CHAPTER 17

Above her, a light panel emitted a steady electric buzz. Outside, insects thrummed in the night. Within her, each breath came slow and steady. As she meditated, memories rose and confronted her. The rubbish strewn over the street outside the Tofu Palace. The highway flying beneath a cloudless sky. Kade’s brooding eyes and his wiry, unkempt hair. Lexi’s slinky way of walking. Callie’s winning smile.

Mineko opened her eyes. At this late hour, the study lounge was nearly abandoned. It was just her and a gangly young man who peered at his reader with studious intensity. That suited her fine. She needed solitude, but she wasn’t ready yet for the grim familiarity of her room.

Though the lounge was quiet, it was irritating in its opulence, a reminder of Codist extravagance. A plush carpet spanned a floor of creaking oak, polished walls displayed gilt-framed portraits of Codifiers, a chandelier glittered on the ceiling and ornate water features trickled in the corners. A pair of sliding glass doors overlooked white trees clustered in a courtyard. Beautiful. In theory.

But there was no real beauty in Codism. Only ugliness beneath a veil, just as Kaori’s puckish face concealed repellent bigotry. The Codifiers had insisted—Mineko often imagined them hissing their decrees with tongues purpled and swollen—that procreation was the organic aspiration of the species. Anything else was the aberrant invention of cultural anarchists who wanted to create chaos through complexity.

But Mineko knew better. She had ceased to believe from the moment her tutor had been wiped and Codism’s cruelty had been laid bare to her. She had seen confiscated videos, read banned books. She knew that other societies existed beyond the decaying borders of this one.

And last night, she had kissed a woman.

The sliding doors opened. Of course it would be Lachlan Reed, as if summoned by the strength of her emotions to torment her. He crossed the carpet with his usual measured stride. His hair glistened beneath the lights, as did the teeth revealed by his insincere smile.

“So diligent,” he said. “Studying at this hour.”

As quietly as he’d been studying, the other student stole from the room. Lachlan chuckled. “Do you think he’s afraid of me?”

“What do you want, Lachlan?”

“You’re so brusque.” Lachlan towered over her, but she met his gaze with no trace of fear—or so she hoped. “Have you seen Dr. Wren yet?”

“Yes. How did you know I would be here?”

“An intuition. Tell me, did anything interesting pass between you two? Something you might want to inform me about?”

Did his phrasing imply a hidden provocation, or was Mineko being paranoid? “She’s fearful. She knows that failure would mean serious repercussions.”

“The poor thing. But I can’t imagine she’ll fail us. She has a solid record.”

Even that sounded like a threat, and Mineko’s anger redoubled. No one person more represented the hypocrisy of Codism than did this hunter in black. He was the agent to whom the law only applied in daylight, the thug who bloodied his hands so that her father could attend government meetings without any stain on his own, the cyborg whose very existence was in clear contradiction of the Third Moral Code.

Perhaps it was the lingering exhilaration of her treacherous thoughts. Perhaps it was the rage smoldering in her gut. Perhaps it was the thought of Valerie Wren alone in her apartment, studying the night from her balcony. Or perhaps it was only Mineko’s wish to see patterns in the stars as the sun melted over the mesa. Whatever the reason, defiance took hold of her, and it spoke through her without fear.

“Project Sky is wrong,” she said. “It’s immoral. It needs to be stopped.”

Lachlan shrugged, his slight smirk still in place. “I suppose you’re right.”

Was he taunting her? “The Code makes clear that Codism is voluntary. To force it upon others is a betrayal of our values.”

“The First and Second Moral Codes suggested as such, yes. The Third, however, clearly states that only a society adhering to the Code can be considered civilized.” Lachlan spoke without any trace of reprimand. Just insubordinate amusement. “You’d almost think there’s some agenda in all of this, wouldn’t you?”

“I want Codism to succeed, just as you do.” It wasn’t true, but Mineko wasn’t about to turn this into a confession—that would be like a sheep admitting to a wolf that they fantasized about being eaten. “But not some corrupt form of Codism that is only a reflection of our basest impulses.”

“If you follow your father, you’ll be on the Committee someday. Perhaps you’ll help write the Fourth Moral Code. I’m sure you have many ideas. But I’ve known you a long time, Mineko. Why don’t you just speak your mind?”

“I am speaking my mind.”

Lachlan’s smirk became a predatory grin. “I don’t think you are. Why don’t I just say it for you? The Code is a baseless, contradictory doctrine designed to control an unwitting populace. Say it. I won’t bite.”

It was as shocking as if Lachlan had removed a mask and revealed himself to be Lexi in disguise. An unformed reply trembled on Mineko’s lips and died. What was she supposed to say to that?

Lachlan laughed. “Yes, it’s quite scandalous. But we’re the enlightened ones, you and me. Do you know what amuses me most? In moralistic works of literature, tyrannies are always so very seductively sinister. They consume free thought, they dominate the individual, they crush every last trace of will. People are reduced to spiritless organisms, to labor units, to entertainment. Yet what do we have? A bunch of miserable people in uniform eating regulation soy food. Not much of a brave new world, is it?”

“You don’t believe in the Code?”

“Oh, I believe. I see it in operation every day. And I suppose wiping people’s memories is fairly compelling as far as dictatorial evil goes. But still, we’ve a long way to go before we’re pushing old people into grinders and using them for food.”

It was surely a trap, a way to bait her into an admission. “You’re talking nonsense, Lachlan.”

“And you’ve been talking to my old friend Kade August.”

The warmth drained from Mineko’s face. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Good-looking fellow. Five-ten, about one hundred and forty pounds. Dark skin, brown eyes, black hair. Tends to go about in an old trench coat. Seems serious at first but lightens up when you get to know him.” Lachlan gave an ironic smile. “Sound familiar?”

As if conjured by survival instinct, the words came easily. “I think I know the man you mean. He told me he was with Code Intel, and I believed him. He took me aside and revealed he was a journalist seeking the truth about Project Sky. I told him I didn’t know anything. When he insisted that I must, that my father would know everything, I told him I wasn’t my father.”

“And you never reported this encounter?”

“He threatened me. I was afraid that if I told anyone, he’d come back and hurt me. I know I should have mentioned, but…”

Lachlan gazed at her, his expression unreadable. “Angelo Abramo began a famous treatise with the following line: ‘Breathing is our first act of defiance.’ His daughter Beatrice later offered the following commentary upon that line: ‘Breathing is involuntary; true resistance must be chosen.’ A obscurer thinker, but rather sharper. Much less florid than her father.”

Had she tricked him or not? What was he babbling about? “I don’t understand.”

“Don’t you?” Lachlan’s chuckle was so self-satisfied that Mineko’s anger reached unendurable limits, enough to impel her to stand and draw to her full—if unimpressive—height. “Please, don’t get up on my account.”

She’d had enough of being meek. “Don’t taunt me, you son of a bitch.”

“Now that’s language I don’t usually hear from you.”

“I’ll speak to you as I please. I won’t be your toy any longer. I’ve denied who I truly am to play the role of the puppet you all intend me to be…” Mineko had lost control, but it didn’t matter—Lachlan’s startled look was reward enough. “You leave Valerie the hell alone. She’s frightened of you, the way we’re all frightened of you, but I refuse to be scared anymore. You’re my father’s lackey, and when I tell you to heel, Lachlan Reed, you will heel.”

“You see? Honesty’s not so hard after all.”

Mineko pointed to the glass doors. “Get out.”

“Naturally. It’s late, and you need rest. We’ll talk soon.”

As he strode from the room, Mineko contemplated picking up a vase and throwing it after him, but her anger ebbed as quickly as it had risen. What had she done? A lifetime of composure squandered in an instant of rebellion.

Exactly, perhaps, as Lachlan had intended.

* * *

Mineko sat on her bed and pressed her shaking hands together in her lap. He knew. It was the only explanation for his flippant, taunting heresy. Perhaps he even knew what had happened between her and Valerie. But if that was so, why didn’t he turn her in? Was his love for scheming and plotting really such that he’d risk crossing her father?

Whatever his motives, there was no escape from this battle of wills between her and him. And he would win, of course. She didn’t dare do anything that might draw the ire of her parents, and so he would continue to mock her as he had done today, using her as a piece on his board.

Mineko took the watch from her pocket, and the trembling in her hands eased. She closed her eyes and tried to remember the scent of Callie’s hair, the warmth of her arm. They’d spoken together right here on this bed, in this lonely room…

Someday, I’m going to take you for a ride. You’ll love it.

But I don’t know how, she’d said, her heart squeezed tight.

It’s easy. You just sit behind me and hold on.

It only took seconds to retrieve the radio phone from its hiding place. Mineko inhaled a deep breath before depressing the call button. “This is Blue. Is anyone there? This is Blue calling.”

The static cleared. “Acknowledged, Blue. Please hold.”

Silence again, ominous. The breeze moved through the branches of the tree outside, rustling its white blossoms, and Mineko watched as several petals fluttered loose. Had the petals been freed or had the blossoms been shredded? Did it make any difference?

“Good evening, Blue.” She recognized the calm, reassuring voice, though the name took a second longer to come to mind—Nikolas. “Are you well?”

“I want to talk to my friends.” Mineko’s voice wavered. She took another breath. She hadn’t realized how close she was to falling apart. “Please.”

“Have no fear. As promised, I’ve arranged a way for you to contact them. I’ve merely been awaiting your call.”

“I can talk to them now?”

“I believe so. It’s a little complicated, but suffice to say I’ve established a relay. You will talk to the radio here, and the radio will transmit your call across our rudimentary cellular networks to the phone of a colleague of mine. There may be a slight delay, and it’s not secure on our end, but it sounds to me as if you have an urgent need. Isn’t that so?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” There was a quiet click over the line. “I’m putting you through. All the best, my friend.”

The phone dialed, and Mineko waited, tense, as it produced six beeps. The line clicked again.

“Amity,” said the stern voice of an older woman.

“Um, this is Blue. Nikolas said I could—”

“Yes, fine. He’s explained it to me. I assume you want to talk to Lexi.”

Mineko eased her grip on the phone. If she wasn’t careful, she’d break the precious thing. “Yes, but I want Callie first.”

“If you insist. I have to walk down a corridor, so be patient.” A series of noises ensued—footsteps, a door opening, the steps returning with a touch of echo. A series of thunderous knocks. “It’s Amity.” The sound of heavy music became audible. “I have a call for Callie. It’s from Blue.”

A voice replied, too distant to be made out. “She asked for her specifically,” said Amity.

Lexi—it could only have been Lexi—blew a wolf-whistle. Somebody laughed, and a door swung shut.

“Min?” Callie sounded worried but hopeful. “You there?”

“I’m here. I’m—” Mineko’s throat tightened, and she swallowed. “I’m sorry if this is a bad time.”

“No such thing. We’re just chilling out; me, Lexi, and Riva. You haven’t met Riva yet, but you’d like her. She’s really cool.” Callie’s voice softened. “I’ve missed you, Min. I worry about you all the time.”

There it was again, that weight on her chest. “I’ve missed you too.”

“Lexi, quit it!” Callie laughed. “She’s making kissy-faces at me. Thinks she’s funny. Riva, can you turn that music down? I can hardly hear the phone…sure, that’s better.”

Mineko steeled herself. She’d explain everything, and she wouldn’t let herself cry. “I’m in trouble. Lachlan knows what I’ve done, and I think he’s threatening me with exposure.”

Callie drew in a sharp breath. “Then that’s the end of the line. You’ve got to get out now, whether you like it or not.”

“It’s not so simple. Fleeing the enclave will mark me as a traitor to the Code, and I can’t stand the thought of letting my parents down. I know it’s ridiculous, but…” Mineko wiped her eyes, trying to keep her tears at bay. “I know I can’t have both. I can’t be their daughter and still be free. But I love them, Callie. I don’t want them to hate me.” A sob broke free, leaving her helpless and ashamed. She’d said she wouldn’t cry, yet here she was. “I’m pitiful.”

“Oh, Min. You’ve done enough, you hear me? We’ll take you somewhere safe. Just let me come get you. I’ll do it tonight. I’ll leave right after this call.”

“But I need to be here. I’ll pass on information. I’ll be useful. I’ve made friends with the head of Project Sky, and she thinks Lexi has a mutation.”

“I don’t give a shit about Project Sky. I want you out of there.”

Could it be so simple? Could Mineko really step out a side door, jump into Callie’s van and be driven into the night, rescued from this torment? She opened her mouth to form the reply she wanted most to give—but no, it couldn’t be. Her parents would hunt Lexi forever if they thought she were connected to Mineko’s disappearance. Whoever gave Mineko refuge would never know peace. And eventually, Code Intel would find her, and those who sheltered her would have their minds erased.

“I can’t,” said Mineko. “Like I said, it’s too dangerous.”

“I already told you, danger doesn’t matter to me.”

“Callie, don’t. You’re only making this harder. I didn’t call to be rescued. I only wanted to hear your voice, that’s all, because it’s so lonely here, and so quiet…” Another tear welled, hot and prickling. “Would you describe where you are now, so I can imagine it?”

Callie sighed. “Sure. We’re in a grotty basement bunker that feels like something out of a horror movie. It’s a little cement cubicle with two bunks and a sink that looks like somebody bled to death in it.”

“Is it cold?”

“A bit. I found a heating system, but the pipes are in such bad shape, I don’t dare turn it on.”

“You mentioned somebody named Riva. Will you describe her?”

“Oh, sure. She’s about Lexi’s height and super skinny. She’s a real looker, a total babe, and she’s got this amazing Mohawk. And now she’s blushing, so imagine her bright red. Also, she just waved to you.”

“Please wave back. Does she work for Nikolas? I spoke to him earlier.”

Callie giggled. “You really never do run out of questions, do you?”

The sound of Callie’s laughter, edged though it had been by concern, revived a little of Mineko’s happiness—enough at least to get her smiling again. “I’m sorry. Do you have a plan yet?”

“We’re leaving for Port Venn in the next few days. Please come with us.”

Port Venn, where Codists were shot on sight… “I told you, I can’t.”

“What if I said I wouldn’t leave Foundation without you?”

Heat burned across Mineko’s face. “You couldn’t possibly mean that.”

“I can take you where your people would never think to look. Consider it, Min. And meanwhile, you stay out of trouble. Turn the key on that watch. Remember, they don’t own you and they never will.”

What could Mineko possibly say to that? She blinked away more tears. “I’ll remember.”

“I think Lexi wants a word with you. I should say goodnight, but we’ll talk again soon, okay?”

“Okay.” The words came out in a near-croak. “Goodnight, and thank you. I’m so grateful.” She fumbled for some final remark, something to demonstrate how sincere she was. “I loved our trip together in the van. All that desert, the road stretching forever, how happy you looked. I’ll remember that always. Or for as long as they let me keep the memory, anyway.”

Had that been too much? The line had gone silent. “Callie?”

“Call me soon, Min. Please.”

There was a distant exchange of chatter, and Callie’s voice—was she crying?—receded.

“Hello, Minnie.” Lexi’s sultry tone provoked an incriminating flutter in Mineko’s chest. “I don’t know what you said to Callie, but Riva’s handing her some tissues.”

“Hello, Lexi. Are Kade and Zeke okay?”

“They’re fine. Forget about them. Eavesdropping on you two, I got the impression you were in trouble.”

“I was in trouble from the moment you met me.”

“If you need help, say so. I’ll give you the addresses of some places to stay.”

“I appreciate that, but it’s not possible.”

“So what’s your plan? Live your shut-in life, do whatever the hell it is shut-ins do? For that matter, what do you do?”

“We play non-competitive sports and read approved Codist romances.”

“Approved Codist romances? A man in a uniform meets a woman in a uniform, and they marry and have a uniformed baby. Is that about right?”

“Yes. There’s no sex in them whatsoever. You just turn the page and there’s the baby.”

“No wonder you’re so straight-laced. You definitely need to come out.” Lexi gave a sly chuckle. “From behind those walls, I mean.”

Mineko had to end this. Talking to Lexi stirred too many dangerous thoughts. “I have to go. I’m sure being on this line is risky.”

“Sure, real risky. You might get addicted to the sound of my voice. But before I let you go, I want to say something. There’s nothing wrong with looking out for yourself, okay? Don’t let them swallow you up. You’re better than they are.”

Mineko had never heard Lexi sound so serious, and for an instant she was speechless. She cleared her throat, and her voice returned. “Say goodnight to Callie again. And Riva. Goodbye.”

She released the transmit button and dropped the phone. Her hands had resumed trembling, but some of the fog had lifted from her mind, making it possible once more to imagine waking to another day.

She lay back and gazed at the ceiling. Her fear had subsided, taking with it the memory of Lachlan’s menace. It was time to undress, to shower and sleep, but she was too drained to move. Easier to lie here and think of Callie’s gentle voice. To imagine being in her arms again. To dream of the freedom that meant.

Murmurs rose and faded in the corridor, a breeze swept leaves across the courtyard, petals produced papery whispers and pipes rattled overhead. It was as close as the dormitory ever came to silence. As near, for now, as she could find to peace.

* * *

The bar’s lighting shifted like the beat of a failing heart—strobing at one moment, pulsing slow the next. Instead of the slinking, scattered drone Mineko remembered, the speakers were screaming the music Callie had given her, every note vibrating like a saw.

Kaori and Gaspar stood near the bar, sipping from wine glasses, while Valerie served the drinks. Mineko leaned over the counter and placed a kiss on Valerie’s lips. Neither parent noticed. They were blind that way.

“I brought you chocolates,” said Mineko. “Where’s Alexis Vale?”

“She’s in the corner,” said Valerie. “But you don’t want to disturb her. She’s with somebody, and she doesn’t like being interrupted.”

Frowning, Gaspar emptied his glass onto the floor before turning to Kaori. “We have to do something about our daughter.”

“Lachlan will take care of it.” Kaori had a forked tongue, just like a snake, and scales down her neck. Someday, when Mineko was older, she’d remember to ask why. “Min, where are you going?”

“Social Ethics.” Mineko stepped in the wine puddle as she walked away.

As she crossed the dance floor, the dancers whirled faster, becoming a frenetic blur of faces and limbs. Zeke took her hand and dragged her out of their way.

“Be careful, kid,” he said, the lights glittering from his spikes. “Nobody’s watching out for you over there.”

“I want to see my friend. Alexis Vale.”

“In the corner.” Zeke lowered his voice to a whisper. “Like a roller coaster.”

It was too far to walk, so she let Kade drive her. There was no road, and the wheel moved despite his hands not being upon it. That made sense, because it was really Mineko turning it.

“You going to Bare Hill?” said Kade. “They used to call it the Rail District.”

Empty subway stations flickered by, separated by cement strips and ghostly panels of light. “I’m going to the mesa to watch the sunset.” As she spoke, Mineko watched his face in the rearview mirror. “My friends are waiting for me there.”

“Your old friend, Lachlan Reed? But he’s right here.”

Sure enough, it was Lachlan reflected in the glass, his face a glistening rictus. Shiny skin, shiny hair, shiny eyes.

“I’m not afraid of you,” said Mineko, not looking away from his mocking gaze. “And this is my stop.”

“Brave new world.” Lachlan tapped the side of his nose. “Remember, Mineko Tamura, true resistance is involuntary.”

No, that wasn’t right, but he was already gone, leaving Mineko to follow the worn carpet to the corner of the lounge. Lexi and Callie were sprawled together on red leather, embracing while kissing. As Mineko stared, her body became weak in a pleasurable way. A way she wanted to remember.

“Alexis,” she said. “Alexis Vale.”

Lexi broke from the kiss and gave Mineko a glazed look. “Minnie-Min.” She licked the length of Callie’s neck from collarbone to jawline, and Callie smiled. “You’ll have your turn, don’t worry.”

“I need to speak to you. It’s about Project Sky.”

Callie disentangled from Lexi, removed her tank top and tossed it aside. Her breasts were untanned, her nipples pink, her bare skin the promise of something soft and thrilling. “I don’t give a shit about Project Sky.” She sauntered closer. “It’s you I want.”

Mineko’s breath became shallow. “I want you too.”

Callie pulled Mineko close and kissed her. “Turn the key,” she said, her breath hot on Mineko’s lips, and she guided Mineko’s hand down the front of her shorts. She wore no panties, nothing to stop Mineko’s fingers plunging into that slippery heat…

Dizziness took her. She opened her eyes to find herself on the couch, straddled by Lexi’s bare thighs. Lexi was naked, her body an exquisite wisp of white smoke, and her dark-rimmed eyes shimmered as she stared into Mineko’s mind. As the music whispered, her parents drank wine and Kade drove the nowhere road to Bare Hill, Lexi fucked Mineko, fucked her lying on her back and dazed with lust, and Mineko writhed on the leather as she let it happen.

Now Callie was kissing her while Lexi rode her, and the music was becoming louder, a single steady beat repeated over and over, a rapid note matching each motion of Lexi’s hips. Why was this happening? Despite her own best judgment, she still hungered after this pale apparition, this inscrutable cyborg, this herald of truth and shame…

Mineko woke, her body twisted in her sweat-soaked sheets. The sound from her dream was still there: a swift, chopping noise. She slipped from the blankets and padded to the window. A black helicopter was moving across the sky.

It was headed east.