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Sweat trickled down my back as the guards shoved me out of the elevator and back into the board room where the Vice President was preparing for a press conference. Lights lit the room, cameras were set up, and makeup people dabbed powder on the faces of Kathleen and Brian Callahan, who flinched as the woman caked on another layer of concealer to cover the remnant bruises under his right eye. When they both saw me, they straightened and turned their attention my way.
Malevich stood and crossed the room in a few long strides, an intense and unhappy expression clouding his steely gaze. “You are bound and determined to force me to kill you.” He didn’t finish but exchanged a few words with the guard who explained what had happened down below. His eyes narrowed and a hard set to his jaw made his cheeks look even hollower than before. “Tie her up and gag her. I don’t want her ruining this press conference, but she might just be what I need to ensure the Callahan’s comply.” He turned his back on me and made his way to the front of the room, standing behind the President and her brother, waiting for the cameras to start rolling.
The two guards shoved me into a chair with a tooth- clashing thump and followed orders, tying my hands tightly to the chair arms and gagging me with a strip of linen that tasted like wheel grease. I struggled, but to no avail, instead turning my eyes toward the President as she stood stiffly before the cameras, her eyes glassy. Since communications were regulated by the New Government, the broadcast would be on all channels. Not that anyone but the city dwellers and the few outsiders who had access to electricity and satellite reception would see it, but Malevich only had to convince the majority that the President was at fault for the current state of the disintegrating union and that she should be removed from office, one way or another.
Right before the camera came to life, Malevich gave his last warning. “You say exactly what we agreed to and I won’t kill our young friend over there.” His gaze swiveled from the President to Will’s father and then he gave a threatening smile. “I also have your son and I won’t need to keep him alive if you don’t cooperate.” He glanced at me. “Marcus will serve my purposes in his stead if need be.” Then he turned to the camera and nodded.
The red light appeared and Kathleen stood tall, forcing her shoulders back and staring directly into the camera. Her face was a calm mask, but a wave of tension filled the room.
“My fellow Americans,” she started, her voice clear and strong. “I come before you today to accept responsibility for the tragic loss of life around the country these past months.” Her voice faltered, but she kept her eyes fixed. “When I was appointed to this office two years ago, it was my hope to unify the states, assist in the recovery of our towns and cities, and offer refuge from the harmful solar radiation that is decimating our planet and our people. I know now those were lofty goals. The reality is...I am powerless to change the course of our planet’s future.” Her voice grew soft and tears welled in her eyes. She glanced at her brother and an imperceptible nod passed between them. “The truth is...the truth is...” She paused again and cleared her throat. “The truth is...my brother and I have been held prisoner by the Vice President and the majority of the Assembly is corrupt...” The guards grabbed her arms, and dragged her and Brian away from the microphones, removing them from in front of the camera.
Brian yelled as one of the guards jabbed a stunner into his back to propel him forward. “She’s telling the truth! You have to stop them...!” Both the President and her brother continued their tirades even as the camera light shut down and Malevich stepped up, his face ghostly white and his eyes blazing. The guards carted Kathleen and Brian past me and out of the room before either could say more. The implications of what they’d done hit me squarely.
Malevich would kill them both and have no qualms about destroying Will and the rest of his prisoners as soon as he didn’t need them anymore—including me. The President had had no choice, and Brian Callahan knew it. Malevich was a terrorist and a madman. He wouldn’t keep any part of his word, and anyone he wanted out of the way would be dead. The man narrowed his eyes at me and turned to the camera, shifting from a seething rage to an expression of sympathy. He gave the sign to start broadcasting again.
Malevich recovered and tugged at the lapel of his suit jacket. “You’ll have to forgive President Callahan,” he said, staring into the camera with a sad look of regret. “I must also apologize for my part in this matter. I’m afraid the woman has gone quite mad these past months under so much pressure with the rising rebellion and the pain of her failures. In truth, it was she who ordered the drone strikes on several townships and cities, killing tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children in her efforts to destroy any opposition. With the help of her brother, she has taken control of the solar barriers and is threatening to remove them from all of the currently protected cities. I’m certain you will all agree this is madness and would have disastrous consequences for those who enjoy the safety and benefits of living under government care.” He indicated the map behind him, pointing out the growing number of cities considered Red Zones.
“I and the Assembly of Appointed Governors are ready and able to take over the Presidency and do what must be done to preserve your way of life. We ask for your support in this difficult transition and expect your full cooperation and assistance in fighting off the rebels, who—even as I speak to you—are on the attack, determined to destroy the life we have worked so hard to rebuild.” He straightened his tie and cleared his throat as he plastered on a reassuring smile. “If we work together to defeat the rebels—and I assure you, we will defeat them,” he said, his smile slipping when the sound of an explosion sounded some distance away. “We shall prevail and preserve our land, our security, and our very existence.”
I struggled to break free, my wrists burning against the ropes as I grunted as loudly as possible in protest, hoping the people weren’t foolish enough to buy into the ridiculous lies he was spouting. My only hope was that the explosion I heard meant that the cavalry had arrived early. Malevich quickly finished his speech and the camera light died. He headed straight for me, murder in his eyes. “Bring her to the control room.” The Vice President stormed past me and onto the elevator, his dogs at his heels.
The guard removed my gag, untied me, and dragged me from the chair. A minute later, after listening to Malevich rant all the way down to the ground floor, we exited the elevator. Forced to follow him, I ended up in a control room where Graves stood watch over a wall filled with screens showing every angle of the outside of the building and all but a few rooms within its walls. To my surprise, chaos was erupting at every turn. Meanwhile, Graves barked orders into a com-unit.
“Activate the drones! And double the Guardians outside. I want these people stopped before they get anywhere near us.”
My gaze shot to each of two dozen screens, searching at lightning speed. Drones filled the airspace outside the building, obviously targeting an unseen enemy. Exterior surveillance cameras homed in on the robotic Guardians patrolling the perimeter, their weapons drawn and at the ready. Hundreds of them surrounded us. My heart seized at the thought of the coming battle. Unable to stop it or change its course, I focused instead on the people I might be able to help.
I recognized the room where Will had been held. It was currently occupied by a guard, sprawled on the floor. My heart soared with a mix of anxiety and excitement as my gaze swept to the next screens. Will had gotten the best of the man, and had made his way to Neri’s room. He’d obviously taken the pass key from the guard and freed both her and Baxter. Even the Slates were gone.
I wanted to jump up and down, but the guard pinning my arms to my side prevented the slightest wiggle room and Graves glared at me like I was personally responsible for the whole mess. With Mr. Slate and Baxter conscious and well enough to escape, Neri must have been able to heal them. Hopefully, she’d taken care of Will’s ankle as well. A burst of hope sprang up, but was immediately drowned when my eyes skipped to another screen. Will, Neri, Baxter, and the Slates were making their way along a corridor leading to a stairwell. Another camera showed guards waiting, weapons drawn behind the door.
“Nooo! Go back!” I screamed, every cell trying to warn them.
Neri looked up, directly into the camera, as if she’d heard me clearly. Her eyes widened. She grabbed Will’s arm and stopped him, saying something low and pointing to the camera. An expression of determination and relief flashed across his face. He met my gaze and smiled, turning everyone around to go back the way they’d come. The connection between Neri and me was palpable. She’d opened up her mind and her emotions rested under the surface. Fear, concern for her unborn child, her longing for love and the family she’d been taken from. I balled my fists and tried to pull away from the guard but his grip tightened.
Malevich glared my way and yelled at the men behind me.
“Get them!” he bellowed at several guards who stood at attention, awaiting orders. “They must not escape.”
I watched as Will led everyone down another hallway. But more guards met them, stunners drawn. Before the guards had a chance to fire, however, Baxter’s hands came up and a bright flash of electricity shot out, sending the men flying backward. They smashed into the wall and fell in a tangle of limp arms and legs. Baxter staggered under the impact of the blowback from his powers, but he held his ground and sent another bolt of electricity into a second round of guards who came around the corner.
Will had turned to lead the group down yet another hallway when he stopped abruptly. I couldn’t see what or who he was staring at, but Neri’s eyes grew wide and a look of terror took over her face, and I knew exactly who was blocking their way.
