“Gather around,” Paige says, rising from her seat, motioning for the group to stand and follow her. They slowly rise, making their way to the translucent circular table towards the back of the lounge. Everyone joins her except for Trent and Amber, who are sleeping on the floor side-by-side. Without the need to breathe their chests don’t rise and fall; if someone hadn’t been aware of their abilities, they’d assume the pair of ash-white bodies were simply well-preserved corpses.
When everyone is gathered around, Paige flips open Brodie’s metal case and begins to pull apart the lining. Cole and Jens exchange glances, offering each other a confused shrug as she continues to remove pieces of metal and foam insulation. Goto, Allison and Brodie lean in, eager to see whatever it is she’s digging for.
After the case is seemingly empty, Paige runs her fingernail along the inseam and peels away a false bottom, revealing a large, flat piece of glass. It’s thin and relatively light, no larger than a hardcover book. She removes it and rubs the surface, smiling softly. “This is it,” she announces. “The Compendium.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” Brodie says. “That’s the famous Akashic that everyone wants? And it’s been here the whole time...in my suitcase?”
“It was the safest place for it,” Paige explains. “And it’s the last place anyone would look.”
Cole furrows his brow. “But that’s a piece of crystal.”
“Exactly.” Paige places Akashic on the surface of the table, sliding it towards the center to allow everyone a closer look. “Around the year 2900 The Federation discovered that using light to store data was far more efficient than the outdated power cells they’d been using for centuries. It’s pretty amazing. Insert this into a holo-chamber and you can retrieve everything – tens of thousands of years of records, all perfectly preserved.”
Paige presses her palm against the surface and her eyes begin to crackle and glow, infusing the crystal with bright purple light. “I have every event in recorded human history, right here at my fingertips. Anyone want to know how our upcoming fight against The General is about to go down?”
Bathed in the flickering light, the room falls silent.
Paige massages the surface of Akashic, sheathing it with tines of energy that discharge from her fingertips. It emits a gentle hum and continually brightens until everyone standing around the table are forced to shield or avert their eyes. “It’s going to take place in a graveyard,” she begins. “In New Orleans. And we’re all going to be there, fighting as a team. In the end, we’ll survive. Each and every one of us. The General will fall, and Dia will return to us – willingly, and unharmed.”
“You can see all of this?” Jens asks, squinting against the powerful glare.
Paige nods. “Like I’m watching a 3D movie. But without the shitty plastic glasses...and the fact that it barely looks 3D.” She pulls her hand away from the surface of the crystal and the light fades; her eyes revert from purple to their natural chestnut brown.
“May I take a look?” Goto asks. “I’d be interested to see this for myself. I’ve heard so much about Akashic – as you can imagine, it would be quite an honor.”
“Sorry,” she replies with a shrug. “It’s encoded. Only members of The Nine and high-ranking officials can take a peek inside by unlocking the data with their DNA.”
Goto – stoic as always – doesn’t offer a reply. He simply folds his arms and stares back at her slightly cocking his head as he often does. Is he confused? Annoyed? Paige can’t quite tell.
“This is awesome news,” Jens says, beaming with confidence. “So all we gotta do is fly back to the US and start kicking ass! And we’re all going to make it out of there. Nice going, Paige.”
She smiles brightly. “Exactly. As soon as Dia and The General realize that we have Akashic, they won’t be able to get to New Orleans fast enough. And then we’ll unleash our secret weapon.”
“Weapon?” Cole asks.
“Him.” Paige motions towards the ghostly, dark-haired teenager sprawled out on the floor.
“Trent?” Allison shouts, throwing her hands to her sides. “You have got to be shitting me. Please tell me you saw us throwing him and his slutty redhead out the cargo door, and using them as zombie bombs or something.”
“Not quite,” Paige replies. “He’s going to raise an army.”
“Whatever,” Allison huffs. “I like my idea better.”
Paige announces that she’s going to send a transmission to The General, and that she’s about to inform him that they are in possession of Akashic. She excuses herself and makes her way into a nearby sleeping chamber, preparing to make the call, but Goto follows her and shuts the door behind him.
“Whoa there, sailor. Can I help you?” Paige asks. “I’d like a moment here.”
“That was quite a coincidence,” Goto says flatly.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“That you had Akashic in your possession this whole time.”
“As if I was going to tell you about it,” Paige scoffs. “I had to keep it a secret.”
Goto drops his hands into his pockets and leans against the wall, maintaining eye contact. “As a low-ranking Collector I didn’t have the same access to information that you and your sister were granted...but I did hear things.”
Paige rakes her fingers through her dark hair and curls the purple streak behind her ear, exhaling deeply. “Such as?”
“For one, I know that Akashic isn’t portable. It was built directly into the primary Tower for security purposes. You couldn’t fit it into a suitcase any more than you could stick a three-bedroom flat into your back pocket.”
Paige incriminates herself by remaining silent, but she can’t think of a response.
“That light show you put on for the team,” he says matter-of-factly, “it was a theatrical performance. Like a gypsy rubbing a crystal ball...so to speak.”
“I told them what they needed to hear,” she replies, not much louder than a whisper.
Goto nods. “I know. And I know you believe you’re doing the right thing.” He taps a finger into his temple. “We’re still connected.”
Paige sits on the bed and slumps forward, burying her face in her palms. “Stay out of my head, Goto.”
“You’re more like them than you want to admit, you know; Dia, the General. You all seem to possess an ineffable quality: you can motivate your followers. They all believe in you.”
Paige looks up, her eyes welling with emotion. “Don’t tell them.”
“I won’t,” he assures her, taking a seat at her side. “This has to be done, and it has to be now. I’m assuming in order to convince Dia that you have Akashic, you’ll need to do it before she regains her memories.”
“Every time I need something I start manipulating and lying...it’s becoming a reflex. Muscle memory. I feel like I’m doing what’s best in the moment, but—”
“—right and wrong seem to blur together.” Goto adds.
Paige replies with a weak nod.
“That’s why you were on the advisory board in 3016, and why Dia was the military leader. You have too much heart to make the real sacrifices.”
“Apparently not,” she says. “I might be making one now. There’s a good chance that some of us won’t make it back. Maybe most of us.”
Goto points towards the door. “And if they knew that, their chances of survival would be even slimmer. What you did was give them hope. It’s a powerful motivational tool.”
“Even when it’s bullshit?”
Goto takes her hand, like a father comforting his daughter. A gesture he would have never imagined extending even a day ago, and one that Paige would have never accepted. “Hope is never bullshit. If someone believes it’s real, then it’s real. Sometimes that’s enough to light a fire inside someone – to push them through a seemingly impossible task.”
Paige nods in agreement, taking a moment to let his words penetrate. “You know something, Goto – when you’re no
t trying so hard to be an asshole...you’re somewhat less of a dick.”
His impenetrable stiff upper lip curls at the edges. “If I don’t survive this battle, I’d like you to read my eulogy.”
Chapter Twenty-Six – Implacable
New Orleans, Louisiana | January 28, 2012 | 10:30 am, Central Standard Time
She spoke, and her father listened in silence. Paige laid out her terms in rapid succession, without a trace of emotion in her voice – she felt like a kidnapper demanding ransom in exchange for the life of a loved one.
The time: exactly three hours from now.
The place: a graveyard in the west end of New Orleans.
The trade: Akashic, in exchange for their freedom.
He curtly agreed to the terms, and that was that.
Of course Paige knew the negotiation was meaningless. She knew that if they were to relinquish Akashic – even if the genuine article was theirs to relinquish – The General would never let them leave Louisiana alive. Too many loose ends.
Paige also knew that The General would be skeptical of the trade, as would Dia. Offering up The Compendium on a silver platter, and asking for nothing more than a promise in return? No one is that naive – least of all Paige.
Regardless of The General’s level of certainty that Paige was actually in possession of Akashic, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a meeting. If the rendezvous went south he could simply take out his targets on the spot. But he wouldn’t just bomb the area, scorching the earth in the process. He couldn’t. If even the slightest possibility existed that Paige was telling the truth, regardless of how slim, he’d have to put boots on the ground to confirm it. And that’s why Paige was certain her plan was going to work...at least phase one.
Paige informed the group of her strategy. She would go in with Cole to hand over what The General so desperately sought, standing in plain view. The rest of the group would be divided into teams, hidden throughout the graveyard: Brodie with Trent and Amber, Jens with Allison, and Goto staying with the Aithon as back-up.
In addition, they each received a personal briefing from Paige, with explicit, individual instructions. Having believed her light show – and that she had actually seen the future thanks to ‘Akashic’ – no one questioned her. Not a single word of doubt was even suggested. Everyone believed they’d make it out alive, and were confident in their roles.
As the Aithon reaches the west coast of the United States it was time to prepare for landing.
“Let’s suit up,” Paige instructs, handing out the black metallic gauntlets.
At this point, everyone knows the procedure: pull the long black gauntlet over your forearm, yank the straps into place, and type the activation code into the small touch-screen on the back. Sixteen flexible syringes engage, piercing your skin, locking the device to your arm like an oversized parasite from an alien invasion movie. Presto – you’re ready for battle. Once combat starts to heat up, a dose of Brodie’s ‘Plan B’ serum can be injected into your bloodstream with the press of a button, infusing you with more power than you ever thought possible.
As everyone mills about the stark white lounge, adjusting their gauntlets and slipping into whatever battle gear they have available, Brodie approaches Paige, nervously scratching at his unshaven face.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” he whispers, glancing back over his shoulder at Trent and his girlfriend.
“You have to,” Paige hisses, pulling him closer. Her black polished fingernails dig into his shoulder, nearly piercing the fabric of his t-shirt.
“But what if I can’t?”
Paige lets out a frustrated huff and takes a few steps backwards, pulling Brodie until she’s pressed up against the far wall of the Aithon’s lounge –as far away from the group as possible. “You know this has to be you,” she whispers. “You’re always complaining about being underused and undervalued. This is your chance to do something important for the team.”
He tugs at his sleeves, eyes darting nervously around the cabin.
“Look,” Paige says, softening her tone. She squeezes Brodie’s shoulders, focusing his gaze. “We need you in order to make this entire thing work. I need you. You’re the only one who can pull off this part of the plan.”
Brodie exhales loudly, rubbing his face with both hands. “Fine,” he replies, staring down at his running shoes. “But after this, I’m done.”
“Done as in—”
“As in I’m finished here, Paige. With you, Cole, Dia – this entire freak show. I walk away, once and for all.”
“Fair enough. I’ll have some reserve funds deposited into your account. I can have a passport created and—”
“Don’t,” he interrupts. “You’ve done more than enough for me. I’m like the houseguest that never leaves. I’ll make my own way for once...no help.”
She offers a small nod and a handshake as the Aithon’s damaged intercom crackles in the background.
“We’re touching down in three,” the pilot announces. “Better grab an umbrella – it’s a wet one out there.”
***
The jet lands in a small park just north of the cemetery. When the ramp lowers from the underbelly the wind is punishing, and torrents of rain pelt the team as then step onto the soaking grass.
“This weather is pretty crazy,” Allison shouts into the storm, pulling her raincoat tight around her body. “Are you sure your dad is gonna show up?”
“Absolutely,” Paige replies, looking skyward towards the blackened clouds. “He’d walk through Hell if it meant getting his hands on Akashic. And Dia wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
With hurricane warnings in place, the city has long been evacuated. It will be just a matter of hours until a storm arrives that tests the durability of the new floodwalls that were constructed in the aftermath of 2005’s record-setting hurricane season.
Paige wipes the pooling water from the back of her gauntlet and checks the time. “We have a head start, but not much. Everyone get into position.”
Brodie runs off towards the south end of the cemetery with Amber and Trent in tow. Allison races to cover the north side, with Jens gasping for air as he tries to keep pace.
Paige and Cole move to the center of the graveyard, flanked by rows of long grey mausoleums. No trees are overhead to obscure their position; they’ll be clearly visible by aircraft when The General’s team arrives.
The timer on the back of her gauntlet ticks down to zero, indicating that the three-hour limit she imposed for her father was drawing to a close. A pair of soft beeps emit from the device while the zeroes flash and fade to black.
That’s when they arrive, just like clockwork.
Helicopters swarm above like insects. The collective sound of their rotors generate an ear-splitting buzz that increases in volume as they make their descent. The choppers break formation and disperse throughout the area, hovering low so the soldiers can leap safely to the ground.
As the black-clad figures in Federation armor land, they sprint in every direction, forming a perimeter around the cemetery that blocks every available exit. They appear to be no more than fast-moving shadows from a distance, with only their glowing gold eyes and shoulder crests visible through the torrents of pouring rain.
Cole and Paige are being surrounded, but they remain still.
In unison the helicopters soar above the tree line and circle the area, no doubt stationing snipers in strategic locations. After the graveyard is secured there’s a moment of inactivity where every soldier holds their ground, freezing in place – and then she arrives.
Dia’s crackling blue eyes appear through sheets of water as if they’re materializing from thin air. She approaches wearing a black cloak, with a thick hood obscuring most of her face. Accompanying her are a pair of soldiers in matching Federation armor, allowing her a wide berth on either side.
As if on cue the weather relents, and the cascading rainfall is temporarily reduced to a mild drizzle. Dia stops a few m
eters short of Cole and Paige before pulling back her hood with both hands, letting her blond hair billow in the wind.
Paige cocks an eyebrow. “You sure know how to make an entrance, Dia. Or is it back to Danica, now?”
“I think we’re past the point of formalities,” she replies coldly. “But if it makes you feel better, you can refer to me as ‘Your Honor’...for old time’s sake.”
Paige’s lips curl into a sardonic smirk. “There are a couple names that I’d like to call you at the moment, but I promised everyone that I’d keep things civil.”
Dia folds her arms across her chest and tilts her head. “I recall you mentioning at one point that this situation would escalate into a war. I knew you were right at the time, but I never imagined we’d be standing on opposite sides of the battlefield.”
“I never asked you to leave. Being on opposite sides was your choice, not mine.”
“Was it?” Dia replies sharply, narrowing her eyes. “Because I seem to remember that you were the one wiping away my memories. You’ve stolen my past, my identity...you’ve always been jealous of me.” She flicks her eyes momentarily towards Cole. “You just can’t resist trying to take everything that’s mine.”
“Wait,” Cole says, extending his hand. “Me and Paige, it’s not like that. Really, it’s not. Let’s just talk this out – it doesn’t have to go down like this.”
“You’re pathetic,” Dia snaps. “You two are made for each other.”
“Listen,” Paige says, speaking in an even, steady voice. “You don’t understand what will happen if you tear open another rift in time. There could be disastrous consequences, and—”
“No,” Dia shouts. “I’m well aware of the consequences. We’re beyond words here, don’t either of you get that? This is about purpose. My eyes are wide open for the first time, and I know exactly what I’m here to do. Dad is going to reshape the world and carve out his legacy, and once we tear open the portal and I return home, I’ll be back where I belong, in 3016, carrying on the family name. Your snivelling apologies and bullshit theories aren’t going to change a thing.”
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