by K A Duggsy
“What’s going through your head, Kye? You’re looking pretty deep, sat over here by yourself,” Trask says as he pulls up a seat next to me.
I lower my voice, keeping eyes on the rest of the team across the room. “I think someone needs to stay behind,” I tell him.
He frowns. “We don’t split up Kye, no one gets left behind. That was your rule!”
“I know but we need someone we trust to activate the tube for each of us to travel in.”
“And then what? Whoever stays has to face the army downstairs after we’ve all left?”
“They won’t set foot in here, too scared in case we hurt their President.”
“Maybe for now but they’re not gonna sit back and do nothing for long. Whoever we left would be vulnerable; they’d be a dead man.”
Fuck he’s right. “You’re right. So how do we do this? We can see what date he sent her back to and then set our Comms for the same?”
“I guess. Let’s just ask them. I don’t enjoy travelling, either way, see who wants to use the tube and who wants to Comm. It shouldn’t be up to us, let them have a say.”
I stand and walk to the middle of the room, Jonah remains sat behind me and I address the team who are stood in front of me.
“Arlen, did you find the date?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good, okay. The safest way to get back is in that tube one at a time, activated by another team member. That would leave one of you unable to travel, so I put it to you, who is willing to travel via the Comms?”
“I don’t like that tube, I’ll Comm my arse to the past... Sir,” Callan says.
“Anyone else?” I ask.
“I’m easy; I’ll go however I need to,” Trask says.
“I’m going in the tube, anyone else?” I ask again.
I end up with five for the Comm and three for the tube. “Good, so you can send me, Walker and Palmer back each in turn then the five of you can Comm travel to the same date and place. Deal?”
They all nod so I continue, “Any questions?”
“Yeah! Are we there yet?” Callan asks grinning.
I ignore him. This is serious now and I’m dying to get going. “Let’s do this. I’ll go first, then Palmer, then Walker. As soon as Walker has left, you all activate your Comms in sync. Understood?”
Another round of heads nodding their agreement. I slap my hands together. Time to get my girl. My beautiful, opinionated, wilful girl. I feel like I need armour or some protective clothing of some kind. I’m about to go into battle against a fierce opponent.
A battle of wills.
A battle I’m determined to win.
Faith
He stands slowly, pain contorting his face. He turns to face me leaning heavily on his cane. “I hoped and I prayed and here you are,” he says softly, a small smile playing over his lips.
I finger the knife in my pocket. I’m glued to the spot. Why is he here? Where did he come from? I checked this room thoroughly before changing. What does he expect me to say, ‘I came back for you?’ I laugh inside at the thought, that’s probably exactly what he thinks.
“What do you want Fraser?”
“You. There’s no need for hostility Faith. You won. I’m broken, Johnson is gone. We both have no one to answer to any longer.”
“Why do you want me? Because I got away? I’m unfinished business?”
“Faith I just... I wish I could turn back time. Unfortunately, that’s something I’ve been unable to invent so all I can do is beg your forgiveness. I see now the error of my ways. I just want to make everything right.”
“Really?” I say sarcastically.
“Yes. I just ...”
I cut him off. “Where are my sisters?”
“They’ve been rehomed in shacks in the city.”
“How?”
“Their chips were removed. They’re being eased into society as we speak.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I can show you.”
“I’m going nowhere with you.”
“Please Faith; let me show you I’ve changed.”
“In a week? You haven’t changed, being blown up did nothing to you except make you more determined.”
“That’s not true. Look at me Faith. Take a proper look. Do I really seem the same?”
Truth be told he doesn’t. He looks defeated, dishevelled, reminiscent of the first time I met him when he claimed to be homeless. He looks unhappy, deeply sorrowful and nothing like the genius scientist he is. I don’t give a shit, though. I know him. He’s fooled me with the ‘poor me’ act before. I remember Trask’s warning ‘be safe, watch your back’. I intend on keeping my promise to him. No more looking for the good in people, especially those that have shown themselves to be deceitful before. Even if he is downtrodden now, soon he rises up to become President and rule the city. His son told me he just needs to regroup. Is the election even planned yet?
“How did you know I was here?”
“I didn’t. I’ve been coming here every day to think, to remember. It may have only happened last week but it feels like a lifetime ago. We were friends once Faith; can we ever get there again?”
“We weren’t friends! You conned me into thinking we could be but you were always working against me. Friends work on trust. It’s a basic concept so I wouldn’t expect you and your huge brain to understand something so simple. It’s been a week for you, but I’ve been gone for longer than that. I know more than you now Fraser and I’m not gullible enough to fall for your act.”
“The future can always be changed Faith. Whatever you’ve seen of me in the future, I still have time to change it. Help me. Work with me to make this city a place that thrives.”
“Do you remember what you did to me?”
He nods and studies the ground.
“Do you think I’m that forgiving?”
“Yes, I do. You’re good and pure Faith. You’re angry and disillusioned right now but give me time, that’s all I ask. Give me time to prove myself.”
“You know nothing about me. I’m not good. I’m definitely not pure, but angry? You’re damn right about that!”
I start walking to the door. Indigence taking over and leading the way.
“Why are you back? And why alone?” He calls.
“I was born to be alone Fraser. Surely you remember that?”
“I’m alone too Faith. We’re more alike than you’d like to admit.”
“I’m nothing like you!”
I leave the room, amazed that he doesn’t follow and that he has no AIG out here waiting to stop me. I could go in there now and kill him, he’s alone, unarmed, unprotected. But could I do it in cold blood? I’ve never killed, never thought I’d be capable of it unless it was a me-or-them situation. But that’s what I came back for wasn’t it? To assassinate him? Now I’m thinking about it do I need to do that? His son said to wait until Election Day but why? Why that day? Can’t I find a way to oust him and have him arrested instead? Who’d believe me? I’ve seen the film feed of his election; he’s adored, hailed a hero, a whistle-blower. How does he get from the man I just met in there to the man thousands swoon over?
I’m not sure what to do next, where to go. My home in Zone 4 would be the first place he’d look for me but then he didn’t seem too concerned about me walking away. I’m in Zone 1 right now at the labs; the conference centre is next and beyond that the gates to the streets. Maybe I should immerse myself in the new way of life here? Get a feel for the people’s thoughts. Find out if my sisters really are in shacks!
I’ve met no opposition the whole way. Zone 1 is like a dead zone. I reach the gates to exit the complex, the same gates I first met Fraser at. I walk through and see people milling about in the shopping precinct. I’m about to walk over and join them when a booming voice bellows out into the street. I look to my left in the direction it comes from and my hand flies to my mouth.
Halfway down the road are uniformed men all stood to atte
ntion in lines of ten to a row. Their backs are towards me but up ahead of them a huge holograph feed is playing right in the centre of the town. They all seem to be watching it transfixed.
A message is displayed on a loop.
WE NEED YOU!
PEOPLE OF THE CITY JOIN US NOW!
OUR TRAINING PROGRAMME IS WAITING!
RISE UP AND DEFEND YOUR FAMILIES!
WE NEED YOU!
PEOPLE OF THE CITY JOIN US NOW!
I watch in morbid fascination. What the hell is this? I’ve never seen so many guards. What training programme? What on earth is going on? I cross over to the precinct to blend in better and see if I can catch any conversation regarding the scene in front of us. I can’t pull my eyes away. I take a seat at the pop-up stall, my mind racing ten to a dozen.
A woman joins me also staring in the distance watching the proceedings.
“What’s going on?” I whisper.
“Call to action,” she whispers back, her eyes darting around. “Every able-bodied man has been called to train and become an AIG, even the homeless!”
“Called by who?”
“We don’t know. They’ve got everyone scared to death, something big went down in the complex and now it’s like they’re preparing for war.”
“War? Against who?”
“No idea. It’s just rumours but something is going on, they’re building an army for a reason.”
Yeah, they are. Strength in numbers. They’ve realised their pathetic AIG could be taken down. They’ve realised they’re no match for those who are trained and if off grid challenged them they wouldn’t stand a chance. They’re desperately trying to build numbers to protect themselves, to make themselves stronger. They’ve given the homeless a purpose and they’re coming out fighting. Time to regroup my arse!
“Where do they train?”
“Out here, they’ve moved all homeless from the streets, set curfews and they all just train right in the street. The ones that live in shacks can watch what they do, last night for example...” She trails off and looks around again. “Last night they were out here, the place was lit up like Christmas and all we could hear was bang, bang, bang. I was too scared to look out and find what was happening but it was noisy and the air stank.”
Bang, like in the future. The unmistakable sound of a gun being fired? Guns? For God sake, are they being trained how to use guns? Where did they even come from? I feel the blood drain from my face.
“You live in the shacks?” I ask the woman and she nods still watching the soldiers, AIG or whatever they are.
“Have any new women moved in recently?”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Why?”
“I’m looking for my sister, she left our Zone and I think maybe she went to the shacks?” I shrug hoping she buys the story.
“A load of people has moved into the shacks recently. It’s possible I guess.” She’s being noncommittal probably now unwilling to speak to me as she realises I’m a Zone dweller. I can’t blame her; they’ve never been treated very well by those with wealth. She turns her back on me and I realise that’s the end of our conversation. She won’t help me when my kind have never helped her.
Wealth still divides us then. I rise from my seat and make to move when her hand snatches out and wraps around my wrist. “I wouldn’t make it known you’re looking for someone; they tend to disappear!” She whisper-hisses.
I bend back down and ask, “Why?”
“The way I see it, to achieve whatever it is they’re trying to achieve they need people separated from loved ones, they need people isolated and desperate to fall into line and agree to whatever they ask. What better ammo is there than knowing they have your loved ones?”
I swallow quickly as her words sink in. “Can you help me?”
“I can’t help myself. Why would I help you? Money talks, you must have plenty, try using it for something other than lording it over us.”
“Buy them out?” I question.
“Buy them out, sexual favours. Work with what you’ve got.” She shrugs and I grip hold of the table to stop from passing out. I didn’t think this city could get any worse but what we did at the labs have sent them into a panic. Is it possible we caused them to act even crazier? How many people are they holding? The shacks must be a temporary holding site as the dwellers have too much of a chance to witness what they’re doing; they won’t want that. Secrecy has always helped them through; if they don’t have that would the city turn against them? Cause an uprising? How would the poor stand a chance, though, they have new teams of AIG, guns and the wealthy to contend with. Will I ever live in a safe world? Does something so simple even exist? Or is this it, constantly battling, fighting and trying to emerge? Am I naive to even contemplate such a thing? Is it really too much to ask, to expect to be able to live easily with no threat, no looking over my shoulder waiting for the next problem, the next issue that needs fixing. Was my life better when I had no memories? I certainly wasn’t happy but I wasn’t unhappy either. I had a purpose. I didn’t have any grand decisions to make. Am I a coward for even thinking this?
I decide I need to go to my home in Zone 4, wise or not I need footwear, I need food and I need to think. I can’t keep relying on rushing off and hoping things come together. If I’m going to succeed I need to plan, I need to do what the team taught me, what they trained me for. I need every advantage possible because this new city has changed drastically and once again I’m on the back foot. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I never expected that an army of AIG would have to be contended with. I look down the street to see if I can sneak past and make it to the other entrance of the Zones. The guards have started marching forward, walking straight through the hologram. They’re straight-backed, rigid and heading away from me. At last some luck. I just hope it holds out.
Chapter 12
Kye
Yep, I fucking hate those tubes. Travelling happens in the blink of an eye; seriously if you blink you miss it. I always imagined it would feel like being pulled through strong suction, but it doesn’t, the moment I emerge the other side it’s a moment of light-headedness before regaining my footing and snapping back to reality, looking for danger, threats and aligning myself with the fact that I just travelled many years to the past in a flash. The technology has always astounded me but my ultimate goal is still to destroy it. Especially since living in the new version of my time these last few weeks where crazy people have no idea what they’re doing or where they’re going but they aimlessly travel constantly anyway. The need to flit through time is all consuming and though it makes no sense they crave the feeling, those few seconds where you feel suspended before being sucked to the destination.
I understand addiction, I’m addicted to Faith otherwise there’s no way I’d put myself through the danger of travelling, there’s no way I’d follow her wherever she runs too like a little lost puppy and there’s no way this is going to become a continual cycle. It ends one way or another. I won’t let this become my life, our life. I won’t let my child be born in a world where technology is the be-all and end-all. I won’t let Advance Industries be part of our future. I’m resolute on that. I’m finally thinking clearly. My head and my heart have reached an understanding, a truce if you will. They’re both on the same page for once.
I’m waiting in the Advance tube room and far from being apprehensive, I feel calm. I’m here, I made it. Faith is near I feel it in my bones. I’m walking the same path she took hours ago. Was she scared? Upset? Does she miss me? Is she longing for me the way I’m longing for her? I wish I could bubble wrap her. I know she’s made of strong stuff but she also has a vulnerability about her that she can’t acknowledge. I’ve weakened her even more than she already was with my behaviour and the last words I said to her. Or have I? Did she take those words and harden herself; did I make her come out fighting? Fuck I hope not in a roundabout way. Fighting is the last thing I want to imagine her doing, putting herself in harm’s way again could hav
e devastating consequences. I don’t think either of us would be able to shoulder that.
I look up as Palmer appears in the tube. His eyes are closed and I wait for him to centre himself before opening the sliding door. I slap him on the back as he steps out and takes the spot next to me. We don’t speak just silently wait for Walker to arrive. As we’re waiting I have one of those light bulb moments and tell him to stay and wait for the others while I go off to check Advance Industries little museum of horror.
I enter the room that housed the guns and discs and my mouth drops open. This room was full of weapons last time I was here. They took over every wall and display unit but now it’s bare, empty. There are a few discarded bullets on the floor and a handful of handguns but the big uns? Yeah they’re gone! I check in the drawers just in case but even the explosives are missing. Holy shit! When was this cleared out? By who? And where the hell are they now?
I trudge back to the Advance room just as the Comm travellers appear. Wide grins are thrown around at each other. Relief that it worked and we all ended up where we planned. I scan the group looking for tell-tale signs that they’re heading over to the crazy side but they all seem normal. No affect yet thank God.
A sinister thought flies into my head. What if when they travel back home, after we’ve fixed things here, what if then, that last time of travelling is what sets off the crazy?
What if they go back home to witness our time is back as it should be and they won’t be able to comprehend, enjoy or bask in it because... because their brains have turned into a pile of crazy mush? Shit! I should have left them there. This is why strategies need time. They shouldn’t be rushed because in the heat of the moment something is always forgotten, overlooked and it’s usually something important, something that needs careful consideration. I keep just blindly leading these men and they stupidly follow. If my old commander could see me now, could see how I’ve been handling things he would never have promoted me to team leader.
I run my hands through my hair; it’s annoyingly long now, curling at the ends. My face is just as bad full of stubble making me feel dirty.