Daughter of Nothing

by Eric Kent Edstrom

  “But everyone knows she was the girl caught alone with Vaughan.”

  “Then let her disgrace be her punishment.”

  “I suppose I could tell the Scions that,” Michael said. “I doubt it will satisfy their anger toward her. They all loved Vaughan, and they blame her for his injuries.”

  “If they were so attached to Vaughan, then it is good that I removed him from their company. Is there anything else, Michael?”

  “Yes. In accordance with my programming, I officially notify you that the Scions have deduced that supplies are brought in during lockdown. As I told you they would. In fact, Jacey has been asking why, if the human race struggles to survive in the outside world, resources are wasted on such frivolous things as frilly underthings for her.”

  “And what did you tell her?”

  “I told her—as I was programmed to—that such questions are not allowed, and that I would notify you that she had asked. You can see how she might have found that unsatisfactory.”

  “What is your point?”

  “That I was right, and you were wrong. The fiction you have created about the outside world is impossible to sustain. We have here the smartest youths in the world. They begin to see through the lie.”

  Dr. Carlhagen grunted and thumbed the boar’s head on his cane. He hadn’t foreseen just how clever the Scions would be. He had hoped to keep them innocent. “It’s your insistence on training them in literature that gives them these ideas.”

  “You wanted them to be able to read, to master multiple languages, to increase their capacity for abstraction, to be better than their Progenitors. How else does one go about these tasks without studying literature? I have done as you have asked. They have read nothing written later than 1920. They’ve seen no movies or television.”

  “So let them be suspicious,” Dr. Carlhagen said. “What recourse do they have? It’s why we are on an island. It’s why we have the fence. They are stuck here regardless. I don’t anticipate an outright rebellion, do you? Sensei has done an excellent job conditioning obedience in them.”

  “And yet they all know that Jacey goes unpunished for breaking rules. The more she gets away with, the less control you and Sensei will have.”

  “I am surprised at you, Michael,” Dr. Carlhagen said with a laugh. “I didn’t expect you of all people to advocate for more punishment.”

  “I simply report to you in accordance with the programmatic restrictions under which I operate. What I advocate for is that the Scions be released and allowed to live full lives.”

  “Noted. Anything else?”

  Michael folded his hands in front of him. “Care to explain the frilly underthings?”

  “No.”

  The professor tilted his head and waved a finger at Dr. Carlhagen. “You are still in love with her, aren’t you? Look at you. You are an old man, yet you yearn for a love lost, what, seventy years ago?”

  Dr. Carlhagen slammed his cane onto his desk. “Watch yourself, Michael! I could delete you with one command.”

  “And who will teach your Scions then? Madam LaFontaine?”

  Dr. Carlhagen put on his most assured smile. “I have been working on her programming. The Madam LaFontaine persona is just one of several that particular AI is capable of.”

  “I should like to speak with these other incarnations. The Madam LaFontaine one is an insufferable bore.”

  “You are just jealous. She could run a million instances of you on her servers.”

  “That’s the trouble with us humans isn’t it, Dr. Carlhagen? We are all so jealous.” The professor disappeared, adding a cloud of smoke to his holographic effect.

  Dr. Carlhagen wished for the first time in thirty years his old friend was still in the flesh. Just to smack him in the head with his cane.

  The truth was he did need Michael. The Madam LaFontaine AI was a more irritating personality than Michael ever was. And her other personas were under careful programmatic lock and key for fear they would take over the campus and execute an even bolder plan for the Scions than Dr. Carlhagen had.

  The blow with the cane made Dr. Carlhagen’s fingers ache. He fumbled with his watch, cursing as his hands shook. He got it open, but he couldn’t remember when he had taken his last dose of andleprixen.

  The worst side effects he had feared from the drug hadn’t happened—no nausea, no impaired judgment, no memory loss. In fact, he didn’t think as clearly without it. He decided to take a small dose.

  He opened the drawer and pulled out the bottle. A knock came at the door, and Mr. Justin stepped in. “Sensei Rosa is here to see you.”

  “Send him in.”

  Sensei Rosa stalked into the office, his body a bundle of barely contained violence. Such a contrast to his usually imperturbable face. “Jacey has returned with Livy,” Sensei said. “She took the child to class.”

  “And the ridiculous stuffed toy?”

  “The girl claimed to have thrown it from Jacques Point into the sea. Jacey was not in class, so I have not spoken to her about it.”

  Dr. Carlhagen spilled two pills onto his hand, popped them in his mouth, and swallowed them dry. “If Livy doesn’t have it, we can’t very well force her to burn it. Let’s put this behind us unless you get some proof the toy is hidden somewhere.”

  Sensei nodded.

  “Is there something else?” Dr. Carlhagen asked.

  “Nurse Smith tells me I am still not allowed to see Vaughan.”

  “That’s true.”

  Sensei’s eyes narrowed. “Is he well?”

  “You are dismissed, Sensei.”

  The martial arts master did not move. “Is Vaughan well? Will he be rejoining his Nine soon?” His concern irritated Dr. Carlhagen. He hadn’t brought the man here to grow attached to the Scions, but to train them and discipline them.

  He remembered what Michael had just said, that the Scions loved Vaughan. Where had that boy gotten such power? Even Charles hadn’t been that much of a cult leader. “His condition remains unchanged.”

  Sensei didn’t move.

  “I am losing my patience, Mario,” Dr. Carlhagen said, emphasizing the name. “Perhaps it was a mistake for me to stay away from the Scion School as long as I did. I think you have become too comfortable as the man in charge. I suggest you remember your place, for it would be nothing to return you to your prior home.”

  Sensei’s face darkened, but he spun and departed.

  Reminding people of their place always worked. Especially when one had leverage.

  Dr. Carlhagen turned his thoughts back to Jacey. It was time to push things forward. As much as Michael warned that the Scions were deducing things about the outside world, all of the trouble originated with only two of them—Vaughan and Jacey.

  Without really knowing why he did it, he called up a photo of Jacqueline. It floated above his desk where Michael had stood minutes before. Dr. Carlhagen had taken the image when Jacqueline was Jacey’s age. So long ago, yet those days at school with her and Charles remained fresh in his mind.

  With the exception of the hairstyle, Jacey looked exactly like Jacqueline. Dr. Carlhagen had not been willing to make any of the requested changes in Jacqueline’s DNA. How could one improve upon perfection?

  The andleprixen kicked in and the pain in his joints eased. He leaned back in his chair and fixed his gaze on Jacqueline’s beautiful face.

  “Soon, my love,” he said. “Soon.”

  15

  Demeaning and Unscientific

  Jacey woke from her nap on the platform to the ringing of the campus bell. Moments later, the Nines streamed from both classroom buildings. Across the quad, Sensei stepped out of the dojo with a soccer ball under one arm. He often refereed pick-up games in the quad during lunch period.

  Jacey stood and waved her arms. “Scions! I have an announcement!”

  Faces swung toward her.

  “Please listen!”

  Belle snapped at the stragglers in her Nine, and they hurried to catch up
as she continued toward the dining hall.

  Jacey put her hands to her mouth. “Belle! I need your help.”

  That stopped her. With a sharp motion, the pale girl ordered her Nine to wait. She approached the platform and crossed her arms.

  Wanda brought Jacey’s Nine closer, though several girls behind her broke off and went to the dining hall.

  Humphrey steered his Nine toward the platform, and seven of Vaughan’s Nine followed. Elias, who should have been leading it, walked to one side, clearly not welcome by either group.

  Sensei approached, too, face unreadable.

  Jacey waited for them to gather by the platform. She smoothed her uniform and took several deep breaths.

  No turning back now.

  “You are all aware that I was the girl Sensei caught alone with Vaughan. I apologize to you all for my lapse in judgment. However, I swear that Vaughan and I did not engage in any inappropriate contact. I understand you don’t trust me, so I shall submit myself to a physical examination to prove it. Belle, will you accompany me into the medical ward to be my witness?”

  Belle somehow managed to look down her nose at Jacey, even though she stood a meter lower. “It’s a little late for this, Jacey.”

  “I know, but even if I can’t get the forgiveness of my peers, perhaps I can clear Vaughan’s reputation.”

  “He doesn’t need your help. You are the problem. You lured him into the bell tower.”

  Humphrey stepped toward Belle, pointed a finger in her face. “She did no such thing. Vaughan was there when Jacey and I got to the top.”

  Belle turned her icy stare on Humphrey. “Your word means nothing. We all know you would say anything to have a go at Jacey.”

  Humphrey stormed toward Belle, fists clenched. “And we all know you’d love to have her out of the way so you could—”

  “Quiet!” Sensei said. “One more word and I’ll have you both running laps this afternoon.”

  Belle gave a slight shrug and returned to her Nine. Humphrey clamped his mouth shut.

  Jacey was surprised by how much the pale girl hated her. Jacey’s mistakes might have reflected poorly on her as a Scion, but Belle seemed to take it personally.

  Even stranger, this was the second time Humphrey had come to Jacey’s defense. The idea that he wanted her was absurd, though. He had never been anything but rude to her since they’d gotten to the Scion School.

  But that wasn’t entirely true. He had tried to comfort her after Vaughan’s punishment.

  “Come down from there,” Sensei said. “Acting out like this will gain you nothing.”

  “Very well, Sensei. But if a physical exam can exonerate me of the worst allegations, then I have a right to it. And I would like a witness so that no one can question the results.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Wanda said. She ordered Bethancy to take the remainder of Jacey’s Nine to the dining hall.

  Livy ignored the command and rushed onto the platform. “What’s going on? Are you in trouble?”

  “I’ll be fine,” Jacey said. “Go with Bethancy.”

  “You can’t fool me. I can see your eyes.” Livy squinted up at her, arms folded across her chest. Jacey recognized that resolute look. The same one Livy had given her on the beach when Jacey had tried to take Charlie.

  “You’re right. I am in trouble. But you can’t help me right now. Please go with Bethancy.”

  Livy’s mouth twisted with skepticism. “You look worried. I better go with you.”

  Jacey knelt and put her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “I am worried. But what I have to do . . . It’s only for older girls like me and Wanda. Do you understand?”

  “No.”

  “Livy!” Sensei’s voice startled them both. He stood just below the platform. “Catch up to your Nine.”

  Sensei’s command didn’t have its usual effect. Livy squinted at him, then turned back to Jacey. “Why won’t you let me come with you?”

  “Because you can’t help me with what I have to do.”

  “I’ll hold your hand.”

  “Livy!” Sensei lifted the girl and swung her to the ground. “Go.”

  Livy sidestepped so she could see Jacey. “I’ll have to hold your hand in my mind.”

  “Thank you. Now go to lunch.”

  Livy trailed away, though she made no effort to catch up with Bethancy.

  Jacey descended from the platform, conscious of Sensei’s eyes on her. His energy conveyed anger, though it didn’t seem directed at her specifically. “The rest of you go to lunch,” he said, tossing the soccer ball to Elias.

  Sensei fell into step beside Jacey as she marched toward the medical ward. Once there, he held the door open for her.

  Nurse Smith sat at her usual post, a desk in the center of the entry hall. Behind her was a steel door leading to the ward itself.

  She looked up from her computer monitor. “What’s this?”

  Jacey stepped forward. “I am here to submit myself to a virginity examination. Wanda is along to witness.”

  Nurse Smith snorted and turned back to her monitor. “Ridiculous. Go to lunch.”

  “She has a right to request the exam,” Sensei said. “She’s been accused. She should have the chance to clear her name.”

  Nurse Smith pursed her lips and clicked her tongue as she looked Jacey up and down. Jacey wondered if the woman could tell just by looking at her. Nurse Smith tapped the screen. “Mr. Justin?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is Dr. Carlhagen available?”

  “One moment.”

  An awkward silence filled the air while they waited. Wanda stood three steps away from Jacey, making it clear that while she was there to witness the exam, she was not there with Jacey.

  Even with her Second’s aloofness, Jacey decided that Wanda’s willingness to come at all was a good sign. Though it just might be due to the girl’s curiosity about medicine and biology, which were the focus of her studies.

  She tried to stay calm, modeling the poise she would expect of any member of her Nine. Her mouth had gone very dry, and she couldn’t help but clear her throat. It didn’t help knowing that Vaughan was just on the other side of the steel door.

  Dr. Carlhagen’s voice came through a speaker in Nurse Smith’s monitor. “What is it?”

  “Jacey is here. She’s requesting a virginity exam. Should I proceed?”

  “What? No! It is demeaning and unscientific.”

  “She insists. Sensei is here with her.”

  “I’ve given my answer.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Carlhagen.”

  Nurse Smith gave Jacey a heavy-lidded stare. “You heard him.”

  Jacey left the medical ward, anger smoldering in her gut. “Ridiculous. Go to lunch,” she said, mimicking Nurse Smith. “I’d like to give that woman a thornskipple sandwich!”

  Submitting herself for the exam had been the only way she could think of to get inside the ward where Vaughan was. Perhaps Dr. Carlhagen had refused for just that reason. He didn’t want her anywhere near Vaughan.

  She turned to Wanda. “Thanks for coming with me. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”

  Her second gave slight smile. “The fact that you were willing to do it goes a long way.”

  Winning a bit of compassion from her second brought a sudden pressure to Jacey’s eyes. She collected herself and smiled back. “Thank you. Go on to lunch, I want to ask Sensei something.”

  Jacey picked up her steps to catch up with the martial arts master, who was heading for the dojo. “Vaughan’s not doing well, is he?”

  “I have no idea. I’m not permitted in the medical ward, and I’ve gotten no word beyond what Socrates told me this morning.”

  “Was he breathing when you left him?”

  “No.”

  A slight lift to his eyebrows and the timbre of his voice told Jacey that he was worried. His steps were not as soft and measured as they usually were either. Very strange for Sensei to express such discontent. While he
was always stern and on the verge of erupting in violence, his presence had never exuded as much danger as it did at that moment.

  Still, as he walked with her, she didn’t sense that any of it was aimed at her. If anything, he seemed protective.

  He shot a glance at her. “I found your radio.” He said it casually as he pulled it from a pocket.

  Jacey swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She couldn’t think of what to say. There was no way Sensei had just happened to discover it among the bougainvillea.

  “How did you find it?”

  He stopped as they approached the entrance to the dojo. His face grew very serious—surprising, since Jacey had thought he looked serious before. “They all have locator beacons.” He tilted his head to emphasize “all.”

  Jacey opened her mouth to ask another question, but Sensei had slipped into the dojo. Jacey watched him, as if seeing him for the first time. If he could pinpoint the location of a radio, then he had to have known that Vaughan had the one Dante had lost.

  And that meant he’d let Dante and Vaughan keep it.

  16

  Not My Area of Expertise

  Jacey let Wanda manage the Nine, but the Centipede and Spider, Helen and Summer, hardly listened to Wanda either, looking to Belle for guidance. The pale leader of the other Nine seemed quite ready to commandeer all the girls.

  The fact that Sensei had known all along where Dante’s radio was distracted Jacey to no end. She could think of no reason why the martial arts master hadn’t confiscated it.

  It made no sense.

  The fact that it made no sense was like table scraps to a gull for Jacey. She didn’t even bother resuming her Macbeth memorization. Instead, she helped Livy with her assignments, though the Dolphin didn’t need it.

  The next morning, Jacey sent Wanda across the aisle to wake Belle up. The girl’s alarm was so loud by then, everyone else in Belle’s Nine was sitting up in their beds. But none of them wanted to risk Belle’s wrath by shaking her awake.

  At breakfast, Belle pretended Jacey and Humphrey didn’t exist, and Humphrey refused to meet Jacey’s eyes. She assumed he had been embarrassed by Belle’s accusation by the platform the day before, that he wanted to have a go at her.