Riley’s stomach dropped in terror as the Councilor’s words penetrated her mind. The Council had access to everything she thought. How would she keep her mind off Alec’s gift? One errant memory or thought would sign his death warrant. Worse still was the threat that they could make her do what they wanted. How would they? And perhaps more importantly, what exactly did they want her to do?
“I didn’t ask for this and you have no right to force me. Take it out. Now,” she cried.
The Councilor’s expression didn’t change. “You have no say.”
“I didn’t give you permission to touch my brain,” Riley said angrily. “I’m telling you now, take it out.”
“We of the Council have determined that the Tyon Collective has been infiltrated by enemies intent on subverting its purpose,” the Councilor began, seemingly oblivious to her retort. “This cannot happen. While the Collective is a secretive agency, created by the Council some time ago, it has gained strength and has outgrown its initial confines. To destroy it would lead to awareness and consequently our duplicity. However, a series of counterstrikes within the Collective will return it to our control. My partner suggests that you become an agent of my plan.”
Nervously Riley bit the inside of her lip. What partner?
“You will return to the Collective and be assimilated into their training program. They will have no idea that you will, upon our signal, perform the cleansing so required.”
“What do you mean by cleansing?” Riley found her voice but was disturbed to hear it sound so wobbly. She cleared her throat. “Just what is it you think I’m going to do for you?”
“Cleansing of the Collective can be interpreted as removal of the infective agents,” the Councilor said.
Riley frowned. This wasn’t making much sense. “What infective agents?” she asked again.
“This,” said the Councilor. He raised his hand. A brilliant flash of light travelled from his palm to Riley’s face. She recoiled as it hit her. For a moment nothing seemed to happen. Then a series of images and thoughts crowded through her mind with the speed of a locomotive. They moved too quickly to fully grasp but the gist became increasingly clear. She stepped back in horror.
“You want me to track down the traitors,” she gasped. “Find them and turn them in.”
“No,” replied the Councilor. “Find them and destroy them.”
For a moment Riley reeled as his words sunk in. “I can’t kill someone,” she cried. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I do not jest, nor request a thing and merely hope it will be done to my specifications. This is an order. You have no choice.”
Riley backed away. There was no way. “Why me?”
“The best enemy is the one no one suspects.”
She shook her head. “I can’t.”
“My partner suggests that Terrans often require motivation,” the Councilor said. “Let me be clear as to the consequences of your refusal.” He waved his left hand in a curt gesture. The ground to the left of Riley’s feet rippled in a most unpleasant way. She felt a surge of warmth, as if the air itself was boiling. The heat cleared and the rippling stopped. As it did, Kerry appeared on the floor. He didn’t move.
“Your Terran companion was quite correct. He is of use to us. His value lies in your feelings towards him and your wish to spare him from harm.”
A queasy feeling rose in the back of Riley’s throat. She knew why they’d transported Kerry with her now and she didn’t like it one bit.
“Wake,” the Councilor said. The light flashed from his palm to envelope Kerry in a sickly bluish hue.
Kerry’s eyes fluttered open. He raised his head off the ground and peered around but his eyes were unfocused and the frown marring his even features indicated that he wasn’t fully aware of what was going on around him. “Riley,” he croaked when he finally caught sight of her. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”
“Your companion has a caring soul,” the Councilor pointed out unnecessarily. “For his sake, I hope you are as endowed.”
Riley clenched her jaw. They knew damn well what would get to her and what wouldn’t, courtesy of their listening device inside her head, the creepy alien thugs. To pretend she didn’t care at all would likely result in Kerry’s immediate death but to indicate she cared for him made him a temporary hostage and tied her hands when it came to obeying the Council’s directives. The best she could hope for was that if she complied and carried out their plans, the Council would let Kerry go when it was all over. Or better yet, he’d escape. Though that seemed pretty unlikely.
“I’m fine, Kerry,” she said slowly. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Yeah, okay.” Kerry was slurring his words and slightly weaving, even though he hadn’t made it to his feet. He slumped at her response and stopped the effort to stand.
“To ensure your compliance, we will employ further incentives,” the Councilor said. He waved his hand again. Instantly, Kerry’s face screwed up in distress and he doubled over, clutching his abdomen. He cried out with pain, the sound echoing over and over in the massive chamber.
“Leave him alone,” Riley shouted. “I’m going to do it. Stop hurting him.”
The Councilor smiled. “I see we have chosen well.” With that, he raised his hand, palm outward, in Riley’s direction. There was a very bright flash of light, which momentarily blinded her. She heard Kerry’s pain laden cry. Without warning, the unpleasant sensation of teleportation began and Kerry’s voice was cut off.