“Can we adjourn to your lounge room to talk? I also need to bring in the rest of my foraging team before someone spots them loitering on your balcony.
“Rest of your team?”
“Don’t worry, you’ve met them all except for my wife,” I said.
“Sure, go ahead.”
Five minutes later, we sat in a circle on the worn carpet in Mal’s lounge room, illuminated by flickering candlelight. We didn’t want to risk electric lights in case someone in the neighbouring apartment block looked out their window and saw us. Most people would rather die than help the Custodians, but they had a fair number of informers.
Dressed in a knee-length dressing gown, Mal scrutinised us with a piercing gaze. Thinking I needed to demonstrate how we would make an invaluable contribution to the impending revolution, I grabbed Leigh’s backpack and took out a sat-Smartphone.
“There are twenty-four of these in the bag,” I said. “I’ll show you how to use them before we leave. Give one to each Underground Cell and to whomever else you think may need them, such as the Freehome and Underground leaders, and make at least one available to the Specialists. That way we can communicate with each other regardless of where we are, and in a manner that can’t be traced by the Custodians.”
“I see. What other equipment did you bring?” Mal asked as he turned the phone over in his hands, marvelling at the advanced technology.
“Food, small arms, Claymores, and anti-tank missile launchers.”
“Looks like you came here expecting a war.”
“The chancellor’s not going to take this lying down.”
“No, he won’t. In fact, if Chelsea’s intel is correct, he isn’t just the chancellor, but Lee Kwang Soo, the submarine captain from the United Democratic Republic of Korea who founded this town a century ago. Everything he has done, from establishing this town to his pursuit of genetic modifications and the development of the virus, has been part of a well-thought-out plan. A plan he devised, implemented, and is working to bring to completion,” Mal said.
“What’s your point?” Madison asked bluntly.
“That he must expect the people to rebel one day.”
“He’s not just expecting it – he’s ready for it. That’s what you’re getting at, isn’t it?” Nanako said.
“Exactly. To be frank, I believe you wasted your time coming here. Your heads are filled with the flawed notion that your presence here will inspire the townsfolk to rise up in armed rebellion against the chancellor and his regime. But that’s not going to happen. The townsfolk have been oppressed for too long and for the most part, have lost the will to resist. Even if you manage to convince some to join you, the rebellion will be crushed ruthlessly by the Custodians before it can achieve anything notable.”
“You’ve gotten it all wrong, Mal. We didn’t come here to lead an armed rebellion,” I said.
“You didn’t? Then why did you come?”
“We came because Chelsea and Bhagya asked us to join your Freehome movement and help you overthrow the chancellor before he can release the virus.”
His jaw dropped. “Seriously? You’re not trying to take over?”
“Of course not. We’re not going to step on your toes, Mal. We’ve been away from Newhome for months and are out of touch with the lie of the land. You, on the other hand, have your finger on the pulse and have spent years conscripting people into your movement, even to the extent of infiltrating the Custodians.”
“I’m glad you realise that.” The relief on Mal’s face was visible. He must have been worried sick we were going to try to take over the moment we arrived.
“One thing we’d like to stress, though,” Madison said, “is that we’re going to have to act soon. Did Chelsea tell you about their recent mission to Hamamachi?”
“She did.”
“The chancellor’s decision to use a deadly biotoxin against Hamamachi now leads us to conclude that he must be almost ready to release the virus. I don’t need to tell you what will happen if he does.”
“Don’t worry, we are well aware of the virus and the threat it poses to all non-Koreans. We know we need to act soon and are working feverishly towards that goal,” Mal said, his expression fierce. “In fact, there is a meeting with the leaders of the Freehome and Underground movements scheduled in two days. Why don’t you come along? This is the perfect opportunity to introduce your unit and to discuss how to modify our plans so that we can utilise your skills to their best effect.”
“Where’s the meeting?” I asked.
“Do you know the Metallurgy Club?”
“Of course.”
“We’re meeting in the club’s staffroom on Wednesday at 7 pm.”
“Is this where you normally meet?”
“That’s right.”
“Do you have any other venues where you can meet?”
“Why?” Mal asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Humour me.”
“On the odd occasion we meet in the Harmony Bistro’s staffroom.”
“Over near the market?”
“That’s the one.”
I considered the location briefly, and nodded. “Okay, let’s meet there.”
“I’ll have to get word to everyone to change the location, but it’s doable. May I ask why?” Mal was staring at me hard, trying to read my thoughts.
“Send the phones to everyone and use them to change the meeting location. It will be good practise,” I said.
“Right, let’s do that. Until then, may I suggest a hideout for your unit to hole up in? It’s one of several secret soundproofed rooms we built behind false walls to hide political fugitives and disabled persons from the Custodians.”
“Sure. Where is it?”
“First level, unit seven, in the apartment block behind this one. Knock on the door or back window seven times, pause, then two more times, and Ibrahim will let you in. His whole family are members of the resistance.”
“Thanks. Let me show you how to use the phones and then we’ll be on our way.” I picked up the Smartphone and noticed my wife lock her beautiful brown eyes on mine, a hint of doubt showing through them. I didn’t need to ask what she was thinking. What if we couldn’t trust the people we were going to meet? What if the hideout was known to the Custodians? There were so many things that could go wrong. I gave her small hand an encouraging squeeze.
After teaching Mal the basics on how to use the phones, my unit and I went through all the phones, adding Madison and me to the list of contacts. We named her Elephant and me Ninja. That was a private joke between us back from the time I said she made as much noise as an elephant in spite of her attempt to be stealthy.
Chapter Eleven
~ Chelsea Thomas ~
It was Wednesday evening. I sat beside Ryan on a triple seat sofa in Harmony Bistro’s staffroom. Dylan, a six-foot-six first year university student, shared the sofa with us. He was shifting about, grimacing while trying to find where to place his legs without a protruding spring stabbing into the backs of his thighs.
“You left this seat for me on purpose,” he hissed when he saw the mirth on my face.
“Oh, sorry, I totally forgot about that spring.” I rewarded him with my most sincere smile.
“Evil redhead,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Heard that.” I first met Dylan was when I was impersonating my brother, Brandon, at the secondary college in Newhome Proper. He had accosted me with two of his friends, Isaac – who was currently on look-out duty at the back door – and Mehmet. We got off to a rocky start, with him blaming me for instigating the breakout that allegedly resulted in the deaths or capture of ninety foragers and their families at the hands of the Skel. Later on I found proof that the Custodians made up that report, even creating fake photographs to backup their lies. We still didn’t know if the escapees made it to Ballarat or not, but Dylan and Isaac were giving me the benefit of the doubt these days.
“Come on, children,” Ryan said, putting on an air o
f authority. Him being in his mid-twenties and a Custodian and all.
I flicked him a quick salute, and then gave the room a quick go-over. The linoleum floor was filthy and worn through in several places, while great strips of wallpaper hung from the walls like fronds on a fern. Most of the room’s collection of dilapidated sofas, recliners, and seats had people in them. We just needed Mal Li and Ethan’s group to make an appearance and then this meeting of the Freehome Resistance Movement could get under way. So far, members of three resistance groups were present. Hong and Badger represented the Patriot and his Underground movement. Ryan and Dylan represented the Freehome movement. Bhagya, Anna and I were here for the echolocators, disguised as men so that we could move about town. Bhagya wore baggy, dirt-stained overalls and cap. Anna wore jeans and a hoodie. I was impersonating my brother, with jeans, top, and sports cap with a ponytail.
Smoothing down the old, worn jeans triggered a memory of creeping into the lounge room with him one night when we were three years old, carrying a paper bag of wheat flour between us. At my suggestion, we tore the bag open, poured the flour on the floor, and spent the next ten minutes creating mountain ranges, hills, and roads. Mother must have heard something, because she walked into the room rubbing sleep from her eyes. Upon spying the results of our handiwork, she flew into one of her rages, correctly jumping to the conclusion that I was the ringleader. Brandy stuck up for me, as usual, telling Mother that it was his idea, and that I was only copying him. Nett result was that we both went without food the next day…
I heard Mal’s footsteps coming down the corridor before the door swung open, and then jolted when I saw he was accompanied by Ethan, Madison, and Nanako. I really did need to take Ethan up on his offer to teach me better stealth techniques – I didn’t hear the three of them at all. As they took their seats, I noticed they had small plastic devices fitted in their ears.
Mal started the meeting. “Greetings, fellow revolutionaries. Please welcome Ethan Jones, his wife Nanako, and Madison Taylor. They just broke into town to assist us in overthrowing the chancellor.”
“You know everyone’s trying to break out of Newhome, right?” Ryan said.
“Told you we were doing it the wrong way around,” Nanako said softly to her husband.
“We’re nonconformists,” Ethan said to Ryan.
“Lies. You can’t break into Newhome – they must have been here all along,” Hong said, frowning. Of Chinese heritage, he was slim, with quick brown eyes and thick black hair cropped short.
“You sure about that, Hong?” I said, glancing at Ethan and Madison. “After meeting them near Hamamachi five days ago, they accompanied us back to Melbourne. We parted ways the following morning in the Royal Melbourne Zoo’s car park. They didn’t enter town with us, and yet here they are.”
Hong snorted, and then raised his eyebrows. “Hold up, wasn’t Jones’ wife arrested for being a Hamamachi spy?”
“A Custodian ploy to make me reveal myself so they could catch me,” Ethan said.
“Actually, wasn’t their whole group accused of being spies? They even blew a hole in the wall, didn’t they?” Badger said, ignoring Ethan. Unlike his partner, he was tall, muscular, and balding.
“The wall was a diversion so they could rescue Nanako from being executed on trumped up charges,” Bhagya said tonelessly. “As for being spies, nothing but lies spread by the Custodians. Jones and his group have saved Newhome from the Rangers and Skel on numerous occasions.”
“Where did that information come from? You could be jeopardising our entire operation by bringing them here tonight.” Hong glared at the newcomers as he spoke.
“Relax, Hong. I’ve known Jones for a long time,” Bhagya replied.
“I can also vouch for Jones and his people,” Madison said. “I have served alongside them in their battles against the Skel and the Rangers.”
“You guys are too gullible. We’ll be informing the Patriot of this development.”
“Who’s he when he’s at home?” Ethan asked.
“The leader of the Underground movement,” Mal replied.
“Why isn’t he here?”
“He has chosen to keep his identity secret for the time being, even to his own people.”
That wasn’t entirely true. A handful of us in the Freehome movement knew who he was. His name was Patrick Lori. He was a university lecturer and the thought of him sent a shudder through my slim frame. The guy was a psychopath, willing to sacrifice anyone and anything – except his handicapped daughter – to achieve his goal, which was currently the overthrow of the chancellor. I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him, and that wasn’t far, despite his small stature.
“How about we get on with the meeting? We’ve got a lot of ground to cover,” Ryan said.
“Hang on, we’re not satisfied–” Hong said.
“Enough!” I snapped. “My sisters and I invited them here, and they’ve already demonstrated their commitment to the cause by bringing the Smartphones that Mal sent out yesterday.”
“I’m still running it by the Patriot after the meeting.”
“You do that.”
Mal cleared his throat. “You’ve said your piece, Hong, now let it go. It will be the curfew before we know it, so we’d better get this meeting going,” Mal was gentle by nature; he had demonstrated ample leadership abilities since taking over as leader of Freehome after we booted out Pat Lori.
Ryan leaned forwards. “Jones, Madison, why don’t you tell us about your Special Forces Unit and its capabilities?”
“We’re a Hamamachi military unit that focuses on internal defence, stealth recon missions, and offensive actions. We specialise in anti-raider and anti-Skel tactics. We all consider Newhome our home and want to see the chancellor removed from power as much as anyone else,” Ethan said.
“We’ve brought with us enough weapons to equip a small army,” Madison added. “We are also ready to begin training your members in their use, as well as instructing them in tactics to use against the Custodians.”
“Excuse me, but we plan on running a bloodless revolution. We have no intention of getting into a shooting war with the Custodians, especially since we have infiltrated their ranks with many of our members,” I said as visions ran through my mind of savage gun battles erupting throughout the town’s broad streets. I had already experienced that last year, and it wasn’t an experience I wanted to repeat.
“A bloodless revolution? And how exactly are you planning to pull that off?” Ethan asked.
“We’re working on a two year plan that will use the combined skills of the Specialists and Underground cells to find every Custodian that can be blackmailed – and that’s a fair number of them – or who is even slightly critical of the chancellor,” Mal answered Him. “Then on one day, we’ll launch a coordinated operation to arrest the rest of the Custodians and imprison them. After that, we’ll march on the Chancellery and demand the chancellor’s surrender.”
“That’s not going to work,” Ethan said.
“Excuse me? You’ve been here, what – two days? And you already think you know the situation better than us?” Ryan asked.
“That’s not it at all. It’s not going to work because we’ve got less than a month to overthrow the chancellor and destroy the virus,” he said.
“What?” I asked, aghast. “Do you know something about the virus’ release date that we don’t?”
“No.” He met my gaze squarely, revealing nothing.
“Then why are you trying to set such a ridiculous time restraint upon us?” Mal snapped. “You said you would submit our leadership!”
“I’m not the one who set the time limit.”
Fear churned in my stomach and a chill raced up the back of my neck, even though it was quite warm in the room. I wasn’t the only one troubled by Ethan’s words, either – everyone else except Madison and Nanako squirmed in their seats.
“You didn’t tell the Hamamachi Militia about the virus, did you?” I s
aid, voice trembling.
“I had to.”
“Why?” Anna asked.
“Because we’re talking about a bio-engineered virus that if released will ensure that this is humanity’s last generation.”
“So the Militia set this time limit?” I asked, the fear morphing rapidly into dread.
Ethan nodded.
“What happens at the end of a month?” Ryan stood.
If Ethan even noticed the stand-over tactic, he wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated. “They’ll do whatever needs to be done to ensure the virus can’t be released.” He suddenly pressed his fingers against the plastic device in his ear and made eye contact with Madison and Nanako. Their faces paled.
“What does that mean?” I said.
Jones just looked at me.
“Answer the question, Jones!” Ryan took a menacing step forward. Tall and muscular, he made the ex-forager seem almost weak.
“It means the Militia will break into town and blow up the Genetics Laboratory,” I said, recalling how they broke into town previously to find out what the geneticists were doing.
“Blowing up the Genetics Laboratory with conventional explosives won’t work. That is just as likely to release the virus as destroy it,” Mal said. “The Militia know that, right? If they don’t, Jones, you have to tell them immediately.”
“You guys are reading things into my words. All I’m saying is that we’ve got four weeks to overthrow the chancellor and make sure the virus can’t be released. And that if we fail, the Hamamachi Militia will get involved to prevent its release,” Ethan said.
“They’re going to nuke the town, aren’t they?” Mal said softly.
No one heard Ethan’s reply because everyone except Jones, Madison, and Nanako were on their feet, shouting and demanding answers. Hong actually launched himself at the ex-forager with his fists flying. Luckily, Ryan grabbed him and pulled him back just in time, but I could tell by his expression he wanted to let him go.
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