by Ann Bakshis
I’m moved into a sitting position and my injury attended to by someone in a medical uniform, or at least I think that’s what it is, while Garrett puts his blood-stained shirt back on. A healing ointment is applied, then Garrett helps me to my feet and we move under the light in the middle of the corridor. I feel numb inside as we’re sent into the void and placed in front of Pentras Tower. I go through the motions of taking Garrett’s hand and looping us into the lobby. I can immediately tell that everything has changed. That it’s just the two us now. The others are gone.
“Where are they?” I ask as Garrett directs me to one of the lifts.
“Someplace you’ll never have to go to again.”
He pushes the button for the forty-ninth floor. All I do is stare as the doors close and we ascend. My mind has shattered as well as my soul. Nothing matters anymore. The Patrician have won. They’ve beaten me, so I might as well as comply with their wishes so I can live. At least, I hope I’ll still be alive when this is all over.
The door opens, Garrett takes my hand, and leads me to his room. I’m his now, the Patrician have made that perfectly clear. He carries me through the door and sets me down on the bed. He’s immediately on top of me, removing my sheath and clothes, and I let him finish what he started in the plaza. I should fight, but how? They’ve won. I’ve lost. Time to move on. Garrett falls asleep an hour later. I grab a long shirt from the dresser, put it on, and go up to the fiftieth floor.
The sunset is actually quite beautiful tonight. Purple and pink hues fill up the sky and get darker the further the sun goes down. I step up close to the glass, pressing my palms against the smooth surface, and hoping I fall through it.
“I was wondering where you disappeared to,” Garrett says, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me tightly against him.
“I wanted to watch the sunset. It’s so beautiful up here.” I know I’m rambling, but words and thoughts aren’t under my control anymore.
He pulls me back to sit us on one of the couches. “Why did you need me to go with you?” he asks, nibbling on my neck.
“I wanted to get to Icarian.”
“Why would you want to go there?”
“To see the army. I needed to know if it was true.”
“If what was true?” He pushes me down on the couch and lies on top of me. His hands wandering their way up the shirt.
“If the previous winners of The Litarian Battles were actually the soldiers. That the laurel symbol is their sign of loyalty like the dragon tattoo is for the Dracken.”
He stops and places a finger against my lips. “None of that matters now. This will all be over soon, and it’ll just be the two of us.”
“What will be over soon?”
“The end of the Dracken and the Keepers. Now that you’re one of us, there’s no stopping the inevitable.”
You are one of us now, Max.
One of us.
I gently push Garrett back, sliding myself onto the floor.
“Are you all right?” he asks, concern clearly visible on this face.
“I need something to drink.”
I get to my feet and walk over to the fridge. It’s still stocked full of food, even though there are only two of us now. I remove a bottle of water and drink it where I stand. Garrett approaches me, but slowly. A big smile on his face and longing in his eyes.
Loop, Max. Loop now!
I hear it more than say it in my mind. I vanish down to Garrett’s room. I quickly put the suit back on, grab my weapon, and loop again since I know he’ll be here soon. I’m on the sixth floor. The panels are still down, but the images are gone. I rush up to one of the pedestals, but the display won’t turn on no matter how hard I press on it.
“You can hear me, right?” I say loudly.
No response.
“You wanted me to go to the fifth floor, why?”
No response.
“Please, I need your help.”
The center lift dings when it reaches the floor, but the doors won’t open. I keep my mouth shut, hoping Garrett will move on. He does after several minutes of anxious silence. But it won’t take him long to come back up.
“You said I was one of you. I am. Please, tell me what you need me to do.”
The panels turn on showing a devastated landscape. It’s a Dead Zone, but not this one. The image changes to another city also devastated by war. More scroll across the panels. Too many to count.
The fifth floor is where our records are kept. Appears on the panels. You must go there without using the lift.
“How? I can only loop if I know where I’m looping to. It’s too dangerous to do it blindly.”
You trusted your instincts before, Max. Do it again.
“Do you know where my friends are?”
Yes, which is why you must hurry.
I step back from the pedestal and go almost to the lift door. I picture what the fifth floor may look like by the lifts and I project myself there. The room I enter is much smaller than the other floors. Its walls are white, curved, and the ceiling is folded on top of another ceiling. There aren’t any windows, so the outside of this room must be all open space between itself and the structure. Twelve workstations are set in rows of three. Flat, clear panel screens are attached to a desk-like counter with a chair attached.
I sit at the first station I come to, tap the screen, and scroll through files. I remove my hand at some point, and realize I’m not the one scrolling. The other stations descend while mine stays on the floor. A record is selected onscreen, and immediately starts to play on the walls around me.
“The Dracken have lived on this world for thousands of years.” The image shows a budding society. Very happy, very content, and very successful. Tall high-tech buildings cover much of the landscape, but there are still plenty of open fields where children can be seen running and playing. “We were a people dedicated to science and technology.”
The scenes change, showing other worlds like this one. The lushness of the landscape is intense. Deep blue oceans, tall forest canopies, and colorful wildlife. I’m transfixed by them. I’ve seen so much death and decay that I never could’ve imagined that such elegance existed in nature.
“Almost a hundred years ago, a colony known as the Patrician invaded our world. They try to assimilate civilizations, and when they resist, the Patrician destroys them, take their knowledge, and move on. It took decades for the Patrician to determine what we had that would benefit them: a material that would allow its wearer to move seamlessly through space, barriers, and detection. It can anticipate the wearer’s needs and actions, almost becoming a part of the wearer’s body.”
I touch the material covering my body, and I know they’re talking about the suit.
“The Patrician could not penetrate our security forces, so they dropped nuclear weapons on our people in hopes of convincing us to change our minds. They promised that if we turned this piece of technology over to them, they would let our people live. The Keepers knew otherwise for they are restorers, trying to return annihilated worlds to their original forms. They are a long time enemy of the Patrician and have seen firsthand the promises made and broken by them. With the Keepers’ help, we have been trying to retake our world. We have only been able to get so far before the Patrician destroys our progress once again. Their sole mission is to take everything for themselves. Leaving no world unscathed or livable.” The images display the wonderful worlds in ruins. Smoke rises from fires that’ll never stop burning. Everything has been laid to waste, including the people.
“But they found a way around your defenses. The Keepers inadvertently showed them by creating The Litarian Battles and the Looper unit,” I say, standing up. “They were trying to help build an army for you, but it backfired.”
“Yes. Which is why you were chosen, Max. A young woman the Dracken leaders would remember because of her parents, so she wouldn’t pose a threat. An orphan without any ties and who can be easily forgotten in the Outer Limits. You,
Max. You became their solution to a complex problem.”
“What do I do to stop them?”
“Build our army. There are more uniforms stored elsewhere in the building. We cannot tell you where for fear of your mind manipulation giving away the location.”
I know they’re right, but it’s still going to make this a long and tiring task. “What about the people? My friends? How do I get them here without the Patrician knowing?”
“Your friends are in the Outer Limits. Sent to die in the devastation. The suits are easily concealable. If you can get to the Outer Limits, you will find your army.”
“What about Icarian?”
“They will not invade until you are ready for them.”
“Me? But, the Patrician control them.”
“And you are now a Patrician leader, Max. Use it to your advantage.”
The images stop and the room goes dark. I loop myself back to my room, and stash the suit. I put on a basic white shirt and black pants, find my sheath in Garrett’s room, which is currently empty, and go back up to the fiftieth floor. Garrett is sitting along the back of the couch waiting for me, bow in hand and arrow aimed at my chest.
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Twenty-Four
“Where have you been?” he asks, clearly agitated.
“Around,” I answer, stepping off the lift.
“I haven’t alerted the Patrician to your deception, Max. Not yet anyway.”
“What deception? I’m not hiding anything.” I take another step towards him, but he holds the bow firm. I don’t draw my Kopis for fear it’ll only antagonize him further.
“I could shoot you. I’ll find what the Patrician are looking for without you.”
“You won’t do that. You’ll be signing your own death warrant. They need me more than they need you. After all, I’m the one they modified, not you.”
Anger flashes across his face. “Only because it was convenient for them. If they had known who you really sided with, you’d be dead just like the others.”
“Why wouldn’t I side with the Patrician, Garrett? The Dracken have done nothing but try and destroy everything the Patrician have created.” I’m almost at the couch now, but he’s still not lowering his weapon. “Would I have had sex with you if I didn’t want to be with you? We can only be together if the Patrician are successful, and isn’t that what you want?” I stop just shy of the tip of the arrow piercing my shirt.
His eyes narrow and for a brief instant he almost lets the arrow fly. “Don’t ever leave my side again, understand?”
I nod and he lowers the weapon.
As he sets the bow and arrow down on the couch his wristband chimes and an image appears of two people just outside the front doors to the tower. Garrett takes my arm, escorts me back into the lift, and we head to the lobby. When we’re near the doors, I loop the two of us outside. Lok and Troy are standing a few steps down from us. Lok and Garrett embrace while Troy gives me the once over.
“I wasn’t sure where you two were sent,” Garrett says, releasing Lok.
“It took us a while to get to the tower since there isn’t an easy path or complete road,” Troy responds, eyes still glued onto me. “How’d you get here?” His gaze focuses on Garrett.
“Max,” Garrett responds, gesturing towards me. “Her modifications have been more than useful.”
They knew? All this time, they knew?
“I’m glad the Patrician chose the right girl,” Lok says, winking at me as he adjusts a rucksack slung around his shoulder.
I feel both thoroughly disgusted with them and myself at the center of their betrayal. I know I’m only playing a part at the moment, but just the thought of being stuck in Pentras Tower with the three of them sickens me. Still, I have to keep going if I have any chance of success.
They take hold of my hands and I loop us into the building. We take the lift to the forty-ninth floor where Garrett shows Lok and Troy to vacant rooms as well as where the communal bathrooms are. They each head to the showers, but Troy is the first one out. He’s only wearing boxer shorts as he walks down the hall mentioning how hungry he is. Garrett has me take him upstairs to get some food while Lok finishes up. I sit across from Troy while he eats a bowl of cereal soaked in milk.
“Where’s Frey?” Troy asks after several unsettling moments of silence.
“I don’t know.”
“I bet Garrett does.” A sneer creases his mouth.
I ignore the ploy since I know he’s only trying to antagonize me. I cross my arms and rest them on the table. “So, Troy, where’s the rest of your unit?”
He doesn’t look up from his food when he responds. “We got separated. I was looking for them when I ran into Lok.”
“And what about his unit? Surely he wasn’t alone as well?”
He slams his spoon down. “What are you implying, Max?”
“It just seems odd that the two of you didn’t have anyone else with you. From those we’ve encountered, the Keepers looped whole units together out of Thrace Tower. Why would the Dead Mark and Rapid units be treated differently?”
“I don’t know,” he says, a little more calmly. “I’m sure they’re out there somewhere.”
I stare at him while he continues to eat. He’s hiding something, but I’m not sure what. Maybe he really doesn’t even know where his unit is. After all, he has a large black and red dragon draped between his shoulder blades, which makes him a Dracken leader. So, perhaps those that are Patrician loyalists were sent to Icarian and Troy was sent here with the Dracken members. But then, how did he meet up with Lok? The Dead Zone is too large to run into someone simply by happenstance. Yet, Garrett was expecting both of them. Maybe they were both directed to come here by the Patrician.
The lift doors open and Garrett steps out, alone. He gestures towards me, so I get up from my seat and enter the lift with him. We descend one floor and when the doors open, Lok is standing on the other side wearing tan pants, a black short-sleeved shirt, and both the rucksack and his weapon strapped across his shoulders. On his right bicep is a green laurel with a silver infinity sign in the center. This is the first time I’ve actually seen that tattoo, as Lok usually had his arms covered up. He steps on-board and we descend, stopping at the seventh floor when Garrett hits the emergency button.
“I need you to loop me in there,” Lok says to me.
“What for? Nothing in there works,” I say, protesting.
“All the more reason to get me on that floor,” Lok says.
“It’s ancient equipment. Way before your time.”
“Is there an issue, Max?” Garrett says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“No. No issue,” I respond as calmly as possible.
I take Lok by the hand and loop us. I had left the security gate open when I was on the floor last, so Lok walks right into the room. Everything comes alive at the sound of his steps. He stops and scans the room as the monitors spring to life, showing the outer perimeter of the tower. Lok steps into the center of the room and places the rucksack on top of the plasma display. He begins digging around in the bag removing various lengths of wire, a handheld display, and wire cutters.
“Want to give me hand?” he says, motioning me to follow him.
“No, not really.”
He sets his items down, goes back into the rucksack, and removes a thick, black-handled knife with at least an eighteen-inch serrated blade. I haven’t moved from the entryway and I still stand my ground as he approaches me with the knife positioned in front of him.
He grabs me by the throat and slams me into the lift door. “Weren’t you instructed on what you have to do, Max?”
“What are you going to do, Lok? Slit my throat? That won’t do you any good. You all will be trapped in this building. The Patrician can’t get in to rescue you. They can barely transmit images into our heads. I know, they’ve tried.”
He squeezes my throat while banging my head again on the lift door.
“Go ahead, Lok, kill me. I really don’t care anymore,” I squeak out.
He lets me go and I fall to the floor. My fingers rub the bruises forming around my neck as he goes back to his equipment. I stand and follow him towards one of the banks of computers. He kneels down, removes a panel from the back, and begins examining wires.
“How did you know what was on this floor?” I ask.
“There’s a directory in the lobby,” he answers after cutting a wire.
He removes the plastic covering from both ends of the wire, turns the hand-held device over, and removes a tiny transmitter from a storage area on the back. He secures the wires to electrodes on the back of the transmitter, turns on the display, and begins adjusting a small dial until a picture of the exterior portion of the front entrance appears on his screen. I look up at the monitor behind me to see the same image. He works for the next half-hour, linking wires together so he can control the security cameras. He places everything, including the knife, back into the rucksack, and I loop us back into the lift.
“Let’s get Troy before we go to the other floor,” Garrett says, turning off the emergency button so we can ascend.
Troy is exiting from one of the bathrooms when we reach the housing floor. He quickly dresses and we re-enter the lift heading down to the twelfth floor. The doors slide open, revealing a thick metal walkway that extends out from the platform we’re standing on, towards another platform in the center of the room. The walkway expands from the other side of the center platform towards the opposite wall, then wraps around towards two extensions in the corners of the room. Each pathway is lined with low rails that barely come up to my calves. We walk cautiously down the expanse. I lean my head over to see where the opening goes, and it’s at least several stories before a floor appears. The entire pathway is lit up by tiny lights embedded in the rails. It’s the only light on the floor. I glance down again to the floors below and notice a similar setup.