The Controller (The Securus Trilogy Book 2)

by Anthony Maldonado

  I have an idea that may explain everything, but do not want to say it out loud. The thought of getting closer to an answer gives me renewed energy. The possibility even dulls my anger from not being able to attend Ardal’s review. The more I think about the gruel, the more intriguing the thought becomes. It has to be the answer, I think to myself, because if it’s not, I’ll be more lost than ever. First, I need to go check with Tailyn to make sure. Her report did not list the gruel in their diet. I need to be certain it was not simply an accidental omission.

  I thank Taig while rushing out of his quarters. My steps feel lighter than they have in some time. With something to finally work with, there is no time to be bothered by fatigue. My breath becomes heavy from the rapid pace by the time I reach her Tailyn’s hallway. After briefly stopping to calm my excitement, I pound on her door.

  When Tailyn opens the door, her appearance surprises me. Even with the continued infusions, she does not look any better than before. Taig returned to health so rapidly from a much worse condition, so I expected Tailyn to be completely recovered by now. If Taig was an outlier in his recovery, then all the other patients are at risk.

  “Hello, Tailyn. How are you feeling today?” I ask as she lets me in.

  “I’m okay. The bathroom trips are slowing down but the fatigue hasn’t changed.” Tailyn sits on her bunk, conserving what little energy she has.

  “Have the rounding Healers been coming by regularly?” I ask, hoping her lack of progress could be a treatment error.

  “Yeah, they keep bringing the vitamin infusions and more fluids. It feels like I’m never gonna get rid of this,” she says, pointing to the intravenous line in her arm.

  I do not understand it. How can she be having such a hard time despite getting the vitamin infusions? Taig did not require them for nearly this long. After the first few he was switched to artificial nutrition through a tube fed into his stomach until he woke up. Maybe there is another reason. “You haven’t been eating the garden food, have you?”

  “No, I’ve barely had an appetite at all. It’s kinda hard to go back to the pasty gruel after eating the garden food, so I’ve been picking out whatever’s tolerable from the meals.”

  My excitement returns because she may have inadvertently run another test for me. “So, you haven’t been eating any of the nutrient mixes?”

  “Not really, I figured it didn’t matter since everything I need is in the infusions.” Seeing my excitement, Tailyn studies me with some confusion before continuing. “Should I have been eating it?”

  “I think the gruel may be the key to this disease. Do me a favor and eat as much of it as you can force down. Let me know if you feel any different in the next couple of days.” While talking, I type notes into my Coden, making sure no details will be forgotten.

  Tailyn agrees, and I take my leave, feeling even more encouraged than before. Even if the gruel is not the only factor, there has to be something protective in it keeping us from getting sick. Either way, we will see if it makes a difference with Tailyn. If she improves quickly, we will have undeniable proof.

  There is no reason to wait to see how she responds before having the researchers take another look at the gruel. I return to the Research Department and instruct them to reanalyze it. This time they are going to do more than investigate the nutritional elements. They will test the properties of every small component no matter how insignificant it may seem. For the first time since this disease appeared, I am making progress. At this point, that is all I can ask for.

  *

  Since any further progress will have to wait for the gruel to be analyzed, there may be enough time for me to see the end of Ardal’s review. Seeing him returned to his cell with an indefinite invitation will give me some closure. Now outside the review room, I pause before going in. These reviews were meant to be open to the public, but with the last minute change of schedule, not many people have come.

  Inside, Janae and her assistant are seated at a table directly facing the overseer. Next to them is Ardal, who sits alone at separate table identical to Janae’s. Behind them is a row of chairs set up for any people who wish to view the proceedings. One of those chairs is occupied by Reed. He and his family still struggle to deal with the loss of Varian. Just like me, he must be seeking closure. Two chairs down from him, sits Cale. I would think he has better things to do, especially with the Controller’s visit being imminent.

  They appear to be wrapping up their cases, so it is too late for me to assist Janae. I stay back at the door to watch the proceedings. Sitting next to Cale would be more than I could handle right now, knowing he is probably the one responsible for the altered schedule. Ardal has just finished spewing his nonsense, and thankfully, the overseer does not look impressed. Janae is called on next, being given one more chance to summarize her case before the final judgment is rendered.

  “The actions of this man speak for themselves. Not only did he knowingly and willingly attempt to murder Kagen Meldon multiple times, he was directly involved in the murder of Mr. Vaden. He may try to pass on the responsibility for his actions, but there’s no denying what he did.” As she speaks, Janae activates the television screen on the side wall.

  The first image displayed is that of a Grinder. Its vicious metallic claws look as though they want to reach out from the screen to grab me. Next she shows a staged image of two men attacking another. The fight is not real, but serves as an effective tool nonetheless. Finally she shows the image of Mr. Vaden himself, our misunderstood leader who guided this colony for so many years. The image reminds me of the magnitude of his internal conflict because of his love for Talia, causing a tear to form in the corner of my eye. Janae’s summarization is moving, making the outcome certain even before the overseer says it aloud.

  When the overseer is ready to give his judgment, I watch intently, waiting to see the look on Ardal’s face when his invitation is confirmed. Noticing someone at the door, the overseer briefly looks in my direction before speaking.

  “After carefully reviewing all of the supplied data, I have reached a conclusion. Ardal, your actions were barbaric and in isolation are inexcusable. However, you were not acting without outside influence, and that must be considered with regards to your punishment.”

  My heart sinks as the words assault my ears. It doesn’t matter who else was involved. What he did has to be punished! I scream in my mind. Making things even worse, the overseer glances at Cale before continuing.

  “With it being fairly obvious the instigator of all of this was Aamon, I believe your invitation to the Detention Center is no longer warranted. You have already served enough time to settle your debt to the people of Securus. Therefore, you shall be freed immediately and returned to your own quarters. Leadership will convene to determine whether you will return to your prior work assignment or be given another.”

  A wide smile covers Ardal’s face as he hears the verdict. I cannot believe this just happened. This has to be some kind of joke! We can’t let Ardal go free! I fume in my own mind.

  “Served enough time?” I shout, failing in my effort to stay silent. “That man tried to kill me. I saw the look in his eyes. He was not deceived by Aamon. He knew damn well what he was doing the entire time!”

  “My decision is final. I will not tolerate this outburst, no matter who you are,” the overseer growls back at me.

  Janae remains seated, too surprised to speak while Reed storms out of the room, leaving me feeling like I am alone against a group of conspirators. My eyes turn to Cale, who calmly watches how things unfold. He meets my stare but gives no clue to his thoughts. I stomp over, standing over him.

  “What did you do?” I demand.

  “Kagen, I had nothing to do with this review or the result. I’m simply here as an unbiased observer. Based on the information presented, it was a fair judgment. In fact, I’m a little offended by your insinuation,” Cale says, not bothering to get up.

  My head spins from shock and disbelief. I
want to stop this but what can I do? Even if the timing was manipulated, this whole review was my and Talia’s idea in the first place. If either of us overruled the result, it would undermine the whole process and make things worse than they were before. Both Cale and Ardal watch me, curiously waiting to see my next reaction. The smug look on their faces enrages me even further. My right foot plants in the ground as my arm moves upward, cocking back to deliver a blow. The last fragments of rational though hold me back long enough to realize I must stop and leave this room before my anger drives me to do something I will regret.

  I rush out the door and into the stairs. My pace increases with each step, until I am sprinting back to my quarters. Now alone in the dark room, all I want to do is break something. Only, the bare room has nothing to break.

  My heart pounds so forcefully, each beat feels like it stretches out my ribcage. Too furious to lie down, I drop to the edge of my bed. Sitting with my head resting in my hands, I strain to make sense of what happened.

  The overseer’s judgment resonates again in my mind, ‘I feel your invitation to the detention center is no longer warranted.’ Even with Ardal being a fairly convincing actor, anyone could see through his charade when they learned the entirety of the events. I refuse to believe he came to that decision based on the facts alone.

  The image of Cale talking with the overseer before the judgment flashes in my mind. Cale has to be behind this, but why? What would he get out of setting Ardal free? Why would he risk his transfer to Caelum? Another thought creeps into my consciousness. Cale knew I would be furious. He was probably counting on me to overreact. I did nearly attack him in front of multiple witnesses. Even before that, I thought about having Talia overrule the judgment.

  Maybe he hoped I would do one of those things so he could use it as evidence of the start of Talia’s tyranny or my instability. That way Cale could increase his own power and at the same time decrease hers. Even with his being in line for a promotion to Caelum, he is smart enough to know that is not guaranteed. Cale would definitely have a backup plan. I want to believe that was his only motive for freeing Ardal, but nothing is certain. Either way, unless Talia tracks the review’s schedule change back to him, our options are very limited. Still, that will not stop us from doubling our efforts to keep him under surveillance and prevent anything else he may be planning.

  No matter Cale’s motive, the fact remains that I must find a way to move on. Pushing my personal feelings aside will not be easy, especially with Ardal now being set free. After all, that bastard did try to kill me more than once. He is a threat to everyone in Securus. That threat is now something else we must manage carefully while the Controller roams our halls.

  Needing to find a distraction, I walk into the corridor outside my quarters. The colorful images on the wall that normally grab my attention do nothing to calm or distract my exasperation. All I see is Cale helping Ardal get away with his crimes. The thought consumes me.

  Down the hall, I hear the outer door open. Talia must be coming back early, I think to myself. I am not sure even she could make me feel better right now. When an old man walks through the open door instead, the disappointment adds yet another insult to my dour mood. Wakil is up here again, headed directly toward me. Judging by the determined focus in his normally kind eyes, the timing of his arrival is no coincidence.

  “Hello, Wakil,” I manage to say in a normal voice, masking my building rage.

  Wakil approaches me cautiously. “Kagen, I heard what happened. Though the situation could have been handled differently, you displayed an amazing level of restraint. I’m not sure many people could’ve walked away without an impetuous action that would’ve made things worse.”

  “Don’t speak too soon. The more I think about it the more the possibility of an impetuous action increases.”

  Wakil moves closer, risking a calming hand on my shoulder. “You don’t need to be so flustered. Think about it from another perspective. What are Ardal’s options? There’s no way he’ll be permitted back into Leadership or any of his prior duties. No matter the result of the review, everyone knows he had some role in Mr. Vaden’s murder as well as the attempts on your life. Don’t underestimate how much support you have in Securus. The people know you are the reason we even have a chance at freedom. That’s not something they take lightly. Besides, do you really think Talia will let Ardal go unscathed after what he did?”

  “You’re right there. She’ll definitely want to do something about it, but that’s one of the things I’m worried about. She can’t have it look like she’s already breaking the very rules we just put in place to prevent abuse of power. How hypocritical would that be?” I say, stepping away to face him directly.

  “Then you underestimate Talia,” he says with an amused smile. “Despite her different approach, she has learned a lot from her father over the years. I’m sure she’ll think of much more subtle ways to achieve her goal than simply reversing the judgment. He’ll be kept out of your sight and far away from the Controller.”

  “I get it.” His words do make me feel a little better. Ardal will not be returning to a normal life. Talia will not be kind to him, and she can make sure he never comes near Braeden. But it would still be better if he was left in the Detention Center. “You’re right there, but that’s not the only problem. The review was not even supposed to happen today. Someone manipulated the schedule. I have no proof, but Cale just so happened to be there.”

  “Cale. He’s a slippery one, isn’t he?” Wakil says, absorbing the new information while stroking his beard. “I assume there’s nothing to prove he was involved?”

  With my silence answering Wakil’s question, he continues. “Cale may be a pain and determined to gain political power, but he would never put his own life in jeopardy. Whatever he’s up to, we can be assured he will not compromise Caelum’s review. He’s well aware that he would die along with the rest of us.”

  Wakil does make a lot of sense. Cale knows that unless he was already granted clearance to go to Caelum, betraying us would not be in his best interests. He is most likely planning for the possibility of Talia rescinding her offer.

  Once he is satisfied I understand him fully, Wakil shifts the subject. “Oh, there was one other thing. I wanted to ask about the treatment of the vitamin deficiency patients. I spoke with Tailyn and the others today. Why do you think her progress is lagging behind theirs?”

  “I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with the food. The recovery rate is unpredictable, so the lack of progress could simply be her normal course. Either way, I want her to eat more of the gruel. If it helps, we may be able to clear the surface food for consumption. No matter the cause, she doesn’t have any signs of troubling complications. Give her a little more time, she’ll definitely make a full recovery,” I tell him.

  Wakil nods his head in understanding. He turns to leave, but I stop him, wanting to ask about something he mentioned before. Though I had not really questioned his statement at the time, the insinuation has returned to my thoughts more than once since then.

  “You said before that Talia was not the first to seek the freedom of Securus. What happened when they tried before?”

  Chapter 18

  Wakil considers my question before responding. “I’m not sure of the exact details. All I know is a long time ago they managed to get as far as setting up a small settlement on the surface. There was mention of it in some of the older Leadership documents that have since been deleted. How the effort was ended remains a mystery to me. Somehow we’re all back in Securus, and the settlement is gone. That tells me Caelum had to be involved.”

  He shrugs his shoulders before turning to leave. The conversation with Wakil has helped me to look at the situation with Ardal from a less personal perspective. Finally feeling calm enough to be out in the presence of others, I head over to the dinner hall, looking for Talia.

  Once inside, I pick up my food from the dispersal area, barely even looking at it. Wit
h everything going on today, I do not have much of an appetite. Much to my disappointment, our assigned table is empty. I sit alone and wait for a while, pushing bits of my bland food around the plate. My mind wanders, thinking about what has transpired. I knew today was going to be busy, but it ended up being far more eventful than anticipated.

  “Hey there handsome,” Talia says, surprising me. I did not see her coming.

  “Hey,” I answer in a low voice. She is clearly not as cheerful as she attempts to sound, but I appreciate her effort.

  Before I bring up what happened, she continues. “Don’t worry, I have a plan. I’ll have a Guard escorting Ardal at all times until after Caelum’s review is over. There’s no way he’s gonna mess that up. He’ll be assigned new quarters, away from most people. I’m thinking we should set him up in the lower levels, maybe in a supply room near the machinery for the Thermal Vents.”

  “That’s a good idea,” I tell her, managing a weak smile.

  “As far as his daily duties, there are a lot of old sewage pipes in need of a deep cleaning. We’ll have Ardal tend to them tomorrow. I doubt the Controller will go anywhere near there. After that, I’ll find a way to make his duties even more unpleasant,” Talia says while placing her hand on mine.

  The thought of Ardal trudging through our sewer systems is an entertaining one. The smell is one thing, but his frail body is not well suited for manual labor. That should make the work even more difficult for him. With Talia’s plans, Ardal will be kept busy. His existence will be as unpleasant as possible without sending him back to the Detention Center. Unfortunately Ardal is not our only problem. “What about Cale?”

  “He’s a bit more of a problem. We’re working on the hack, but it doesn’t look promising. I called him to my office and, of course, he denied any involvement. A Guard is tailing him as we speak. I also let him know his family will be under guard during the review. That should be enough to keep him in line,” Talia says.