by Marina Epley
“Your explanation contradicts information we have,” Vogel states after I finish speaking. “According to my sources, you assassinated the leaders of government and subsequently attempted to take over the country. You’re a level 5 breaker with an ability for telekinesis.”
I just stare at her.
“You’ve additionally committed several acts of terrorism,” she continues. “And you sent your army of breakers on missions to kill ordinary humans.”
I take another deep breath, calming myself. I’m so sick with all the false accusations.
“Your information is bad,” I answer. “But I believe you already realize that.”
Vogel smiles kindly.
“I’m more than willing to hear your side of the story,” she says. “Please, continue.”
I start telling my story from the very beginning. I explain how I revealed my breaker abilities, trying to stop a bank robbery almost a year ago. I tell her how Elimination captured me and made me go through the horror of a fake lethal injection without informing me that it was fake. How I tried to help Elimination catch a terrorist group of breakers and was tricked into capturing the wrong guys. I tell how I attempted to fix my mistakes by initiating the prison riot and freeing all the prisoners. I finish with how I became Guardian’s puppet and was forced into destroying the Death Camp.
It’s a very long and complicated story. I’ve no idea whether Vogel believes me or not.
“Your version sounds a little farfetched,” she finally says after a long pause. “I’m quite sure that you’re lying.”
Her face reveals no emotion, and I can’t imagine what she’s thinking. Does she really think I’m a terrorist? I doubt it. She’d have already ordered me shot in that case.
“I’m not lying,” I answer.
“Why would Warden Browning organize acts of terror against ordinary humans?” Vogel asks.
“He needed to increase his budget for building new prisons,” I explain patiently. “He also wanted to manipulate the government into allowing for the total scanning of the entire population for breaker abilities. Those acts of terror helped him accomplish all of that.”
“Didn’t he realize it would lead to war?” Vogel wonders.
“I believe war was his end goal,” I answer. “Browning could have been controlled by Guardian.”
“Could you repeat the exact role Guardian played in all this?”
I obediently repeat my story about meeting Guardian and his evil plan to destroy the world as we know it, killing or enslaving all ordinary humans. Vogel listens without any expression on her face. She seems bored. Chase stands beside her, watching me carefully. He obviously doesn’t trust me.
“So you want me to believe that everything that’s happening right now is the doing of one single individual?” Vogel asks after my explanation.
“That’s correct,” I answer. “Guardian is responsible for this war and the genocide of ordinary humans.”
“And you hope to assassinate him.”
“Yes ma’am, with your assistance of course.”
“And how exactly are you planning to do that?”
This is getting ridiculous. I’m having to explain everything to this lady over and over. I hide my frustration, telling her again about Holtzmann’s project.
“Did you kill Browning?” Vogel suddenly asks.
“He committed suicide,” I answer.
“Did you kill Captain Wheeler?
“I took part in that.”
Vogel remains quiet for a few moments.
“We used to work together,” she says.
Great, I think, she’s also Wheeler’s friend.
“Did Wheeler also work for Guardian?” she asks.
“I don’t believe so,” I answer. “He genuinely hated breakers and seemed to enjoy hurting and killing them.”
“Of course he did,” Vogel says with a grin. “It was his job. He was an Elimination officer and I must say very efficient at his job.”
I’m coming really close to hating this lady.
“Elimination was never supposed to execute innocent breakers,” I counter. “Guardian transformed Elimination from peaceful organization into a mechanism for genocide.”
“Yours isn’t a traditional view on Elimination,” Vogel comments. “So could you please explain how you happened to come to such a conclusion?”
I begin telling my story all over again. After I finish my explanation, Vogel demands me to repeat everything one more time. She follows up with multiple questions. She asks what floor Carrel’s lab was on and refuses to believe it when I can’t remember. She wants to hear the details of Lena’s and Jimmy’s capture, which I can’t offer. She expresses doubts of my being able to survive an entire night in a freezing well. She disbelieves the fact I managed to locate Drake’s group through telepathic visions. Her inquiry lasts for what seems like a really long time, wearing me down.
I finally become exhausted and annoyed with this pointless interrogation. I realize that Vogel is just trying the same thing with me that I did with Chelsey. She has me repeating my story in order to catch any mistakes. I no longer think Vogel is interested in hearing the truth from me. She’s just trying to see what kind of person I am. She wants to see how I’ll react to her repeated questions. Vogel must be curious whether I’ll become angry and refuse to speak to her. Will I lose my temper and attack her or maybe begin begging her to spare my life?
I’m sick with playing these games.
“Listen, major. I believe you have all the information about everything that’s happened,” I say. “You know I haven’t committed the crimes I’ve been accused of, otherwise you’d have already ordered me shot. And I also believe you realize there’s no other way for Elimination and breakers to possibly win this war against Guardian, except through cooperation. So let’s just quit wasting time. I’m sitting here before you, offering our full support. Take it or leave it. It’s really that simple.”
My statement seems to amuse Vogel.
“Chase advised me that you’re nothing but trouble,” she says. “So why would I want to cooperate with you?”
Damn Chase, I think angrily.
“I didn’t come here to make any trouble for Elimination this time,” I answer. “I really came to help you.”
“Don’t you feel somewhat like a traitor, betraying your own kind?” she asks with a smile.
For a moment I’m truly afraid I may lose self-control and say something offhand. But I realize I can’t allow myself that luxury.
“No, I’m just trying to protect innocent people,” I answer sincerely.
Vogel takes a moment to think.
“Chase, do you believe Elimination should cooperate with breakers?” she suddenly asks.
Chase looks caught off-guard. He begins mumbling something incoherent.
“Officer Chase, I’ve requested your opinion,” Vogel says in a firm voice. “Speak clearly, please.”
Chase hesitates, then answers unsurely, “We can’t trust breakers, ma’am. They’re our natural enemies.”
I wonder what this is all about. I don’t think Vogel is really interested in hearing Chase’s opinion. He’s just a regular officer.
“You’ll be soon informed of my decision,” she says before leaving.
Left alone, I try to rest and collect my thoughts. Her interrogation has worn me completely out. My head aches, and I feel edgy. I wonder whether Vogel will order my execution after all.
I also think about her calling me a traitor. There might be some grain of truth in her words. Maybe I actually don’t know where I stand or to what side in this war I belong. Everything has become too complex. I can no longer easily understand what’s right or what’s not.
I stretch out on the floor, closing my eyes. I need to get as much rest as I can in preparation for whatever lies ahead.
***
I awaken to Officer Marcus entering the cell, a big grin spread across his face. He looks similar to his younger brother,
Dave, and is friendly in the same way. He once helped my team escape from Elimination.
Marcus greets me, shaking my hand and asking how I’m doing.
“I’ve been through worse,” I answer.
“Dave and Holtzmann filled me in on everything,” Marcus says. “I’m glad you finally came around. We really need as much help as we can get. We don’t have enough manpower to adequately defend the city.”
“Where are the professor and Dave now?” I ask. “Are they all right?”
“They’re fine,” he assures. “Vogel is interrogating them as we speak.”
I feel sympathy for Holtzmann and Dave.
“Vogel,” I say. “Tell me about her. Where does she come from?”
“She saved the organization,” Marcus blurts out. “Elimination would be utterly destroyed by now, if it wasn’t for her. All the other executives were either killed or had simply run off. It was a big mess. Breakers were constantly attacking us, killing everybody they could. We never received any instructions because all the high ranking executives were already dead. Nobody left to lead us. Then riots broke out in prisons all over the country. We lost our financial support and all communication. It was total chaos.”
Marcus pauses, his expression gloomy. These recent memories must be painful for him. I wonder how many fellow officers he’s had to watch die in this war.
“And then Vogel arrived,” he continues. “She assumed leadership as a higher ranking officer and organized the resistance, defending this city.”
“So she’s actually the current leader of Elimination,” I conclude.
“Elimination officially no longer exists,” Marcus sighs. “There’s only a thousand officers remaining to defend this city. That’s all we have. We don’t even get paid anymore.”
“Why haven’t you left then?” I ask.
Marcus looks at me in astonishment.
“We must protect ordinary citizens from breakers,” he answers simply.
I nod, understanding him well enough.
“How did Vogel survive during the prison riot?” I wonder.
“Vogel wasn’t on duty at that time,” Marcus answers. “I heard she was hospitalized. I don’t know any details.”
“You think she’ll order me shot?” I ask.
“Nah,” Marcus says, laughing. “I think she likes you.”
I’m not so confident about that, but don’t argue. After Marcus leaves, I wonder why he was permitted to pay me a visit. It must be against Elimination’s protocol. I’m also curious as to why I’m not wearing a blocking collar. Something feels wrong. Or have things become so messed up that nobody worries about rules?
Chase enters the cell. I become somewhat anxious, not knowing what kind of news he’s about to deliver.
“I’ve no idea how you do it, breaker,” he says.
“Do what?
“Manage to survive. Come on, Vogel wants to see you. She’s agreed to cooperate.”
I follow Chase out into the corridor. He no longer holds his rifle on me, but still appears very alert in my presence.
“So, what’s your real agenda, breaker?” he asks as we walk.
“There’s no hidden agenda, Chase,” I answer tiredly. “I just want to take out Guardian and need your help to do it.”
“I don’t trust you,” he says. “I think you’re working for Guardian. I think he sent you to assassinate Vogel.”
“Chase, I thought you were smarter than that,” I say.
“Well, you’d best not try anything,” he warns. “Vogel is used to dealing with much more dangerous breakers than you. Remember Roger? Her squad captured his entire gang. Like to know what the other officers call her? Crocodile. Because she’s like a cold-blooded reptile. She has ice water running through her veins and she’ll readily bite off your head should you ever decide to go up against her.”
“Nice to know,” I comment. “But don’t worry, Chase, I’m not planning to assassinate your commander this time.”
I meet Vogel in her office, and she announces her decision to cooperate. I don’t completely buy her friendly attitude. I wonder how many innocent breakers this kind-looking lady has eliminated over her career.
“What’s your personal angle, Rex?” she asks. “I mean, besides terminating Guardian and protecting the people you love. What do you want for your cooperation?”
“I want vindication,” I answer. “I’d like all false charges against me dropped. And I want Elimination to become what it was originally designed to be.”
“Deal,” Vogel says, extending her hand.
I hesitate for a moment, then firmly shake her cold hand.
Vogel sends out a few officers to pick up Kitty, Jessie and Victor. Chase brings me lunch, along with a black Elimination uniform.
“Looks like you work for us now,” he comments.
Later, our team meets with Vogel to discuss the details of our cooperation. Chase and Marcus are allowed to take part in the discourse as well. Holtzmann and I try to persuade Vogel on providing us with an aircraft and support group for the mission. She refuses, stating Elimination currently has very limited resources. They have only a few transport aircraft with no missiles. Neither is she willing to send her officers in to directly attack the Death Camp. Holtzmann insists on the importance of obtaining the drug, but Vogel isn’t the type of a person you can really argue with. She answers that breakers first must earn Elimination’s trust, and only then demand the minimum necessary resources. Holtzmann finally gives up the argument, seemingly distressed. Jessie remains silent and indifferent during the entire discussion. She watches Vogel with obvious resentment, smoking a cigarette.
Vogel agrees to send transport aircraft to relocate Oliver’s group into the city.
“Are you completely sure Oliver’s breakers will agree to cooperate with Elimination?” she asks.
“Oliver didn’t initially approve of the idea,” I answer, “but I think I’ll be able to change his mind. He’s a sensible man and will understand what has to be done.”
“So let me get this right,” Vogel says. “You claim that you’re not the leader of this group of breakers, but the leader follows your commands.”
“Well, we don’t exactly have a strict structure,” I mutter.
Jessie approaches me after the meeting.
“So what’s your opinion about Miss Elimination?” she asks.
“I don’t think I like her,” I say. “She reminds me of Wheeler somehow.”
“You realize where all this cooperation will lead, don’t you?” Jessie says. “Elimination will use us to fight Guardian’s army, and then they’ll only have to get rid of the rest of us. I don’t believe breakers and Elimination will ever become equal partners. That’s just one of Holtzmann’s delusions.” She pauses, staring me in the eye. “When our work is done, Vogel will attempt to kill you along with Oliver’s breakers.”
“I don’t doubt that a bit,” I agree.
“Then you understand what we’ll have to do,” Jessie says.
I nod, saying, “You and I will have to get her first, before she has a chance to get us.”
Chapter 9
“Do you realize what you and your team have done?” Oliver asks. “You disobeyed a direct order and not only contacted Elimination, but delivered them right here to our doorstep.”
“We did what we had to, Oliver,” I answer.
“I thought I could trust you, Rex,” he says. “I thought we were on the same side.”
“Listen Oliver…”
“I don’t want to waste my time listening to more of your sorry excuses,” Oliver interrupts. “Go back to your Elimination friends and tell them to get the hell out of my camp.”
He points toward the Elimination transport aircraft landed across the field. Several officers in black stand around it, warily gazing over the camp.
“Elimination doesn’t even officially exist any longer,” I say. “There’s only a thousand brave ex-soldiers defending the city, a last lin
e of defense from Guardian’s forces. We gotta help them.”
I’m sure Oliver realizes this, but he’s not willing to give in easily. We argue for a long time. It’s getting late and the sky begins to darken. The officers in black patiently wait by the aircraft. My team wanders around close by, not eager to join our discussion. Holtzmann and Dave had offered to help persuade Oliver, but I turned them down. I don’t want a small disagreement with Oliver to escalate into a huge fight, which could be unavoidable should the overly excitable Dave and unstable Holtzmann join in.
“Your group doesn’t have any support,” I say, trying to sound reasonable. “Elimination can provide us with ammo, food and shelter. They currently reside inside a large secure prison. It has enough space for every member of your camp.”
“Are you suggesting my people voluntarily relocate inside a prison?!” Oliver exclaims.
“C’mon,” I sigh. “You know what I mean. They won’t lock us up. And it beats living in a tent. Winter is coming and it’s gonna get cold soon.”
“We’re better off freezing to death than going to prison!”
The argument continues late into the night, but we finally come to an agreement to give Elimination a chance.
The next day all members of Oliver’s camp relocate to the current Elimination headquarters. Everybody receives a new black uniform, ammo and proceeds to their cells. I find the situation almost ridiculous. We all did our best to avoid capture and incarceration, and are now willingly marching inside a former high security prison. I can’t help feeling cornered. A strange sensation of impending doom and wrongness settles over me.
I carefully observe as Elimination guards watch the breakers pass by. Oliver’s recruits trade suspicious glances with their former enemies. Everybody is edgy, and it seems that the slightest spark could start a disaster. One wrong move or insult might be enough to begin a brutal gunfight.
Surprisingly, nothing extraordinary happens during the relocation. No fights break out, and Oliver’s breakers safely settle into their new home. Vogel personally supervises the entire procedure, warmly greeting the new arrivals at the entrance. I can bet she ordered the officers not to show any signs of aggression. Nobody dares to break her command.