Implanted

by Lauren C Teffeau

“We’re not going anywhere,” Charon says. “We have evidence you and others like you in the government are working together to destroy everything Emergence stands for.”

  Sheridan just raises an eyebrow. “What nonsense is this?”

  “You had to know the public registry’s been tampered with – that’s the only reason you’d be so interested in what I was carrying for Aventine.”

  “I was merely concerned with what another arm of the government was doing. Call it professional curiosity if you will.”

  That’s probably how she’s managed to stay relevant for so long at the Department of Economic Development despite all the rotating appointments for secretary. Sheridan is the Department. The one with the institutional knowledge and the backroom contacts to get things done.

  “You killed one of ours in cold blood. That’s not curiosity,” Charon says in a hard voice. “You were protecting your plans to destroy the future of hundreds of Disconnects by erasing their land claims and then sending them to Vesa to silence them. Why?”

  She chuckles. “Surely you have a ridiculous motive to go with the rest of this wild story.”

  “We’d like to hear it from you. We have proof. It’s only a matter of time before it all comes falling down,” I say.

  “It’s so sweet you believe that,” she says with an infuriating smirk.

  “We already know Vesa’s no prize. How can the government essentially send people to their deaths?”

  “People have been wanting to leave the dome for ages. We’re merely giving them what they want.”

  “On your own terms,” Rik mutters.

  She glares at Charon. “Thanks to certain subversive factions, a large percentage of citizens think the New Worth government is lying about the habitability of the region outside the city. It doesn’t matter what the research says or reports on the news feeds. People can see the green horizon in the distance and are growing impatient.”

  I inhale sharply. “You want Vesa to fail. A demonstration like New Sacrament to keep us complacent in the dome.”

  “Want? No. But that doesn’t change the fact that it probably will, if the compromised health of the construction employees we contracted out to build Vesa are any indication. That’s when I knew we had to make alternate plans.”

  “No matter the cost?”

  “Please. Emergence’s the dream this city was founded on. But have you really thought about what that means? The dismantling of our way of life. Decades of living under glass, wanting for nothing.”

  “Folks in the Terrestrial District would beg to differ,” Charon counters.

  Sheridan gives him a quelling look. “Everything we’ve achieved here to ensure our long-term survival requires a delicate balance until Emergence – true Emergence – is a reality.”

  “And in the meantime, you’ll plot and conspire so you and the businesses you represent are positioned to best advantage when the glass comes down,” I say.

  She lifts a shoulder. “We only get one chance to set the foundation for our society.”

  “You have a narrow definition of society,” Charon counters.

  “You think you deserve a say in all this when you spurn our way of life?” She taps her temple. “Proven over and over again you’re beyond rehabilitation? I’ve watched Department secretary after Department secretary try to clean up the Terrestrial District, only to meet resistance by small-minded individuals like yourself. We cannot let you or anyone else dictate the terms of Emergence, not with the entire city’s wellbeing at risk.”

  “Wait.” I’m still processing the awfulness of what I’m about to say. “That’s why you went after the lottery too. You wanted all those people from the same blocks to be chosen, just like with the land claim consolidation. To make it easier to secure the permission to redevelop their neighborhoods.”

  All those buildings in the Terrestrial District that couldn’t get updated because of holdouts and lawsuits. The never-ending infighting between government leaders, businesses, and residents, while the lower levels molder around them, inviting crime and desperation. No one’s been able to make good on the promises to clean up the Terrestrial District. But Sheridan’s found a way to make it happen.

  Healthy roots, healthy city. When, not if, Vesa failed, it would renew interest in the city’s infrastructure and overall health. And Sheridan and the businesses she represents would be ready to pounce.

  Rik sucks in a sharp breath. “You knew the Council would be pressured to let the results stand once the protests started. That’s…”

  Diabolical. Such twisted calculations go against everything I’ve ever been taught. Denita swears. Charon’s dark glance grows even darker as he stares down the secretary.

  “Cleaning up the Terrestrial District has been a goal for years,” she replies. “Sending people outside, creating space in the lower levels for redevelopment… It’s an opportunity I couldn’t ignore.”

  “That’s a cleansing, not a cleaning.”

  “Semantics. And in any case, it doesn’t matter anymore.” She nods to the nearest guard. “Now, we’re about to have a messy security incident, I’m afraid. Harassment of a public official, threats to my personal safety… leaving me no choice but to defend myself.”

  For a few tense seconds, blood pounds in my ears, the only sound in our little clearing.

  “If I may interrupt, I’ve taken the liberty of evacuating the park.” Brita, brave foolish Brita, approaches us, buying us time with the borrowed press badge hanging from her neck. Hopefully that’ll be enough to protect her from the stun guns suddenly aimed her way.

  “Allow me to introduce Brita Cruz with the NW Signal,” I say. Sheridan’s face goes stony in recognition of Brita’s last name. “She was able to record our conversation for posterity.” At least I hope so.

  Brita pales as the focus shifts to her, but she courageously faces Sheridan and the others down. “My colleagues are packaging it up back at the office as we speak. Daddy taught me the importance of carrying backup recording gear in case something ever happened to my implant,” she says with a brilliant smile. “But since I have your attention, would you mind answering a few more questions?”

  Police sirens sound, cutting off Sheridan’s reply. Scores of police officers in riot gear surround the Disconnects and Sheridan’s security detail. Harding and a group of government agents, based on the suits and body armor, join in. Brita did way more than just evacuate the park.

  A few seconds later, my implant’s back in action. Harding watches me with a wintry gaze as Sheridan and her security detail are arrested. But the police don’t stop there. Charon, Denita, and the rest of the Disconnects are rounded up as well. Denita resists an officer, earning the butt of a stun gun to the head.

  “Emery, you promised,” Charon shouts, struggling with two officers.

  I start toward him, but Rik holds me back with a hand on my shoulder. <
  Convincing the authorities of the conspiracy. If they realize Brita’s not here in an official capacity…

  I send a synch request to Harding, but he ignores it. Deliberately, he turns away from me and talks to one of the suits. Freezing me out?

  “Sir, you need to step away from her right now,” a government agent tells Rik.

  I give her a sharp look. “No, he stays with me.”

  It’s like I don’t even exist to her. “Come away now. We won’t ask again.”

  Rik ignores her. Behind him, Brita’s talking fast and brandishing her press badge to the expressionless police officers.

  The agent gets behind Rik and grabs him by the shoulders.

  “No!” I say. “I told you–”

  Rik wrenches free. I try to catch Harding’s eye – surely he has the authority to call them off – but he’s still in conversation with the lead agent. The woman and another officer try to drag Rik away. We stay together. I reach for him, finding his fingertips first, then, our bare hands clasp one anoth
er.

  The calibration works despite the chaos around us. Our data receptors align in the most intimate of handshakes. No hesitation as skin meets skin. As Brita and the rest of New Worth looks on. And all that follows?

  <
  >>Yes.>>

  My eyes open wide as Rik crashes down around me, in me, in vibrant spirals of light and feeling. What we had before was a mere shadow of our connection now. No filters, no restrictions. His mind and mine, fitted together in newfound harmony.

  Even as fatigue bears down on me, slightly dulling the sensations. Even as he’s dragged bodily away from me. Even as Brita’s shouts and the sirens grow louder, so loud my ears must be bleeding.

  <
  >>I won’t let them. I won’t–>>

  Someone puts their hands on me, and I react, Aventine training taking over. “Don’t touch me.” I land an elbow in someone’s side, my foot finding someone’s shin. “Leave him alone! He’s not–”

  A bolt of lightning sizzles into my chest. My body seizes up from the stun gun blast, lungs sputtering.

  “Liv!”

  I thought I’d lose myself in Rik, that he’d overwhelm my sense of self. Instead, I’ve found–

  <
  –I’ve found so much.

  <
  >> … >>

  >> … >>

  >> … >>

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Turns out getting zapped’s almost as debilitating as the curdle. Exhaustion and anxiety and phantom pain battle it out in my brain as I drift. Rik’s concern filters through, a lifeline as I slowly shrug off unconsciousness and drag myself back to reality.

  But he’s not at my side in the small bedroom full of beeping medical equipment. Where…

  <
  >>You’re OK? The last thing I remember…>> The police roughing him up in Skychapel.

  <
  >>The calibration… it worked?>>

  A pause. I strain for an answer, but this time it isn’t verbal. Our connection thrums with the sensation of his hand squeezing mine in an echo of the calibration handshake that made us confidants. Mentally, I reach out to return the gesture, tentative and clumsy as I adjust to the new settings. So many more options linking me to him. So many more emotions, full of color and nuance. Relief, affection, and…

  <
  “Christ, Em.” Brita’s strident voice demands my attention as she enters the room. “Do you have any idea what a crazy brave thing you did? You nearly died.”

  It certainly feels like it. A stun gun blast to the chest can be dangerous. I push myself into a sitting position. “How long have I–”

  “Two days. Since the story broke, New Worth’s been turned upside down.”

  Panic tightens my chest. Aventine, the authorities, and, thanks to Brita, citizens throughout the city will want answers. I have to–

  <
  “The data?” I croak out.

  “It’s safely secured at New Worth News’ headquarters,” Brita says.

  “But I thought you worked for–”

  “I’ll get to that. Two city councilors have been forced to resign while the rest of the Council has set up a taskforce to investigate.”

  “And Sheridan and her cronies?”

  “There’ve been some arrests. Sheridan, some prominent business leaders, even a few government aides.” She ticks them off her fingers.

  Brita gets in my face, staring into my eyes as though she can see all the way to the back of my skull. “Hi, Randall.” She may as well have dumped a bucket of water on me. She straightens and puts her hands on her hips. “I guess there’s no point in asking him to butt out so we can really talk. You’re a package deal now.” At my blank look, she adds, “You two finally did it.”

  My mouth hangs open. “What?”

  She waves me off. “Not that. I mean calibration. I’m impressed it worked, considering all the chaos back there.”

  “Me too. Sorry I got distracted.” It was only for a handful of seconds, but enough of a tell for her. It’s hard to muster up any embarrassment, though, when Rik’s focus on me works better than my IV full of painkillers. “I’m still getting used to splitting my attention.”

  “Well, you might want to dial back the fidelity until you adjust. You have some guests that have been desperate to see you. And something tells me you’ll need to give them your full attention.”

  Aventine. I glance around the room. Designer furnishings, far more luxurious than my family’s quarters or Aventine’s. “Where am I, anyway?”

  “A New Worth News safe house, courtesy of good ole Dad.”

  The bitterness in her voice reminds me of the terrible position I put her in. “How–”

  “When he heard his daughter landed the big scoop, well, let’s say it gave me enough leverage to finally convince him to let me work for him. Turns out he’s a big fan of initiative.”

  “I’m really glad to hear that.”

  She watches me a long moment as if she’s trying to decide something. Then she rolls back her shoulders. “I wish you felt you could have told me the truth, Em.”

  “Brit–”

  “I heard what happened, don’t worry.” She perches herself on the side of the bed. “Next time, don’t forget your friends. I may not be all the things Rik is to you, but I’ll always be there.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She gives me a hug. “I know you are, silly.” She pulls back, and she’s her breezy self once more. “Besides, it’s not all bad. You handed me the story of the decade on a silver platter.”

  “More like in a red vial.”

  She snorts, then stills, a fleeting frown on her face as her eyes roll through an eyecast command. “Your visitor’s getting impatient. Are you up for seeing Tahir?”

  I nod. Might as well get it over with.

  “Don’t look so glum. I’ll still be here. Technically, you’re my informant. That makes you my responsibility.” She winks and leaves the room.

  For a moment, I simply sit there, relishing the changes to my connection with Rik. He’s everywhere I am, subtle and secure or as immense and immersive as I let him be. Still working on that part. Becoming confidants has been the goal for so long, I haven’t really thought through what’s supposed to happen next.

  >>Where are you?>>

  <
  >>She moved?>>

  Rik frowns, and for a split second, anxiety squirms in my chest. Something bad happened. <
  Thank goodness for that. Even if their relationship complicates things.

  <
  >>I didn’t say anything.>>

  Brita returns with Tahir, and it takes a moment to regain my focus, like swimming against the current. His face is a mask as he approaches the bed. “M, glad to see you’re awake. How do you feel?” Brita lounges on a couch tucked against the far wall, feigning disinterest.

  “Like I’ve been run over by a maglev. How bad are things with Aventine? No, don’t answer that. But you understand, don’t you, why I did what I did?”

  “I understand,” he says shortly.

  “Does Harding?”

  Tahir crosses his arms. “He… does, and he regrets the situation you were placed in, even if you deviated from protocol–”

  The door opens, cutting off whatever else he was going to say. Rand
all, my Rik, out of breath and for a second so in need of reassurance my chest aches. His frank gaze lands on me, heedless of Tahir and Brita’s presence.

  I’m suddenly very glad I haven’t tried to stand yet as he looks at me inside and out.

  >>Did you run the whole way?>>

  I’m rewarded by his smile and the corresponding warmth that floods my body. <
  Brita arches her brow. “You two are going to be impossible, aren’t you?”

  “If this is impossible,” Rik says, finally sparing her a glance, “then yes.”

  Tahir makes a displeased noise in the back of his throat, and with effort I turn back to him. “As I was trying to tell you, you’ve been suspended.” He holds up his hands. “Don’t worry. It won’t stand for long, not after what happened. What that barbarian did to your blood…” He shakes his head. “Well, we now have an opportunity to talk about what your role with Aventine should be.”

  “I’m still a courier?” I wasn’t sure that’d be possible once the dust settled.

  “No, but you still work for us.”

  “What does that mean?” Rik asks.

  “Even though you’re capable of carrying data-encoded blood, the level of notoriety you’ve garnered thanks to recent events makes that impossible. Luckily, I have something else in mind for you.” At my questioning look, he says, “How does being a handler sound?”

  “You really think I’m a good fit for the job?”

  “I think you could be. Eventually.”

  More training, but that doesn’t sound so bad. Not after this last job.

  “How long’s my suspension?” I ask.

  “Three months, but we can get that cut down. Before we make it official, though, there’s the small matter of your implant.” Déjà vu, so nauseatingly intense, fills me as I remember my first day with Aventine. Rik looks at me in alarm as I brace myself for Tahir’s next words. “I assume you’re still synching with Mr Iverson-Kemp here?”

  <
  Tahir and I may no longer be connected, but he knows me too well. I shake my head. “I gave him up once for Aventine. I won’t do it again.”