“Caution, yes. Extreme caution is absurd.” The Advisor looked around the table. “We won. We took control of the colony world. They may appear in 21 years, which is why we require each colonist over the age of 16 to train weekly in our basic weapons and fighting techniques. I am confident that 21 years from now, we will build up an army who can combat the State’s military.”
“That’s assuming they arrive by landing a spaceship instead of just firing from outer space,” Aakil cut in.
“And if they could do something like that, what could we possibly do about it? Are you recommending we suspend our weekly training because we have no hope of defeating them if they come for us?”
Colin knew what needed to be said. He gripped the side of his chair to prepare himself for the backlash. “We leave.”
A gasp erupted around the table. Heads were shaking, eyes cast downward, yet they remained silent. It was almost as though the Advisors refused to even acknowledge the idea, let alone entertain it, and they wouldn’t dignify it with a response.
Aakil glanced around the room, took a lengthy pause, and then began again. “I think we all remember our required history class. We learned about Stephen Hawking, how he advised humans needed to exist on multiple planets to ensure their survival. Perhaps we need to take his concept and put it into practice sooner than later. I know there has been talk of exploring outside of this area in 30 years or so after we see if the State retaliates. But I think we need to consider spreading out sooner than that.”
“No,” the Advisor cut in. “We can’t. If the State returns for war, we need to pool all of our resources. We need everyone to work together to prepare for the war. And even if there is no war coming, we need to build a proper homestead that can support our population growth. We need workers. Our numbers need to grow. We also need a stockpile of food, weapons, and medical supplies.”
This meeting was going precisely as Colin expected it to. He just wished he could say or do something to persuade them. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I can’t simply dismiss this satellite. I think we need to explore our options to leave. I would like to keep this subject open for discussion. Maybe we all just need sometime to think of a creative solution.”
“Open for discussion?” The more boisterous male cut in. “What you are asking us to do is insane. We don’t have the resources to go gallivanting around the planet when we know nothing about that satellite. We don’t even know if it’s an issue. I’m not totally surprised it’s there. The State said this planet was found before the Great War. What if it wasn’t the State that put it there? Or what if part of the reason it took so long for us to colonize was because they wanted satellites in place before the manned spacecraft launched?”
Colin opened his mouth to speak, but Aakil held out a hand to silence him. “As your Chief Scientific Advisor, I have to concede that point. We don’t know who launched it, when, or why. Hell, an alien race could have placed it there for all we know. The point is, we need to stay open-minded. All of us.”
Aakil shot Colin a look as he closed his argument.
So that’s why Aakil wanted the title. He wanted to separate himself from me politically. So much for having my back, like he said he would.
“Okay, you want us to be open-minded. What are you recommending we do?”
Aakil nodded tersely before answering. “Exactly what Colin said previously: I understand we all need some time to think this over and come up with some options. We came here tonight to inform you of our findings, and to start a conversation. As we mull it over, I hope we can all agree that this information stays inside this room. The last thing we want is to create mass panic while we seek a solution.”
“Agreed,” an Adviser said, and all their heads bobbed in agreement. “Shall we adjourn our meeting?”
“Yes,” Aakil said before Colin could get a word in. “How about we pick up this topic at our regularly scheduled meeting next week?”
Everyone nodded, except Colin. Part of him could hear the logic in the plan, but even more of him felt as though his best friend had just betrayed him.
***
Colin balled his fists and kept his arms locked at his sides. Words weren’t necessary. They walked in silence as they headed to their usual spot by the river. He tensed every muscle in his body, trying to keep from giving into the temptation of breaking more of Aakil’s ribs.
As they walked, Colin’s mind spun. He couldn’t remember a time before when he had felt so betrayed. Part of him felt Aakil had intentionally sabotaged his efforts. Maybe Aakil, just like everyone else, didn’t want to go. Maybe Aakil wanted to usurp his position.
Once they arrived, Aakil did a perimeter sweep while Colin paced anxiously along the riverbank. He knew that if Aakil wasn’t on his side, then no one else would be either, not even Freya. He needed to know what angle Aakil was playing at, but he couldn’t see past the rage burning deep in his core.
“Look, Colin—” Aakil said as he approached from behind.
Colin spun around so quickly Aakil dropped to the ground, dodging a blow. Colin looked down, seeing Aakil throw his hands protectively over his head and frowned. After a moment, Aakil looked up at him and slowly got to his feet.
“What the hell was that?”
Aakil moved further away from Colin. “You do have a history of violence when you’re pissed.”
Colin laughed dryly, shaking his head. “Seriously? That’s your excuse. Was that also your excuse back there? You thought I would start swinging at the Advisors?”
Aakil pinched his lips together before responding. “Verbally, yes. No offence, but politics don’t play into your strengths. You’re a revolutionary, not a politician.”
Colin laughed again, this time hitting almost a manic pitch. “Oh, so your gonna take over for me? Is that it? You want my spot?”
“Colin!” Aakil spun on his heel and took a few paces away. “You are too close to this! You’ve got too much on the line. You’re freaking out and a politician needs to keep his head, and most importantly his mouth, on point at all times. Yeah, I was a little misleading, cuz I knew you were going to go in there and get publicly labeled an alarmist, probably get yourself thrown out.”
“Oh really! Do you actually think people would say that about me? I think you just—”
“They already do!” Aakil screamed. “People have been saying shit behind your back since the day we landed!”
Colin winced. “They what?”
Aakil took a sharp breath and looked away. “Look. It’s normal. It’s what people do. They talk shit about you just for being more important than them.”
“Important! I was a God-damned Security officer—and the only one sent here because, hmmm, let me think, all of my skills are irrelevant on this planet!”
Aakil remained silent momentarily while Colin cooled down. After a lengthy pause, he began. “You were the only person on the spacecraft with a title. You were the Head of Communications, mate. My team knew I was supposed to be in charge, but I didn’t even have the word lead or anything to my name.”
Colin scoffed. “And what? You’ve secretly resented me because of a stupid word. It doesn’t mean anything.”
Aakil’s head dropped and let out a slight groan. “Enough. Seriously. This isn’t about us. I’m just trying to explain to you.”
“Great.” Colin threw up his hands. “Explain then.”
“They’re jealous of you. You had a title then, you were the only one who got to travel back to Earth and meet the Head of State. And if that wasn’t enough, that Head of State was your former partner, you arranged a coup and pretty much single-handedly defeated the State because your mom was some serious rebel badass. And on top of defeating the State, you rescue the Head of State that everyone loved in this horribly romantic and dramatic move. Since that ship landed, all eyes have been on you. You’re all people ever talk about.”
Exhaustion rolled through Colin, fogging his mind. He no longer knew who he wa
s mad at or why he was fighting with his best friend. “So, people are jealous. What am I supposed to do with that? I didn’t choose any of this. If I had my way, I never would’ve been on that ship to begin with.”
“Yeah, same as all of us. Look, I’m not saying this is your fault, but you’ve got a problem. You can’t get all emotionally riled up and go running in and make demands from the Advisors. You’ve made a lot of enemies. You’re so busy trying to get shit done you’ve alienated yourself from everyone. I get why you’ve done it, but believe me when I say, I’m your only friend here. You feel I stabbed you in the back in there? That was me saving you from yourself. I said I’d have your back, and I did. It just didn’t look the way you expected it to.”
Colin flopped down on the grass, curling his knees to his chin. Aakil cautiously took a seat at a safe distance.
“Why didn’t you tell me before? I mean, they really think I’m an alarmist?” Colin looked sideways at him, squinting. “Did they already forget what the State did to them? What they’re capable of?”
Aakil shrugged. “Colin, it’s normal. That’s why I didn’t tell you. Well, that and I can hardly get you to take five minutes for yourself as it is.”
Colin huffed. “Well, looks like I’m going to need those five minutes back. What the hell are we going to do? It was pretty clear in that room we’re on our own if we want to relocate—and that’s before I found out I’m an alarmist.”
Aakil nodded. “That’s why I cut you off. They don’t want to hear it. They won’t hear it.”
“But I know it. I just know it. We’ve got to get out of here. I think it’s pretty clear I’m not doing this for me. I’ve got more to lose with Freya than I could ever gain by leaving. I just know that if we stay, we die. If we leave, we have a chance.”
Aakil scooted closer and reached over, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Colin, you can’t save everyone. I agree with you. The State’s got a card up their sleeve and a lot of people are going to die. But the fact is, we take risks either way. People will die trying to find a new home too. The Advisors are just trying to do what they think will keep most of us alive.”
Colin scoffed. “Or they don’t give a shit cuz they’re too old to care. Maybe they know they won’t be around in 21 years when the State shows up and just want to enjoy the time they have.”
“Fair point.” Aakil pulled a piece of grass and twirled it between his fingers. “But it doesn’t change anything. This isn’t about right and wrong, or how many people we can save. It’s politics. Those with the most friends win. And as I said before, I’m all you got.”
Colin laid back in the grass, staring up at the stars. “So, Chief Scientific Advisor, what do you recommend we do?”
“Think smaller. Do less. Accept that we have to leave most people behind because they can’t pull their heads out of their own asses.”
Colin rolled over, narrowing his eyes. “You think we should go, just the two of us?”
“No.” Aakil laughed and flopped back near Colin. “But we have to accept why we did this in the first place. We didn’t just fight to free ourselves of the State so someone else could tell us what to do. People came here so they could choose their own lives. We need to make an evacuation plan then let people decide on their own if they want to stay or go.”
Colin grimaced. “Evacuation plan. Hmmm. Don’t suppose you’ve got one? I mean, I already told you we need to head into the mountains because it’s the last thing the State would expect, because it’s the hardest and most dangerous.”
“Which again, is why I stopped you. They didn’t want to hear any of your proposal, let alone to go in the direction where we will suffer the most casualties.”
“You think we should stay along the water? North or South?”
Aakil sat up again. “No. I think we should head East. And yes, I do have a plan that will make this operation more palatable to the Advisors, and it definitely works in your favor with our sleeping Head of State.”
Colin shot upright. “What? How? We keep Freya asleep and move her? Can we fly the ship somewhere else?”
“No. Unfortunately it only had a one-trip capacity. It’s a big metal potato now.”
“Then what?”
Aakil shook his head. “We present a plan the Advisors can’t refuse. We ask for volunteers and assemble a team who every spring, head into the mountains and start to build something they used to call forts or posts. I read about it in the historical database.”
Colin raised a brow. “So, we build another homestead in the mountains? Will we be far enough away?”
“Not quite. They’re just little cabins that we can fill with supplies. The biggest risks we would face traveling through the mountains is running out of food, water or arrows. We travel maybe two days on foot—something reasonable—then we build a fort and spend the rest of the season filling it. Then the next spring we do it again, and again, and again until we clear those mountains.”
“That’s going to take forever.”
“Yeah, but it will only take about 20 of us to do it and it’s not even year-round. This is a tolerable loss for the Advisors to spare 20 people—one of them they’d be glad to get rid of—”
“Hey.”
Aakil laughed. “Just saying.”
Colin pursed his lips. “You think they would really approve of us taking a team into the mountains, just to get rid of me?”
Aakil shrugged. “Well, you’re a pain in the ass.”
Colin laughed genuinely for the first time since he spotted the satellite.
“And yeah, I think they will. We are building an escape route, enhancing our people’s chance of survival if we have to make a run for it, and doing it all without disrupting their way of life.”
Colin looked over the river, mulling the thought around his mind. “You really think it will be enough? I mean, love the part where it makes our Advisors happy and I get to keep the girl. But can it really save us?”
Aakil sighed, “I don’t think anything could be enough—we can never be too careful. You know that.”
“Of course, I do. I’m an alarmist.”
Aakil smiled. “Yeah, and unfortunately, you seem to always be right. I know the forts aren’t much, but it’s something.”
“Yeah,” Colin agreed, “It’s something.”
Chapter 34
Lewis
He reached into his pocket and fidgeted with the button contained within, pulling it out and rolling it along his knuckles, something he often did when he thought of Freya, which was all the time. It was hard to think of much else.
Since he learned the colonists were still on the same planet, he couldn’t help but hope they may be together again. Naturally, she would be angry at him. Not only was he still alive, but he had taken her place as the Head of State in her stead. His logical mind accepted that it wasn’t realistic, but what if it was possible? What if he could figure out a way to rescue her before the High Council destroyed the colony?
If he could get a helicopter with a few armed guards, he may be able to get her out. He knew she never would have decided to go. Freya wasn’t adventurous enough for the colony world. She was taken against her will. Colin may be there too, but he was now half her age. She’d definitely view Lewis’s intervention as heroic. The colonists may be surprised to see a helicopter and armed guards, but they would all be dead soon anyway.
Of course, he knew it was nothing more than a delusion. How would he get a helicopter? How could he do it without the High Council finding out? And what would he do with her after? The High Council had wanted her dead. There was no guard to accompany him. No chopper to borrow. No way to do it undetected.
Yet every time he spelled out all the logic, he couldn’t control his wandering mind. Thinking of Freya gave him something more than his current position: hope. He suddenly had something to live for, to strive for, a way to be happy again.
The button suddenly slipped from his hand, dropping to the floor as he lost his
concentration from an alert of his tablet. He reached down, the button just out of his grasp beneath the desk. Before he could reach it, the monitor flicked on.
Lewis instantly straightened his back rigidly as his attention turned toward the screen. As each High Council member’s face came into view, Lewis straightened his T-shirt and righted his posture in his seat.
Other than the broadcasts, wearing suits for his meetings had been long ago abandoned. The High Council didn’t dress for him, wearing the same linen jumpsuit as all other civilians inside the mountain. They each dwelt within their own apartment, accessing their meetings through a secure line on their tablets.
Conspired: A Young Adult Dystopian Romance (The State Series Book 6) Page 23