by Sarah Dalton
Daniel found himself in a strange situation. The people back at the church considered him some kind of hero. Ali winked at him and nicknamed him “Golden Boy” in a mocking way, but everyone else seemed to regard him with some sort of awe. Kitty said he looked like a “heart-throb” – which didn’t impress Mike – and Luce blushed every time she saw him.
He didn’t know what to make of it all. It certainly hadn’t been his intention for any of it to happen. Des wanted Daniel to film more heroics to recruit from the Areas. He wasn’t in London to be some poster boy for the Resistance. He was there to get Mina back to the Compound, safe and sound.
A few hours after the bombing, and after scrubbing the blood and dirt from his body, he pulled Jonathon aside. “We can’t work with these people. I don’t trust Des, and Hiro says he’s hiding something.”
“Daniel, we’ve been over this. We can’t get into the GEM without the help of their insurgent––”
“Why won’t you include me in the plans?” Daniel snapped. “I’m sick of being left out and not knowing what’s going on. I want to get her back. I need her back.”
“Don’t you think I want that too?” the Professor’s face flushed bright red and he barked his reply like a teacher at the end of his patience. “She’s my daughter for God’s sake. You think you’re the only one hurting? I am doing everything I can to get her back, and if that means placating the Resistance, then so be it. Once the gun shipment comes in––”
“Which it will tonight.” Des strode over to them with a large grin on his face. He leaned nonchalantly against the wall.
“Then we go soon?” Daniel asked.
“We?” Des said, with a glance to Jonathon. “We’re letting children in on this now? First you force your way to the bombing by going against me, and now you want in on a dangerous mission? No, no, I don’t think so.”
A flash of red hot anger seared through Daniel’s veins, and he almost lunged for Des. Jonathon held him back.
“Des, Daniel is important to our mission. I think he should be there. He’s one of the few who can talk Mina round,” Jonathon said.
“Fine. But you should know that there are bigger things than getting your daughter back. We’ve had word from K that the GEM are building an army. They have thousands of genetically modified soldiers to come at us with. After this, you’re not going back to the Compound. You’re needed here. As fighters.”
“Fine,” said Daniel. “I’ll fight against the Ministry. I’m not fighting with you though.”
Jonathon sighed and shot Daniel a glare. “So be it. The priority has to be Mina, and that’s final.”
*
A heated discussion arose regarding the infiltration of the Ministry Headquarters. Ali favoured the idea that only two or three of them would sneak into the GEM. Unfortunately, according to their Insurgent’s information, Mina lived in a staff apartment on the twelfth floor, with her mother in the next room. The only time Mina left the flat was to train, so either they had to break into the flat at night – and potentially have to silence the mother – or they had to wait until she was at a training session and take her then. They’d all seen the cars and boulders in the room. It was too dangerous to try and take Mina when she had so many weapons available.
“You know, the GEM aren’t expecting an attack any time soon,” Matthew pointed out. “If your insurgent let us into the GEM, perhaps we could create a scene in one area and snatch Mina when they least expect it.”
“But that would mean putting our people in danger,” Luce said. “You’d need serious manpower for any sort of attack. The guards carry guns. We could lose good fighters.”
Des raised a hand to silence her. “He does have a point, though. It’s dangerous, but we have good fighters here.”
“But, Des—” Luce began.
“Think of what we’d gain, Luce. She’s a valuable weapon,” Des said.
“She’s a fifteen year old girl.” Jonathon leaned across the table and glowered.
“You’re the one who said she was a weapon,” Des pointed out.
“Yes, but I also know she’s my daughter first. You’re thinking of her as nothing more than a weapon. You’re losing sight of her humanity.”
Daniel nodded. He hated the way people talked about Mina as less of a person because of her powers.
Des held up his hands. “All right, all right. You’re right, of course. Mina is not just important as a weapon; she’s a person, someone’s daughter and many people’s friend.”
Luce scoffed. “She doesn’t seem like much of a friend to me. Not the way she left you lot in the lurch. And to think you came travelling all the way down to London for her.”
“We had no choice,” Matthew said. “And you know nothing about her. So shut up.”
Ali turned to Matthew and smirked, amused by his outburst.
“Don’t tell my people to shut up,” Des said in a slow, warning voice. “Back to business. We’ve examined the blueprints of the GEM building based on our insurgent’s Plan-It feed.
Dale unrolled a long sheet of paper. “It’s not quite exact. Pretty close though.”
Daniel leaned over the plans. They mapped out each floor in blue ink. “Did you draw these?” he asked Dale.
“Yes.”
“They’re impressive.”
Dale’s cheeks flushed. Something told Daniel that he didn’t get a lot of the credit he deserved from the Resistance.
“What’s the easiest way in?” Ali asked.
“There are five exits at the back of the building – mainly fire exits.” Dale pointed to the paper. “The main entrance is here. There’s an underground car park at the back of the building, which is only accessible via handprint.”
“Do ye think yer insurgent can let us in the car park?” Ali asked.
“Yes, I don’t see why not. As long as she managed to sneak through without arousing suspicion,” Dale replied.
Ali’s eyes travelled over the blueprints. “What about the trainin’ area?”
Dale pointed to a large rectangular room on the tenth floor.
“An’ her living quarters?”
Dale indicated a small flat on the twelfth floor nestled alongside many identical apartments.
“So the lass has te travel along the stairs, here? It’s the easiest route. If we can find out the times she moves te train, we can intercept her on the stairs an’ take her down the fire exit here – which leads all the way te the car park.” Ali’s finger trailed down each floor, indicating exits along the way. “With a diversion in the lobby here, there wouldnae be many workers movin’ around the building. They’ll flock te the action… have a gawk.”
“Very perceptive, Ali,” Des said. “It’s almost identical to what we’ve been talking about all along.” His voice had an icy quality about it, as though he hated another person taking control of his meeting.
“What about Mina?” Kitty said. “It’s not like she shies away from action. As soon as it goes off she’ll want to be there, too.”
“That’s where yer insurgent comes in. Ye say this girl has made contact, an’ it appears she’s become a bit o’ an assistant fer Mina’s mother. Mek sure she keeps Mina an’ Anna on the stairs.”
“That’s a lot to rely on someone we’ve never met,” said Jonathon. “It’s all very tenuous. A lot can go wrong.”
“But security around the place is rock solid,” Matthew pointed out. “There’s not much else we can do. Even getting there is going to be a challenge.”
“What about dressing up in lab coats,” Kitty suggested. “Or faking GEM passes.”
“We don’t have time for that,” Des said.
Daniel watched the debate continue until there was nothing else to say. No one came up with a plan better than Ali’s and they decided to get some rest. Dale and Des went to talk to their insurgent and explain the plan. The priest informed them of the weapons drop and Daniel found his proof that Des was telling the truth. He just wanted to know who thi
s insurgent was. He wanted to sit down and talk to her and tell her just how important it was for her to do a good job. If only he could make her see how much they needed this, how much he needed this.
“So, this Mina must be pretty important to go to all this trouble.” Luce appeared in front of him.
Daniel had been so deep in thought, that he’d not even noticed her wander over. He sat on his bunk bed as usual, staring into space.
“Yeah, she is,” he said.
“So, is she still your girlfriend?” Luce asked.
Daniel was caught off guard with her direct question. “Well, umm, I don’t know. I guess it depends on what Mina wants when we get her back.”
Luce raised an eyebrow. She stood with her hands tucked into her jeans pockets and her head leaning to one side. “But what do you want?” She sat down next to Daniel, her leg just touching his. “Do you want her back after everything? Do you still love her?”
“Yes,” he said. “I think so.”
“Think so,” Luce said. “Hmm, promising.”
Daniel frowned, wondering what the hell she meant.
Des stood in the centre of the basement and clapped his hands. “People, I would like your attention please. The Compounders have a problem to solve. They have a weapon to get back from the GEM, something we can use for ourselves. We need volunteers for a dangerous mission. And I’d like you to volunteer now.”
Daniel watched as a light smattering of arms raised in the air. Luce raised hers first, as well as Dale and the other Freaks. He pushed Hiro’s hand back down and tutted at him.
“You’re not going.”
Hiro pouted.
Ali raised his good arm.
“Hold on, Ali you aren’t going. The wound on your shoulder has only just healed.” Matthew glared at his partner.
“I’m fine,” Ali said. “The lass has done me up a treat an’ I’ve been scavenging with worse injuries than this.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes dubiously.
Des sorted them into teams, with the youngest – like Mike and Kitty – to stay at garage blocks in the city to help them hide the vans. Luce insisted on being part of the team to infiltrate the GEM.
“I’ve hated them all my life,” she said passionately, “and I’m not about to sit aside as you get to kill Enforcers.”
They stepped out into the inky-pink colour of pre-dawn. Daniel wrapped a Resistance scarf around his neck and tucked it below the dark jacket that went with his black outfit. The group piled into a dark van with tinted windows.
“God willing, we’ll be back with Mina in just a few hours. Our insurgent has planned out the times to the second. She’s arranged everything. We just need to get to the car park and hide until she lets us in.” Des slammed the van door with finality.
It all sounded so simple. What could go wrong?
29 ~ Mina ~
In my dreams the head of a snake slowly opened its jaws. I stood transfixed. Its slit-eyes regarded me with cool composure; almost hypnotising me to stay still and quiet. My heart beat so fast I thought it might explode. I stood there and watched its horrible mouth open to reveal something sharp and pointed. A needle… but why?
I woke up, threw back the sheets, and strode into the bathroom – determined to shake the dreams away. Instead, the image of Daniel with the blonde girl haunted me. Maybe Mum was right. Maybe he really had moved on instead of coming with me. I stared at my quivering hands, forcing the thought away. What did it matter? I’d decided, sometime between going to bed and falling asleep, that the only thing that mattered was my mother and training.
I was so sick of people. They lied to you, hid secrets, and replaced you without a second thought. It wasn’t fair. But then life is never fair and there’s no point crying in a corner about it. Get even or get hurt.
The shower started with just a squint of an eye. I floated the shower gel over to me, and worked the sponge on my back with a giggle. Mum was right. I needed to use my powers more often – it was fun!
My clothes dressed me today. I stepped into floating jeans and wiggled my arms through my top as it hovered above my head, laughing all the time. I laughed until I noticed the tremor in my fingers. Not again. I needed more tea to calm my nerves, so I went into the kitchen to see Mum.
“Ready for training?” she asked, passing me my first cup of the day.
“Yup. Ready and waiting. I’m going to juggle the boulders today, I can feel it. I feel powerful.”
“I told you sourcing your energy from hate would work better. Anger is too fleeting, too emotional. Hate is a cold freeze that works its way through your system, like water gradually becoming ice. It’s more permanent.”
“I hate my dad,” I said, half to myself. Sometimes I had to say it out loud to remind myself.
“I know, honey. I do too. Just remember that saying it and feeling it are two very different things.” She seemed out of sorts and more flustered than usual. Most of the kitchen counter drawers had been left open. She rifled through the tea-towel draw hurriedly.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine, honey. I’ve just misplaced something.”
A knock on the door interrupted us, and Mum stepped through the open plan kitchen to answer. I followed her, knowing we’d be leaving for training soon anyway.
Elena stood in the doorway, her face flushed and pink. “I’m yours today,” she said with a smile that bordered on “too much”. “They don’t need me in the lab so I can be your biscuit fetcher.” She grinned again.
“Well, I’m not sure we need––”
“Oh, go on, Mrs Hart. I love watching Mina train.” The grin widened. I noticed panic in Elena’s eyes. Something seemed off.
“All right then. You won’t have much to do though. I don’t want you to be bored.” Mum followed Elena out of the flat and I tagged along, watching Elena very closely.
“Well, I can always come up for the morning,” Elena said. She glanced back at me furtively. “If there isn’t much to do I’ll find somewhere else to… aren’t we taking the stairs this morning?”
Mum stopped at the end of the corridor with her finger hovering over the lift button. “Well, I––”
“My calves need a work out. Mum always said: ‘cardio before nine makes your legs mighty fine’.” Elena clutched her fingers behind her back which forced her to stand ram-rod straight.
“Your mother sounds like a wise woman,” Mum said with a chuckle. “Okay, we could all do with keeping in shape. Stairs it is.”
Elena seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and the tension in her back relaxed. I continued to hang back, watching her all the time. I never read the note she handed me in the apartment. I didn’t want to know what she had to say after her accusations. No friend would ever say something like that.
“Great,” said Elena. She took Mum’s arm with over familiarity. “I’ll have to tell Mum you think she’s wise. She’d never believe it herself––”
An alarm rang out through the building and cut Elena off. Mum froze mid-step.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Intruders,” Mum said, shouting over the noise. “We should go and see what’s happening.”
“No!” Elena put her hand on Mum’s arm. “I mean… they’ve got plenty of guards down there, what do they need us for? Mina would be better getting to training, letting this all blow over.”
“What if they need me?” I asked. “I could stop people getting hurt.”
Mum frowned. “You’re still too hung up on saving people. Maybe we should go and train.”
“Yes, that’s a good idea.” Elena nodded with enthusiasm.
Mum stepped towards the door to the stairs, her palm resting on the glass panel. I watched how Elena stared at Mum’s hand, her face a mask of anxiety, and her chest rising and falling in rapid motion. There was definitely something going on.
“No,” I said. “I’m going down there. And I’m taking the main stairs.”
Elena stared a
t me in horror, shaking her head from side to side. She tried to mouth something to me, but I couldn’t work it out in the chaos of the alarm and lab workers hurrying by. I decided to ignore her and turned away from them both, striding along the corridor without waiting for either of them. Only Mum caught me up at the main stairs further down the hallway.
“Where did Elena go?” I asked her.
“She disappeared when I went to follow you.” She shrugged. “I don’t get it. She seemed to be really looking forward to seeing you train this morning.”
Elena was up to something and her fake smiles had Mum fooled. What could it be? Why would Elena be my friend in Area 14 if she was going to stab me in the back at the GEM? Nothing made sense.
The blaring alarm rang in my ears as I rushed down the stairs to the lobby. Guards and lab workers panicked. “It could be a bomb,” yelled one woman. I ignored them. If it was a bomb, they would have detonated it before alerting the intruder alarm. This was something else, and a part of me felt that there was something not quite right. Why break into the lobby of a huge building like the GEM? Why not break in one of the back entrances? It was almost as if they wanted to be caught.
I took a left turn towards the reception, pushing through swing doors. This time I let my mind do the work, leaving my hands free if I needed them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mum nod with encouragement. It spurred me on, faster. Whoever these intruders were, I would take them out with ease. No one could stop me as the final doors swung open.
I surveyed the scene before me. Security guards grappled with a man – tall, wearing a Resistance scarf – on one side of the lobby, and more security guards shot their laser guns at two men taking cover behind one of the large pot plants by the entrance. They shot and ducked back behind the plant.
“What are you going to do?” Mum asked.
I lifted my arm to toss one of the attackers, when more intruders burst through the lobby doors behind us. I spun on my heel, and a jolt shot up my spine, as I realised Daniel ran towards me. Our eyes locked, and for a split second the lobby faded away – leaving just him. My heart soared. I wanted to run to him. I wanted to throw my arms around him. But then I saw the same blonde girl from the screens, and remembered Mum’s words. He’d moved on. He’d replaced me.