“Thank you for saying so. Last night, I was more than just my name. I’ve been meaning to ask you something, and I suppose now is as good a time as any. What is Plan B, and how do I factor into it?”
Cal claps his hands and guffaws. “Finally, she asks.” The confusion is apparent on my face. “I know Fernan palmed you off, but eventually Plan B will become Plan A. Mark my words on that. This propaganda crap is good for motivating and changing some minds, but big change comes from big action, right?”
“So, tell me,” I urge.
He looks around, making sure we’re out of ear shot. “We know that Towley has Technokins working for him. He’s blackmailing them. Every time Lorrell gets close to infiltrating, she’s shut down. So, she has been working on a computer chip that could gain us access to Towley’s entire system. The chip needs to be in the same vicinity as the Technokins for Lorrell to communicate with them and recruit them to aide us in hacking the system. Just imagine the advantage we would have if we knew Towley’s moves before he even makes them.
“I’m imagining… go on.”
Cal grins at me. “You know where this is going.”
“Fernan wants me to get the tech inside.”
“Bingo! If there is one EVO that Towley will not kill, it is you.”
I laugh. “He activated a bomb that he had implanted in my brain.”
Cal lurches forward as Fernan appears behind him and shoves him in the back of the head. “Do I speak a foreign language to you?” she growls through her teeth.
Cal quickly composes himself. “She asked, and besides, she deduced most by herself.”
Fernan studies my face. “Non-plan, remember?”
“What makes you think he won’t kill me as soon as laying eyes on me”
My response clearly interests her. “Ray Towley is obsessed with you. He only activated that bomb because he thought he had lost you for good at the rally. He doesn’t like to share his collectibles, especially not with TORO. If you were to turn yourself in, he’d have his trophy back. Anyway, that is beside the point. It’s an unnecessary risk.”
“For now,” Cal interrupts.
Fernan seems to have Towley sussed, or at least the twisted man who wanted to control me and keep me as his pet.
“You know a lot about Towley.”
She sucks her teeth, leaning harder on her cane. “I make it my job to know everything about my enemy.”
Perhaps this plan isn’t as far-fetched as I first thought. If we can get the upper hand just by me getting a piece of tech inside, think of how many people will be saved from fighting. The idea of throwing myself at Towley’s mercy scares me more than I care to admit, but if push came to shove, I could do it.
“What if I was willing to go back in? I mean, if we run out of options. Tell me honestly, is this a suicide mission?”
Fernan eyes me in silence. “It’s risky, but there’d be plans in place for your extraction. I wouldn’t send anyone in to be a martyr. You’d play Towley’s pet, we’d join forces with his Technokins and take over his systems without Towley being any the wiser, and then we’d raid the facility to get you and the Technokins out. You’d be inside for a matter of days, not even a week.”
“You don’t know that his Technokins will be on side.”
“They will be if we secure the safety of their loved ones. That was my initial reasoning for us raiding the detention centres. We know that the Technokins families are being held in detention centres, but we don’t know which centre. I have double checked the names from this raid, and they’re not on this roster. That leaves two more.”
There’s no doubt that she wants to say more, divulge more, but she quickly shuts herself down. “Adam and Rafe won’t agree to it, and it’s not an option for the foreseeable future. Forget it. There’s too many kinks that need to be worked out. Too many loose ends to tie up.”
She looks to Lorrell as she stretches her legs outside of the chapel.
“You’re lying,” I say, watching her eyes dart as a million things run over and over in her mind. “Lorrell’s still working on it, isn’t she? You wouldn’t wash your hands of a viable option. If you would, I’ve given you more credit than you deserve.”
This is the leader of the E.N.C, a woman who has managed to find out that I was alive, blackmailed us into admitting so, planned successful raids on detention centres, and has kept Towley on his toes for this long. She will cover all bases if there are bases to be covered.
“Just suggest it to Adam and Rafe,” I press. “I will if you’d prefer. We could get our Techs on it too.”
“No.”
“The more minds the merrier, right? If there’s a way forward, they’ll want to hear it. This could end—”
“They already know, Teddie.” Fernan’s admission doesn’t shock Cal as much as it does me. “Of course, I’ve already suggested this to them.”
“And what did they say?”
“‘Not a chance’ but in not so many words. They even went as far as to say that if I spoke of this to you, our alliance would be null and void.”
I stare at her in disbelief. Why would they not have told me this? And to threaten the alliance is a big deal- a really big deal. Not as big of a deal as keeping this from me. I’m absolutely raging.
“I can’t risk the alliance, Teddie. I have a lot of lives counting on me, and I’m not too pig-headed enough to see that I can’t do it alone.”
Taking a calming breath, I turn away from Fernan and head straight for the chapel. She follows behind, calling me to stop whilst everyone watches the commotion.
Shana grabs my wrist. “You look about ready to kill someone,” she says. “What’s going on? What has she said?” She glares at Fernan, daring her to come closer.
“This isn’t about Fernan,” I say, barging past Shana.
Shana doesn’t look to stop me, instead, she calls to Jude and Leoni, gesturing them over. What is it with everyone treating me like a child? Ignoring them all, I march into the chapel with questions burning on my tongue.
“Baby, I was just coming—”
I hold my hand up to stop him. “Why have you been keeping Plan B from me?” Both Adam’s and Rafe’s eyes fall on Fernan. “Don’t look at her. She hasn’t broken any promises to you or the alliance. I overheard a conversation and asked questions for myself. Questions I shouldn’t have had to ask.”
“You didn’t need to know,” Adam says, taking a wary step closer. My heaving chest and clenched fists ensure he treads carefully.
“You lied to me.”
“No,” he says with force. “We didn’t mention it because there was nothing to mention. That plan is not happening. It’s unnecessary and bloody stupid.”
“Agreed.” Rafe slouches against the wall in disinterest. “We are putting our own plans together, so why make more of a non-starter by telling you about it.”
“What plan is this?” Cooper asks. Adam quickly tells him the gist of Fernan’s suggestion, and Cooper merely laughs into the air. “I’m going to assume that plan is the follow through of an epic brain-fart. It’s the biggest pile of bullshit I’ve ever smelt.”
Jude makes a grunt of agreement, shaking his head at Fernan and I like a disappointed parent. I’m being ganged up on. No one wants to hear my opinion on the plan. I don’t even want to do it unless absolutely necessary. I’m just saying that I will do what needs to be done if the time comes.
“Teddie, if you think I’ll let you hand yourself over to that man after everything you said about him, then you’re delusional.” Adam turns away from me and starts stacking papers on the desk. “I’m not talking about this anymore. It’s not happening, end of story.”
“I’m just saying having a Plan B is wise—”
“End of story,” he reiterates, telepathically.
Rafe takes my elbow and leads me toward the door. “Yesterday, you got lucky. You went against orders and nearly wound up dead. We’ve been discussing your input in future missions, and after the
display last night, we feel that you should take more of a back seat before you get yourself killed and jeopardise all our future plans.”
“What? Last night, I proved you all wrong—”
Adam sighs loudly. “Please, just leave it, Teds. This is what the three of us, Fernan included, have decided is best. No more talk about missions and this bloody Plan B.”
I fight away the angry tears that threaten to spill over my cheeks. It’s one thing being underestimated by Rafe and Fernan, but when it comes to Adam, I feel like he’s punched me right in the chest. I can’t believe it of him, after everything we have been through.
“You don’t get to decide for me,” I say, quietly.
He pleads with his eyes. It only makes me angrier. “Let us keep you safe, Baby.”
“I survived Facility One despite being beaten and shot. I made it through all that shit in Italy, and Isaac is dead because I held that son of a bitch underwater until I saw the life leave him. There’s one fact that you’re all quick to forget- I’m still alive. I survived being stabbed in the chest by my someone I called a friend. I survived that bloody fight house. I even survived when Towley implanted a bomb into my brain, tortured me, and beat the life out of me. I jumped to my death from those cliffs that day. Do you have any idea how hard that was? I threw myself off a fucking cliff because the water may have maintained the explosion enough for you to get out of the blast radius, and yet, I’m not seen as capable to make my own damn decisions or fight in a war that is fuelled by my name. Theyda Leason is done being propaganda, hiding behind babysitters. If my name is being used to encourage people to fight in this war, then be sure that I’m fighting in this war. And if the time comes when Plan B really does become Plan A, then I’m walking up to Towley with that fucking chip, and I will ensure that not only do I get it into his facility, but I will destroy everything he stands for before I leave.”
Shaking from head to toe with rage and determination, I suck in a deep breath, turn on jelly-legs, and leave the chapel. It is hard to miss the unnatural stillness outside. Everybody stares at me, eyes wide.
Fernan’s voice projects from the chapel. “I didn’t know she was listening. She’s not saying that Plan B itself is necessary at this very moment. Perhaps we shouldn’t take any more responsibility from her. She may be right about keeping up the image.”
Lorrell holds one hand to tannoy speakers, and the other to a wire that comes from the chapel.
As if reanimated, everyone starts cheering and clapping. It is the most bizarre experience to deal with whilst trying my hardest not to break down in tears.
“They heard it all,” Cal says, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Well, you’re little speech, anyhow.”
“We’re not fighting without you, Theyda!” shouts one voice.
“If you’re not in this, then we’re not in this,” comes another.
The chapel empties behind me, everyone trying to comprehend what had happened in the few minutes that we were inside.
“We trust her, not you!” calls an angry, female voice. “We won’t fight without her!”
Agreement echoes around the crowd, more praise and loyalty pledged to me.
Fernan’s cane taps angrily as she strides toward Lorrell. “What is this?” she hisses through her teeth.
“Sorry, but Lorrell was testing the speakers as you asked. They heard what Teddie had to say for herself,” Cal interrupts. He throws me a wink. “I have to admit, she made quite the argument.”
“I’ll have a word with you both later,” Fernan warns before walking back toward Adam and Rafe. “We’re losing them. It has always been her that rallies them.”
“Don’t make me be Grayson’s sheep in wolf’s clothing,” I say to Adam and Rafe.
Adam looks at me for a long moment. The worry and stress in his face breaks my heart. “I was only trying to keep you safe,” he says, defeated. He runs his hands over his tired face and heads back inside the chapel.
“Adam, please understand—”
“Understand?” I can sense the weariness in his aura. “Can we not do this now? I’m tired and I’ve got transport to organise.”
“We need to discuss this.”
“What is there to discuss? You know why I do all of this, and you still throw it back in my face. We’ll talk later.”
I try to link again, but he effectively blocks me. The effort needed to block our spontaneous connection is quite something, and I’m not one to miss the hint. He doesn’t want to talk to me, and although I do understand that he’s only looking out for me, I can’t take back what I said. I’m not sitting out.
No me, no name.
No name, no propaganda.
And judging by general consensus, no me, no army.
CHAPTER THIRTY
The rest of my day is spent collecting firewood and chopping logs with Shana. Out of everyone, she is the only one who doesn’t seem to have an opinion on anything regarding Plan B or my exclusion from the missions. Or perhaps she does, but she is just too scared to voice them for fear of alienating herself from me again.
Sweat beads on my forehead as I take another swing of the axe. Shana takes a break on the fallen tree trunk. Her weak frame can barely lift a pile of sticks let alone an axe.
“This might be the longest we’ve been in each other’s company for years,” I say, panting with each swing.
She smiles. “I asked you to help because I thought you could use your telekinesis to break the logs and get it done in half the time.”
“That’s cheating,” I joke. “Besides, work keeps me strong.”
“And it’s a good distraction considering the day, right? I’ve collected a posy of wild flowers and wondered if you’d like to come with me to the stream after we’re done here? It’d be a nice spot to lay them.”
I stop swinging. “The day? I don’t follow.”
Her face falls a little. “Oh, I thought you knew. It’s Dad’s birthday.”
The axe falls from my fingers, burying into the dirt with a dull thud. I hadn’t been keeping track of the date. I barely remember what day it is. Bile rises into my throat, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth, bitterness I deserve.
It’s Dad’s birthday.
“How could forget?” I choke, gasping through the nausea and ache in my chest.
Even Shana remembered.
I have to crouch down, hands flat against a tree trunk to catch my breath. Shana places a skinny hand on my shoulder.
“I need to be alone,” I say, shaking away her touch. Tears makes salty streaks through my dirty face. I stagger to my feet and start off into the woods. “I just need a minute.”
“Teddie, it’s okay. You’ve got a lot on your mind. Dad would understand.”
“Dad’s dead,” I call back, croaking out a cry. “He died for me. I should have remembered.”
The memory of him bleeding out in the bottom of the boat fills my mind. Why is it I can recall that one so easily? I don’t want to remember him like that. I don’t want to forget his sacrifice, but no one should watch their Daddy bleed to death. Hunching over, I heave into the shrubbery. Nothing comes up because there is nothing in my stomach to spare. I dry heave into the dirt, and Shana’s footsteps crack and creek over the twiggy ground as she makes her way back to camp. It’s all I can do to crawl around the tree, slump against it, and cry into my knees. I have neglected his memory of late. After all, he was the first reason for me to fight back.
“I’m sorry.”
I haven’t had a good cry in a while. Once the flood gates open, there is no stopping the endless flow. They’re more than just tears for my Dad.
The dirt is damp against my trousers, and a keen breeze dries my tears and sweat to my face. Strong hands lift me from the floor and press me tightly to a firm chest. Adam’s arms hold me close to him as I cry into his shirt.
“Shana came to find me. This is about more than forgetting Rob’s birthday,” he says, quietly.
“I’m supposed to aveng
e him. I swore to myself that I would. I don’t need your protection, Adam, I need your support,” I stutter through deep sobs. “I need to do this. I need to play my part. I am grateful to you, and I love you more than you’ll ever know, but I have to do this for me.”
He sighs, but nods against the top of my head. “That’s why we’ve come to another agreement. Plan B is a no go, but you will be included in all future missions.”
“What’s the catch?” I ask, looking up at him through wet eyes.
This time, he smiles. “You’re on my team, where I can keep an eye on you.”
“As long as I’m doing my bit.”
“I do get it, Baby, honest. I just find it hard to let go.”
“I’m hardcore, remember.”
I let him take my face in his hands. “Yeah, you are, but I’m not.” He leans forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. “I’m exhausted, and when I get tired the memories affect me more. I dozed off in the chapel an hour ago and I started dreaming. Luckily, Mum was there to wake me before anyone noticed the chair levitating and shaking.”
“Right, that’s it. You’re getting some sleep, and I’ll watch over you. Have you eaten anything?” He shakes his head. “You’re going to eat and sleep, and I don’t want to hear anything more about it.”
He salutes and allows me to guide back to camp. “Yes, Ma’-------------------------------am.”
I steer him toward the tent before Rafe and Fernan can commandeer him. “He’s getting some rest,” I call over my shoulder.
I worry about his memories affecting him to such an extent that he can no longer deal with them. He says they’re his motivation, and I understand that, but the stress of leading TORO Squad is only adding pressure. I know I’m his reasoning for all of this, so I need to have his back. At least he’s talking to me about it. A problem halved and all of that.
***
Adam lies on top of the blankets, buried in a book. He doesn’t even notice me return, which is something considering our telepathy is in over drive.
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