The Kota

by Sunshine Somerville

  “Watch it, Mr. Galcon,” she said as he hurried them away. “I’m used to boots, not heels.”

  “Use my real name, Meegan Hunt,” he whispered through a clenched smile. “As long as you’re here, you might as well do the best you can to ruin everything.” He said no more as he continued to lead her through the crowd toward the hall entrance.

  Loree sensed he was different. Obviously he’d developed some worldliness. From his suit, she surmised that he’d become someone important. Zaak didn’t even buy such clothes. What had he done – gotten married and taken his wife’s name? He was a Somebody now, but what was he doing here?

  As they pushed against stream through the crowds, Loree tipped her face to the camera over the dining room’s entrance. She shook her head, hoping Zaak would see and understand she could handle this.

  I hope I can handle this, she thought.

  Just as they stepped into the hall, Loree spotted Alex Collins on her way back to the dining room. A look of fright crossed Alex’s face when she saw Loree being led away by the official-looking man, and she stopped in her tracks. Loree reached out when their paths crossed, and she linked arms with Alex as if they were pleasantly going together with the man.

  “There you are,” said Loree. “Mr. Galcon offered to show me his office, so why don’t you tag along?”

  “I… But…”

  “Trust me,” Loree whispered. “I’m your quickest way out if there’s trouble.”

  Alex swallowed hard but nodded.

  Jett looked even more upset when he saw Alex on the other side of Loree, but he continued walking. A few people passed by with curious glances, but no one questioned him. This also suggested he had power.

  This is crazy, thought Loree. What has he done?

  To her further surprise, Loree recognized a nondescript man with a shaved head, sunglasses, and a dark suit. This was Remington, a top-ranking assassin operative she’d always competed against. Under those sunglasses was one eye with a mechanical implant that worked as a scope. Remington was very good and very dangerous, and he was only called upon for key missions.

  She looked away to avoid attention as their paths crossed, and Remington took no notice as he too blended in with the crowds.

  What’s he doing here? she thought with a first alarm of fear.

  Security along their path was tight, but the drones allowed Jett to pass with his guests. Loree noted several surveillance cameras, but she assumed Zaak was already tracking her and deleting the feeds – small consolation, at the moment.

  At last they entered a secluded hall. This appeared to be a wing of offices, and the third door down bore a label with Jett’s new last name. He unlocked this door via a palm scan and ushered them into his office without a word.

  Once inside, Loree did a quick scan of the room. It was a standard office furnished with bookshelves, a side sofa, and a desk with again Jett’s name labeled on a plaque. Loree exchanged a look with Alex and tried to smile reassuringly. Jett shut the door and turned to them in confusion. He kept his back to the door, Loree noticed.

  “What in the name of-”

  “Who are you?” Alex backed away from Jett. “Loree, who-”

  “Loree?” Jett then looked at Alex. “And who are you?”

  Loree grunted and pointed at each of them. “Alex Collins, meet Jett Chase. Mr. Galcon, this is Alex Collins. I’m Loree Kandoya, AKA Bullseye, AKA Meegan Hunt. Everyone less confused now?”

  A unified, tense silence filled a pause.

  Jett faced Loree with controlled anger. “If you’re here to kill me-”

  “I’m not here for you!”

  “Then what are you doing here? I heard you left the Dominion and disappeared. You’re public enemy number one now. Didn’t you see the swarms of drones around this building? You’re in a lot of trouble if they-”

  “I think the more interesting question is, what are you doing here?” she fired back. She picked up his name plaque on the desk and tossed it to him. “You work for them now, don’t you? That explains the outfit. And the attitude. The recent development of a backbone, too. Shall I go on? I’ve only been around you a few minutes, but I’ve seen enough. Everything about you now screams Dominion. What were you thinking? I saved your pitiful life from these monsters, but you ran right into their den and got a job? You’re supposed to have augmented intelligence!” Then she had another thought. “Or did you make a deal with Cruelthor and turn in your rebel friends back home? Is that how he got control of the company?”

  “What? I assumed you were responsible for-”

  “It wasn’t me. I never told him anything.”

  “But you think I did?” Jett was furious.

  Loree motioned up and down, indicating his attire. “You look like a sellout to me!”

  “I did not turn in my friends!”

  Loree believed him. “Fine. But you work for the Dominion now, don’t you?”

  Jett set his name plaque on a shelf and put his hands in his suit pockets. “This is insane.”

  Loree saw she was right. “You’re a Dominion executive for Free Labs now, aren’t you? What is your code name? What do I call you?” She sneered at him. “I can’t think of anything you’d appreciate.”

  He shook his head but seemed to have realized his predicament.

  Yeah, that’s right, buddy, she thought. Act all you want, but I’m the one in charge here! My promise to that little girl means nothing since you’ve decided to change your voice.

  “Oh, come on,” she taunted. “You can’t fight me. You won’t call security, even if I am a notorious Dominion criminal. And you know why not? Because even if somehow they did manage to catch me, you’d only be exposing yourself – if you turn me in, I’ll do the same to you.”

  Loree noticed Alex’s look of fright.

  Shit, she thought. I have to stop. I could dematerialize and escape, but that’d mean leaving Alex behind. Whatever’s going on with Jett isn’t as important as the reason I came here in the first place – finding Alex and her brother and getting them to safety. I have to back off. This is no time for a personal relapse.

  With a huff, Loree dropped her mocking stance. It took effort, but she forced herself to tone down her glare. “So, Jett, seems to me we have a draw. Make us completely even by giving me your code name, and we’ll be on our way.”

  Alex looked less alarmed already.

  Jett studied her a moment and glanced at Alex, no doubt wondering who she was and how she played into this. But he focused on Loree and answered reluctantly, “Since I’m an executive and not an operative, I don’t have a code name. ‘Galcon’ is just the name that came with my new ID tag.” He rubbed his palm.

  Of course he didn’t have a code name, but she’d gotten out of him what she really wanted to know – he had an ID tag. That meant she could look him up on Zaak’s computer back home. And, she’d logged away for future use the fact that she’d given him both her and Alex’s real names.

  “So you’re Galcon now.” She nodded. “Well, why don’t you-”

  Alex cut her off as she waved for their attention. She was standing against the wall by the door, and she looked at Loree and whispered, “Someone’s coming!”

  They froze as footsteps passed in the hall outside. The footfalls sounded heavy, suggesting boots. That meant drones or operatives. The footsteps moved away, and Loree exhaled. Alex had also been holding her breath. Jett – now Galcon – crossed his arms and seemed worried. He looked at a data screen on his desk before glaring at Loree again.

  “Your move,” she told him. “What do you wanna do here?”

  Galcon stepped aside from blocking the door. “You should go. Get your friend out of here. There’s something going down today. An assassin operative was sent to this party. The Dominion leaked a few ID tags to the black market, and they’re hoping to snag a few rebels.”

  Loree looked at Alex, who’d gone pale.

  Galcon caught the look. “What?”

  Sorting
through what she’d observed, Loree understood and told Alex, “Don’t worry. They’re not really after whoever has the ID tags. They would’ve arrested you at the scanners. Cruelthor leaked the tags because he wanted rebels in here. Remington is-”

  “Who?” asked Galcon.

  “The assassin. He’s going to slay someone else entirely, and they’ll blame it on the rebel infiltrators at the party. That’s why Remington’s here. They’re after someone on the inside and want it to look like a rebel job. We’ve landed in the middle-”

  “Shh!” Alex put her ear to the wall, and after a silent moment she turned to Loree and whispered, “More drones.”

  Galcon stepped to the door, cracked it to check the hall, then opened it wide and stood aside. “Run before they circle back. They’ll see on the surveillance that I brought you in here, but I’ll make something up.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about the surveillance.” Loree shook her head. “Way ahead of you.”

  “Fine. Get moving.”

  Alex hurried to exit without argument.

  Loree paused in the doorway and looked up at Galcon. “If you ever report this, you’ll regret it. If I hear of anyone coming to look for me or Alex, I’ll assume you gave them our names, and you’ll regret it. Do you understand me?”

  “All too well.” His jaw clenched as he looked down at her. “I never want to see you again. Leave.”

  “Well, have a great life, Galcon.” Loree turned and joined Alex.

  Together, the two women hurried back toward the main hall.

  “I used my telepathy and warned my brother to get out.” Alex looked back at Galcon’s office. “Is he going to report us?”

  “I have no idea.” Loree led the way toward the elevators. “I’m already hearing a big ‘I told you so’ from Zaak.”

  Ryu, during their several-hour-long ride east, eased into sharing general background information with the Kandoya siblings. Overall, it was an encouraging discussion. Ryu and Alex learned that the Kandoyas also had Marks on their shoulders, they were MOB, and they too felt a tingling burn whenever they used their peculiar abilities. The Kandoyas were unwilling to say anything about the prophecies until they arrived at their destination. Zaak hinted that someone else needed to be present for that discussion. Alex sent Ryu a look suggesting she had a hunch about this person’s identity, and Ryu knew enough to guess it was Trok.

  Upon arrival at a subterranean base, Ryu and Alex were taken into one of the base’s living compartments. Ryu, who’d also been at the Free Labs gala, wore a cheap suit. Alex still wore her blue dress. Their formal attire might’ve caused discomfort were it not for the homey living room in which they sat. It was very mechanical in the corridors, but this living compartment was warm and comfortable. Old-fashioned ceiling lights felt much more organic than the halogen lights elsewhere. The walls were painted a warm, earthy hue. The couch they sat on faced two high-backed chairs, and between stood a coffee table with a fresh bouquet. The floor’s carpet was thick. Most interestingly, an AI holo-person stood in the room, keeping an eye on them while the Kandoyas were away.

  Ryu leaned forward on the couch and caressed his palm where Zaak had removed the temporary ID tag – which had hurt like hell.

  This must have something to do with that Trok guy, thought Ryu. When Loree and Zaak come back, we’re finally going to find out…something. I have to calm down. Sis doesn’t seem too freaked out, but I have to make sure she’s okay.

  He smirked and thought at her, “Hear that, sis? I won’t make any decisions without you. That’s how we’ve worked so far – brain and brawn, together again.”

  Alex smiled, hearing his thoughts as he’d intended. She too held her hand with the fresh ID tag wound. She’d stayed glued to Ryu’s side since they’d left Free Labs, and Ryu knew she appreciated his protective presence. But she was excited too. He didn’t need telepathy to know that.

  I need to learn all I can, and fast, thought Ryu. Alex already has a head start because she talked to Trok.

  “Eva, what is this place?” His deep voice echoed around the room, reminding him they were in a subterranean structure.

  “This base is a forgotten military installation. My owner, Zaak, made repairs and improvements during renovation.”

  Ryu whispered to Alex, “Zaak must be independently wealthy. That hummer was the nicest vehicle I’ve ever been in. Loree and Zaak were both dressed to kill. Now this place…”

  Eva heard him. “Zaak obtains Dominion kronar through the use of his contraband ID account. That’s how he purchases everything he needs, including yours truly.” She winked one of her white eyes at Ryu.

  “Eva,” asked Alex, “can you tell us what they want?”

  The holo-person shook her head, and again Ryu was amazed by the high quality of the hologram as Eva’s neon green dreadlocks swung and her neck muscles flexed. “I only know what the central computer contains. Whatever Zaak wants with you, it must not be applicable to my unit’s function. Sorry.” Her apology even sounded sincere.

  Ryu turned to his sister. “Maybe I should do most of the talking. You said you were flustered when you met Loree, so they might try to take advantage of you.”

  “I wasn’t-”

  “I’m just saying,” he added with a raised hand to stop her objection, “it might help if you quietly observe with that mind of yours. I don’t think Loree and Zaak are lying, but let’s make sure. If this is about what we think this is about, it’ll change our lives. We need to be sure these people are what we hope.”

  Alex considered this. “Alright, but don’t do anything without asking me first.”

  Ryu pretended to be afraid of her and held up his hands. She smiled and punched his arm, then fidgeted with her dress and returned to her thoughts…or someone else’s. With a grin, Ryu leaned back on the couch.

  The door swung open to let Loree and Zaak enter. Loree’s appearance surprised Ryu most. She’d changed from her red dress into simple lounge clothes, tied back her hair, and opted for bare feet. Zaak still wore the same expensive citizen clothes, complete with folded collar and designer overcoat. Both Kandoyas seemed right at home and extraordinarily cordial.

  “Sorry about the wait,” said Loree as she came to stand beside one of the high-backed chairs.

  Zaak smiled. “It took a few minutes to call in the expert.” He sat in the chair by his sister.

  “No problem.” Ryu exchanged a look with Alex, who also smiled at the Kandoyas.

  “Eva,” Zaak called, “go offline. We won’t need you for a while.”

  The holo-person blew him a kiss and disappeared from the display module.

  The living compartment’s door opened again. A new man entered. He wore a coat with a strange armband over the sleeve. He looked pretty ordinary, certainly not dangerous.

  Alex started in recognition.

  Well, thought Ryu, now I know who he is.

  The man sat in the chair beside Zaak, and he introduced himself to Ryu. “I’m Trok, Zaak and Loree’s uncle.” They shook hands. “You must have a million questions.”

  Ryu was about to dive in when Alex piped up.

  “Why didn’t you just tell me where to find them in the first place? I haven’t known what to do.”

  Zaak turned to his uncle in surprise. “You’ve met-”

  Trok held up a hand to his nephew. “When I visited you before, Alex, it was only to set you on the right track. You had to choose this for yourself.”

  Alex looked at her hands in her lap. “I guess I didn’t find the right track, though. The only reason I was at Free Labs was to look for people who’ve studied the DRK treatment the Magi use. I thought maybe that’d lead me to clues about the Magi. I know you told me to focus on finding the other two Warriors, but…”

  Loree and Zaak seemed lost, and Ryu felt a little better. They didn’t know everything after all.

  “Anyway,” said Alex, “I met Loree by accident. I looked in her mind when she seemed so interested in who I was,
but I was completely surprised to see who she was.” She looked up at Loree, apparently hearing her thoughts through their new mind link. “And yes, I know I acted like a frightened little bird.”

  Loree made a guilty face before laughing. “Oh, I’ve missed telepaths.”

  Ryu raised his eyebrows at Alex to remind her of their plan for speaking. “Alex tried to explain what she learned from Trok, but I don’t really get it. What are these prophecies?”

  Loree pulled a flower from the bouquet and played with it as she talked. “Right, let’s get on with it,” she began. “Ancient prophecies came in visions to our Kota ancestors. One, the Virus Prophecy, warned our people about the curse those scientists unleashed. Another, the Signal Prophecy, said lights in the heavens would open. The portals were a gateway for our Kota people to go through and escape the virus. Some Kota were to stay behind, and hope would come through two brothers. The Bearers Prophecy focused on those brothers. Our father-” motioning to Zaak and herself “-was one brother, and Uncle Trok was the other. They were supposed to preserve themselves through time because they were meant to protect us Marked children in the future. The Mark Prophecy is about us. We’re the four destined to wipe evil from Earth. We’re not talking Armageddon or anything. We think it means beating the DRK virus, which has been the ultimate evil through all this history. Later, more visions came to the Kota remnant and resulted in the Warriors Prophecy, which explains how to recognize us Marked children. It promises that we’ll unite to fulfill our destiny and save Earth.” She looked at her uncle. “How’s that for a short version?”

  Trok nodded with a grin.

  Zaak leaned forward in his chair. “Everything’s finally come together. Loree’s right; that was the short version. There’s a lot to the prophecies that we haven’t interpreted yet.”

  “These prophecies are the ones I saw in your mind?” Alex asked Trok. Her curiosity was getting the better of her agreement to remain silent. “They’re the ancient writings you’ve studied?”