“How did you get that information?”
“Gihron uses obsolete technology,” Vanessa said with a shrug. “I hacked their system.”
Both the Elites in the room were staring at the woman with wide eyes.
“How…” Remus trailed off. “Why would you do something like that?”
“Because they were about to launch another thirty-thousand troops to support Gihron, and you would have been overwhelmed.”
“How did you get that information?” Isa pressed.
“You’re not the only one with little birds everywhere,” Vanessa said with a mysterious grin. “You could say that knowledge is my trade.” She lowered her eyes. “I may not have many eyes on you, but I think I can guess what put you in here.” She smiled thinly. “Taking on another enemy?”
“You could say that,” Isa said. “I’d say this one is more dangerous than Gihron.”
“I would have to agree,” Vanessa said. “More at stake with this new enemy than with Gihron.”
“Bad timing to focus on both of them at the same time,” Isa chuckled brokenly.
“No, no,” Vanessa disagreed quickly. “It’s a brilliant time, actually.”
“How do you figure that?” Remus asked, unconvinced.
“She won’t have you killed in the middle of a war with Gihron,” Vanessa explained. “You’re too important, to her, to the war, to the Alliance, to the people. She knows that she has no chance of controlling the situation if she does not have the Golden Elite.”
“She could use it as propaganda,” Isa said, shaking her head. “She could blame it on Gihron.”
“But that wouldn’t serve her agenda,” Vanessa said. “You remember the meeting. Others were hesitant to support you because they said that it was a blood feud between Gihron and Tiao. If you were to die in this war, that would show submission to Gihron, who is acting in revenge, and the Alliance would lose faith in the power of Tiao.” The former teacher smiled broadly. “She needs you alive. You are far more powerful than you realize.”
Isa lowered her eyes to the bedsheets, sighing.
“I have no power over her.”
“I can’t think of a statement more false,” Vanessa said, shaking her head. “You have all the power. Every Golden Elite has always had complete power over Venus, but she never allowed them to realize it. Every time any one of them started trouble, she would have them killed. And, if they wanted to shut her down to rebuild everything, she made sure that the Golden Elite would not survive shutting her down. It was a brilliant and very calculated move on her part.”
“She can easily have me killed at any time,” Isa pointed out. “She controls everything on this planet. The cars, the robots…absolutely everything is under her control.”
“Everything that is not human,” Vanessa agreed with a nod. “She doesn’t control you. You know that the times Venus is wrong it is because of one individual. And she has always been wrong about you. She believed you could not lead the planet, because you were clearly a degenerate, even if the tests could not determine how. She believed that telling you to stop being with Remus would make you listen, she believed that you were safe as long as you were subdued with the knowledge that rebellion against her would mean death, and she believed that what happened with Colonel Amori would break you and allow her to control you. She’s always been wrong about you. So, when she discredits you as a threat, you need to prove her wrong again.”
“But how do I know that I can succeed?”
“No one knows that for sure,” Vanessa admitted. “But, what makes a great leader is when that leader knows just how much power is at their disposal, and knows when to use it for the good of the people, and when to refrain from using it for the good of society. You clearly have that understanding. You showed that knowledge even in school, with your group of friends, who are now the Elites of the Syndicate. They follow you, even risking death for degeneration and treason, because they know that you are the leader that this planet needs.”
“I want to change things,” Isa murmured. “But things will get worse before they get better.”
“They always do,” Vanessa said. She placed her hand on Isa’s. “You are an extraordinary being, Isa. You understand the need for change, and you crave something better for the people. That’s not a trait one normally sees in anyone, human or Elite. Sometimes, I feel like you are the only hope humanity has left.”
Isa chuckled brokenly. “I was created by humans. I doubt I can save humanity.”
“Often times, what humans create is the thing that saves them.”
“But…” Isa hesitated. “What if this isn’t the right path?” The Golden Elite looked at her former teacher, her eyes showing her uncertainty. “Venus works for a reason. People need regulation. They can’t be governed on their own. Crime is not the same as it was before, and even though there is an enormous social imbalance with Venus and the Elites in power, it has been a stable system for hundreds of years.” Isa sighed heavily. “Maybe…maybe Venus is the right way to govern humanity.”
“A computer is not a good judge of humanity,” Vanessa disagreed, shaking her head. “Humanity is far more than numbers and statistics and death, they are artists and creative vessels for advancement. A computer can replicate art, but it cannot create it. A computer can replicate tones and sounds and words, but it cannot string them together in an original composition, because it cannot determine which sounds are pleasing or which words will evoke emotion in the listener.”
“Elites can’t do that, either,” Isa said. “Well…except Remus.”
They both turned to the Silver Elite, who looked between the two of them before slowly lowering his eyes to the ground.
“Correct,” Vanessa agreed. “An individual that is degenerate by Venus’ standards can create some of the most beautiful music and art that any of us have ever heard or seen.” Vanessa turned back to Isa. “There is no standard when it comes to creativity. If there was, there would be no advancement.”
Isa’s eyes lowered.
“But I cannot create art,” she murmured.
Vanessa reached forward and lifted Isa’s chin, forcing her to look up.
“But you can create change,” she whispered, smiling. “And I know you will. I’ve always known you would.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kailynn was going stir-crazy.
She had never been good at staying inside for days at a time, and now that she had nowhere to go, she was losing her mind. She would spend the days pacing around the safe house, watching the news broadcasts for the tiniest mention of Isa and agonizing over the Elite’s safety.
The two and a half weeks were torturous.
She would talk to Isa occasionally on the phone, but the Elite could only call occasionally and only for two minutes. Venus could trace the calls and figure out which of the Syndicate safe houses Kailynn was occupying. Isa would call, make sure Kailynn was alright, assure the former Significant that she was also alright, and then tell her when she would call again.
Kailynn tried to focus on continuing her reading and writing lessons, but she would always break away from them and watch the news for hours on end, learning about the wins and losses of the army fighting in Tiaoian space and the various planets that had lent their support to the Syndicate.
She also learned that the Wheezing Death had been announced to the public upon the opening of the medical center in the Walking District, which officially opened one week after Kailynn left Anon. However, they were so overwhelmed with patients from Trid with the Wheezing Death Virus that they had declared it a regional epidemic and called in doctors from all over the planet to assist Dr. Busen in studying the strange, undocumented illness.
Even though she considered it a victory that the medical center had been opened and allowed health care to Trids, she could hardly celebrate.
She was too worried about the Golden Elite.
Kailyn also received brief, encouraging phone calls from Rayal and
Tarah. They both assured her that Isa was, in fact, alright and told her that Dr. Busen had operated on Isa to help with the reconstructive deterioration and the pain from Venus’ angry attacks on the Golden Elite.
Due to the limited time allowed on all calls to her, Kailynn had to learn about how Venus was attacking Isa through the course of four days. It caused her anxiety to triple.
Two and a half weeks in the safe house and Kailynn was planning her escape. She could not drive the car, and knew that if it took her eleven hours to get to the safe house from Anon by car, it would take her a week, if not longer, to walk back. She was no further on getting a plan together when she received a phone call.
Since she had been in the bathroom when it rang, she quickly had to scramble out, darting across the living room while she pulled her pants up. She dove for the phone on the coffee table, catching herself precariously on the couch.
“Hello?!” she gasped, trying to catch her balance on the sofa, though she ended up tumbling to the ground. “Hello?”
“Are you alright?” Isa’s voice chuckled.
Kailynn let out a relieved breath and smiled.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she assured. “I just had to run to the phone and I ended up falling. How are you? Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Isa assured. “I can’t stay on the line long. Venus can still trace it. Just know that in about two minutes, an alarm will sound in the house. Don’t worry, you’re still safe.”
“Wait, why the alarm?” Kailynn asked. There was silence on the other end. “Isa? Hello?”
Kailynn glanced at the screen of the phone and groaned when she saw that the call had ended. She squeezed the phone tight, resisting the urge to throw it against the wall in frustration. She knew if she did not find a way to get out of the safe house and back to Isa soon she would suffer a psychotic breakdown.
She watched the clock anxiously, waiting for the alarm to sound.
Two minutes exactly after the phone call ended, a beeping alarm sounded from various corners of the house. Each alarm site on its own was not loud, however, combined, the noise still caused Kailynn to jump in surprise. She stood, wondering how to stop the alarm before someone heard it, or before the Officials were alerted, but an automated voice, soft and gentle, spoke before she could move from the living room.
“Vehicle parking in bay two. Verified visitor.”
Kailynn listened to the voice, thinking over the words as the alarm stopped. She stood still, her breath stuck in her throat. For several seconds, she could hardly breathe.
Her knees shaking and her heart lifting in her throat, nearly choking her, she took careful steps toward the door, listening to every noise. The soft chime of the elevator, followed by the sound of the door opening caused her to still, her eyes fixed on the door.
There were footsteps in the entrance hallway and then the main door opened.
A tall, blonde figure with stunning blue eyes stepped inside, a relieved smile spreading across her face.
Kailynn went forward, her arms wrapping around the Elite’s neck and hugging her tightly. Isa’s arms went around Kailynn’s waist, securing them together, even though Kailynn’s momentum caused the Elite to fall back against the closed door.
In those moments, the world stood still.
All that existed was the tight embrace around them both.
Isa let out a long breath and Kailynn remembered that this was not a dream. The Golden Elite was there with her, breathing, smiling, warm and gentle as always.
She backed away from Isa long enough to take her face in her hands and crash their lips together. The touch seemed to break the floodgates, and emotion and anxiety rushed forward. Kailynn let out a primal sound and her mouth worked desperately against Isa’s. The Golden Elite was not as frantic, but her hands were shaking as she held Kailynn to her.
Kailynn’s hands skirted down Isa’s body, quickly shedding the jacket of Isa’s uniform, her lips never leaving the Elite’s. One of Isa’s hands went up to Kailynn’s head, her fingers tangling in her hair as they kissed hungrily.
The younger woman’s fingers quickly worked at the fastening of Isa’s uniform pants and pushed them down sharply, her hands grabbing at Isa’s skin desperately, as if worried the Elite would disappear if they were to part.
One of her hands went down to cup, Isa her fingers gently exploring flesh she had not touched in what felt like years.
Isa broke their kiss with a gasp and her head fell back against the door.
She panted as Kailynn kissed her neck, slowly going to her knees, her lips marking a trail down Isa’s body.
“Kailynn…” Isa whispered, breathless. “Don’t you want to move out of the doorway?”
“No.”
Time passed without notice. Kailynn and Isa were both desperate for one another, their hands never leaving the other’s body, their lips tangling whenever they were close. It was frenzied, and every action was filled with anxiety that they could not put words to,
Eventually, they found themselves on the couch, sated and calmed. They reveled in the closeness of the other, silent for an indeterminable amount of time.
“…how long can you stay?” Kailynn whispered, her hands drifting over Isa’s back as the Elite rested over her like a blanket. Isa sighed and lifted her head, meeting Kailynn’s eyes.
“Unfortunately, I have to leave tomorrow afternoon,” she murmured. She ran a hand over Kailynn’s cheek. “I actually shouldn’t be here now, but I had to see you.”
Kailynn smiled, lifting her head to kiss Isa.
“Are you alright? Be honest. I’ll kick your ass if you lie.”
“I’m alright,” she assured with a chuckle.
“Rayal said that Venus has been attacking you.”
“It’s not as bad now,” she said.
“How can she attack you? I don’t understand.”
Isa hesitated, her eyes averting as she tried to find a way to explain. She lowered her head back to Kailynn’s chest and sighed once more.
“When I was made Golden Elite,” she started slowly, “Venus and I were connected.”
“What does that mean?”
“Remember when you were in Trid? And we had to translate Venus’ language for you?”
“Yeah, and that hurt you…somehow…”
“I had a few medical procedures when I was inaugurated,” the Golden Elite said vaguely. “A tracer chip, a heart monitoring system, a translator, a bunch of other things. This anchors me to Venus. Which means she can send electric pulses to all of these devices and cause a lot of pain.”
“…is she attacking you because of me?”
“No,” Isa assured. “She’s punishing me because of what I have done.” She closed her eyes, falling silent for several seconds. “I’ve disobeyed her. I’ve incapacitated her in many ways.”
“Incapacitated?”
“That virus I released in her system was no simple infection,” Isa said. “I made sure to program it so that when she tries to send certain orders, it infects her. The more she tries, the more avenues she tries to work around the infected parts of her mainframe, the worse her system becomes.”
“Can you shut her down that way?”
Isa stopped, her eyes opening once more, becoming pensive.
“Isa?”
“That particular virus will not destroy her,” Isa said. “However, if we were to find a way to infect her main codes, maybe with a virus that would destroy those source codes, it could be possible to shut her down with a virus.”
“I thought that was how you were going to shut her down eventually,” Kailynn said.
“No, I actually always thought we would have to destroy her source codes through physical force.”
“I thought Venus could program herself anywhere.”
“As long as she has her complete source coding. She can’t exactly move from place to place, since her processors are in various locations throughout the planet. If one of them goes down, or even h
alf of them, she would still function because her source coding, which she uses as a backup, can still be accessed.”
“…you lost me.”
Isa shifted once more, climbing off of Kailynn to rest next to her, propping her head up in one hand as her other arm draped over Kailynn.
“Venus was created to monitor the planet for disasters,” she started. “At the time she was created, she could not monitor the entire planet from one source. There were edges to the areas where she could monitor. Therefore, they built additional processing units and linked them with one another. This gave Venus complete control over every area of the planet. Obviously, as technology advanced, she downloaded more processes and she is not dependent on those processor units around the planet. She used the newer technology to create two backups of her source coding. One of those codes moves around constantly. The other is linked to her first processor.”
“Where is the first processor?”
“About a three hour drive from here,” Isa explained.
“It’s not in Anon?”
“No,” Isa said, shaking her head. “Anon is too high-profile for such delicate information. Her first processor is very secluded in a low-profile, low-population area. There are three processors in Anon and the surrounding areas, but if those were attacked or destroyed, her source codes would not be harmed.”
“So, if you were to destroy her first processor,” Kailynn mused, “she would still have her source codes because of the second backup that keeps moving around.” Kailynn’s eyebrows furrowed. “How do you know where that is?”
“I can track it,” Isa said. “But destroying those source codes…that’s far more difficult.” Isa closed her eyes, sighing. “Venus’ programming is very complex, even more so now than when she was created. She has upgraded herself and downloaded different lines of code from different places to build herself to what she is today. To figure out a virus that could effectively destroy the necessary codes before she finds a means to copy them in another processor…” Isa shook her head. “And both source code backups are never in the same location. So if we destroy one, we would not have the time to destroy the other before she filled in her code again from the secondary backup and we would end up chasing her around the planet until she loaded those code off-planet.”
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