I follow Vienna’s instructions to freshen up and back up my tablet to the central servers. Then, I say goodbye to Ethan’s home, a home we shared all of two nights. We take the train to the port, escorted by several armed security detail. The process to get through security takes a good hour, as I’m questioned, fingerprinted, have my blood taken, and wait around while they “transfer my files” to my new jurisdiction. I wish I’d eaten a bigger breakfast. It’s not like they have vending machines or fast food restaurants here to give me a quick fix. Finally, they let me out of the small, dark interrogation room, and Vienna walks me to a large hydrofoil docked at SLOT 5. It looks sleek and modern. I wonder where it was built. It would be so much faster to just take me to the mega-portal.
“I do have some good news for you. There will be some familiar faces on board,” Vienna says with a smile. “It’s always good to have family with you during a difficult time.”
“Family? Who?” What distant relatives of hers will she dispatch to keep me in line this time?
“You’ll join your mother, father, and brother and his Cleave for a while. Plus, you’ll have your own personal instructor and bodyguard—Jackson Christo. And, as we discussed, Ethan will visit as he is able.” I get to be with my family? That’s way better news than I expected.
“Thank you,” I say with enthusiasm and thankfulness. Although I am thankful, and despite her seemingly sweet act, I know that she’s all evil and always scheming.
“You’re welcome. Ah, here he is. Meet Jackson. He will be with you at all times.” She motions to the guy standing next to her.
“Call me Jax. Pleased to finally meet you, Ms. Darcton.” He grins, and I grimace as he gives audible confirmation that I have the same last name as my deranged Cleave-in-Law.
As Jax looks me over, I return the favor. His outfit, which hardly seems standard Theran fare, catches my eye first. He’s fully dressed in glistening white. Pressed white dress shirt, white slacks, belt, and loafers. Jax looks to be Ethan’s age, has disheveled light blonde hair and what I can only describe as light gold eyes ringed with blue. Equally unique and stunning as Ethan and Blake’s eyes, and something I’ve come to expect on Thera. Jax’s skin tone seems unusually golden for the Theran climate, though. He looks like a Nordic god with dimples.
Jax puts a hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear, “Vienna thinks she has me in her pocket, but I assure you that her pocket has a rather large hole. Trust our interests are in alignment and we’ll get along famously.” I smile widely, liking Jax already. Everything about his demeanor calms me.
“Jax, no flirting with Ethan’s Cleave,” Vienna admonishes.
“Relax. Ethan and I are the best of friends. More like brothers,” Jax responds. “You hardly have to worry about me. I would never disrespect a consummated Cleaving.” He turns and winks at me. One of Ethan’s best friends? Perhaps Jax can fill me in on everything Ethan has failed to.
Vienna looks furious but shakes her head and returns her attention to me. “If he becomes a problem, let me know immediately. He’s rather annoying but uniquely situated to train and protect you. You can contact me with any issues using your new tablet. It has extra security and requires your fingerprint to access it.” She hands me the device, and I press my index finger as instructed. Vienna continues, “All your data was transferred. I also added a new folder that I think you’ll particularly appreciate.”
I open a folder marked “Personal” to find pictures of Ethan and Blake. I flip through and can’t hold back the tears. Her gesture was not one of kindness. There are pictures of me with each. Pictures of Blake in Headquarters when he’s not supposed to be there. Pictures of Ethan watching me from afar. Pictures of my Cleaving ceremony. Pictures of Blake in Exile, donned in orange which make my heart go crazy. At least I have proof that he left the city alive. That is heartening. Vienna, however, has no heart.
It’s clear that Vienna wants me to remember every bit of my love triangle and to know that the SCI will always be watching, listening, and controlling. I continue to scroll through, and I come across something that gets my blood boiling—a picture of Blake and Bailey Goodington kissing while in party attire. They’re in a bathroom with the door closed. You have got to be kidding me. I remember that Bri told me Bailey was all over Blake at the pre-mass Cleaving party, but she or he never mentioned that Blake didn’t seem to mind her advances. At all. He threw a temper tantrum over my friendship with Ethan when he so readily gave in to Bailey? I’m clearly a magnet for lying, cheating losers.
“That’s my personal favorite. While you were away and pretending to be Ethan’s girlfriend back home, Blake managed to find company of his own. And now that he has chosen Exile, he very well may run into her again,” Vienna brags. My stomach flip-flops, but I hold a neutral expression.
“So, where am I headed? Which of the cities?” Without understanding the government structure of each, it would be hard for me to pick, but there are definitely cities I saw in scale versions that would be fascinating to visit. Hopefully, my travels will be interesting. It’s crucial for my sanity that I find one bright spot in this. Other than being with my family, which will help immensely. I look to Jax, but he just shrugs.
Vienna says, “I think I’ll leave that as a surprise for now. Only the ship’s pilot and a handful of crew know, for security purposes. I wouldn’t want your location getting passed along to the Exilers.”
“Okay. Then, how long will it take to get there?” Can’t I know anything?
“Don’t worry, Kira. You’ll have suitable accommodations on board, and the crew will provide you with everything you need.” She gives me a kiss on my cheek. I smile and put my hand on her arm. I can pretend to be kind too.
Of course the SCI will provide everything I need. They always do. Everything except a certain and stable future.
Vienna turns to leave, and I’m left standing with Jax. He nudges me. “Well, m’lady. Are you ready for an adventure?” He leans in to my ear and whispers, “After all we have things to learn, plans to make, governments to overthrow, and lands to conquer. You with me?”
He offers me the crux of his arm, and I insert my own arm. “I do believe I am.” Then, silently, we walk together up the gangway to the ship.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Blake
She wants my answer. Now. Vienna Darcton is nervously shifting her weight between her two feet as she awaits my decision.
I stand up to face her. “I’m sorry. I have to choose Exile. Although I’ve gained a much better understanding of the SCI and why they do what they do, I still can’t be a part of it.” And now that I have what I need to take them down, I’m going to go convince Doc Daryn and the Survivalists that there may be a way to victory over the SCI without violence. Kira and I can’t pull it off alone.
“You’re sure of your decision? This means Kira will Cleave to Ethan immediately.” I wince at the vision of the consummation that pops into my head, but, even if I stayed, I’m positive the end result would be the same. At least he loves Kira and will keep her safe.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“Very well. Curtis will take you outside the city.” She motions to her security guard. I see that he has orange clothing and a backpack prepared for me. “It was nice to have been given a chance to get to know you. I wish you well. Remember to be cautious in your actions. And, if ever you change your mind, find Ethan. He can bring you back. Goodbye, Blake.” And how do I find Ethan? I guess, reading between the lines, that she is suggesting I use the Exiler-controlled exit portal to return to Earth and find him at law school which is where he’ll shortly be. I’ll take her up on that advice as soon as I have a plan in place and am ready to return.
“I will. Goodbye, Mother.” Without as much as a hug, she turns and walks away. I guess it would be too much to allow me to say goodbye to Kira. Then again, how would I explain that I chose to take the information she gave me and bolt, leaving her to Cleave to Ethan?
I’m led
out of the field of solar panels and to a path where two mules packed with supplies await us. I change into my orange attire and put on the backpack. The backpack is at least three times the size of the one they gave Ted and feels like it weighs about a hundred pounds. Curtis blindfolds me, helps me up on one of the mules, and then takes me on what I can tell to be a windy, downward path. Although I have no ability to sense exactly how much time has passed, I’d guess about a half-hour, the last ten minutes of which the wind stopped and the environs smelled musty. I realize once my blindfold is removed that we passed over the Eco barrier and nothing happened. They must have deactivated the section we crossed. Why did it smell so bad?
“The Exiler camp is due north two miles,” Curtis says, handing me the reins to the second mule. “You only have a couple hours before sunup, so make haste. And, good luck.” He hands me a head lantern and compass, and then turns to leave.
“What about the mules?” I ask.
“What mules?” He grins before heading back towards the city by foot. My mother directed Curtis to give me the extra supplies and mules, I’m sure. She wants me as far away from the city as quickly as possible. Perhaps, she does believe my life is in danger. As I watch him approach the Eco barrier, I see a ten foot section of ground open. Curtis enters without looking back, and I see his head disappear. We traveled under the barrier. That explains the musty smell and lack of wind. The section of barrier closes over him, immediately blending with the surrounding barrier, no seams visible. Amazing. All that work trying to find a way over, and the SCI had a way under. They’ve never had to turn off the barrier to Exile folks or send out security details. I stack some rocks ten yards out to give myself a visual clue as to the location in case I ever need to find it again.
Time to leave. I have to rack my memories for clues as to the exact route. Difficult considering the monotony of the vegetation. Thank goodness for the head lantern and compass. Ten minutes into my journey, I hear some moaning and wailing. I follow the sounds until I find Ted Rosenberg curled up into a ball by a Theranberry bush. It looks like Nathaniel didn’t give him mules, a head lantern or compass. As much as I’m tempted to leave him there, I don’t want his death on my hands.
“Want a ride?” I jump off my mule.
“Blake?” He looks up. “Is that you? Please help me.” I don’t trust him to not steal my supplies and the mules, so I gag him and tie his hands and feet. Then I drape him over my second mule. It won’t be a comfortable ride for him, but it’s better than dying an ignominious death in the canyons. I feel bad about gagging him but don’t want to listen to his complaints and rationalizations the whole way. I’m in need of peace and solitude to do some thinking.
With luck, I find the Exiler camp as the sun rises. What I find looks nothing like I remember. There are many times more people living in the canyon than when I lived here. Doc appears to be organizing everyone into teams.
“What’s going on, Doc?” I ask.
Without fully turning around he says, “We’re leaving—at nightfall. There has been a security detail in the area. It’s only a matter of time before they come for us. The Militants stole most of our weapon stash, so we’re unprepared to properly protect ourselves.” Then, finally realizing who I am, he adds, “What are you doing here, Blake?”
“Shouldn’t that be obvious from my bright orange attire?” I turn around to show off my jumpsuit. “I’m the newest Garden City Exile. I missed your nasty grain slop so much that I got myself booted.”
“Who is that?” He points to Ted. “What did you do? Highjack a transport team?”
“Nope. I picked up this loser on the way. He was Exiled immediately before me. Doc, meet Ted Rosenberg. He’s the guy that betrayed my father and the Militants and got them all killed.” Ted’s writhing atop the mule, obviously disturbed that I mentioned his shortcomings.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard so much about you,” Doc says to Ted, motioning for one of his men to help Ted off the mule. To his man, Doc says, “Dave, take our guest into the cave and get him fed. I’ll be there in a moment to have a word with him.” Dave, a burly guy who’s at least seven feet tall, hefts Ted over his shoulder, still gagged and bound, and they disappear into the mouth of the cave.
Doc turns again to me. “So, how’d you get the mules? In all my years, I’ve never seen an Exiler show up well-stocked before.”
“Long story. Let’s just say I have a fairy Gadsmother in the city. Shall we see what she gave us?” I open my backpack and the boxes packed on the mules to find food, water, and medicine. And a note from my mother.
“Dear Blake,
I knew there was a very good chance you’d choose Exile over a life in Garden City with no guarantee of Kira by your side. Although I disagree with your choice, you are my son, and I have no desire for you to die. I asked Curtis to send you off with supplies that a royal son would deserve, and I have had a security detail stock a cave nearby the Exiler camp that should last long enough for you to reconsider your decision.
Fondly,
Vienna”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that security detail.” I hand him the note. “It looks like they were just delivering some supplies for us. Perhaps we should stay put for a while. We have much to discuss.” He lifts his glasses, attached by a chain around his neck, to the bridge of his nose, and reads Vienna Darcton’s note.
Upon finishing, he hands the note back to me. “I agree. We do have much to discuss. Why is this woman claiming to be your mother, and why would SCI security give us food and medicine? Did you negotiate an agreement with them?”
“Sorry, no. I wasn’t really in a position of negotiation before I left.” I give him the cliff notes version of what happened since I last saw him, including the story behind Vienna Darcton being my biological mother. Doc’s thrilled that I have an “in” with the Ten for peace talks. He’s hopeful that he can use Ted to get as much information about the inner workings of the SCI as possible.
I refrain from sharing the information Kira gave me with Doc, for now. Any plan that doesn’t involve diplomacy will take a better sales pitch than I’ve had time to put together. We may want to use the excuse to hold talks with the SCI as a reason to return to the city while secretly being well prepared to cripple the Theran “transportation” system. Doc excuses himself to go in and talk to Ted. I sit at the edge of the canyon and watch the sun rise over the horizon.
I hope I made the right choice in choosing Exile. In retrospect, my decision was pretty rash. I was given the opportunity to become an SCI insider. I could have advocated for the Exilers and potentially had access to the city models and portal system. But the Ten and Council would be watching my every move, expecting me to screw up. And besides, I’m not good at putting on a fake happy face. I’d fail at mock obeisance to Vienna which would give the Ten further fuel to target me.
As much as I don’t want to think about Kira and leaving her behind, I can’t help it. She has likely Cleaved to Ethan by now. Picturing them together isn’t healthy, I decide. I shake my head. My choice is made, and I have to live with the consequences. I could have decided differently.
Doc Daryn’s return interrupts my thoughts. He asks, “Is your mother a good woman? Will she be open to talks with us?” he asks. “I’m not getting a whole lot out of Ted Rosenberg. He thinks we’re going to kill him, so he’s in there bawling.” We both chuckle, knowing that the Survivalists would never execute an Exiler.
“Well, my mother is a member of the Ten of the SCI, so, on the one hand, no. I don’t think she will be open to talks with the Exilers. But, she did right by me by giving us supplies, so I have to hope that there are pockets of good—in both my mother and the rest the leaders of the SCI.” What I’m really thinking is that evil that has taken root and left to thrive will eventually overtake and eke out all the good. At the risk of sounding like my father, I think some weeding needs to be done in the Garden. Instead of killing the “weeds,” I like the idea of a work camp. That w
ould humble the prima donnas. “Do you really think we can find a diplomatic solution to our problems?”
Doc’s wrinkles sink deeper as he crunches his face. He runs his fingers through his long white locks, and I see strands of brittle hair fall. Exiler life has taken its toll on Doc. “Perhaps. If they see us as an ally, we may be able to have a positive impact on their policies.” He’s sticking with his spiel.
“I hope you’re right.”
“Me, too,” he says as he walks back into the cave. I’m concerned. If Earth’s history is any indication, dictators don’t negotiate. If the talks fail, we will have to consider a more drastic approach. Either way, I’m afraid I’m going to have to return to Garden City.
Perhaps, while I’m there on business, I’ll come across a certain girl who I can’t quite get off my mind. Unfortunately, a quite different girl sits down next to me—one that reminds me that Karma remains quite displeased with me.
“Welcome to sooner,” Bailey says.
“Shoot. I’d been hoping for later,” I mumble. “Much, much later.”
She leans in to whisper in my ear. “That’s too bad. I know your plans. And I can help.”
“How can you help me? Or our cause?” I ask.
“Well, Blake Sundry…As it stands, you have a fraction of the Exilers on board, right? What if you had the Second Chancers on board?”
“I tried that and failed.”
“What if you had a Second Chancer who, say, remembered everything—one that the SCI let slip through their clutches by way of Exile.” My head whips around to her so fast, I pinch a muscle in my neck. She’s so close to me that my lips brush hers, leaving me with an annoying tingly sensation.
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