Beyond Reach, page 18
part #3 of True Calling Series
“I hear things were a little crowded there.”
“No way, man, Washington was practically derelict in comparison. Glad we transferred, there’s much more going down here.” My eye’s instantly flit to Ari’s.
“Why would Agent Dale lie to us?”
“That’s exactly what I’d like to know.”
“Is there some special knack for telling you guys apart?” Isla asks, scooping a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.
“Yeah, I’ve got a large mole over my right butt cheek,” Riga replies, shoving his brother in the shoulder. Xander almost chokes on his toast.
“Interesting,” Isla grins.
“Happy to organize an inspection any time that suits,” Riga replies, quickly hopping up and twisting around. Xander yanks him down, just as his hand reaches the band at the top of his jeans.
“Knock it off, Riga, some of us are still trying to eat. I’m taller than him,” Xander explains, “but sometimes, he needs taking down a peg or two further.”
Dr. Hann is in the observation room when I arrive at the hospital. “I’m anxious to have that talk, do you have time today?”
“Sure, let’s grab a few minutes now. Let me organize someone to monitor Cal first. Excuse me,” he says, brushing past me out the door. Lifting my head, I glance wearily into Cal’s room. He’s securely fastened to the bed, arms and legs tightly bolted to the edges, and it looks like he’s asleep. The wounds on his body appear to be healing very slowly because his skin still looks painfully raw and sore. All of a sudden, he sits bolt upright, his body thrashing and straining against the restraints. His eyes open wide in alarm and flit wildly around the room. His agonizing scream offers a glimpse into the world of pain he’s inhabiting.
Dr. Hann and a nurse rush into the room. The doctor tries to soothe him while the nurse adjusts the drip going into his arm. Tears are flowing freely down his face now, and he clings to Dr. Hann for support, his fingernails digging into the flesh on the doctor’s upper arm. Dr. Hann lowers him back down on the bed, as he slips back into unconsciousness. Witnessing this brings me no enjoyment. As much as I don’t like him—and I don’t—I still don’t wish this on anyone. I’m glad Ari wasn’t here to see it.
“He’s in a bad way,” I acknowledge, as Dr. Hann steps back into the observation room.
“It’s to be expected at this stage, but it would definitely help if we knew exactly what they’d done to him. Come on, I only have a few minutes to talk.”
I follow diligently behind Dr. Hann as he leads me through the entire hospital and down to the far end of the last corridor. Stopping in front of a tall, steel door, he pushes outward and we step onto the ruddy-brown cobbled stones of a small courtyard. Looking around, I take in the beige-colored brick walls and large, high, glass ceiling. A small table and two chairs rest against one wall, adjacent to a multitude of varying potted plants of all shapes and sizes. Slivers of light escape through the muddy layer covering the ceiling, and I can feel a light breeze coming from all directions.
“What is this place?” I ask in amazement.
“I don’t like confined spaces, so I requested an outlet. A proper courtyard was naturally out of the question, so they built this. Those shafts of light you see are real beams of daylight shining through, and they’ve drilled small holes in the walls to allow in air. Not quite the real deal, but enough to keep me sane in times of need. There are no monitoring devices here, so we can talk privately. But we don’t have much time.”
“I understand.” Pulling out a chair each, we both sit down.
“You asked about those Rangers—Corr has commissioned a secret team of soldiers to ensnare and capture Rangers for scientific study.”
“What type of scientific study?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard that old chestnut by now—how we must fight technology with technology, blah, blah, blah.” I’m somewhat shocked to hear Dr. Hann speak in this vein; he’s always appeared to be the consummate professional and completely dedicated to his work. “The Vita is the key to winning this war. Or rather, the ability to control the Vita is the key. As you know, it’s more than just a tracker, or a simple medical monitoring device. The government can activate the ‘kill switch’ at any moment, instantly triggering a reaction that will cause massive hemorrhaging and instant death. Now that they’re installing the Vita on Earth, it means they’ll have the power to force everyone to comply, and we’ll be virtual prisoners to their demands. We’re trying to identify a way to stop them, but I can’t progress my own research without more information, information that thus far we haven’t been able to obtain. So, Corr and Kloon came up with a brilliant alternative plan.” Shaking his head, he doesn’t shield his contempt from me.
“They’re kidnapping Rangers to target, and then extracting the Vita for study purposes?” I ask, aghast. He nods his head. “Have you learned anything?”
“Only that hacking them out elicits instant death, and in the case of the last, poor unfortunate, paralysis first and then a slow, painful death.” Leaning back, he rests his head against the brick wall and sighs loudly. “I’m not happy about this, but when I protested, I was told in no uncertain terms to comply, or they’d kick me out.”
“Do you know what’s on the information vial that Ari has? We suspect it’s something to do with the Vita.”
“From what I’ve been told, the vial contains all the computer codes necessary to deactivate the Vita implants. Once disabled, the chip can be surgically removed without any risk to life. That’s if what I’ve been told is reliable.” His finger taps restlessly off the tabletop.
“Damn. It holds the key to everything,” I muse, resting my hand on my chin. Suffocating alarm tightens the muscles in my chest. Ari’s in far worse danger than I’d initially thought.
“But I think she’s right to hold onto it. How can we trust these people to handle the information appropriately? To use it in the right way?” he says.
“We can’t.” Because, of course, they aren’t trustworthy. No wonder they’ve been relentlessly harassing Ari to release it. I’m glad she’s no longer in possession of it. But that thought does nothing to assuage the guilt I feel in relation to the Rangers. If Clementia had the information, then there’d be no need to continue with this primitive Plan B approach, which is only inflicting suffering and death.
“There’s something else you should know; they’ve instructed me to scan her body fully when she attends her pregnancy sonogram. They suspect she’s concealing the information internally.”
“I appreciate the warning, but they won’t find it there.”
“One more thing. If you come across any files on Vita control on the Novo server, can you hide them or safe-keep them someplace?”
“That I can do.”
“Good, because I suspect we’ll discover exactly how the government is developing the Vita to further control the masses. The last thing we want to do is hand that type of intel to Corr and Kloon.”
“Consider it done, Dr. Hann. Please look after Ari; don’t let them hurt her. Rest assured that I’ll take care of the files.”
Exiting the hospital, I almost bump straight into Ari. My chin grazes her head, and the scent of vanilla and strawberry wafts from her hair. Closing my eyes, I force myself to control the powerful urge to pull her into my arms. She steps back, putting some distance between us. I don’t need to ask her where she’s going. “I was just in there, and he’s heavily sedated. You should return later.”
“Why where you there?” she asks, suspicion lacing her tone.
“I needed to talk to Dr. Hann.”
“About what?”
“About those Rangers.”
“Did you find out what’s going on?”
“Yes, it’s not good. Listen, I’ve loads to update you on. If you’re feeling up to it later, how about a walk in the woods, and I’ll explain?”
She nods. “I’m going to visit him anyway. I want to be there when he wakes up.”
A sharp pain pierces my heart. “Where’s Soldier Boyd?”
“Not sure.” She shrugs.
“I’m tagging along then.”
“No, you’re not.” Resolve-laden eyes stare at me.
“This is non-negotiable. I’m not letting you in there by yourself.”
“My fiancé is not going to hurt me!”
“Ari, get real. You know he’s unpredictable. I know he wouldn’t intentionally hurt you, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.”
“He won’t hurt me,” she says, moving past me. Reaching out, I grab her arm. “It’s either me, or I’ll go now and get Solider Boyd myself.”
“You’re insufferable,” she replies, rolling her eyes, but I detect the faint hint of a smile on her lips. “Fine, but you better keep quiet. I’m warning you.”
“Sealing my lips,” I mutter, gesturing with my fingers.
When we reach the entrance to Cal’s room, she walks confidently forward. I follow her in, but hang back in the recess just inside the door. Cal immediately wakens, as if his body is finely attuned to her very presence. Feeling sick to the pit of my stomach, I’m suddenly questioning the wisdom of my decision.
“Ariana.” His face brightens at the mere sight of her. And even though it’s a sentiment I can completely relate to, I still feel an urge to spew.
“Good morning, Cal.” Bouncing toward him, she drags a chair in close to the edge of his bed and takes his hand in hers. “How are you feeling? Did you sleep okay?”
“I’m fine. More to the point, how are you feeling? Any more sickness?” Clear concern resonates in his words. It’s as Dr. Hann observed; he’s quasi-normal around her, and it’s rather strange. It’s almost as if he can switch it on and off to suit his needs.
“Only a little,” she lies.
A loud bang startles me as the door opens, slamming against the wall. My heart beats furiously in my chest. Soldier Boyd appears in the room with three other soldiers at his flank. Cal instantly tenses, his face hardening in a flash. “Sshh, Cal, it’s only Soldier Boyd, calm down,” Ari says, cupping his cheek. His expression instantly softens as he focuses on her, but I don’t miss the worried look on her face.
“What’s this about?” I ask. Cal’s head jerks up at the sound of my voice. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ari struggling to hold his attention.
“Step aside please, we’re here on official business,” Soldier Boyd says advancing toward the bed. Dr. Hann rushes into the room then, pushing past the soldiers and knocking one of them into the wall in his haste to reach Cal.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“Orders from Chancellor Corr. I’m to arrest Cadet Remus and transfer him immediately to the penitentiary.”
CHAPTER 15
“What? Why? On what grounds?” Ari demands to know, her face betraying a mixture of shock, fear, and bewilderment.
“He’s a traitor to our cause, responsible for the death of three men. He must face the consequences of his actions,” Soldier Boyd says, stepping closer to the bed.
“Don’t you dare touch him!” Ari stands in front of Cal, partially shielding him with her body.
“Step aside, Cadet Skyee, or I’ll have you forcibly removed.” I take position by Ari’s side, hoping this show of solidarity will at least delay things until Dr. Hann can sort it out.
“If you lay a hand on my fiancée, I’ll rip you apart,” Cal growls. I sneak a quick look at him, and his agitation is palpable. Taut, tense muscles flex in his arms, and his veins are pumped, ready for action. He’s potently unpredictable. Ari bites down on her lower lip, clearly worried at the charged atmosphere. Moving closer to her side, I’m prepped to intervene if the need arises.
“Cal requires further medical treatment, and he cannot be moved. No one leaves until I’ve spoken to Chancellor Corr,” Dr. Hann says, exercising his authority. He stops under the doorframe, “And don’t incite him any further.”
Once he’s left, Ari and I stay planted in front of Cal, forming a barrier between him and the team of soldiers. Cal tugs on his restraints, and apart from the clanging sound of metal, we all remain in uneasy silence, until Dr. Hann reappears in the room. “I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do. Chancellor Corr is insistent.”
“No way! No one is touching him. Zane tell them,” Ari pleads, glancing sideways at me. And I want to stand with her, to join her protest, but I know it’s pointless. They’re going to remove him irrespective of anything we do or say. I’d prefer it was peaceful rather than confrontational; it’ll be less stressful for Ari that way.
“Ari, you have to let them take him,” I say publicly. In private, I present a different version of events. “Think of Cal. If we try and labor the point, they’ll remove him forcefully, and who knows how he’ll react. He could get injured or injure someone else, and that will only make things worse. Let them take him, and we’ll go talk to Corr and Kloon.”
I know she’s distraught, but she can’t argue with the logic of my reasoning. Turning toward Cal, she places her arms firmly around the nape of his neck and whispers in his ear. Hostility and confusion paint his features until his expression gradually tames. It’s as if he’s under a magical spell, and he’s powerless to do anything but comply with her words. I can relate to the sentiment.
Ari pivots gracefully and nods at Dr. Hann. He unlocks the restraints binding Cal to the bed. Cal flexes his wrists and arms and bends over, rubbing his ankles at the point where the red indents mark his skin. As he swings his legs over the side of the bed, Ari grabs his shirt from the back of the chair, handing it to the doctor.
Placing an arm across Cal’s back, he guides him toward the door. Cal straightens his spine and eases out of the doctor’s grip, walking at a steady pace out of the room. Ari grips my arm tightly. Cal twists around, his eye’s seeking and finding hers.
“I’ll be there soon, I promise,” she says. I grind my teeth and try to ignore the bitter taste in my mouth. Shifting back around, Cal walks forward, and the entourage moves out of our line of sight.
Ari droops at my side, but when I turn to look at her, she’s seething, and I can clearly see the extent of her fury. “So this is how they plan to retaliate. I can’t believe they’re using him like this.”
“I can. They’ve spent the last few weeks telling you how traitorous he is, and he shows up and kills three of their people. They were never going to let that lie.”
“You’re condoning their actions?”
“No, just that it’s logical. We should’ve realized this would be their next move.”
She runs her fingers through her hair, and nervous energy bounces off her skin. “You’re right. I should have seen this coming. Let’s pay them a visit and see if there’s anything left to bargain with.”
As it turns out, there isn’t. Corr and Kloon will only release Cal once we hand over the information vial and all copies of the recordings. Though they’ve promised to exonerate him of all charges thereafter, neither one of us trusts them to keep their word. They’ve given us twenty-four hours to think it over, and in the meantime, Cal is totally off limits to visitors.
Ari still hasn’t calmed down by the time we reach the woods. Once there is a reasonable distance between us and the entry hatch, she lets out an ear-piercing scream, shattering the silence of our surroundings. Kicking the nearest tree repeatedly, she’s clearly frustrated. “Ari, stop,” I say, attempting to pull her away, “someone might hear, or you’ll hurt yourself.”
“We’re back where we started!” she shouts, ripping a hair tie from her wrist and knotting her hair into a messy bun. “Now, they have all the control again. This sucks.”
“Let’s consider our options,” I say, locking eyes with her. “Number one, we agree to their demands.”
“And they get the information, the recordings, and there’s nothing we can hold over them to force them to rescue my family or not turn me over to the authorities. And we know they won’t honor their promise in relation to Cal,” she says, intelligently assessing the situation.
“Number two,” I continue, “we tell them we won’t agree to their demands.”
“And they’ll accelerate their plans for Cal, and do who knows what to me and my unborn child,” she says, shivering uncontrollably. “Perhaps there’s a number three,” she ponders.
“What are you thinking?”
“Suppose we hand over the recordings—as a sweetener—but leave one secret copy with your friend as a safe-guard. Then we tell them we’ll hand over the information after Cal is released into my care and once my family is safely here. Then we run.”
“That could work. Dr. Hann confirmed earlier that the stolen information vial contains the necessary computer codes to deactivate the Vita program. It’s the key to winning this war, and they know that. They won’t risk doing anything to Cal until it’s under their control. But where can we run?”
“I don’t know, but no matter what choice we make now, none of us are safe here anymore. There’s also something else that’s bothering me, Zane. Why haven’t the authorities shown up here? They obviously know about the facility; otherwise, how would Cal have found his way here, so where are they? Why haven’t they taken action?” she asks, biting on her lower lip.
“I’ve been wondering the same thing. We’re missing something critical. I need to spend more time trying to hack into their systems again.”
“I agree, focus on that. I don’t need you at my every beck and call,” she says, before hastily adding, “It’s not that I’m ungrateful, but I’m a big girl. I’m capable of looking after myself.”
“I just can’t stand being apart from you.”
