by Magus Tor
“Well, that's a good thing,” Elza said, patting her hand. “It means that you paired for love, not just for status. Unusual in Lunar. Besides,” she added after a moment, “if all goes well tomorrow, then the Elite isn't going to exist for much longer.”
All of this seems so stupid, Aurelia thought, lying back on her bed. The shopping, the clothes, when tomorrow was the election and everything was going to change.
“I know,” said Elza, reading her mind. “But it's even more important now than ever that Jonathon appears, well, Elite. Normal. Trustworthy. If he doesn't, he won't be elected—it's that simple. And since you're his mate, you also need to appear that way. All this isn't as useless as you think. It's all part of the strategy.”
“Although a little more time to plan might have been useful,” Aurelia said dryly.
Elza shrugged. “Maybe not. Sometimes it's better to act than to plan.” She patted Aurelia's hand again. “And you know that you did the right thing.”
Aurelia smiled. “I know.”
Elza looked down for a moment, then smiled back at her. “I hope the two of you will be very happy.”
Aurelia squeezed her hand, knowing what was on her mind: the fear that she would never have what Aurelia had, never be paired. “We will,” she said. “And so will you.”
She had a feeling that Elza was about to tell her something important, something difficult; but before the woman could speak, the bedroom door opened.
“Well, it looks like you ladies have cleared out the department store,” said Jonathon, looking around at the boxes and packages. “But you're going to have to move all of this again.”
“Why?” asked Aurelia, sitting up on the bed.
Jonathon blushed a little, and Elza began to laugh. “Are you not going to share a bedroom with your pair-mate?” she teased Aurelia.
Gods. Yet another thing she'd forgotten.
“Unless you want your own space,” Jonathon stammered, his face flushing even pinker. “I mean, I don't mind if you'd like to keep your room too. There's plenty of space. I just thought...” He trailed off.
Aurelia sighed. She really should have thought of this. Then she grinned at Jonathon. “I'll agree to share your sleeping pod on one condition,” she said.
“What's that?” He looked nervous now.
“That you help us carry all this stuff over there.”
He laughed and picked up a bag. “Deal.”
By the time Aurelia had arranged all of her new clothes as well as her meagre belongings in her new sleeping pod, the Lunar dome was already beginning to darken. She stretched, glad that her headache had faded, and decided to go downstairs to find the others.
She assumed that Jonathon and Nicholas had been working all day, and felt a stab of shame that she hadn't been there to help. With the election so close, though, it seemed that there was little that could be done. Jonathon had had support before he’d left for Earth; all they could do was hope that he still had the same support. There was no point asking anyone, since Lunar politics were notoriously fickle, and no one would speak truthfully or fully declare their support until it came time to vote. Still, Jonathon must be worried, she thought, as she descended the stairs and walked down the long corridor.
She found Jonathon and Nicholas in the living room, deep in discussion.
“Aurelia,” said Nicholas when she came in. “Thank the Gods that you're here. Perhaps you can talk some sense into your new husband.”
Hmmm. Husband. There was an old-fashioned word. Aurelia decided that she liked it much more than pair-mate, and was determined to use it wherever possible.
“Talk some sense into him about what?” she asked, coming to sit on the deep sofa opposite the two men.
Jonathon shook his head. “No, I'm going, and that's final,” he said.
“Going where?” Aurelia asked.
Nicholas sighed. “As we agreed, Bryn is coming to take Jonathon's father outside of the dome. It's still the only way we can think of to keep him, and you, safe for the moment. Jonathon has decided that he wants to be there when Bryn kidnaps his father.”
Aurelia bit her lip. It had only been a couple of days since Jonathon had found out that it was his own father behind the many attempts that had been made on his life. They still had little idea why the man had acted in this way, though Jonathon suspected that it was to take his place as President. Just as Jonathon had been about to sign a Resistance assassination order against his father, Nicholas had come up with the idea of getting their old friend Bryn to kidnap the man and take him out of Lunar until the elections were over. As a Connector, one who passed goods and information between those living under the dome and the criminals and freedom lovers living outside it, Bryn was well suited to the task. But she didn't understand why Jonathon would want to witness the kidnapping himself.
“Why?” she asked, turning to Jonathon.
“For several reasons,” he said. “Because he might admit to his reasoning behind all of this, for one. But also because, whatever he's done, he's my father. I want to look him in the eye, for him to know that I am the one doing this, and that I'm not to be played with. And because I think he deserves to know who is in control of the situation.”
She considered that for a moment, then nodded. “I can understand that,” she said. “Will it be dangerous?”
Nicholas laughed. “Knowing Bryn, probably not. He's expert at sneaking up on people without them knowing it. Besides, it's not like Hansen Senior is on his guard. He's not expecting anything.”
“If I'm going, then I need to go now,” Jonathon said, getting up. “My father will be in his office upstairs, and it's better if I go now before Bryn arrives. I'll be back later. Nicholas, you know what to do?”
The Clone nodded.
Jonathon bent to kiss Aurelia. “I'm sorry this is happening tonight,” he said. “I'm sorry that you haven't had much of a celebratory day. And don't worry; I'll be back down soon.”
Aurelia smiled. “It was I who wanted the pairing done so quickly. I can't complain about other things taking precedence now,” she said. “Just be careful.”
“I will.”
He gave her a small smile and left the room. She knew this was going to be hard for him, but she also knew that it would be far easier than his original plan of having his own father assassinated. She was grateful to Nicholas for coming up with the idea.
There was a beeping sound.
“Bryn is in the compound,” Nicholas said, pulling a portable com from his pocket and checking the screen. “I need to go to him.” He looked at Aurelia. “Don't worry. An hour from now it will be over, and both of you should be safe, at least until after the election. Go find Elza and keep busy. I'll see you at dinner.”
Aurelia nodded, and Nicholas gave her a cheeky grin before leaving.
Chatting with Elza had taken her mind off things, especially since they discussed medicine rather than politics. And Aurelia was surprised that time had moved so swiftly. Making their way down to the dining room, she and Elza found Nicholas already waiting for them and plates already laid out.
“I'm starving,” he announced as they came in. “Isn't Jonathon with you?”
“You're always starving,” Elza responded. “And rather obviously, no, he's not.”
It was a further ten minutes before he came into the room, his face pale and his mouth set in a hard line. Ten minutes during which, despite knowing there was little risk, Aurelia kept imagining what horrible things might have been happening on the upper floors of the house. She'd never been up there; in fact, she'd never even met Jonathon's parents, though she did know his younger sister, Tara. The Hansens were not a close family, unlike her own. And, as was common in many Empire families, the children had little to do with the parents, particularly now that they were grown.
“It's done,” Jonathon said, taking a seat.
“And?” asked Nicholas, his interest in what had happened suddenly overcoming his starvation.
&nb
sp; “He went calmly, quietly, once he realised that he had no choice,” Jonathon said. “I'd like to say I respect him for that, but I suspect it was more cowardice than anything else.”
He reached out and uncovered the platter on the table in front of him, encouraging the others to do the same. But he didn't eat.
“And did you get any kind of explanation from him at all?” pressed Nicholas, helping himself to slices of synth meat.
Jonathon nodded. “It was more or less as we suspected, I think. I mean, I'm sure he was planning on taking my place once he'd eliminated me, using my success, my name, and the fact that he was a grieving father to get himself elected.”
“I sense a 'but' coming on,” Nicholas said, swallowing a mouthful.
“He said that he knew of my plans, of our plans,” said Jonathon, still not eating.
“Which could mean that others do,” put in Elza.
“It could, though whether or not they'd be believed is another thing,” Jonathon said.
And Aurelia knew that this wasn't what was bothering him. Something had happened upstairs, something that he didn't want to talk about. Something that was upsetting him. She decided to let it go for the moment; Jonathon was still in shock. Instead, she encouraged him to eat, and eventually he managed a small meal. Nicholas and Elza kept them both entertained, and Aurelia waited until coffee had been served before pressing Jonathon again.
“So,” she said, stirring her cup. “I think you should tell us what's bothering you.”
She knew it was cruel—he didn't want to speak about it. But she also knew that it was important that he be on form for the elections, and that if he didn't speak then he would worry instead. He disliked sharing his troubles, and had for as long as she'd known him, but this was one time when she honestly thought it would be better for him to share.
Jonathon sighed and picked up his own cup. “It's what he said as Bryn was taking him.”
Nicholas looked at him keenly. “What?”
“It was like a curse or something. It sounded so apocryphal. It shook me, that's all. I'm being foolish, superstitious maybe.” Jonathon looked less pale now and more embarrassed.
“So what did he say?” Aurelia asked.
“Bryn was escorting him out. He didn't put up a fight, just went quietly like I told you. But right as he reached the door, he turned around and spoke to me, with such truth in his eyes it was hard to look at him. He honestly believed what he was saying.”
“Which was?” prompted Aurelia.
Jonathon put his coffee cup down. “He said: I know your plans. What you are doing will lead to nothing but bloody warfare.”
They let the words ring around the room for a moment, nobody speaking.
Bloody warfare.
Chapter Two
It was a long night. They talked until the Lunar dome was glowing pale grey. None of them was able to sleep, all of them increasingly anxious about what was to come.
“We knew that it could come to this,” Elza had said to Jonathon. “Knew that there was every chance that we would have to fight, that some of us would die.”
“That knowledge doesn't make it easier,” Jonathon had said grimly. “And now the time is close, and it's so real, and I wonder what kind of sacrifices we're going to have to make.”
Elza, who had probably made more personal sacrifices than anyone else at the table, had nodded. “But we're doing the right thing.”
“That's what disturbed me more than anything else about my father,” Jonathon had admitted. “The truth in his eyes. He too thought that he was doing the right thing. And after all, doesn't everyone? Even the founders of Lunar City thought they were doing the right thing at the time.”
Aurelia thought on this and decided that he could be right, though it depended on which way you looked at things. Lunar City had been founded by a group of Elite, though at the time they weren't yet known as Elite, in order to escape what they’d thought to be the dying Earth. Initially, the idea had been for a colony that the Elite could make habitable. But over time, as they grew more and more powerful, the Elite had begun to interfere with Earth politics, until eventually they’d caused the Great War. Swooping in at the last moment with their Military Clone Army to save Earth from itself, the Elite had taken the opportunity to become the leaders of the Empire, then to enslave the Workers and to begin stealing Earth's resources for their own use. But yes, she thought, at the beginning they probably believed in what they were doing as strongly as Jonathon does.
Nicholas had shrugged. “It's all very well, being philosophical about things. But in the end, it's what we do that matters and what we become. We've all committed ourselves, and revolution can only come from those who really believe in what they're doing.”
“Besides,” Aurelia had added, trying to remain optimistic and for once declining another cup of coffee. “There's a chance that it might not come to war, that you can negotiate.”
Jonathon had laughed bitterly. “A very small chance, I should say.”
“But it's a chance,” Aurelia had insisted.
And now it was morning, and after only a couple of hours’ sleep, Aurelia's eyes felt gritty and her mouth dry. Yawning, she felt the familiar warmth of Jonathon beside her in bed and thought that she could get used to waking up like this. She smiled fondly at him. His hair was tussled, his face peaceful with sleep. They had to get up, had to get to the election hall, but she could let him sleep for just a few moments more.
“I'm not asleep,” he said, though his eyes were still closed.
“Really? You looked asleep,” Aurelia said, stroking his face.
“I sort of wish that I were,” he admitted, rolling over and stretching.
“No,” said Aurelia. “I've had enough of this. You listened to your father, and now I want you to listen to me.”
He eyed her with surprise, then nodded meekly. “Okay.”
“This attitude has to go,” she said, as sternly as though she were speaking to a child. “This should be the most exciting day of your life. Today is the culmination of everything you've worked for, everything we've worked for. Today could be the day that you change everything. And here you are, wanting to avoid the issue, suddenly so afraid of the change that you could effect that you don't want to make it at all. And that's not only cowardly, but it's also disrespectful. Disrespectful to all those who have worked hard for you, and to all those who are now counting on you.” She reached out for his hand and continued in a softer voice. “No one can do this but you, and I'm so proud of you. I know you're not going to let us down. And I know that you're afraid, afraid of the responsibility of asking others to fight for your beliefs. But just remember that those who fight for you share your beliefs, so in reality, they're fighting for themselves.”
His blue eyes stared up at her, and then the corners of his mouth wrinkled into a smile. “I knew I loved you for a reason,” he said. “And you're absolutely right. I've spent the last few hours feeling guilty for something that I haven't even done yet. Today could be the most important day of my entire life, and I'm damned if I'm going to spend it sulking and being depressed. Thank you, Aurelia.”
“No problem,” she said, moving her hand up to his chest. “Now, if you don't go and get into the shower, you're never going to be elected. Go!”
“You don't think the Empire wants a stinky President?” he asked, feigning surprise. “Well, if you insist.” He grinned, kissed her, and jumped out of bed.
Aurelia lay back on her pillows, waiting for Jonathon to be done, and pulled out her personal screen. Scrolling down, she found two personal messages. The first was from her father, wishing both her and Jonathon luck. It didn't say much more than that, but Aurelia knew that he had to be careful about what he wrote. The second message was from Elza. Aurelia read it and then groaned.
Don't forget to think about what you're going to wear!
Gods. Of course she'd forgotten to think about it. She got out of bed and opened the large door that
was built into the wall of the sleeping pod. Inside, she saw all of her new clothes already hanging. There were so many colours: oranges, blues, greens, reds. She gave another groan. There was no way she'd be able to choose between these outfits. For a start, she had no idea what was appropriate and what wasn't, so there was every chance that she'd show up to the election wearing an evening dress or exercise clothes or something equally wrong. She was about to start pulling things off hangers when she heard laughter behind her.
“Overwhelmed?” Jonathon chuckled.
He was fresh from the shower, a robe wrapped around him. Aurelia nodded, embarrassed.
“I left the shower running. Go hop in,” he said. “I'll choose something for you, if you want.”
She kissed him gratefully and went to shower. Standing under the steaming water, she mused that there couldn't be many Elite wives who had pair-mates decide on their outfits. And she felt a pang of love for Jonathon. It was the little things that made her love him, just as much as the big things.
Dressed in a simple blue dress, Aurelia carefully walked down the stairs. Her heels were higher than she was used to, and the feeling of the skin on her legs brushing against both fabric and more skin was weird. After years and years of wearing regulation uniforms, she really didn't feel comfortable in a dress. Just another thing that she was going to have to get used to. The others were waiting outside, and no one commented on her appearance, though she hadn't expected them to. The morning was almost a repeat of yesterday, but this time all four of them were silent, anxiety flowing like electricity through the air.
Jonathon kissed her cheek and then straightened up, looking at his time reader. Even as he did so, there was a familiar hum. A transport pod appeared, gliding softly to the ground in front of them. No one moved.
Nicholas sighed and finally leant to open the door. “It's now or never,” he said. “And waiting around here isn't going to do anything.” He gallantly ushered Elza into the pod. “Come on,” he told Jonathon.