Affinity is made up of individuals, not governments. If another country offers aid we will accept and become allies, but we will not directly affiliate ourselves with our host countries.
—Internal memorandum from Affinity
The days were flying by so fast Mia was having a hard time telling them apart. Carter didn’t mention the ticking clock on his ultimatum, and Mia took that as a good sign. He was at the school today, where he spent most of his time. Andrew was starting to fit in as well. Mia stood on the field watching him train with his group. They were practicing defensive moves and even from a distance Mia could see the joy on his face. After training he would speak to Katie for a while, then join Mia at dinner. It was a simple, easy routine.
“You ready?” Sarah asked.
Mia had forgotten that her purpose in the field was waiting for her friend. Without a permanent workstation chosen, or even one in mind, Mia spent most of her time shadowing Sarah.
“You don’t have to come with me today,” Sarah said. “I see you eyeing Andrew; you can spend the whole day with him if you want.”
Mia shook her head. She enjoyed practicing her defensive and fighting skills, but not enough for full-time work. Mia turned and started walking toward Sarah’s workspace.
“Did you stay up too late last night?” Sarah asked. “You seem really out of it today.”
“I stay up too late every night,” Mia said.
Sarah let out a laugh. It was true. Mia’s favorite part of Affinity was the nights. Whoever was free gathered in the field and socialized. Mia was always one of the last to head to bed. She loved hearing about everyone’s days and the general experience of getting to know people, which she’d never had before.
Last night she’d spoken with two sisters; they were young and both were born here. They teased each other and each took turns trying to surprise the other by pulling on her hair. Mia laughed as she watched them, but part of her core stung at the sight. She had been robbed of those types of interactions with her own sisters, and the young women in America would never know that type of bond existed.
“Zack thinks you should sample some of the other areas,” Sarah said. “It’s obvious you lack a passion for computers, and driving can’t be a full-time occupation. Carter mentioned you liked to cook before. Do you want to spend a day in the kitchen?”
Mia almost spat. The kitchen had always been an escape for her, where she could focus on one task and excel. Now that she had escaped the Registry she didn’t need to clear her mind. Armed with the knowledge she now had, any time her mind was clear, thoughts of America filled the space.
“You don’t want me following you?” Mia asked.
“Maybe you should think about Eleanor’s offer,” Sarah said.
“I want a quieter life,” Mia said.
“Do you?” Sarah asked. “I mean, you have everything you were after—you’re in a safe place, the people who love you are protected, you’re forming new friendships—but you’re not letting yourself go. I can see it, the way you carry yourself. What could be eating away at you?”
“Nothing,” Mia said. “It’s just an adjustment, that’s all.”
Sarah shook her head. “You’re not adjusting well,” she said. “At least not when it comes to picking a path.”
“I’m learning something about what you do,” Mia said.
“Like what?” Sarah asked. “Give me an example.”
The two entered the jungle and started up the hill to Sarah’s tower.
“I can type better,” Mia said.
“Do you have any interest at all in learning how computers work or staying at the forefront of technology? I showed you a lot of new things, inventions I couldn’t wait to get my hands on when I was as new as you, but you look unimpressed when I show you.”
“If I’m bothering you, let me know,” Mia said. “I can shadow Zack, or someone from his team.”
“I think it will be the same,” Sarah said.
Mia wasn’t sure if Sarah was right. When she saw the advances all Mia could think about was the poor people in America who would never know this type of technology existed. Sarah stopped walking and Mia looked up. They were in front of the electric gates of ET. Mia whipped her head toward Sarah and gave her a suspicious look.
“I did this for your own good,” Sarah said. “Ask Eleanor if you can spend the afternoon here. I’m sure she’ll agree. Then maybe you will have your answer regarding your place in Affinity.”
Before Mia could respond the gate started to open. Sarah waved and turned, walking down the hill. Mia redirected her gaze toward ET. The gate was open now. Without thinking Mia’s feet dragged her across the threshold, her body knowing what she wanted more than her mind.
This is against protocol,” Eleanor said. “And unfortunately since you are not a member of External Tactics yet, you are not privy to certain parts of the facility.”
“I don’t want to see everything,” Mia said. “Just an idea of what my life would be like if I joined ET.”
They were in the same room Eleanor had escorted Mia and Rex to earlier in the week. Mia was seated at the table and Eleanor walked over to the control panel for the screen. She started typing.
“There is no typical day here,” Eleanor said. “At one point you may be brainstorming, looking for weakness in American defenses; at another you may speak with one of our contacts. It varies depending on where we need help.”
“If I were a member of ET,” Mia said, “what would I be doing right now?”
Eleanor spun around and showed her pressed lips. She looked like she wanted to scream at Mia but instead broke into a smile. She hit a button on the remote in her hand and the screen changed, displaying hundreds of small pictures. Mia couldn’t focus on a single one; they kept shifting.
“These are the images we receive from America,” Eleanor said. “Some are feeds hidden by members of our organization who reside inside the country, others are satellite images where we found weakness in America’s defenses, and others are from television programs and private security devices we have been able to hack.”
“How many people does Affinity have?” Mia asked. “On the inside at least? Why don’t you evacuate them?”
“Those are the types of questions that only get answers if you’re a member of External Tactics.” Eleanor pushed another button and the screen went dark.
“We are not pioneers, living in the wild trying to think up schemes,” she continued. “We are an advanced society, more so than most others in the world. If you join us this will all be at your disposal.”
“Why me?” Mia asked. “I’m not good with electronics; I’m uneducated.”
“Outside of your connection to Grant Marsden?” Eleanor asked.
Mia nodded; that couldn’t be the only reason they saw her as worthy.
“You managed to escape from confinement twice; you rescued two men from a dangerous situation and since then have stopped an attack on Affinity,” Eleanor said. “There is a difference between intellect and education. You are a great asset, for many reasons.”
There was warmth growing inside Mia over Eleanor’s compliments. Something she felt selfish for embracing.
“That being said, coddling is not in my job description,” Eleanor said. “You already know more than the average Affinity member. I’m afraid I cannot give you further details without hearing your decision.”
Eleanor stared at Mia, her arms crossed over her chest. This was the moment Mia needed to pledge her allegiance to ET, but before she could speak Andrew’s face came to her mind. She thought about the time they’d spent together this past week. How nice it was to have him by her side, without any doom looming over them. If Mia knew everything ET and the Registry were up to that blissful ignorance would vanish forever.
“I need more time,” Mia said.
“Then you can spend it elsewhere,” Eleanor said.
Mia stood up from the table and Eleanor walked toward the door, holding it open for Mia as she left. No more words were exchanged. Mia regretted coming to the ET compound. She walked to the fence and waited for it to open. Even though the information she had gained today was minute, Mia knew that instead of satisfying her craving to know the Registry would be destroyed, it had only intensified it.