Advance: (Advance Industries) (Book 1)

by K A Duggsy

  “So I never had parents?”

  “Faith, you were brought up on-site at a crèche close to the labs. Care-givers brought you up, from what you told me, they were kind and loving, if it weren’t for them you would have given up completely.”

  “Who named me?”

  “All children part of the reproduce trials were automatically assigned a name referring to what Advance Industries wanted to achieve. You told me you were friends with Hope and Destiny; you spoke about them a lot.”

  She starts to silently cry again, the only sign she’s doing so being the jerking of her shoulders. I pull her close and hug her tightly. I don’t know how to help her through this. It’s like starting all over again with her. All the progress we made from the first time we met is old news. I hope I can bring her through this. I hope my men have the patience to wait.

  “Faith I’ll tell you whatever you want to know but this has been a lot to take in already, maybe you should rest.” I press a kiss to her forehead and lie her down on the camp bed. I want nothing more than to crawl on beside her. I’m tired too and just want her to hold me.

  “Kye?”

  “Yes, Sweetheart?”

  “How did I meet you?”

  I run my fingers through my hair again and expel a loud breath. I start chewing on my lip. I don’t want to tell her but I told her I’d answer any questions she had so know I must.

  “You were put forward for the Advance invention - to be a candidate. You... travelled to my time. You just appeared in the lab gardens. My team were tasked with infiltrating Advance Industries in our time. They had created their own version of Advance but their machine couldn’t send humans anywhere. The machine in this time is for travel, the machine in my time was for snatching.”

  “Snatching?” She queries scrunching her nose at me.

  “In my time... the population is scarce. Advance Industries managed to kick start the design to snatch humans from the past, that’s all it can do; it’s one way or was until I met you. They tweaked as much as they could but weren’t able to create the same dynamics as used here... in this time. My task was to determine that this was really happening and apprehend those responsible. I’d been watching them for weeks and not once did it work. My team and I were relieved and then... you appeared!”

  “Wait a minute. Did I travel or was I snatched?” She asks sitting back up quickly.

  The penultimate question I think. The same question we’ve been trying to figure out.

  “We don’t know, you are the only person to ever travel in the Advance tubes and the only person to have been snatched. We think there must be some correlation in the results, maybe in your time you were forced to test the tube while at the same time in mine they attempted snatching and managed to cross over. I don’t know Faith I’m no scientist. The only thing in your favour at the moment is that here Advance Industries have no idea where you went, how long you were gone for or what you did. I’m sure if they found out about our version of Advance you’d be tested on relentlessly again to try and replicate the conditions.”

  “You keep saying your time?”

  “The future, yes.”

  “But I can’t be the only one to travel if you’re here; I thought your Advance was one way?” Her brow furrows at the amount of information she’s trying to take in.

  “Faith, the day you appeared in the garden tubes was the day I stormed the command centre for unlawful acts. I found you. I took care of you... and then... I fell for you. In my time, days go by while the equivalent here is hours. We spent a lot of time together; you told me everything you knew from having inside knowledge of your labs. You joined my team, came on re-cons with us... loved me.

  You had awful nightmares and one day out of the blue decided that you had to return to your own time to stop others from dying in those tubes. I tried to dissuade you, I really did but I admired you at the same time. After all the years of being forced to be tested on I couldn’t deny you your free-will. I wanted to return with you but you forced me to stay. A scientist from my time collaborated with us to convert the machine based on your knowledge. You were told how to destroy the research and device. We fought long and hard for weeks while the scientist assembled a team and re-formatted the tubes... So that you could go back.”

  My voice breaks remembering the risk she was determined to take. “You were warned that these were unknown, you could end up anywhere, could lose memories and even die. They were designed for one way only - snatching from the past not for sending people to the past, but you wouldn’t give up. Kept saying you had to try. I pleaded with you Sweetheart but you wouldn’t let me come. You’d arranged for Jonah to apprehend me if I tried - which as you knew I would - I did. Cross-overs are supposedly risky and you were determined for us to remain in our own times.

  The last thing you said as I watched you walk to the tube was, ‘I’ll always remember you.”

  I gulp remembering that day, the day my heart broke. A day that’s forever etched in my memory.

  “I prayed that you would but knew it was highly unlikely that you’d make it back at all. My heart broke that day and I channelled my energy into gathering a select few of the most trusted, admirable scientists to work on the tubes non-stop. I was coming after you but knew I’d need my memories once I got here. My team volunteered to travel with me when everything was ready.

  I knew you were at risk even if you remembered, and if you didn’t, I couldn’t bear the thought of you being tested on again and again. I wanted to help you wipe out the research, nothing can be preserved. Plus... I needed to see you again, my time without you was agonising.”

  “This doesn’t make any sense Kye!” She jumps up and starts wildly gesturing with her hands. “If I belong to Advance Industries and I’m the only one the tubes worked on, why did they let me out? Why bother with giving me a fake identity? Surely I would have been more beneficial to them if they kept me on-site?”

  “We’ve wondered about that too and we don’t know. Since we arrived I’ve had one of my men follow you. He reported back to me the day you were approached at the conference centre, by a homeless he was suspicious of, who we since found out was Fraser. He even caused a commotion the night you were heading to Zone 1 to give you chance against the guards. I wanted to rush in and save you knowing they were planning something to get you back in their clutches. But I am confused by their motives. I think they were trying to see if you’d be triggered.”

  “How did you get here? I thought to travel; tubes needed to be each place, I thought you said the only tubes here are at Advance Industries.”

  “No, not anymore. That was part of the design change; we didn’t need to go in a tube to travel back. We thought of that in the planning stage, knew that we couldn’t let Advance Industries know about us, they’d have a field day. That’s also how we retained our memories, because of the change.”

  “How long has it been since I was sent back?”

  “Eight months,” I answer; relieved she didn’t probe further into the design change that enabled me to travel.

  “So it worked, I came back and they set me free and now you think they want me back? Still doesn’t make sense, they could have just arrested me. Why send Fraser in with a story against them? I think he really does want to expose them Kye. He was injured trying to help me escape from them. I have to help him.”

  “Faith, I let you railroad me before. You’re unbelievably strong-willed and determined, but there is no way I’m letting you go back on the off chance he has switched sides.” Her eyes darken and I think shit! Wrong thing to say to this woman.

  “You’re not letting me? Who do you think you are? I’m not a child; I’ll do as I please. Your story is very convincing Kye but that doesn’t mean I believe it. If anything it sounds rehearsed. There are too many things that don’t add up, and while I have free-will I will do what I think is right.”

  “For God sake, Faith, what more do I have to do to convince you. They put you through
hell for years, and you want to go running back? I haven’t seen you for a long time, it wasn’t the reunion I expected but I never thought we’d be arguing again.”

  She explodes. “I DON’T REMEMBER YOU! I’m sorry, Kye, if it’s all true, I’m so sorry. But I can’t base my motives on what you expect or what you want. I have to do this and if you really do love me, you won’t hold me against my will. If we meant something to each other and this whole ridiculous story is real, I have to do what I set out to do and I can’t do that from here. I want to remember you, Kye. I want to remember being loved and being in love. Let me pursue this?”

  I shake my head. She won’t give up; she’ll badger me and chip away until she wins. Why did I fall for such a frustrating, honourable pain in the backside? She’s not being smart though, she’s far too impulsive and that always leads to trouble. “Faith you’re going to be the death of me. You’re not going alone. Let me work out a strategy. Get some sleep and then we’ll figure it out.”

  Chapter 12

  Faith

  I toss and turn, too many thoughts running through my mind, plus Kye left to brief the men and wouldn’t let me join. I’m desperate to know what they’re saying and planning. My need for knowledge keeps biting me in the arse but I can’t help myself.

  I still haven’t decided if anyone has told me the truth, it all sounds so far-fetched. The press conference was an eye opener to begin with, surely if I’d been used for the experiment, Johnson’s announcement back then would have triggered something, or the time spent with Fraser. Nothing adds up but I have to admit my life never felt right, the luxury I lived in felt wrong, the people. I always felt out of place but couldn’t pinpoint why. Is it because I have some kind of amnesia?

  And Kye... apparently is someone who saved me and I love. Surely I’d remember him if that were true. Kye said that sometimes dreams are memories trying to break through but I only started having those terrifying dreams about people burning after learning about Advance. The file Jonah gave me had my head spinning enough, add to that the information Kye gave up and I don’t know if I’m coming or going.

  Kye is the epitome of masculine, authoritative and oozes... something. Something that draws me to him. But I’m female and not blind. I find myself thinking about him regularly, especially as I’m confined to his living quarters in the cramped tent. I want to believe in him, want to believe I was/ am special to him. But wanting and actually believing are two separate things. Why would a guy like that want me? That’s what I’m struggling with the most. I keep going back and forth between believing what I’ve learnt and thinking it’s some kind of elaborate ploy. Are they toying with me? But why would they? What would they get out of convincing me of this?

  I give up; there is no way I can sleep. I slip my shoes on and leave the tent. I make a bee line for Jonah’s tent, hoping that as he’s second in command they’ll all be meeting there. I can hear voices as I get closer, and decide instead of barging in like I originally planned, to hold back and eavesdrop.

  “Let her do it! It’s what she came back for!” Jonah says.

  “I knew you’d have no qualms about her being tested on again!” Kye spits back.

  “It’s our only way in; they’re probably beside themselves that she’s disappeared again. She could play on having no memory, they’d believe her and then we have an insider.”

  “It makes sense, Kye,” Someone else pipes up.

  “No, I’m not risking her!”

  I throw the tent open outraged that he thinks he is still in charge of my life, he’s not my father! Oh wait, I don’t have one. I walk in with my head held high and meet everyone’s gaze. I stop before them in what I hope is the most intimidating stance I can pull off but in reality I probably don’t look threatening at all. I hold my hand up to silence Kye when he moves closer and his mouth opens, no doubt ready to protest.

  Kye and Jonah are standing on opposite sides of the tent and the other men are all sitting on their camp chairs, staring at me. Most of them look amused, the lines around their eyes crinkling. I turn my attention back to the frustrating man before me.

  “I am going back.” I throw a ‘DON’T PUSH ME’ look at Kye. “It’s not open for discussion, but all of you are right, we need a plan. Include me in this though. I’m not scared to go back. I have no recollection of what they did to me but I’ll be alert. Let me help. I need to do this. If none of you want to help, that’s fine. I’m sorry you were all roped into coming to save me, I really am. You should be home with your loved ones.”

  Someone starts clapping softly and a few others join in. Not really what I was expecting, are they winding me up? I thought they’d laugh me out of here. I turn to look at Kye in confusion and see he’s displaying a half-grin.

  “I, for one have missed your speeches lady,” A man says as he steps forward and bear hugs me. I’m completely engulfed in his embrace. It seems that to be part of Kye’s team, being huge is the main requirement.

  “Well I missed having a woman on re-cons with us, didn’t miss the talking so much though,” Another guy says as he bumps my shoulder with his.

  “I’m sorry. I’m at a loss, I don’t remember you. You’re going to have to remind me who you are,” I say looking around at each of the men. They seem genuine and for a moment I let myself believe in the tale I’ve been spun.

  “How could you forget us?” The first guy says holding his hand to his heart and pretending to be hurt.

  He pulls a genuine smile from me. “I can see I was an idiot to leave you guys and return here.”

  “No, Love, we were the idiots for letting you.”

  “Okay guys, settle down. We have work to do,” Jonah interrupts.

  “What have you come up with so far? Before Kye rejected your suggestions?” I ask.

  “What did Fraser send you to Zone 1 for?” Jonah ignores my question, replacing it with one of his own.

  “I’m glad you brought that up. Fraser needs our help as much as I apparently do. He sought me out to tell me about Advance and explained it was dangerous to humans; he went into hiding and lived on the streets to escape them because he disagreed with what they wanted to use it for. He asked for my help to recover his files from his home but all I found were cuff links and a phaser. He wanted to expose them but needed help. Before they caught him he told me to go to the streets and find Alec and Ameera. He said they would help.”

  They all stare at me in disbelief and start muttering amongst themselves until Kye emits a shrill whistle and ends the chatter.

  “That’s our in as far as I’m concerned. Send her back acting confused, those two will find her and take her in,” Jonah states.

  “Yeah they’ll take her in to test on, thinking she travelled again!” Kye protests.

  “Kye, it’s fine. If I went through it for years, I’m sure I can handle it.”

  “No! Not happening! You don’t remember so you have no idea what you can handle. We’ll think of another way.”

  “There is no other way, I have to go back. I have to see for myself. You want me to believe all this... madness? Let me go, if I’m hauled off to the labs I’ll have my answer.”

  Kye’s gaze drops to the floor and the sadness he displays is too much for me. I walk towards him and clasp his hand, saying softly, “Please, you asked me to trust you, now trust me.”

  “I’ve always trusted you, Sweetheart; I just don’t trust myself to put you in danger again. I can’t do it.”

  “Why are you fighting me on this? You know it makes sense Kye. I’ll do it however you want, with back-up or without, but it has to happen and you know that. Stop being so damn stubborn.”

  Someone chuckles behind me and I whip around to see who, another statuesque man dressed in the same dark jumpsuit is grinning our way. I narrow my eyes at him.

  “Sorry Faith, I’ve missed you guys arguing about missions. Warms a guy’s heart,” He says sincerely as he places his palm over his chest.

  I turn back to Kye and ho
ld his gaze. “I want to remember, Kye; I want to remember you... us.” I whisper as I stroke his face and his eyes penetrate mine, burning into me. It’s such an intense moment I want to kiss him, to make him feel loved even if I can’t remember him.

  I stand on my tiptoes and gently brush my lips against his but pull back immediately at the wolf whistles and applause from the other men. My face flames but I don’t break eye contact with Kye and he nods slightly, agreeing for me to go.

  He steps around me but doesn’t relinquish his hold on my hand as he pulls me alongside him.

  Addressing Jonah, he commands, “Figure it out, she needs back-up. Her safety is the most important aspect to keep in mind. Report back when you have an acceptable plan.”

  He turns and drags me from the tent with him to walk back across to his own.

  Once inside he seats me on the bed and sits next to me, entwining his fingers with mine. “Are you sure about this?” He asks searching my face deeply.

  I nod, not understanding his reticence. Having no memories of my supposed treatment allows me no fear of what might await me and for that and that alone I’m glad I can’t remember. Kye’s insistence on keeping me safe and the worry he displays is genuine. Whatever he knows about my prior treatment at the hands of Advance Industries can’t have been pretty.

  “Get some rest; darkness will be the best time to send you in. I can follow in the shadows then.” He releases my hand and walks away.

  My stomach plummets; he looks so lost, his beautiful eyes brimming with concern. My heart aches knowing I’m pushing him to agree to something he’s so completely against and then it swells that someone is so concerned for my safety, that someone cares so much for me, they are in pain at letting me walk into the lion’s den.

  I can’t remember anyone ever trying to protect me so fiercely, for too long I’ve felt alone, a burden, unloved, unwanted and those were feelings I felt whilst living a fake existence. How did I feel when I wasn’t free, when I was just a test subject? If I believe that at all. Donovan cared for me once upon a time, but fleetingly before breaking it off as quickly as our relationship started. No explanation, just see ya, it’s over.