by K A Duggsy
Johnson arrives remarkably quickly and I recap what I know and what I believe. I outline my plan to keep her trust and after thinking it over he agrees. He opens the door and I follow behind. I feel him bristle when he sees her strapped down, eyesight failing and her mouth moving involuntarily.
What he’s annoyed about I’m not sure. This is a regular occurrence here but then he addresses Dr Bowers and I realise it’s because he wanted to question her and will now have to wait.
I can’t contain my excitement. She’s back, it’s likely she remembers and hopefully, finally she will be able to tell us where she went after her time in the tube. So much for me getting lucky tonight, well, lucky in a different way. I’m patient though. It’s one of my greatest attributes - patience.
Kye
We’ve stayed to the shadows. Luckily the timing worked out perfectly as it’s nightfall so much easier to go unnoticed. The only people likely to see us are homeless and they won’t kick up a fuss unless we disturb them. Callan leads the way as he spent time here and was the one who caused the diversion for Faith the night she went to Frasers. He immersed himself in the city with homeless extremely well and reported to me every night without fail.
He told me that security was scarce but I never believed it was this lax. Two guards on the entrance to the city, three at Zone 1 and one outside the conference centre. Hardly impenetrable! Inside however we have no idea. I’m guessing the guards are mainly stationed at the labs and I hate going in blind.
I have a team of eight, myself, Jonah, Aldren, Callan, Palmer, Saunders, Trask and Walker. Each has their own specialty and each I trust implicitly. We won’t be leaving without Faith, that’s a given. They may have been tetchy at first but they went through a lot to get here, travelling, leaving families and loved ones all with no promise they would make it or ever be able to return, and they did that for me. They saw how I was falling apart. I wasn’t a good leader or a good example for a while there but they persevered, they picked me up and I know they worry if we don’t do this I’ll end up in that dark place again.
I’ve never been in love. I thought I had until I met Faith and then it became abundantly clear that I’d only ever been in lust before. I’ve dated but I was always too busy trying to uphold the law in my time, right the wrongs that were going on. There’s nothing like the adrenaline of a mission. The planning that takes place, checking, leading and taking down those who deserve it. But when I came across Faith, I couldn’t leave her. She wasn’t my responsibility and I could’ve passed her off on to someone else but when it came to it, I couldn’t let her go. At first it was because she needed to be nursed better but then I ended up strangely besotted with her.
I don’t think I’ve ever had in depth conversations with women before her. I didn’t have to put on a pretence to impress her, nor she for me. We accepted each other for who we were. Loving her became as easy as breathing. Keeping her was the best and easiest decision I ever made.
Granted at first I was curious about her, how she’d travelled or been snatched. But as she got better, I saw her resolve, her strength and she impressed me. She’s the only woman I ever trusted to join my team and aid us in missions. At first it was to keep her close but she showed us she could keep up, she made herself invaluable. The men thought I was crazy at first and were wary of this woman from the past, but she won them over, each and every one and I know they missed her when she left, just obviously not as much as me.
The gate to the conference centre entrance opens and we walk through. In my time the only thing left out of all these grand buildings is the labs, they were extended to feature garden labs but most of the houses were torn down and more modest buildings built in their place. Seeing them like this as they were originally intended to be is mind blowing. I can’t believe the luxury these people live in and yet they still didn’t care enough to preserve them or their environment for future generations. I remember being told stories about how past people had to start again. How cities were created and a new way of life began with new laws, no government, no police, and no order.
People just out for themselves. They survived hardship and in time rebuilt but still thought only of how they could gain. Humility, compassion, empathy were all things of the past. Greed it seems will always prevail. Many cities such as this one Advance Industries created existed, but dwellers were fearful of venturing to others and settled under mostly outdated teachings. Cults were rife, popular even, people were so eager to believe in something, to have someone guide them that they fell victim to them. The people in each city often unfairly elected a president who was given or entrusted with the power to make up their own laws. The residents of each new city blindly followed the leadership without question.
Now in my time we still have those types of people, time can change but people often don’t. In my time they are the minority. The majority of us want to work together, want to be safe, and want to help others. Our living conditions are slightly chaotic. The weather is always cold while here it’s warm, hot even. How could time change so drastically? I know the answer – easily. Society it seems never learns, we just keep making the same mistakes over and over again, like our repeat button is stuck.
I edge on, leading my men, hand-signalling as we get closer to the labs. We stop and crouch once the building is in our sight. A bored looking guard is stood outside and although Callan never mentioned guards at the labs I knew it was a possibility. They are so used to not being disturbed that it seems it’s just a normality to station one. He’s hardly on alert. I shake my head, if all the AIG are like this idiot we won’t have a problem.
Faith
My throat is dry. I’m so groggy. Even though it feels like I’ve slept for days I don’t want to wake up properly. I try to lift my arm to scratch my head and it doesn’t move. I try the other arm – nothing. I start to panic, am I paralysed? I start squirming, realising none of my limbs will move at my command.
Start off small, I tell myself.
I wriggle a toe, ah good that works. I fist my fingers and again with the other hand. Okay so I can move but only tiny parts. My eyes open slowly and I blink as they adjust to the light. I attempt turning my head again to take in my surroundings. My heart is beating so fast, a mixture of fear and expectance. Why can’t I move?
Slowly as the haze clears I piece it together. Shit! I’m at Advance Industries labs! They injected me... again! And I’m strapped down. Contained. Helpless. My tears spring free again, tears of frustration and trepidation. How the hell am I going to get out of this one? They have me; I’ll never be free again. Kye? I’ll never see him again; never get to explain how sorry I am. Never tell him I love him and remember. A violent rage seizes me at the thought of how unfair my life is and I struggle against my restraints to no avail.
A door opens, the click of the lock alerting me. Why lock the door? I’m in no state to escape. I try to turn my head to see who entered but obviously I can’t. I sense someone at my side and stop struggling. I won’t give whoever it is the satisfaction of seeing my terror.
“Faith, it’s me. I’m going to untie you. Stay still okay?” He whispers conspiratorially.
Fraser! Oh, great, this just gets better. Will I be forced to sit through explanations about why he lied? Stay still? Is he winding me up? It’s not like I have much option! I don’t answer but try my hardest to frown; stupid straps even stop me from doing that. I try to pull off a scowl or some kind of displeased face but realise he can’t see anyway. He’s busy releasing the metal holdings and then carries on by untying my ankle straps. Once my feet are free I kick out at him but miss and that just pisses me off more. I think he gets the message though.
“Faith please. I’m here to help.” He sounds pained.
“What like last time?” I hiss.
“Do you really think I want to be here? I had no choice!” He shoots back while moving to my stomach strap.
“Oh, sure you didn’t.” But I’m not so sure. Could he be telling t
he truth? I mean after all he is untying me. Maybe he’s going to smuggle me out somehow.
“Faith I’ve never lied to you. After I was captured I had two choices – return under duress or die. What would you have done?” He asks angrily.
He frees my chest and head restraints and I sit up, rubbing at my head, feeling two large strap indents. I stretch my limbs, circling my ankles and rubbing my wrists. He moves back to allow me room but his eyes don’t waver from mine. I can almost hear his thoughts ‘believe me please, trust me’. I hope he can read mine as well ‘I’m not trusting so freely this time. Prove yourself.’
I swing my legs over the side of the bed, then gingerly stand and face him.
“What happens now?” I ask.
“We get you out of here.” He passes me a pair of heavy black boots to cover my damaged feet and a wave of gratefulness washes over me.
I suddenly realise that no-one knows for sure I have all of my memories back. Can I still play dumb? I guess I have no choice because I’m faced with a dilemma. Trust Fraser or trust Kye’s knowledge?
“What about you? I came to save you Fraser, like you asked. You involved me in this, I can’t leave you.”
“You came to save me?”
“Yes from Advance Industries. I pretended to be lost and have no memories to get close. I couldn’t just knock on the door could I? I never for a second thought I’d end up tied to a bed. So thanks for that.”
“Faith...”
“It’s okay, Fraser. You warned me what they were like. If they’re experimenting on humans then I shouldn’t have been surprised, should I?”
He shakes his head and lowers his eyes.
“You really haven’t come back though? You don’t want to be here, but had no choice? Are we still going to destroy the invention?”
“Whoa Faith, that’s a lot of questions. It’s not as simple as that.”
“You involved me in this, Fraser. Have you changed your mind? Has being back clouded your judgement?”
“Of course not.” He scoffs.
“So, we work together to take them down and destroy that machine, yes?”
He nods slightly without any conviction and my neck tingles. Once again I feel like everyone is in on some secret and I’m not to know.
“Faith, we have to play along until there is an opening where I can help you escape without causing suspicion.”
“And?” What does that mean, play along?
He bites his lip nervously. “I have to take you to the interrogation room, you’re expected.”
“By who?”
He takes my arm gently. “You’ll see, come on.” He pulls slightly and I don’t fight him. I’ve been there before after returning from Kye’s time and being injected with some kind of truth serum, they got nothing from me though because I really didn’t remember.
We walk out into the hallway. Several scientists stop to regard me and nod to Fraser before resuming their work. Now I’m here I wish I could go to my quarters just to let my friends know I’m okay. I haven’t seen them since I was put forward for the Advance tubes. It’s a sad fact but we got used to making friends and then never seeing them again. Mistakes are a daily occurrence here and many experiments resulted in death or unexplained disappearances, and I don’t mean the kind of disappearing I was prone to. They were gotten rid of for one reason or another. I’m desperate to check that my friends are okay and still here... Not dead.
I turn away from the direction our quarters are at in case Fraser notices me staring and I walk along numbly by his side until we reach another door. His comm-rec opens it and I walk in ahead of him as he gestures me to. I stop on the threshold when I see Johnson Franks filling the space. I mean literally, his large frame makes this room seem miniscule.
“That’s all Professor Laudnam. Thank you,” He dismisses Fraser with a wave of his hand and I turn pleading eyes on him as he backs out of the room.
“Please, take a seat,” Johnson says holding out his arm and looking at the chair opposite his.
I convince my feet to move and sit subdued. I’ve never had an interrogation by the president before and my nerves are rattling.
“Faith, relax.”
I laugh and then quickly slap my hand over my mouth and shoot him an apologetic look.
“Something amusing?”
“I’m sorry; I... guess it was nervous laughter?” I venture hoping I get away with being rude. Obviously I hate this guy but I have to play at being respectful. He is the president after all and his word is gold.
“No need for nerves Faith. I just want to talk to you and then you’ll be free to go.”
I whip my head back up to look at him. Free to go? What’s he up to?
“Don’t look so surprised. Why do you think I let you free in the first place?”
“I don’t understand.”
“Faith I know you remember your time with us so let’s talk frankly shall we?”
I continue to stare, the hairs on my arms standing on end.
“I will let you go Faith. You have my word. But first you need to start talking. I think you’ll agree I’ve been most patient up until now, so no more games.”
I still don’t speak and he sighs and leans forward. “I know where you’ve been the last few days. I want to know who you were with.”
“What do you mean?” I play dumb again.
He sits back and stretches his legs out before running his index finger over his lips continuously, “Faith, you went off grid, rather far off grid and remained in one section the whole time. Who... Were... You... With?” He drags out each word and pins me in place with his determined glare.
“I don’t remember,” I lie.
He chuckles. “I said no more games! Your brain activity indicates no trauma, no spiked levels, nothing. You remember so stop wasting my time or I’ll have you strapped down again so fast your head will spin.”
I drop my head in defeat but I have no intention of telling him. He’d have AIG out there straight away, better for me to suffer as I’m used to than for Kye and his men to experience it.
“Faith,” he says softly, “I just want to know where you went after being in the tube, it doesn’t take much to put two and two together. I’m willing to bet the same people you were with recently are also the people you were with when you disappeared. No harm will come to anyone you have my word. But I have to know, I need to document the findings.”
“No harm will come to anyone?” I shout incredulously as I jump from the chair. “No harm? Are you really expecting me to believe that? All you do here...” I wave my arms around the room. “Is harm people. You bred us for those reasons and those of us lucky enough not to have been birthed here were forced in, also unwillingly. No harm? Don’t make me laugh!”
His eyes twinkle and his mouth twitches at the corner. “So, you do remember? I’d heard how spirited you were Faith and now I witness it. I took a chance that you remembered; I do enjoy being proven right.”
I slump back in my seat. Damn my temper.
He leans forward again. “Shall I let you in on a little secret?”
“Whatever!” I sulk.
“Fraser is in on all of this. I know his plan was to convince you that we forced him to come back but he did so willingly. So if you think he’ll be aiding your escape in any way you’re sorely mistaken. The only way you’ll be leaving here is on my say so after you’ve provided the information I need, and you will provide it Faith.”
“What if I don’t?”
“I’m a patient man Faith but I think I’ve been far too lenient with you. I will allow you some additional time but mess me around and my team will be forced to expose of you. I don’t want that to happen Faith. You could make history here; do you know how important you are? Nevertheless, I will not wait around forever for you to give it up. Your memories will be extracted...”
He smiles as my brow furrows. “Yes you heard correctly my dear. After letting you into the city I instructed a handful of
my lab team to head new research on extraction. Technically it’s not new, it was a failed experiment from years back but with the brightest brains at my disposal I called for it to be re-examined. It really is amazing what these guys can come up with. It does look painful, but then when the brain is involved I wouldn’t expect it to be pleasant, would you?”
“How did you know I was off grid?”
“The cuff links Faith. Even Fraser had no idea why you needed to find them; he thought they were just a bunch of useless data files when really it was a tracking device. I couldn’t risk you disappearing and not returning. You and I are the only ones who know about them.”
“So why didn’t you come and get me?”
“I hoped I wouldn’t need to but a team would have been assembled to recover you if you didn’t return in the time frame I allocated.”
My mind is ticking. I can’t give up Kye and his team, but extraction? No thanks, I don’t even want to think about what that involves. Johnson reclines in the chair; I’m surprised it doesn’t snap under his weight. And Fraser, what a dirty little traitor. Johnson is clearly desperate for this info if he’s willing to disregard his top scientist. It’s what he’s going to do with the information that worries me. I know he’s lying when he says he’ll let me free. That’s just bull.
“Ready to play ball?” He asks smirking.
Think, I scream in my head. What do I do?
Chapter 16
Kye
Taking the guard down was a breeze. Getting in, not so easy. The guard’s comm-rec doesn’t open the door and he has no other physical key on him, but my techie noticed it’s a cleverly concealed fingerprint recognition panel. Thank fuck for that. I was about to lose my shit and ram the door down, not really a good option if we want them to stay unaware of our presence for long.