The Significant

by Kyra Anderson

  He turned and left the flat as Kailynn wrapped her arms around Emira and smoothed over her hair.

  By the time the Officials arrived to take them to the hospital, Annette had stopped breathing.

  Kailynn stayed with Emira through the entire examination. The doctors were stumped at the virus that was slowly killing the child, which made Emira very nervous. Kailynn stayed by her side and held her hand, telling her that everything was going to be alright.

  When it seemed like the doctors were getting angry and frustrated with the lack of results and understanding of the Wheezing Death, Kailynn asked if she could see Dr. Busen.

  After pointing out, in a condescending tone, that Dr. Busen was head of Elite Special Medicine and, therefore, was too busy to be seeing by a low-ranked, new employee of the Intelligence Agency, the doctors told her to be quiet while they continued their examinations.

  However, Kailynn insisted that they at least call the doctor and see if he would see her.

  One of the doctors used his in-hospital communication piece to page for Dr. Busen to respond. When the other doctor answered the page, the doctor said that there was an Intelligence Agency employee named Jacyleen that wanted to see him.

  When he responded that he would be there as soon as he could, the other doctor’s face went pale.

  Dr. Busen’s arrival to the examination room changed the atmosphere drastically. It was clear that he was one of the most respected doctors in the largest hospital in Anon, and his immediate response to the request to see Kailynn caused the other doctors great concern.

  He ordered the group of younger doctors out of the room and started doing an examination of his own while he asked Kailynn everything she knew about the illness.

  Dr. Busen started talking about tests and large drug names that made her head spin, but she nodded obediently. When he finished speaking, she took a chance. She started to explain the argument with Venus and what was to be done with Emira when Dr. Busen held up his hand with a chuckle.

  “No need to explain,” he said. “I’ve already seen the footage.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Someone at the Intelligence Agency allowed the live feed onto the public broadcasting we have around the hospital to entertain patients. I happened to catch the last five minutes, or so.”

  Kailynn’s eyes were wide as she thought about how many people had probably already seen the footage.

  “Well…then…did it…are people angry? What’s the response?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not a good person to discuss that with,” Dr. Busen said, shaking his head.

  “…I don’t want her to go back to Trid and be with the Keeper. It’d horrible there.”

  “Yes, I know. I was the one who treated Tarah when she first came to Anon,” Dr. Busen said sadly.

  “Is there any way we can keep that from happening to her?” Kailynn pled. “Can we keep her in Anon?”

  Dr. Busen smiled. “I’ll see what I can do. I have some friends in high places.” He chuckled lightly. “Don’t forget, so do you.”

  When Kailynn was given a clean bill of health, Rayal came to pick her up.

  She got in the car, feeling as though she had been awake for days.

  “Why didn’t anyone tell me that Tarah was a Trid?” Kailynn asked as the car started forward.

  “She’s not,” Rayal said simply. “She was granted citizenship when she was eight.”

  Kailynn closed her eyes.

  “I knew her in Trid,” she said gently. “Well, I knew of her.”

  “I know,” Rayal said. “She recognized you. She knew who you were.”

  Kailynn turned quickly to Rayal, her eyes wide.

  “She recognized me?” she hissed. “Why didn’t she say anything?”

  “She’s embarrassed,” Rayal said. “You know what happened to her when she was with that Keeper. And she knows that the other children of that Keeper knew what was happening. She is still trying to work through the trauma. She was not about to bring it up to you when she can barely talk about it to anyone.”

  Kailynn rubbed her face tiredly.

  “Then it was all true?” Kailynn asked. “I always thought there was some exaggeration.”

  Rayal sighed heavily. “When she first came to Anon Tower…she refused to be touched, she could not be left alone, she just clung to Isa. Even when we took her to Dr. Busen, she would not let go of Isa.” He looked at Kailynn seriously. “That kind of reaction told me everything I needed to know about the abuse she suffered.”

  “How did Isa get her right out of Trid?” Kailynn asked, confused.

  “Isa was doing something against the rules,” Rayal said simply. “She was in Trid, driving around, looking at everything, and she stopped at the Keeper to see the orphaned children. She said she saw Tarah trying to run and a man chasing her. Tarah was naked and had bruises all over her. She was bleeding from her arms and legs. Isa ran to the man and got him away from her before taking Tarah into Anon without permission from Venus. She had Tarah treated, kept her at Anon Tower for several months before granting her citizenship and sending her to school.”

  “How did Venus allow her to just grant citizenship like that?”

  “It was under the guise that Tarah would replace me when I retired,” Rayal said. “Just like the reason we were able to give you citizenship was to serve a political agenda.” The former caretaker sighed heavily and leaned his head back on the seat. “But, I’m sure you can see why Isa has to be very careful about granting citizenship. She cannot just take a few Trids every month and give them citizenship. Tarah was a special case. As were you.”

  Kailynn looked down at her feet.

  “I don’t want Emira to go to the Keeper,” she said quietly.

  “I doubt Isa will let that happen,” Rayal assured.

  “Is Isa alright?”

  Rayal sighed heavily.

  “She’s a little weak and tired,” he admitted. “It’s not normal to have Venus speak through translators like that. Isa has one implanted, which allows her to understand Venus’ language. However, the interference between the two translators caused her to get a very nasty migraine. She’ll have to go to Dr. Busen just to be sure that she’s alright. Headaches are a sign of great concern since five years ago.”

  Kailynn just nodded.

  She did not even have the energy to ask about what happened five years previous.

  When they pulled into Anon Tower and took the elevator up to Isa’s level, Kailynn was sure she was about to faint. She was exhausted and shaky. She had never felt that way in her life. The stress of that situation, she was sure, would take years off her life.

  That is, if Venus did not have her executed for treason after that day.

  The two walked into Isa’s home and Kailynn saw Isa stand from the couch, where she had been waiting for the Significant.

  Kailynn’s pace increased as she walked to the Elite. She did not notice Rayal glance into the kitchen before going into the guest hall.

  Isa’s arms secured Kailynn to the present as she embraced her tightly. Kailynn pressed her face into Isa’s shoulder, her eyes closing and her body relaxing.

  Even though they remained that way, silent, for what must have been an eternity, it was still too soon that Isa’s head moved back and she kissed Kailynn’s cheek gently.

  “Are you alright?”

  “No,” Kailynn said quietly.

  “I’m so sorry, Kailynn,” Isa murmured.

  Kailynn’s arms tightened around the Elite and Isa’s head leaned against the younger woman’s.

  “I’m sorry,” Kailynn said. “I thought I could do it, but…”

  “But?” Isa asked. “What do you mean?”

  “I screwed it up, didn’t I?” Kailynn said, her voice cracking with fear at the end of the sentence.

  “No, no,” Isa assured, rubbing her back tenderly. “You did not screw anything up.” Isa closed her eyes and kissed Kailynn’s head. “I’m sorry I put y
ou in that position.”

  “I can’t do this,” Kailynn said, shaking her head. “I don’t know how to do this political thing.”

  “You don’t have to the political thing,” Isa assured. “I can handle that. I’m sorry that I put such pressure on you. I did not know it would be that bad.”

  Kailynn swallowed hard and closed her eyes.

  “Will you help Emira?” she murmured. “Like you helped me and Tarah?”

  “Of course,” Isa said without hesitation.

  A small chime at her door caused Tarah to look up from where she had been reading on her bed. She climbed clumsily off the bed and walked to the door, opening it. When she saw Rayal, she jumped a little.

  “Oh,” she said, “I didn’t realize that you were here.”

  “Isa let you off early?”

  “She didn’t feel like eating, so she said I could take the evening for myself,” Tarah said. She leaned against the doorframe. “But…I know it was just because she was worried about me.”

  “Then you saw the broadcast,” Rayal said. She nodded slowly. “Are you alright?”

  Tarah sighed heavily and crossed her arms over her chest, averting her eyes.

  “I think so…”

  Rayal did not bother to push Tarah. He could tell just from looking at her that she was upset. He lowered his eyes to the ground and nodded slowly.

  “Alright,” he murmured. “But, if you every want to talk about it, or about anything, you know you can call me, right?”

  Tarah smiled.

  “Do you remember, five years ago, when I had that meltdown and collapsed in the middle of the hospital waiting room?”

  “Yes,” Rayal said, confused why she would bring that up.

  “And you brought me back here, even though you were extremely sick as well, and you sat with me and held my hand as I cried until I finally passed out?”

  Rayal nodded slowly.

  “I don’t think I ever thanked you for that,” Tarah said. “Or for everything else you’ve ever done for me.”

  “There is no need to thank me,” Rayal said.

  “There is a lot of reason to thank you,” Tarah corrected. She swallowed hard and looked down at her feet, her face flushing. “You always put my comfort and needs before yours. You always made sure that I felt safe, no matter the situation. You always made me feel like I was stronger than I actually am.”

  “Tarah, you are amazingly strong,” Rayal said. “That has nothing to do with me. That’s all from within you.”

  “But I only feel it when you’re around,” Tarah murmured. She shyly glanced up at the former caretaker. “You make me see it in myself.”

  Rayal stared at Tarah for a moment, unable to respond. Tarah, nervous and embarrassed, cleared her throat and stood straight.

  “Anyway, thank you.”

  Rayal smiled gently and reached forward, pulling Tarah into a gentle hug. The younger caretaker was startled at first, but then relaxed and hugged Rayal back. The hug only lasted for three seconds, but Tarah’s head was still swimming when Rayal pulled away.

  “If you need anything, just let me know,” he murmured. “I’ll always be here for you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Isa took a deep breath and closed her eyes, facing the closed door, gathering herself as best as she was able. No matter how many times she had an audience with Venus, she was never prepared.

  Seeking an audience with Venus was very different than communicating to her through the NCB chair or terminal messaging. There was something far more intimidating when staring at the hologram of the machine’s persona and discussing delicate topics.

  Venus had called her to audience to discuss the protests in Trid and the spread of information about the Wheezing Death Virus and the viral way the video of Emira spread, not only around the planet, but through the entire Altereye System.

  Isa reached one hand out and pressed her palm against the orb outside the door. The warmth of the sensor made her skin tingle. A small needle pricked her finger and drew a drop of blood for DNA verification. The door hummed open and Isa stepped in, stopping two steps into the first chamber of Venus’ audience hall. When the door closed behind her, Isa closed her eyes and waited for the second verification process.

  She could see flashes of green light pass beyond her eyelids and her skin warmed around her chest as beams of light passed over her.

  When the lights shut off, the doors in front of Isa opened and the Golden Elite was allowed into the main audience hall. The room was stark and bare a single ring near the high ceiling of the domed hall allowing for the hologram projection. Venus’ computers were hidden under the floor and behind the walls of the room, secured very tightly. Isa had only seen one of her processors when she had to repair it, but the central units that kept Venus running were never accessed, not even by Isa.

  But, because of the massive computers and power cores, the audience hall was exceptionally hot. Isa was in full Syndicate uniform, and almost immediately after stepping into the room, she felt sweat break out over her skin.

  Alone, five paces into the room, was a single chair—not an NCB chair, just a normal chair with a cushion on the seat and on the back with thick arms and a simple, metal design.

  Isa walked to the chair and sat, leaning back and putting her wrists on the edge of the chair arms, activating the hologram.

  A whirring of the machines filled the room, and the lights flickered. The composite form of Venus took shape. The image towered into the room, human in appearance, though shrouded by a cloak with the hood pulled over the face. The nose and mouth were visible, though the mouth never moved, as Venus’ language was comprised of tones.

  “A-C89072,” she greeted, using Isa’s prototype number.

  “Venus.”

  “You understand that there are several reasons I called you here,” Venus started. “The first of these reasons has to do with the Y-99 Virus that has been in Trid.”

  “I am unfamiliar with the Y-99 Virus.”

  “It is the new virus, undocumented. This is the first time that it has been seen. It has been named Y-99.”

  “Is there any treatment?”

  “More research is needed,” Venus stated simply. “I have had samples sent off-planet for testing in other areas of the system. Though it has not been documented on any other terminal, it is possible that this virus is in other parts of the system and has gone unnoticed, as it has on Tiao.”

  “I see.”

  “However, I noticed that you have put the Trid girl under your protection. She is now listed within your circle. Why?”

  “The girl had very little to begin with, and now she has nothing,” Isa stated. “If we are to continue to get samples from her for the virus, she needs to be protected from harm. Very few take kindly to Trids.”

  “That is precisely why she needs to be returned to Trid at the nearest possible time,” Venus said.

  “Forgive my defiance, but I disagree,” Isa said, shaking her head. “She will die if we return her to Trid. Her face and story are now wide-spread news, which means that it would be more beneficial to keep her close, as a sign of good faith to the Trids.”

  “The Trids want her back,” Venus said. “They are protesting at the border, demanding that she be returned.”

  “The sentiment has been noted,” Isa admitted. “However, if we were to return her to Trid untreated, there will be no one to care for her. The Trids try to stay away from those who have this virus. She will be isolated and she will either starve or the virus will kill her.”

  “Where did you get this information?”

  “From Jacyleen, the Significant, and advisor for the Trid District.”

  “I did not approve her as your advisor.”

  “She is the only Trid I have to advise me on matters concerning the district.”

  “Your caretaker was once Trid, and has proven her loyalty to you far more than the Significant.”

  “Tarah has been with me l
onger, it is true,” Isa admitted. “But she was a young child when she left. Jacyleen still has contacts in Trid. And she has proven to me, on three occasions, her loyalty.”

  “You would keep her close, despite the fact that she forged her citizenship originally to work at Companion Corporation?”

  “Yes,” Isa said strongly. “It is as she said in Trid. The Trids have very little means to change their lives. She did what she had to do to survive.” Isa leaned back in her chair. “Venus, you have access to all the numbers. Eighty-five percent of incarcerated criminals in this hemisphere are Trids. Their crimes are very often not violent, which is why we imprison them rather than execute them. Two percent of these Trid criminals have been convicted of rape or murder. Seventy-seven percent of Trid criminals are convicted of forgery, falsified documents, and sedition. These numbers speak for themselves. They are willing to risk imprisonment to earn money to survive.”

  “You know the Trids are vital to the security of this society.”

  “We can maintain social order with the Trids receiving citizenship.”

  “No,” Venus said, her hologram flickering slightly as a red tinge washed over her figure. “This is the twenty-ninth time you have suggested the Trids be granted citizenship.”

  “Venus, these are the same people that are willing to kill me to tear down the Syndicate. Compared to that, the risk of grating citizenship would be—”

  “No. If citizenship is granted, then they are given healthcare, sustainable ration numbers, coded housing, and minimum salary unemployment pay. There are no funds to provide these services to the numbers in Trid. And Trids will not obtain jobs upon being granted citizenship. The low-paid workers are now robots. You understand that there is no way for Trid to contribute to society other than to be our low-point scare tactic.”

  “The scare tactic does not work when the Trids grow in number every day,” Isa protested. “They are having children of their own because we do not provide birth control and we cannot regulate their numbers with the Child Licensing Board. Soon, those protests at the border are going to turn into an insurrection, and if we try to put them down with force as we have done in the past, they will flood the city and destroy it.”