Sanctuary 2 (The Foliage Series Book 4)

by Aline Riva

  “Look,” he said in a hushed voice as he levelled with him, “I don't want a fucking war any more than you do! We all lived through the virus and the bombs and the UNA and right now I've got people hiding in my city who want to kill us all for giving the Valley liberty! So you tell me, what would you do with Lynch?”

  Riley sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes blazed with anger as he looked to the static speckled screen and the image of the man upon it.

  “You fucking idiot!” he raged, “You knew Lynch in the old days, he fought for humanity along side you, on your side when you were just another victim! Have you been to see him yet, have you explained how he's looking at going to the gas chamber because you decided to use him as a pawn in your power games?”

  “It's not my fault! The people demanded justice -”

  “You're not worthy of your position,” Riley said darkly, “You're afraid of End Cyborg Life – you can't even root out the people who attacked your own from inside the walls of your own city!”

  Josh fell silent for a moment, feeling closed in on all sides – pressure from the Vice President, his own wife and now King Steel...

  “I'll bring forward the sentence debate, we'll review tomorrow morning, okay?”

  “Make sure you do!”Riley warned him.

  As Josh looked back at the fierce man on the screen who had some kind of crazy in his eyes, he gave in to his own sense of panic.

  “But I can't persuade the circle, they have a free vote!”

  “Be a man for once in your life, Premier!” Riley said sharply, “Spare Lynch. Give him a fine and send him home and if the bombings in your city escalate and you need our help, believe me when I say you will be only too glad of the cyborg race coming to your aid! But don't make an enemy of me, Premier. I'll be your worst nightmare. I'll make End Cyborg Life look like a bunch of choir boys compared to what my army can do if you cross me!”

  Josh was visibly shaken as he gave his reply.

  “There's a two step process....first session the appeal will be reviewed and the sentence most likely left to stand... second appeal will be much later – within one hour before sentence is carried out. Then I can push for a lesser sentence... he might not be coming home, though. It's not all up to me!”

  “He's got a woman and a child here in the Valley,” Riley reminded him.

  Josh thought back to the first time he had met Lynch, back on the day of the battle when they had both been freed and Lynch had said enough about his past and the kids he had scattered about to sum himself up as anything but a family man, “I never gave them the light of day, I wasn’t even told their names because I didn’t deserve them...”

  “He certainly wasn't a family man when I first met him,” Josh replied.

  “And you know, as you have in the past worked with him to push the pro cyborg message in the days before this situation turned to shit, that he has changed a lot over the years, Premier!”

  Josh looked away from the screen, feeling a stab of guilt as he recalled the day any years before when he had visited Felix, who then lived in Freedom, in the months after the city had been reclaimed, he had shook his hand, looked away from the pain etched into his face as he struggled to learn to live with the half android body graft, and promised he would do all he could to further the cause for cybernetic research...

  “I'll do what I can, Riley. It may not be as much as you expect because I don't run this city alone but I will try.”

  Finally, Riley felt a vague spark of hope as he saw the look in the Premier's eyes had changed at last. He had at least managed to wake him up to the reality of how badly this deal had turned sour...

  “I require a link to his cell today,”Riley added, “Before noon. His partner wants to speak to him. Do it, or I'll hold something else against you and you really don't want to know what will happen then.”

  “I can arrange that, yes,” Josh said quickly, “I can arrange the link for around mid day.”

  “Go and do it, then,” Riley told him, then he cut off the link, sat back heavily and gave a weary sigh, thankful that the difference between him and the Premier was the fact that when it came to bluffing – an art he had mastered long ago – he knew he was far better a liar than the Premier, who now wanted to do all he could to mend this messy situation, because he had believed him. But the truth was, with the welfare of his people at heart, he did not want a war. But Riley's heart was still heavy as he thought on the possible outcomes to this situation:

  The Premier believed, for now, that he would go to war over one man. But the truth was, this new world was a fragile place and life needed to be nurtured, protected – even if it meant in the end, Felix Lynch was forced to go to the gas chamber...Riley knew that Lynch had understood that risk too, he had understood it from the moment he had left the border and allowed himself to be taken away in chains.

  “I'm trying,” he said under his breath, “I'm trying to save you, Felix...”

  On the outskirts of Freedom, where new buildings met with rubble, a combination of morning mist and fog that swirled with an under current of pollution filled the air, leaving the row of old derelict shops part shrouded. But the windows had been closed and the doors locked and the gaps beneath them stopped up so when the city gave a reminder of all it had weathered since the end of the old world, those inside were safe.

  Violet had picked her way over some debris and made her way around the main living area and away from her sister and Jet Madison and slipped through the cafe and out the back, where she climbed through a part broken wall and into the next store – an old tailor's shop that was remarkably well preserved there in the middle of the sturdy old row of former Victorian buildings, named The Perfect Fit. She heard Jet call out something about a transmission coming through from Cyborg Valley, and looked back towards the broken wall but then made her way across a dusty, partly cracked laminated floor, past a partly boarded window, then she passed the mannequins still frozen pre war in their expensive suits, and went around the counter and out the back, where broken furniture and fabric samples scattered the floor amid parts of a broken sewing machine and then she went up a flight of small, wooden stairs, opening the door at the top to an attic room, where the glass was unbroken and sunlight fell on to dusty boards.

  There was a makeshift bed in the corner, a mattress and some blankets and a pillow, and here she slept, quite alone and away from the others. Jasmine had allowed her to do that, thinking her little sister to be better off up here away from some of the rougher members of the group who might have tried it on with her, and she was glad of the privacy – but slept with a loaded gun within easy reach, just in case of trouble. Not all of the men in Jet's group were as dedicated to the anti cyborg cause as the rest – some simply wanted to raise hell and cause havoc, and joining End Cyborg Life was an ideal way for them to do it.

  As the sounds of a broad cast began and carried ghostly up from the floor below, Violet turned the dial on the old fashioned, small box TV that was set on the floor, then she adjusted the aerial then turned a dial and tuned another as a black and white image came up of the studio in Cyborg Valley, where a female reporter sat in a small studio, and beside her sat the man she recognised from other broadcasts at festival time, to be Ashley Jekel.

  “...This broadcast, as I said before, was arranged quickly by yourself and King Steel to ensure the news got out before the festival,” she said to him, “And is reaching all the way to Freedom city...as I've already explained basically why you're here today, I'm going to hand over to you now...”

  As the camera angle changed Ash Jekel looked into the camera and for a moment he seemed to struggle to compose his words, but then he spoke up:

  “This is going to come as a shock to all the people who come to see the show every year,” he said, “But I'm seriously ill and it may be a struggle for me to take on all of the festival this year. It's been public knowledge in the past that I was injured in the conflicts here at Sanctuary nine years ago, and basica
lly the wiring I was fitted with to counteract that damage is burning out....”

  Violet got comfortable on the mattress, looking in surprise at the screen as Jekel blinked rapidly, clearly fighting back his own distress. The broadcaster reached over and placed her hand on his arm.

  “Would you like me to carry on for you?” she said kindly, “I know you said it was important to explain -”

  “No, I'm okay,” he replied, his voice wavering as he bravely forced a smile and blinked again to clear his vision, “It's important to get this out there – especially to Freedom City...Part of the reason for the festival is to show the world that we are no different to them, and cyborgs are just humans with electronic and mechanical additions. There's nothing sinister about us!”

  He paused again, leaning back against the chair as he drew in a breath and let it out slowly, composing his shattered nerves.

  “And you've made an excellent contribution to that message,” the broadcaster said softly, “Do you need a moment?”

  “No, I can do this,” Jekel replied, then he looked into the camera once more.

  “I was having treatment for the inevitable human to cyborg connection failure but it's not worked. Connection failure is common in cyborgs, but when its involved with life dependant wiring its a very serious matter and often fatal. I know a lot of people in the Valley will be upset to hear about this – I'm sorry but I wanted to make it public before the festival in case I can't be there for all or part of it...But I will try. And as for Freedom City, I know a lot of you out there are fans and some of you come over to the Valley for the festival every year, but this message is for the other side of the city – those who don't understand us...”

  He paused again, closed his eyes for a moment and as Violet looked at the screen her heart went out to the man who had always cut an energetic and dashing figure on the stage at the festival – he looked weak and on the brink of tears as he opened his eyes and spoke again.

  “Cyborgs are just people, like you. The only difference is, we have wiring inside us and yes, the technology did come from the UNA androids...but only the means, we are not the enemy,” he raised his hand, indicating to the thin strip of elegantly engraved veneer set into the side of his head, “I have life saving wiring beneath this veneer that connects to damaged brain tissue. Its function was damaged during the conflicts and the line that routes extra power to boost its function is burning out. I will eventually die because of it. There's a small chance the burn out won't kill me right away – if I last long enough, surgery is an option but my chances of survival or even a partial recovery are very slim. It's the end of the line for me. That's the reality of many cyborgs who experience complications. None of us are a threat – I'm a husband and a father and I just want to live long enough to have more time with my wife Joy, and to see my son grow up...”

  Violet looked intently at the image on the screen of a very human and fragile man, with tears in his eyes as he talked of his sadness, and again thought of all Jet had said about how cyborgs were so different to organic people. From what she could see, there was nothing at all different about Ashley Jekel – he was a person like any other, and suffering, too. The metallic veneer that barely showed beneath his hair on the side of his head made no difference to the fact that he was very human, and all that Jet had told her seemed an utter lie...

  “You poor man,” she whispered, and continued to listen as Jekel continued:

  “I'm dying because I'm a cyborg,” he added, “No one chooses to go down this route of treatment unless its a last resort. I've had nine extra years thanks to the wiring that's now failing and I'm thankful for that. I'm glad for all the happy memories I'll be taking with me...And I'm going to try and fight this to stay around as long as I can for my family, but I don't know how long I have left.”

  As the broadcaster thanked him for his time, then the report moved on to other stories, Violet was still deep in thought, her sympathies deeply resting with Jekel, who was clearly devastated by the news of his worsening condition.

  “And now for other news,” the broadcaster said, “The debate regarding the fate of cyborg terrorist General Felix Lynch has been moved forward and scheduled for tomorrow morning. The Premier stated no more details will be given out at this stage but the result of the first step f the appeal will be made public knowledge. Lynch, who handed himself over to Freedom in exchange for a peace deal in Cyborg Valley, was found guilty of a terrorist act when tried in his absence and faces death by execution should the appeal process fail...”

  Violet turned off the TV, then she sat there in silence, thinking on the situation: If his life was spared, Jekel would be abducted...It didn't seem at all fair that poor man who was clearly no threat to anyone should have to go through such an ordeal, especially in light of his fragile health...

  Suddenly Violet felt more trapped than ever, caught up with these people her sister called her family, the real terrorists within Freedom. Suddenly she didn't want to be there at all – but she knew if she tried to run to expect a bullet in her back. She thought some more on Ashley Jekel as she made her choice, then she got up and left the attic room, went down the stairs and back through the shop, stepping through the broken wall and making her way back to the place where the others were gathered.

  Jasmine was sat at a table as she gazed up at Jet as he stood by the TV, having just watched the broadcast. The dozen others sat about the place were also watching him,and laughing along with his remarks.

  “He's got a nerve,” Jet said, “Crying over being killed slowly by cyborg wiring – he never should have had it in the first place!”

  And as the others nodded and he heard murmurs of agreement, Jet looked to Amber, then glanced over and noticed Violet standing at the back of the room, and he spoke again.

  “We wait and see the first outcome of the appeal for Lynch. If they give him anything less than the death penalty, we take Jekel.”

  “But it is a two step process,” Violet said, feeling awkward as Jet, along with all the others, set their sights on her as she stood at the back of the room.

  “Very good, Violet,” Jet responded in surprise, “You've been studying the processes. I'm suitably impressed! Yes, we strike if the first process hints at leniency. Then we hold Jekel prisoner here in Freedom and tell the Valley he will be shot if Lynch doesn't go to the gas chamber. I think that should be enough stirring to start a war.”

  “A war?”Violet exclaimed.

  “We need to antagonise both sides,” Jet told her, “Let them destroy each other and then we will take over as the ruling party when the circle are all dead. Then we have freedom and the remaining population will be totally organic. I'll have all cyborgs killed on sight.”

  Her insides twisted up tight as she looked at Jet and realised exactly how bad this situation could get – she wanted out, but had no choice to run because that would mean death...

  “So,” Jet added, “I need two fine volunteers to go to Cyborg Valley and abduct Ashley Jekel if Lynch doesn't go to the gas chamber....”

  “I'll do it,” said Violet, her heart was racing as she had said those words, deciding this could be her way out and a chance to warn Jekel of the danger.

  But Jet smiled and shook his head.

  “Oh no, not alone...too risky....” his gaze fell on his lover.

  “Jasmine, you go with your sister... We wait to hear the out come of the first appeal and if it's not what we want, you're both off to the Valley.”

  “Thank you,” Jasmine said as she smiled at him.

  Violet nodded, swallowing hard as she felt more trapped than ever.

  “Thanks, Jet, I'm honoured,” she said quietly as she forced a smile and made a good show of being thrilled at this opportunity, while silently, she felt sick at the thought of what she was being told to do, and hoped that somewhere along the way, if they did get sent to the Valley, there would be a way to stop this from happening, because she had wanted no part of the suffering caused by Jet's
group. The bombs had been horrible enough, but to think he was proposing to kidnap a dying man, put him through a terrible ordeal and then put a bullet in his head, was too much to think about. She had reached her breaking point, she wanted to break away and to save Jekel in the process – if saving him would be possible...

  As Elise sat down in front of the monitor with her daughter beside her and she waited for the screen to clear, Riley glanced to Elise, then to the child beside her and back to Elise, a silent question, wondering if Fi ought to be present.

  “We're fine,” Elise insisted, then the screen cleared as lines shifted and static sparkled and faded out, and she looked into the eyes of her lover at last.

  “Are you okay, Dad?” she heard Fi say, as she blinked away tears, noticing Felix had a bandage on his wrist – she could just about see it as he rested his arms folded on the table – but as she looked closely at him she saw no other sign of injury, his shirt was buttoned up to the collar and like Riley had said, if torture had happened, it wouldn't be anywhere that would show...

  “Hello Fi,” Lynch said, his eyes filled with love as he smiled at his daughter through the screen, “Are you okay?”

  “I'm fine, Dad...I'm just worried about you. I want you to come home.”

  “And I think I will,” he told her, “Now don't worry about anything, this will all be over soon.”

  Then his gaze shifted to Elise.

  “Miss me, Frankie?” he said fondly.

  “Of course. What happened to your wrist?”

  Felix glanced down at the bandage and the slid the cuff of his shirt over it to hide the injury, he looked back at Elise as he spoke cautiously, and she read the look in his eyes correctly – he did not want their daughter to know the truth...