I sat up and pulled my blanket around me. “What do they look like?”

  “They’re old. A knot of gold with a pearl hanging down. My grandmother gave them to me.” She was almost in tears. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t find them. They’re a family heirloom.”

  Her description formed an image in my brain. A gold knot and a dangling pearl. I’d seen something like that, but where? Then I remembered Calia had worn similar earrings a few days ago.

  “I’ll have to look later.” The distraught woman shrugged. “We’d better get moving or we’ll all be late.”

  “I forgot to tell you, Brynna.” The other roommate stopped near my bed. “One of your friends was here yesterday. I hope you got her note.”

  I hadn’t seen one. “What did she look like?”

  “Petite, dark hair. She had a wrist full of gold bracelets and an expensive juba. Does she sound familiar?”

  “Yes, thanks.” There was no mistaking the description of Calia. Did her appearance have anything to do with the missing earrings? Had she taken up thieving again? It was too much of a coincidence. What Mother told me about Calia stealing my bracelet made me surer than ever that she was the thief.

  I spent the morning trying to decide what to do. Once the lost earrings were reported, Calia would have to hide them. She’d never be able to wear them because of their distinctive design. Apart from catching her with them, the only way to convict her would be if two of us were to testify that we saw her with the earrings. They probably wouldn’t believe a single voice, especially since Calia and I had reprimands in our files. I’d have to rely on Suck up Sue to tell the truth.

  While Calia was across the lab, I approached Sue. I didn’t know her well but hoped that she would feel the injustice of Calia’s act and agree to support me and my roommate. I explained the situation, confirming with her the description of the earrings. She agreed to think about it and let me know the next day if she’d back me up. I left the media lab that evening feeling uneasy about Sue’s hesitation to support me. I hoped that her sense of right would prevail.

  At the recpod, Weyland waited by the swimming pool. He was alone near the shallow end. I skirted the group of guards that mingled around the deep end.

  “Warm up, Brynna Bokk.” He motioned toward the water. “Practice swim like yesterday.”

  I fixed my goggles. My nerves returned as I descended the ladder into the pool, but after swimming several widths, I regained my confidence. He then directed me to the deep end where a taut rope dropped from an overhanging metal arm into the water.

  “Next lesson. Hold your breath. Use the rope to descend. First time, stay down thirty seconds. Each time increasing. Building lung power.”

  “Are you positive this is necessary for Steepchase?” I gave him a doubtful glare as he handed me a timer.

  “Yes, positive.” He answered solemnly. “First practice deep breathing.”

  I spent half an hour breathing deeply and holding my breath, one hand on the side of the pool. I progressed, but under water was another matter.

  “Now down.” Weyland pointed to the rope.

  “Okay.” After several deep breaths, I moved away from the poolside and grabbed the rope. Hand over hand, I pulled my body down until I was fully submerged. When I looked up, I could see Weyland’s hazy outline looking down at me. When the timer reached thirty, I surfaced.

  “Good,” said Weyland.” Now deeper. Put this around your waist.”

  “What is it?” I reached for the belt. My arm slapped the water with the unexpected weight.

  “Keep you submerged.”

  I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of being weighted down in ten feet of water. I felt twinges of fear but curbed them when I remembered the rope. I’d have a safety line.

  I strapped on the belt. This time my descent was easier and quicker. Through the goggles, my eyes focused on the timer, hoping the seconds would go quickly. As I acclimated to the feeling of being fully submerged, I sat on the bottom of the pool and started to enjoy seeing my time progress. The outlines of other swimmers moved around me.

  I mastered thirty seconds, then one minute quite easily. Perhaps being a singer helped with breath control.

  The final test was two minutes. I sat on the bottom of the pool checking the timer. At two minutes, I lifted my arms above my head in silent celebration. I pushed against the bottom and pulled on the rope when someone grabbed my ankle.

  All I could see was a dark form.

  Panicked, I kicked my other leg as hard as possible trying to strike the offender but then that ankle was shackled as well. My lungs begged for air. The surface seemed miles away. Instinctively I started to hum and was suddenly free.

  I pulled frantically on the rope, kicking and twisting to reach the surface. My open mouth sucked in air and water. Spluttering and coughing, I stroked to the poolside and clutched the edge. “Help!”

  Weyland grabbed my arm and pulled me from the water. “What happened, Brynna Bokk?”

  “Someone grabbed my ankles. They were holding me down. I think they were trying to drown me.” I looked along the length of the pool.

  At the far end, two men emerged from the water; one was thick and stout, the other tall and dark. Their angry voices reverberated across the water then the shorter one laughed and walked away. The tall one looked back at me. Too far away to see his face, but the way he moved was familiar.

  I felt confused. “Who was that? Why would someone do that?”

  My brother arrived with Marta. “Do what?”

  I told them what had happened and pointed to the group of guards.

  “I’ll speak to my contact,” said Jarryd. “He won’t let it happen again, even if it was meant as a joke.”

  “Some joke. Whoever did it is a psycho.” Marta shivered in horror.

  Jarryd rested his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Weyland, I think we should forget swimming lessons for now.”

  “No argument from me.” I was relieved. “I’ve had enough of aquatic misadventures.”

  “What do you mean? Did something else happen?”

  I told them about the night I floundered in deep water when the power was out. The night someone had pulled me to safety. The same night we’d seen the shadowy figures and the recpod had been vandalized.

  “Weyland didn’t tell me about that part? Did you tell anyone else what you saw?” Jarryd asked.

  “Of course not.” I felt my spunk returning. “Do you think I’m crazy?”

  Jarryd grinned. Marta giggled.

  “Smart, Brynna Bokk,” said Weyland.

  I didn’t feel particularly smart. Fear rather than any conscious thought had kept me silent. I didn’t want to admit to seeing the people in the shadows, especially since I was sure they were reb
els.

  “It’s almost eight. We’d better go.” Marta linked her arm with mine. “You’ll feel better tomorrow.”

  After a restless night, my sleepy brain debated if lunch might be a good time to approach Sue. When I reached the media lab, shouts penetrated the walls. I opened the door into chaos. Angry glares flashed toward me, then away.

  Blood red words splayed across one wall.

  Herbert Pilchard has been transported to Haven. You may be next.

  It took me a moment to make the connection. It was Stick. He was Herbert Pilchard.

  Carrot jumped onto a table and started to rant against the injustice, vowing to do something drastic. Others voiced their support, but all went silent when Dench entered the lab. Halfway to his office, he spotted the graffiti. His gaze dropped and his hand shook as he pushed his glasses up his nose. There was none of his usual callousness when he spoke.

  “Quiet. Back to work or you’ll end up like your friend.” There was no threat, only a warning.

  Carrot leaped from the table and joined the men as they shuffled to their stations, still whispering among themselves.

  The women were huddled in one corner of the room and it was only when they dispersed that I saw Sue. Dressed in a new juba with several gold wrist bangles, I was immediately suspicious. I figured she’d warned Calia and been rewarded with new clothing and jewelry. The thief would have lots of time to hide my heartbroken roommate’s earrings.

  Calia didn’t show up during the morning. Dench seemed oblivious to her absence or decided not to notice it. After his earlier warning, was he fearful of confronting someone so closely connected to the Delio family? We were all surprised when he gave us extra time off at lunch.

  The halls were quiet when our group returned from eating. I was at the back of the pack but heard shocked exclamations from those ahead.

  “What’s going on? Why are they here again?”

  My heart started to pound when I saw armed men standing with Dench.

  Carrot’s chalky face was the first one I saw when I entered the lab. Others looked down or away, not wanting to be part of what might come.