by K M Lovold
Jonathan closed his eyes and took a slow, deep breath. “You’re right. You’re right. I can’t imagine he’d ever do that to all our memroth cycles. Or the Tetracaphoxin. He would never do that. It would destroy everything.”
“Look.” Malaki opened a cupboard and pulled out a loaf of bread. “I’m calling Lawrence this morning, and I’m going to have him come here and meet with us. We’ll fill him in on all of this. In fact, let’s let him listen to both of Price’s messages to you. With him out there helping us, we’ll get a meeting of The Circle pulled together. We’ll just have to meet here. That settles it.” He put two pieces of bread in the toaster. “We’ll get this figured out, and we’ll get to the bottom of Price’s threats.”
“All right.” Jonathan nodded profusely. “If we can have a meeting with The Circle, that’ll make me feel much easier about all of this. The thought of Price’s hands on our product—our memroth, our Tetracaphoxin—it makes my stomach lurch. We can never let him go there.”
“No. We can’t.” Malaki poured a cup of coffee. “And we won’t.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Why are you working so fast?” Nikolina hovered above Ian while he was on his knees, yanking out a piece of memroth. For the past week, she was always there. During the day anyway, but never at night when he snuck to the spacecraft landing. Thank God.
But still, no Waitforit had arrived.
“Because I want to get done here. Is that OK?” Ian answered sarcastically. No matter what he did, she never seemed to punish him or try to take control of him. At the same time, she never mentioned what she knew about him either. It dumbfounded him.
“Of course, it’s OK. Do you have to go to the train today?” She hooked her thumbs into her belt loops, marching to and fro while he pulled at the memroth.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll find out when I get back to my cell.” The memroth finally broke loose, and he stood, tossing it into the almost-full cart. “Do you want me to inform you when I know?” He squinted at her.
“Don’t be so full of yourself.” Nikolina’s face tightened. “And why would I want you to do that?”
“Because your whole purpose is to keep a close watch on me, isn’t it?” He hit the ground with his ax. “You told me as much before you were ever made keeper. You were worried about it in fact.”
“I find that difficult to believe. Why would I ever tell you, before I was keeper, what my intentions were?” Nikolina raised her voice.
“Because we were friends.” Ian’s chest heaved in and out, and he focused on her dark eyes. “Don’t you remember?”
“Why do you keep asking me what I remember?” Her eyes turned hard and cold, and she approached him, almost in a threatening stance. “I told you I remember, so why do you keep asking me that?”
Ian shrugged and pounded the dirt. “Never mind.”
It baffled him how she remembered all the harsh, negative things but none of the good he’d shared with her. None of the things that gave her hope, none of the things he was trying to accomplish to end this prison, none of the positive—
He stopped digging and dropped his chin to his chest, a small grin tugging at his cheeks. Of course. Why had it taken him so long to figure this out?
“I don’t see any memroth there, so why are you stopping?” Nikolina hovered above him, staring at where he’d been digging. “Do you see anything there, because I don’t.”
He glanced up at her. “No, I don’t. Not yet. But I will.” He hit the ground more forcefully than before, his chemist brain coming back to life. Conclusions formed in his mind. The conversations he and Malaki had when they were tweaking the Tetracaphoxin. And now Nikolina had a fresh dose of it, a larger and stronger dose than the first time. No wonder she couldn’t remember any of the good things. He and Malaki made it that way.
He walloped the ground until another large piece burst through. This planet was getting more and more dangerous. They had to end it once and for all.
“I think I’ve got my quota met for today. I’ll see ya later.” He saluted Nikolina and strode away, pushing his cart past her and Levi, who lifted his chin to him, his quota almost met as well.
Ian dumped his memroth at the drop-off zone and ran back to his cell. First thing he did when he got there was check the vials under his bed. Still safe and sound, nearly impossible to find in their hiding spot. Then he fell on his bed and closed his eyes, fighting to remember. Had they contemplated what Tetracaphoxin would do after years and years on Reathran and being injected with a new, larger and fresh dose of it? A higher dose than the first time?
Obviously, they’d already lost most of their Earth-time memories, minus their crime, but now what? There was no crime committed on Reathran they could sink their memory into. There was nothing good they could forget either. Nothing good happened here.
Except finding an innocent prisoner, befriending him, and learning the truth. Learning that prisoner, that friend, had the power to plan something good, something hopeful.
Of course, Nikolina would forget that. It was the only good thing to have happened to her since her arrival. The only bit of hope she’d experienced in twenty-three years. No wonder she couldn’t fully remember who he was, how close they were, and how she wanted to help him. Would she ever remember? The more Ian thought about that chemical, he wasn’t so sure.
It all made sense now.
Nikolina would remember Ian only as her fellow prisoner, exactly as she remembered Jack and Levi and David, and all the rest of the prisoners, her fellow prisoners. But the innocent one? The one who had instilled hope in her? No. She’d never remember that.
A lighthearted feeling washed over him. Maybe he could still plan and dream after all. No matter how long it took for Waitforit to get here, he should be safe. He should be OK.
He took a few deep breaths and stood. There was no message for him to go to the train today, so he’d stay put in his cell until mealtime, and then later that night, he’d sneak to the landing strip again.
“Why did you take off so fast?” Levi strode into the cell, beads of sweat on his forehead, his dreadlocks pulled together in a ponytail.
“Sometimes, I just have to get away from Nikolina. She’s always watching me. I get so sick of her.” Ian rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t stand it.”
“I hear ya.” Levi flopped on his bed. “Why is she always around us? Or should I say you?”
Ian clenched his hands into tight fists. “Don’t you know I’m her number one assignment? Klaus doesn’t trust me, wants to figure out what’s wrong with me.”
“What?” Levi jerked his head back. “Why wouldn’t he trust you? You’re the one he trusts the most. He gave you the train after Jack died, and there were others who’d been here way longer than you who could’ve gotten that. You seem like the favorite. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You got me. It’s been a shock to me, too, but Nikolina told me as much. She’s been assigned to watch me. Period.”
“That’s stupid.” Levi closed his eyes, maybe attempting to rest before mealtime. “Klaus is just plain stupid.”
Ian pointed his finger at Levi. “Better be careful what you say, my friend.”
“Yeah, yeah. I will…” Levi dozed off. Something that wasn’t hard to do in this place after a day of digging memroth.
Ian massaged his temples, wishing he could go to the train to kill time. All he wanted was darkness to arrive so he could sneak to the landing strip again. First, he’d have to sit through another mealtime with Nikolina, but at least this time he wouldn’t be so stressed about it, not now that he knew she’d likely remain ignorant.
Ian stared at Nikolina, who sat with David—a first since she’d become keeper. Maybe she thought Ian didn’t need constant babysitting today. Even so, she kept looking back towards him.
He scooped a large piece of chicken into his mouth and let himself relax back into his chair.
“For someone who can’t stand her a
nymore”—Levi hovered above Ian and nodded towards Nikolina before sitting across from him—“you sure look at her a lot.” He slid his chair out and plunked down. “I thought you were sickened by her now that she was a keeper.”
“I told you why. If she’s going to keep a close eye on me, then I need to give her the same treatment.” Shrugging, Ian returned his focus to the unsavory food before him. “So that’s what I’m going do. Make sure I keep—”
“Uh, oh, here she comes.” Levi put his elbows on the table and his head down while he shoveled food into his mouth.
Ian pushed his shoulders back and stared straight ahead.
“Almost done?” Nikolina peered at him, her hands on her hips.
Ian cleared his throat. “As you can see, yes.”
“Good. ’Cause I want to talk to you. Without you eating.” She pulled another chair up and sat next to him. She and Levi made brief eye contact, but she kept her eyes glued to him while he ate faster than Ian had ever seen him eat before. “Done now?”
“Yup.” Levi stood. “See ya later.” He marched off.
“See ya out digging tomorrow.” She yelled after him, then pegged Ian with her gaze.
“What do we need to talk about now?” Ian slumped in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.
“What do you mean when you say that we were friends before I became a keeper?” She leaned toward him. “I remember you, but I don’t remember that.”
Ian let out a loud breath and tapped his foot on the floor. “All I know is we were friends, but now you’re all… different.”
She slammed the palm of her hand on the table. “I think you’re lying to me.” Her voice was harsh and angry.
Ian straightened. “And why would I do that? You were my friend, so why would I lie to you? It’s kind of… strange… you being a keeper now, so if I seem a little off, that’s probably why.” Ian stood. “It’s going to take a little getting used to all right?”
She grabbed his arm and got to her feet, impressing him with her height. “I don’t believe you.” She poked her finger to his chest. “And I’m gonna find out why you’re not telling me the truth, 4158.”
“Oh, all right. You do that.” Ian pulled his arm free and stalked away from her. He was taking a chance, he knew, but he couldn’t stand the sight of her like this, in this condition. She wasn’t herself. She wasn’t even there.
After he dumped his tray, he picked up his pace and left the building as fast as he could without breaking into a run as he returned to his cell.
A few hours later, he stole across the rocky ground like usual, the vials tucked away in his boot. He jumped into the hidden pathway and made his usual trek along the narrow footpath, the few weeds on the ground trampled from his many treks back and forth. But this was the first time he felt lighter, less worried. Now that he remembered Tetracaphoxin’s effects on keepers, he was certain he could keep checking back, no matter how long it took, and he’d be safe. Nikolina could keep her eyes glued to him for eternity for all he cared. He’d never utter another compromising word.
The sad part was, he’d lost his friend. His one, true friend on Reathran. He hoped he could save Nikolina from this place one day. She couldn’t help what had happened to her here…
The landing strip stretched out ahead. He ran to the edge like always, but this time he stopped short and gasped, his hands rushing to stifle his yelp. He dropped to his knees, covering his head with his arms. Tears flooded his eyes.
Waitforit. She was here. The lights on the landing strip shined down on her, as beautiful as Ian ever remembered her. She looked vacant. She’d been shut down, having safely arrived. His heartbeat raced, and he clutched at his chest, a flush of adrenaline tingling through his body.
Malaki was alive; he was OK; he’d gotten Ian’s message! This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for.
And no one on this planet could board her, let alone pilot her, but Ian.
****
“Thanks for coming all the way out here.” Malaki clasped his hands in front of him.
“Are you kidding?” Benjamin Hadley chuckled. “I’d rather meet on the back deck of Ian Mitchell’s beautiful home than in our stuffy conference room at headquarters anytime.”
The rest of the men in The Circle nodded their agreement.
“It’s great to be out here at Ian’s. Wish he was here though.” Julian smiled. “And we’ve missed you at the last couple meetings, too, Malaki, where’ve you been?”
“That’s why I wanted to have this meeting.” Malaki eyed Lawrence, the only member of The Circle, besides Jonathan, who had a fuller picture. “There’s been all kinds of things going on with Charles Price that need to be discussed. There’s only a few of us who know what’s been happening.” Malaki nodded to Lawrence and Jonathan, and the two men got up and stood on either side of him. The rest of The Circle sat in lounge chairs on the deck, the sun beginning to make its descent, the waves lapping on the shore not far from them. “After this meeting, we’ll heat up the grill and have a grand barbecue, in celebration of Ian soon returning, and we’ll spend the rest of this evening discussing the plans we need to make from this point forward.”
Everyone became still, staring at Malaki with wide eyes and slack mouths, stiffening their postures. Then Malaki, Lawrence and Jonathan took it in turns, informing them of Price’s underhandedness, especially toward Malaki. They included events transpiring the past couple years, detailing recent months and weeks.
“Why is this the first we’ve heard of it?” Edward Browning stood. “Seems we should’ve heard something about it.”
“Price has been covering it all up.” Malaki gripped his sore arm.
Harrison Prescott shoved up. “I can’t believe he shot you. This doesn’t sound right. It doesn’t sound like Price at all.”
“It’s all true.” Jonathan ran his fingers down his chin. “I saw Price, and I saw the look on his face and heard the tone in his voice. And I’d seen it before because that was the second time he’d locked Malaki at the lab, like we’ve already told you. He’s not—”
“It’s true.” Lawrence joined the conversation. “Malaki came to me the last time he escaped the lab, and I’ve been in touch with him ever since. That’s when I saw Price for what he really is. He’s no longer sane, and we need to figure out what we’re going to do because he shouldn’t be heading up our Circle any longer. Something’s not right with him.”
“Well, we need to confront him about what he’s done.” Benjamin Hadley paced. “He needs to know we’re on to him. That we all know”—he scanned the entire Circle of men—“what he’s been doing. To Malaki, to Jonathan. He’s not going to get rid of all of us. We all need to confront him together, the whole Circle. You three included.” Benjamin nodded to Malaki, Lawrence, and Jonathan.
“Yes. Yes.” Malaki nodded, raking his fingers through his hair. “Yes, we need to confront him. But I can’t leave here. I cannot go into town.”
“Well, you haven’t been at the last two meetings anyway. The rest of us can call the meeting,” Edward Browning said. “Price will be there. We’ll ask him where you are, like usual, and he’ll continue the lie you’re out of town on business, and we’ll confront him. We’ll tell him we know everything.”
“What do you suspect will happen?” Henry Nash asked with raised eyebrows. “When we confront him? How do you think he’ll respond? Because we better be prepared. I mean, the man shot Malaki. We need to know what we’re up against.”
“Yes. We need to talk this through, plan it out. What is our goal here anyway?” Lawrence tapped his knuckles on the table. “We can’t just confront him and let it go. We need to do something. So, what are we planning? Kick him out of The Circle? And if so, what’s the protocol on that because it’s never happened before. And Price is our leader. This isn’t going to be as simple as we think. And we better agree on whatever we decide. All of us.” He pointed at them all. “Then we move on it. And fast.”
&nbs
p; “Seems to me”—Edward Browning rubbed his fingers along his temple and squeezed his eyes shut—“that this has happened before. Not that we had to kick someone out of The Circle, but we had to confront them.”
If anyone were to remember anything the rest of them didn’t, it would be Edward Browning. He was the oldest, had been there the longest.
Edward shot his head up and pointed his finger at Malaki. “It was Ernest.” His eyes grew wide, a smile spreading on his face. “Yes, Ernest. Ernest Mitchell. Ian’s grandfather.” Edward slapped his hands together. “Yes. He was questioning all kinds of things, and he was confronted by The Circle back in that day.”
Old news to Malaki. Ernest Mitchell had always been trying to change things, make them better, destroy Reathran. The same thing Malaki and Ian were now in the thick of doing.
“Mr. Mitchell was never given the boot though so it’s not the same thing.” Malaki blew his cheeks out. “We need to figure out how we can get rid of Price while keeping our Circle intact. And I don’t know how to do that.”
“I don’t think we can.” Harrison Prescott stood and approached the railing of the deck, hands on his hips. “We’re not going to get rid of Price. It won’t work.”
Malaki strode toward him. “But how else—”
“It won’t work.” Prescott put his hands out. “We can’t get rid of him. We can talk to him, let him know we’re aware he’s been harassing you. But if we try to take him out, it won’t bode well for us. Not for any of us.” He stared at them all. “This Circle is sacred. We all know this. When one leaves, and one can leave only by death, mind you—except in the instance of Ian, where he was no longer mentally capable of being here—another has to be voted in immediately. I’m not even sure who’s our next possible member.”