My pulse speeds as Meimi rehearses her sneak-around for the big night. She races across the lab floor, counting off steps as she goes. It’s been two weeks of back-to-back practice. Tomorrow is the big day. Sometimes, I wonder if these tasks are even possible to complete in a little over a minute.
But every time she tries, Meimi gets a few seconds closer.
I cross my fingers.
You can do this.
The big monitor displays the countdown.
3 … 2 … 1 …
“Done!” cries Meimi.
The Hollow jumps up and down. “You nailed it!”
Meimi grins from ear to ear. “That’s cause for a celebration.”
“How about a party in the kitchenette?” asks Zoe. “There are still some leftover sawdust cookies.” The packaging reads chocolate chip, but Zoe is right. The stuff really does taste horrible. At least these so-called treats don’t leave you sick to your stomach—unlike the Authority’s tacos—so they’re always a team favorite.
“Great idea,” says Meimi. She gathers up the silver swarm box from Chloe and places it into the pocket of her hoodie. Lately, we’ve been practicing with it, since the container itself is a little slippery so she needs to get used to handling it. Plus, the silver swarm is calmer when Meimi’s holding it. Like the Lacerator, it tends to rattle up a storm unless Meimi has it in hand.
Tweet, tweet.
Nearby, Rakkie starts beeping away. My heart sinks. There’s only one reason why our small mechanical friend would get this excited.
Godwin is about to show.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I should have known this would happen. Unless I keep Godwin busy, the man starts scheming. And with these past couple of weeks being so busy, I’ve given him way too much time on his own.
“You know what that alarm means,” announces Meimi. “Look busy.”
Everyone hustles over to different desks. My job is to lean against the wall and look threatening, so that’s exactly what I do.
A few minutes later, Godwin strolls through the laboratory door. “Greetings, Thorne. How are the girls tonight?”
“Our team of scientists are doing well.” I probably shouldn’t have emphasized the team of scientists part as much as I did, but I can’t help it. Godwin ticks me off. These four are pulling off what’s next to impossible. They shouldn’t be addressed like they’re hanging around, braiding one another’s hair and playing with dolls. Not that there’s anything wrong with hair and dolls, but still.
I really hate Godwin.
The doctor steps over to Meimi. “I have some news for you. Lately, I’ve found myself with free time to generate new ideas.”
On reflex, my hands bunch into fists. I know exactly how Godwin got all his free time. I used to micromanage the doctor’s life from afar.
Swiveling her chair in Godwin’s direction, Meimi looks up from her data pad. “What is it, doctor?”
“First of all,” begins Godwin, “I have good news. I spoke to the headmaster and—assuming everything goes well at the Liberation Celebration tomorrow—all of you can attend ECHO Academy in the fall.”
“The Hollow, too?” asks Meimi. “I mean, can she go back as a teacher?”
“Not her, obviously.” Godwin rolls his eyes. “She’ll be dead by this time tomorrow night. But the rest of you. Absolutely.”
The Hollow doesn’t bother looking up from her data pad. She’s known Godwin for longer than we have. She directs her rage into compiling more info.
Godwin holds up an agony switch in his right hand. “Anything to say about that, my short-lived friend?”
The Hollow stops typing, looks up. Her face is deadpan as she speaks one word. “No.”
That’s the way to handle Godwin, by the way. React with emotion and it’s gasoline on the fire of his sadism. Most days, I can keep my cool.
Today isn’t one of them.
With the Liberation Celebration tomorrow night, I’m just too cranked up. The last thing I need is quality time with Godwin.
“I have a second gift as well,” adds Godwin in a syrupy tone. “And this is just for you, my dear Meimi.”
A flicker of unease lights Meimi’s green eyes. The doctor is acting way too nice for this gift to be anything good.
The doctor cups his hand by his mouth. “You can come in now.”
My back teeth lock with frustration. So Godwin brought reinforcements. Last time, it was the Scythe. The door opens, and two people step through.
Luci and Josiah.
Damn. The doctor mentioned some master plan with these two ages ago. But when that failed to really materialize, I thought the guy had dropped it.
Guess with all his free time, Godwin picked up that idea again.
Luci races across the room to pull Meimi into a one-sided hug. “Great news! You’ll be attending the Liberation Celebration with me and Josiah tomorrow night.”
All the blood drains from Meimi’s face. “I will?”
Josiah strolls up, eyeing Meimi along the way. “Yes, indeed.”
“Isn’t that a wonderful treat?” asks Godwin. “You can even stay with your sponsor parents tonight.”
Luci grasps her fingers together under her chin. “We’ll have a lovely evening together. I can even get you ready for the celebration!”
“She’s picked out matching dresses for you both,” adds Josiah. “Really hot ones, too.”
“Show some respect,” I snarl.
Godwin laughs, and it’s one of those guffaws that are too loud and long for the situation. “Be careful, Josiah. Thorne here has already seduced that one.” As he says that one, Godwin gestures toward Meimi.
I slam my fist into the palm of my free hand. “You hired me to guard her, sir. That’s what I’m doing.”
Godwin’s face melts into one of his super-smarmy grins. “And now you’re off duty, Thorne. Meimi is moving in with Luci and Josiah, effective from now until the end of time. You’ll stay here and guard the other scientists.”
“What?” asks Meimi. “You can’t do that. The event is tomorrow. I need to stay with my team. Do last-minute prep. You know.”
“I don’t think so,” says Godwin. “I have all your paperwork. Everything is more than ready.”
Meimi sets her hand on her throat. “But I’ll still be in the guard room at the event, right?”
Godwin chuckles. “How can someone so bright be so dull sometimes? You’re to sit with Luci and Josiah in the audience, my sweet. Enjoy your reward for a job well done. Dress up in a nice gown and eat a fancy meal with your sponsor parents.”
Rage courses through my nervous system. My mind blanks from anything but the urge to protect Meimi. “Listen, Godwin. You’re not taking Meimi from me. That’s final.”
“Really?” Godwin raises the agony switch in his hand and presses the button. Within minutes, the Hollow is screeching with pain. Zoe and Chloe rush to her side, patting her shoulders and offering words of encouragement. It doesn’t help. Meimi tries to approach the Hollow, but Luci blocks her path.
“Shall I stop now?” asks Godwin. “Or should I inject all the girls with the same virus?”
“It’s fine,” says Meimi. “Please stop.” She shoots me a pleading look. I know how important this event is to her. To all of them. If they get shot with the virus, there will be no chance for anything. And millions of lives are at stake.
Not to mention Godwin’s potential downfall. That’s a possible bonus.
“What do you say?” Godwin asks me.
“Meimi goes with Luci and Josiah,” I reply.
“Excellent.” Godwin presses the button again, and the Hollow exhales. The pain is gone. She collapses forward. Chloe and Zoe catch her before she falls.
After that, things start happening so quickly, it’s hard to keep track. Luci and Josiah usher Meimi toward the door. The last thing I notice is Meimi patting the front pocket of her hoodie as she says goodbye. The movement makes my heart crack with grief. Being separated from my t
ranscendent is like having half my soul torn away.
Even so, I have to be strong. There’s no question what Meimi means by that movement.
My girl wants to move forward with the plan.
After all, she has the new silver swarm, and that’s one key to our success.
Trouble is, it’s only one.
32 Meimi
Numb.
That’s how every inch of my body feels as I walk away from my team.
No, we’re more than a team.
They’re all part of me somehow.
Sure, I knew Chloe and Zoe before, but I still don’t remember any of that. Over the last two months, we’ve become closer in new ways. After all, I never worked with the twins on any science project before, let alone something this big.
And the Hollow? She’s supposed to be executed tomorrow night and by none other than the Lacerator. Our plan was to help her claim her freedom while bringing Godwin to Justice. Now, I don’t even know if we can keep her alive.
Finally, there’s Thorne. I feel his eyes on me as I walk down the hallway, Luci and Josiah on either side of me. The last few months have been like relationship boot camp. I’ve seen him at his best and worst. He’s witnessed the same with me. An empty feeling takes up residence in my soul.
I can’t let them see that I’m upset.
I won’t cry.
Even so, the tears stream.
Everything I’ve worked so hard for has been blown apart in a matter of minutes.
Leaving the Underground behind, we reach the Earth’s surface. Fake sunshine burns into my eyes. The medicinal scent of scrubbed air fills my lungs. Luci and Josiah have a hoverlimo waiting outside. The way they keep glancing between me and the vehicle, one thing is clear. These two think I’ll be impressed.
I’m not.
Once we climb in, Josiah orders the driver to begin a slow tour of the ECHO Academy campus. The buildings look like funky sculptures come to life. The shapes soar, buckle, and stack. A handful of students march across the patchwork of thin roadways that connect the different structures.
“These kids shouldn’t block our way,” grumbles Josiah. “We’re riding in a Star Council official vehicle. Don’t they see the logo?”
I crouch lower on my seat. Even though the windows are tinted, I don’t want any part of this. The roads are clearly for pedestrians. Josiah’s just being a creep.
Josiah knocks on the barrier between the massive back seat and the driver. “Honk at them!” he orders.
The limo driver taps the horn once. Lightly. I decide that I like this particular chauffeur, whoever they are.
Josiah pounds on the side windows with the palm of his hand. Seems like he’s moved on from bothering the driver to doing the dirty work himself. “Get out of the way!”
At last, the students step off the walk and onto the grass, allowing us to pass by. I sink even lower on my seat.
“See that?” ask Josiah, his Adam’s apple bobbing with delight. “This is a Star Council vehicle. They had to move.”
I don’t answer. For the time being, all my sass is on vacation. Instead, I stare out the window. For so long, I’d wanted to tour the campus, but that wasn’t possible. The few times Thorne and I left, we had to rush out of the Boston Dome for one reason or another. Then, there was always the Engine to worry about.
Godwin’s Engine.
My Engine.
So many times, I didn’t think we would get it all done, but we did.
I rest my hand on my hoodie front pocket. The sliver sentient is still in here.
There’s still hope.
Eventually, we pull up before the Blockhouse dormitory. It’s a squat building with lots of small square windows. Luci, who’s been quiet through the never-ending tour, now turns to me.
“What do you think?” she asks. “Blockhouse is an up-and-coming dorm.”
“Meimi thinks it’s amazing, obviously,” says Josiah. “This is our home base and it’s the best dorm on campus. We only sponsor the finest students.”
If I thought Josiah’s campus tour took a long time, that’s nothing compared to how long it takes for the guy to leave the hoverlimo and enter the dormitory proper. He keeps finding people he thinks he recognizes.
Josiah waves down yet another unsuspecting victim. As long as they’ve gray hair and a nice suit, Josiah will approach them.
“Sam, is that you?” asks Josiah.
The supposed Sam pauses, his gaze locked on the Star Council logo painted on the limo’s doors. “Do I know you?”
“Didn’t we meet at a Star Council event on campus?”
“No, I’m not an adjunct.”
Neither is Josiah, but he doesn’t state that. “Oh, my mistake. I was just in my hoverlimo and thought you looked familiar. I’m Josiah DeBurgh and I run this dormitory.”
With every person Josiah approaches, my numbness fades a little more.
Anger replaces it.
Josiah pulled me away from my friends so he could show off in a hoverlimo. The guy is foul. There was never a real desire to show me anything on campus, only to parade himself as part of the Star Council. All while Luci and I sit in the car quietly.
Well, I’ve had it with being just another float in the Josiah Dickhead Parade. I turn to Luci. “I’m going in.”
She pales. “Josiah’s not done yet.”
“Even better,” I state.
I leave the car. The moment my feet touch the sidewalk, the driver immediately revs the engine. Luci hops out as well. The hoverlimo takes off so quickly, I’m surprised a few students don’t get caught in the grille.
Josiah stops talking up his latest victim and storms over to me. “What gave you the idea to get out of the car? Was Luci behind this?”
“No,” I reply. “I come up with ideas all on my own. It’s called the cerebral cortex.”
“Watch your mouth,” snaps Josiah. “I’ve visited the Simulacrum. Godwin gave me a tour. He thinks I have potential.”
“Godwin’s only using you to manipulate me.”
“Now, Meimi,” gasps Luci. “You don’t believe that.”
“It’s what he’s done all along. So here’s what’s going to happen. You’ll take me to my room or whatever. You’ll leave me alone. End of story.”
Luci frowns. “But you have to go with us to the Liberation Celebration tomorrow night. Godwin’s orders.”
“Couldn’t keep me away,” I reply. And that’s the truth. “Now what’s my room number?”
Josiah pulls out a key card from his suit pocket. “812.”
“812,” I repeat. With that, I swipe the card from his hand and march off into the building. This last-minute move from Godwin threw me off, but I’ll get my head back into the game. I only need some quiet to regroup.
Then, I’ll figure out something.
33 Thorne
“Never stay too long in any one parallel world. It’s far too easy to get attached. Always guard your heart.” – Beauregard the Great, Instructions for Visiting Parallel Worlds
Godwin and I stand in the Simulacrum. He’s showing me different three-dimensional charts of how he’ll reform his new government. I’m being offered the chance to—as Godwin calls it—do the things that must be done. He calls it acting as the lieutenant of his secret police. I nod, listen, and try to look interested.
In my heart, every instinct I have tells me to run after Meimi.
I can’t ruin my cover, though.
Godwin still believes that I seduced Meimi on his orders. If he suspected how much I really care for her, I’d be out on my ass. And since I still don’t have my powers, I need Godwin. He’s my best connection to keeping tabs on Meimi.
I stare at the podium for the hundredth time. How many nights have I snuck in here and tried to deactivate the control panel on my own? Too many to count. Whoever set up that system to block my powers, they’re good.
“So, what do you say?” asks Godwin. “Want to run my secret police?”
I force myself to bow slightly at the waist. “It would be my honor.”
“Thought so! Consider it your new role, as of this moment. Your first mission is to stay here in the Underground until after the Liberation Celebration. I want those two girls secure.”
“You mean Chloe and Zoe?”
“Yes, the mouthy one and her pretty sister. Vargas will be down at some point to take away the Hollow for the event. He’s got his eye on one of the twins.”
“Chloe.”
“Whichever. They’re two of the best scientists I have and I don’t want Vargas stealing their hearts. If anyone does seducing around here, it’s you, am I right?”
This man is so gross.
“Always.”
“In that case, I’m off,” says Godwin.
I walk him to the exit elevators. Godwin thinks I following along at his side because I admire him so much. He’s wrong, of course. I want to be sure Godwin is well and truly gone before I talk to Chloe, Zoe, and the Hollow.
We have big decisions to make.
34 Meimi
Knock, knock.
Someone’s at my dorm room door. The place looks like a nine-year-old girl’s fantasy from old Earth. Lots of pink, poufs, and dolls. It’s a little weird.
Okay, a lot weird, considering how I’m seventeen.
For hours now, I’ve been sitting on my pretty princess coverlet, trying to rethink my scheme for the Liberation Celebration. Although the decor here is odd, someone did think to bring up my data pad. I keep going over sections of my plans, trying to make things work again.
Nada.
Here’s the trouble. So much centered on the fact that I could move around backstage while Thorne watched the guards. Now, I’m stuck hanging out with Josiah and Luci.
Knock, knock.
There it is again.
“Who is it?” I ask.
“It’s Luci. May I come in?”
An idea appears. If I can get some information on tomorrow night—when we’re arriving, where we’ll be sitting—that might help.
Alien Minds: Dimension Drift, Book 1 Page 17