arbitrate (daynight)

by Thomason, Megan

  Doc let me take one of the donkeys to the exit portal, expediting my travel, and allowing me to carry a gagged and bound Ted, and enough food and water to get me through the trip. Once we got to the portal, I dragged Ted through, still tied up.

  I untied Ted’s hands but kept his gag on and his feet tied. I left him on the beach. He’d either get out of his predicament or be found eventually. Besides, I put some cash in his pocket for cab fare. I wasn’t entirely heartless.

  “See you, Ted. And you’re welcome.” I waved goodbye, but he was apparently too busy trying to remove his gag to bid me farewell.

  I made my way to Aunt Jen’s to shower and change. I used her computer to try to hunt down Ethan. The office at the University of San Diego wouldn’t give me any of his personal information, so I had to track him down through Uncle Henry’s campaign office. Henry called me himself to give me Ethan’s address. He seemed pleased to hear that I was to return to Garden City and assured me that he’d get a message to Vienna. I had expected nothing less.

  When I showed up at Ethan’s door, he wasn’t surprised to see me either. Henry had given him a heads up too.

  “Blake.” He looked agitated to see his own flesh and blood. If anything, I had reason to be agitated with him. The bastard was Cleaved to the girl I fell for. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked like he hadn’t slept well in months.

  “Brother. How’s Cleaved life?” I growled at him.

  He glared at me. “I wouldn’t know. My—our mother whisked Kira off to destinations unknown. I haven’t seen her since.”

  Ethan invited me in and caught me up on everything that had happened. The biggest shocker was learning that Kira had been impregnated and would be having both our babies. I had to excuse myself to the bathroom where I unloaded everything I’d eaten in the last twenty-four hours. It had been bad enough to find out her friends would be having my offspring, but I was able to chalk that up to a simple sperm donation. Having Kira carry my baby felt different and not in a good way.

  Before we could leave for Thera, Ethan had to finish up his classes for the week so I stayed a few days at his apartment. Things were tense. I would have thought that letting him know that Bailey and I were together would ease his mind, but, apparently, nothing short of being reunited with his Cleave would help Ethan relax. He was clearly going through the motions—taking his classes and helping out at Henry’s campaign office—but not really living.

  We arrived in Garden City on a Frinight, greeted by Vienna and three other members of the Ten. Security let Ethan through but made sure to thoroughly search and surround me. Guess I still wasn’t trusted.

  Ethan wasted no time in addressing Vienna. “I want an update on Kira. Now.”

  Vienna’s bright green eyes squinted and she pressed her lips into a hard line. “She’s fine, Ethan. A bit of evening sickness, but Jackson has everything under control. And no, I’m not telling you where she is.” Jackson. Jackson Christo? Why would Kira be with him?

  “Sending Kira off was unconscionable. Sending her off with Jax is unforgivable.”

  Vienna chuckled. “Why, Ethan,…you aren’t really worried that your best friend would take advantage of your Cleave. Are you?”

  Ethan barked. “If he does I will make sure you pay. Jax always has an agenda, and it rarely aligns with mine.” The plot thickened. This Jackson—Jax—guy was Ethan’s best friend? I couldn’t let Ethan know that Bailey retained her memories or that I knew about the Christos and their purposes at Heart. But if Ethan knew Jackson, then he would know Dr. Christo too.

  “Stop being paranoid. From all accounts, Jackson is doing exactly as ordered and nothing more—training Kira and keeping her safe.”

  After Ethan delivered more barbs to Vienna, she finally addressed me. “Blake. What brings you here? Get tired of primitive living?”

  I cocked my head to the side and stared at my mother. It sickened me how much I looked like her…the emerald eyes and milky skin. As long as I never acted like her, I could live with myself. “I’m here on behalf of Doc Daryn and the Exilers. If possible, I’d like to speak with the Ten…see if we can come to some sort of truce. Doc would love to be present at the meeting if you’d be kind enough to send a security contingent to fetch him.”

  Surprisingly, Vienna agreed to the meeting. Security did go pick up Doc Daryn, and Bailey managed to tag along. Negotiations were heated, but we were able to get a temporary truce in place. The Ten were far from willing to acknowledge an Exiler Nation, but they were willing to do regular supply drops in exchange for the promise to stop the pirating raids of SCI ships. It all came with one immense catch—I had to agree to accept a seat on the Ten within the year. At such time that I took my rightful place, we would see where things stood with the truce and see if a more permanent solution could be put into place.

  More exciting was that Doc Daryn managed to arrange a meeting with Dr. Christo under the guise of discussing medical practices and a need for supplies. Bailey and I hijacked the meeting, managing to do it without Ethan being present. I knew the SCI would listen to our conversation, so I was prepared to write down some questions with my own blood if needed.

  Turns out, that wasn’t necessary. Dr. Christo was able to jam the signals so that our conversation was private. He remembered Bailey well. And he was more than happy to help us with our cause.

  Present

  Please let Ethan answer the door. It has been a journey to find my brother. I didn’t realize he was on assignment in Military City, so I went to Garden City first. Vienna’s assistant was more than happy to escort me here when I said I was on Ten business.

  The door opens. It’s Jax, who is dressed in a white button down shirt, white slacks, and shoes. Behind him is Kira. Her hair is in a ponytail, she’s dressed in a pink and white sundress, and her arms are filled with a miniature version of Ethan. It is weird seeing her with a baby. It’s like someone took a sharpie to my favorite photo. Instead of adding a mustache, they added a kid. Ruins the picture.

  Kira frowns when she sees my arms are empty. “Blake. Where’s Aiden?” Aiden. A name to go with the face. I still feel nothing towards him. She’s another matter, but my feelings are complicated. I feel guilty first and foremost. But also awkward. She still looks like the Kira I kissed and told I loved, only I can tell that she has changed and not just from becoming a mother. The innocent glint that used to occupy her eyes has shifted to something more distrusting and jaded. If Kira’s here—at Ethan’s apartment—they must be together again. But why is Jax here? I guess it doesn’t matter. Jax can keep Kira safe a whole lot better than I ever could.

  I sigh. “I’m sorry I don’t have him with me, but he’s fine. And if Ethan can help me gather the Ten together, Aiden will be returned sooner rather than later.”

  Kira furrows her eyebrows. “How do you know he’s fine?”

  I step towards her, but Jax blocks me from touching her. “I’ve seen him. Held him.” He crapped all over me.

  Jax chuckles and gestures for me to come in. He leads us all into the living room. Kira sits by him on a couch, and I take a chair. This apartment’s insane—like a modern palace—only buried in a military bunker.

  “Where’s Ethan? I need his help in gathering the Ten. We don’t have much time. The meeting must happen this morn at 0500 hours at…” I pull a piece of paper out of my pocket. “At the ‘Respond Compound General Assembly Room.’”

  Jax grimaces. “Sounds like a setup. What are you up to? You don’t honestly plan to try some sort of coup in the middle of Military City do you?”

  I shake my head. “Not at all. I’m just delivering a message. It’s the price to be paid for Aiden’s safe return.”

  Jax whispers something into Kira’s ear and takes the mini-Ethan from her, placing a kiss upon the baby’s head. Well, well. Isn’t he domestic? I wonder how Ethan feels about Jax being here with Kira and his son. I remember quite clearly how Ethan had felt about Jax being assigned to watch over Kira. It’s o
dd that he’s still around even after Ethan and Kira have been reunited.

  “I’ll leave the two of you to chat. Kira, love, if you need anything—if he tries anything—I will be back in an instant.” I’ve seen what Jax is capable of and know he’d make good on that promise. He then disappears behind the kitchen wall.

  My curiosity gets the best of me. “So…you’re in Ethan’s apartment with Jax…what’s up with that?”

  She squirms in her seat, obviously uncomfortable with my question. “Things are complicated. A lot has happened since I last saw you. So Aiden’s really okay?”

  “Yeah,” I respond. “You look like you’re good at the whole mother thing. I…I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a dad. It’s just so…foreign to me.”

  “Who took him and why?” I want to tell her, but Brad gave me strict instructions on how this all is to happen.

  “I…can’t say. Just let the night play out. If all goes well, you’ll have Aiden by morn. And the Ten will have a serious wakeup call.”

  The General Assembly Room at the Respond Compound is filled to the brim. The entire Ten is present except Ethan, who is still MIA. In addition to the Ten, all city heads are present. Jax and Kira are here too. What my father would have given to be able to get access to this crowd… The last to enter the room are Violet and Victor Black, Henry King, and a very frazzled looking Ethan, who looks like he hasn’t showered or changed clothes in a week or two. He glares at both Jax and Kira. What’s up with that?

  Henry’s appearance quiets the agitated crowd. “Who called this meeting?”

  I step forward, taking a deep breath before I speak. I’m more than a little nervous about how this will all be received. “I did. I apologize for the short notice, but I was…encouraged…to share a message with all of you.”

  “From whom?” Henry asks as he points a gun at me.

  The blood drains from my face, and my heart beats erratically. It’s not like I want to deliver this message. “Chill Uncle Henry. It’s from…a family member. The message is recorded. You should hear it from him personally. I believe he’ll be here in the flesh at some point, but his ego required a bit of fanfare to introduce him.”

  Thanks to clammy hands, I fumble with the storage device I’d been given by my escort and plug it into Jax’s tablet, which is connected to a projector. Jax dims the lights in the room.

  All eyes are glued to the screen. A man appears, dressed in black from head to toe, and shrouded in darkness. His voice has been altered.

  “My dearest colleagues. Thank you for assembling this morn. I wish we could meet under more pleasant circumstances. However, these are perilous times, times that require action. Swift and decisive action towards anything that threatens the SCI’s purposes. Our leadership has been weak, ineffective, and slow to react to its threats—both on Thera and on Earth.”

  The lights slowly start to brighten on the man on film. A collective gasp occurs in the room as Brad Darcton is unveiled. He stands and steps towards the camera, chuckling and rubbing the stubble on his chin. When he resumes talking, his voice is normal. “I will be taking back my seat on the Ten—as Senior member. Any attempt to prevent my reinstatement will be swiftly dealt with.”

  There’s shuffling in the room that everyone seems to ignore. They’re too shocked to see that Brad’s alive. Vienna looks like she has seen a ghost. All but Violet and Victor are surprised—those bastards knew he was alive all along and were housing him.

  The video ends, and Jax restores full lighting to the room.

  Fantastic. We’re all surrounded by armed military personnel, and we are hostages to Brad Darcton. Well played, Brad. He’s the only one with the balls to stage a coup of his own people using SCI military to help.

  Jax grabs hold of Kira, ready to whisk her out of there on the first sign of real danger.

  A door opens, the military goons part, and a very smug-looking Brad Darcton enters. He strides over and places a quick peck on Vienna’s lips. “Hello, Darling. You look lovely…a little pale but beautiful nonetheless.”

  She stammers. “You…you…you…were dead.”

  “Nah. Just incapacitated for a spell. During my recovery, I had a lot of time to…ponder, study the political landscape, and formulate a plan.” He turns to address the crowd. “As you can see, our Military backs my return to my rightful spot as Senior member of the Ten. And lest you think that my power doesn’t extend beyond here, I think a live broadcast is in order.”

  Brad motions to several military personnel, and, suddenly, Ethan is surrounded. Their weapons are pointed at him.

  Using his own kid as bait to show how ruthless he is? What a bastard.

  “Jackson, I’m sure you’ll be happy to assist me in this matter.”

  Jax glares at Brad. He’s not on board with this. But when Ethan’s guards release their safeties, Jax agrees to help. Brad uses a low voice to tell Jax what he needs—something about tapping into a video feed of some sort.

  Several scenes appear out of nowhere—so crystal clear that I could swear we were seeing everything in person. There’s a mall, a school, a football stadium, an amusement park, a military training facility, a corporate headquarters for a high-tech company, and a medical research facility. People are scurrying about at each location. I don’t get why Brad wants us to see this.

  “We have spent decades researching and testing and gathering data. But what have we done with our findings? Nothing of consequence. Society’s morals are declining at a faster rate than ever on Earth. And here on Thera, we’ve allowed those we banished to gain strength and power and to rise against us. We have been tentative, weak, and indecisive. That changes now. After this morn, the SCI will take control on Earth. And here on Thera, we will become a force that no one will reckon with.” He looks sharply at Jax, then me.

  He gestures to all the locales Jax is showing us.

  We watch the mall implode into a billowing ball of shrapnel and dust.

  Gads almighty, what has he done?

  Kira screams, echoing what I wish to do but can’t. My scream is stuck in my throat. In fact, I can barely breathe. Jax pulls Kira flush against his chest so that she can sob against him. He shields her eyes from the rest.

  The school is next, reduced to steamy rubble by a wall of fire, hundreds of promising young minds perishing in an instant.

  No. Make him stop. Make this stop.

  A mushroom cloud swallows the football stadium. Thousands dead.

  Despite the Ten being coldhearted bastards, they are squirming looking ill and disgusted.

  “No,” Henry shouts. “This is NOT what we are about.”

  Brad ignores the protest and the attacks continue.

  The crowds at the amusement park battle a mist that steals their breath, each person falling to the ground.

  How could anyone kill families at an amusement park? Tears stream down my face as I watch them fall like dominoes. I look around the room. The only dry eyes are Brad’s.

  Vienna stands up and holds her hand out. “Please…Brad…stop this.”

  He rolls his eyes at her and responds with a sharp tone. “Not. Until. It. Is. Done.”

  The military facility’s own drones turn on them, dropping bombs and obliterating all within. Now, even the military guys are emotional. Their eyes are glassy, complexions pale.

  Brad admonishes them. “Stop being a bunch of pussies. You’ll be thanking me when new troops arrive to support you, and we are able to build a military that no one can reckon with.”

  A pulse renders all electronics useless at the high-tech company headquarters followed by a stronger electrical shock that seemingly stops everyone’s hearts.

  Why? Why, why, why, why, why…

  I lean over and vomit the contents of my dinner all over the floor. I’m not the only one.

  This isn’t right. Please make it stop.

  When I look back up, I see poisonous, acidic fumes fill the medical research facility, killing everyone in the most horrif
ically painful way I could ever imagine.

  Brad looks triumphant.

  I feel defeated.

  The rest of the room? The great leaders of Thera?

  They are broken.

  Pale.

  Sick.

  Disgusted.

  Weeping.

  Heads between knees, rocking back and forth.

  Gads, who could do such a thing?

  He killed thousands of innocent people…children.

  Henry, who always appears stoic, gives Brad a murderous glare. His voice is hoarse from the tears draining down his throat. “Helping the homeless move on…to better circumstances is one thing. What you’ve done…is…nothing short of genocide.”

  “I suggest you get back home quickly, Henry. You can thank me later. I’ve all but gift-wrapped your election win for you—as light will be shed on the extent of the current administration’s security failings amongst every walk of life. The country will be more than ready for new leadership.”

  Henry lunges for Brad, pushing him to the ground. It takes several guards to pull Henry off. They drag him out of the room with Henry yelling, “You better watch your back, Brad. I don’t care how many soldiers you have behind you. If you ever pull that kind of crap again on American soil, I will find a way to make you pay.”

  Brad laughs as the door closes with Henry on the other side. “He’ll get over it. Now, where was I? Jackson…I assume you’ll let your dear Arbiter colleagues know about the incoming. That should keep them busy for a while. As for the rest of you…prepare for the influx and put them to good use. I have outlined each of your assignments in a general mandate you’ll find on your tablet.”

  You’d think he was holding a seminar on, “How to become a serial killer.” Turn to page thirty of your textbook. Be sure to take notes.