Beyond Reach, page 33
part #3 of True Calling Series
Blushing furiously, I realize that I’ve been gawping at her in a way that definitely wouldn’t be considered good manners. I quickly extend my hand in greeting. “I’m Ariana Skyee; it’s very nice to meet you.”
“I’m happy to finally make your acquaintance. And you’re correct in your assessment—this is the old Kennedy Space Station. It’s one of the few facilities that weathered the storm, and it contains certain amenities that suit our particular needs. Though we’ve made some necessary modifications,” she says, smiling warmly.
Sensing hands twitching beside me, I sneak a peek at Commander Remus. Drool is practically dripping from his mouth, and he makes no attempt to hide his obvious admiration for the stunner in front of us. I elbow him sharply, and he comes out of his stupor. Quickly introducing himself, he shakes her hand for far longer than necessary.
She shifts her gaze toward the rest of the group now assembled on the lower steps below her. “I’m Calista Corr, and I’m pleased to welcome you all to our facility. I’m sure you’re tired and in need of rest. I’ll show you to your living quarters.” Pivoting in a way that would make even the most graceful ballerina green with envy, she starts to climb the steps.
“Wait. Corr?” I ask nervously. “Does that mean that … you’re connected with the Chancellor?”
“He’s my husband.” I rock back on my heels. “Sorry, I should say ‘estranged’ husband. We’re no longer in contact,” she says, before adding, so quietly that I’m unsure whether anyone else heard it or not, “Nor on the same side.”
Unspoken accusations attack me from all sides. We took a blind leap of faith coming here, even though I was following my dad’s plan. But the others don’t know that, and everyone placed their trust in me. I don’t know what the hell we’ve just walked into. “What’s going on here?”
“We’ll explain everything shortly. I promise that you’re all safe, so please don’t look so worried. There’s a meeting scheduled in six hours, and we’ll debrief you then. For now,” she says, her eyes skimming over our group, “I think you all need a shower, some rest, and food. Then we’ll talk.”
Swallowing the nervous lump in my throat, I look sideways at Cal. He shrugs in a ‘what else can we do’ kind of way. She stands motionless, beckoning me with her eyes. Standing tall, I follow her into the building.
It’s amazing how restorative showers and clean clothes can be. I’m sitting on my bunk in our shared dorm, toweling my hair dry, and I feel almost human again. The dull, hollow ache inside me hasn’t disappeared, but I feel rejuvenated, and some of my energy has returned. “Zane?” I silently call out again. But there’s no reply. It’s been like this the whole of the last hour, and I’m starting to freak out. Maybe we’re just too far away to connect; I try to reassure myself, because the alternative doesn’t even bear thinking about. But you were able to speak to each other when you were worlds apart, my unhelpful subconscious whispers in my mind.
Butterflies flutter in my chest and I feel nauseated. Please God, let nothing have happened to Zane. After what’s happened to Mom, with dear Raina gone, and no sense whatsoever of where Dad and Lily are, I can’t cope with any more loss. I’m scarcely holding it together as it is. And I need to look in control, at least on the outside. Because Deacon can’t know, not yet, not like this, when there’s still so much that’s unknown. And if I’m being totally honest with myself, there’s a part of me that’s clinging to the hope that my vision was of a distant future and that Dad will get there in time to save her.
The bed dips as Cal plonks himself down beside me. He’s wearing black cargo pants and a matching shirt. His skin still glistens with tiny beads of water, and wet droplets drip onto the collar of his shirt. Reaching forward, he tries to take the towel from my hand, but I’m having none of it.
“Let me,” I say, rising up on my knees and lifting the towel to his head. Gently dragging the towel backward and forward over his hair, I continue in a light sweeping motion until his hands reach back and wrap around my wrists. He pulls me around toward him, positioning me on his lap. Touching his forehead to mine, he tightens his arm around my waist. “Are you okay?” he whispers.
“Find me a bucket, quick, before I puke in my mouth.” I turn and face Ruby. Her expression is part grimace, part amusement. “Seriously, can’t you guys keep your hands off each other, for like five minutes? Living here is going to be unbearable.”
Though we weren’t actually doing anything on this occasion, I don’t feel the need to correct her. I throw the wet towel at her face, and she catches it quickly, grinning widely. “Jealous much?”
“Jealousy is overrated. Besides, who says I don’t have a hot boy of my own?” Her eyebrows rise impishly.
“You don’t! Do you? Oh my God, who is it?” I ask, hopping up and strolling toward her.
“My lips are sealed,” she says, winking. She looks over my head and her face flushes.
Turning around, I spot the bemused expression on Cal’s face. “What?” I ask, hands on my hips.
“Don’t mind me. Just pretend I’m not here. I’m enjoying this conversation immensely, dying to see where it’s going.”
I swat his head playfully. “Cute.”
“Thought I was hot?” he mocks.
Rolling my eyes, I turn and look as Commander Remus approaches, Deacon faithfully tagging along at his side. Mel and Jaden linger at the rear. The playful atmosphere evaporates into thin air. “Sharing living space with your dad is going to get old super quick,” I mutter under my breath.
“No kidding.”
“There you are. The meeting is commencing shortly so I suggest you pay a visit to the cafeteria before we start. That’s if there’s any food left after young Deacon here,” he says, tousling his hair. Deacon elbows him good-humoredly. Cal stares at his dad, his lips pinched. I don’t understand why Commander Remus seems to have taken such a shine to my little brother, but I can tell that it’s unnerving Cal. His father barely spared him a thought throughout his childhood, so I can only imagine what kind of emotion it’s invoking in him.
Lacing my fingers in his, I urge him up. “Come on, I’m totally starving. Let’s see if Deacon has left us anything to eat.”
“What do you think the story is between the Chancellor and Calista?” I ask, in between mouthfuls of pasta. He shrugs. “I can’t believe the Chancellor is fooling around with the witch, when he has such a stunning wife. Beggars belief.”
“Must be the sex,” Cal says. I flick my spoon toward him and sauce splatters his face. “Hey! No fair,” he says, grabbing a paper towel. “She is stunning but … she looks like a bit of an ice queen.” I shake my head in disbelief. “What?”
“You’re unbelievable. What’s with boys and their preoccupation with sex?”
“I think you already know the answer to that question,” he says, his tongue suggestively licking the back of the spoon.
“It’s only because you let your …” I stop mid-flow as I sense the presence behind me.
“Don’t let me stop you, Ariana. That sounded like an interesting observation you were about to make,” Commander Remus says.
Distaste swirls in my mouth and I grimace. “Did you want something?” I ask.
“We’re on. Come on.”
Now that all the introductions have been made, it seems we’re finally ready to start the meeting. My body jerks stiffly in nervous anticipation. Calista stands confidently at the top of the room beside Clementia’s Chairman. Tall and stocky, with muscle-bound arms more akin to a bodybuilder than a corporate executive, Dan Fielding is one seriously handsome dude. Standing beside each other, they make a striking couple.
“Before I begin, I’d like to ask that you allow me to explain without interruption. What I have to tell you is shocking, and I know you’ll have questions. But if we could wait until the end, please,” Calista says. Everybody nods agreeably. We’re all here with the exception of Deacon and Mel. It was felt he was too young to be privy to this discussion, and Mel very kindly offered to keep him company. I know I owe her big time.
“I’ll give you some of the background first, assuming that most of you are not familiar with Clementia, or how we came to be. My father was a successful businessman who stood at the helm of one of the largest enterprises in the United States. When I met and married Chancellor Corr, he was an aspiring executive with big ambitions. Recognizing his potential, my father took him under his wing, and he quickly rose through the ranks in the organization. Sometime later, he began to cultivate political aspirations, and he developed important connections. When my father passed a few years ago, he surprisingly bequeathed his majority share-holding to me, much to my husband’s disgust. I saw no need for change, so George—the Chancellor—continued his role in the firm, eventually being appointed CEO. He became increasingly involved in the political scene, and it was through his network that we became aware of the Alliance’s construction of Novo and the plans to flee Earth. The Chancellor made a deal with President Calavero, one that would allow the technology and pharmaceutical divisions of our organization to flourish in the new world and grant him the type of political status and position he’d always desired. Our marriage was only a marriage of convenience at that stage … yet I still believed him.”
Taking a step toward the table, she stretches out an elegant arm and lifts a glass of water to her lips. I smile anxiously at Cal. I’m sensing she’s getting to the good part. Reaching over, he squeezes my hand.
“The organization rebranded as Clementia, and at first, I’d no knowledge that they’d formed an underground rebel movement. But when I discovered it, myself and the Board were immediately suspicious of his motives. Perhaps deciding to base ourselves here—so far away from the operational side of the business—was a mistake, but we had our own reasons for choosing this facility.”
She pauses momentarily. “Six months ago, we discovered the truth. Since then, we’ve been working to formulize our own plans. There’s no easy way to say this, so I’m going to be blunt. The resistance movement fronted by Clementia is a sham. It’s a bogus operation, established by my husband under the directive of President Calavero. Their aim? To capture those dissenters opposed to the new world order and eliminate them as a threat.”
CHAPTER 28
Shock registers on several faces at once, and audible gasps can be heard reverberating around the room. “That’s … preposterous,” Commander Remus says.
“Or sheer brilliance,” I admit begrudgingly. “Think about it? If they establish a fake rebel movement, it’s unlikely that anyone’s going to a) question it, and b) set up another genuine movement. They can identify all potential insurgents easily and take action to shut them down. It’s damn near genius.” Jax had initially planted the seeds of doubt in my mind, and then I was suspicious when Mel and I stumbled across that hidden control center. Since we discovered Micha and Zolt’s wedding photo, and I learned that Clementia tried to eliminate Dad, I’ve known something wasn’t right. So I can’t say that I’m overly surprised. However, the depth of the deception has still come as a massive shock. That the whole thing is one whopper of a lie is unfathomable.
“Ariana is correct in her summation. As a Level 1 Commander, and trusted advisor to the President on Novo, I find it quite strange that you never had any inkling about this?” Calista asks Commander Remus.
“What exactly are you accusing me of?” He’s no longer looking at her adoringly.
“Did you really not know?”
“No! I didn’t, and that’s if this is above-board. How do we know you’re telling us the truth?” Leaning forward in his chair, he clenches his fists at his side.
“I can provide bucket-loads of evidence if that’s what you require. Before I left Connecticut, I organized the installation of covert monitoring equipment in our Clementia apartment. We’ve amassed tons of incriminating evidence: recordings of secret meetings and discussions between his top team. I’m happy to share them with you, if you need convincing that badly.” She casts a fleeting glance my way, and at that exact moment, I register her meaning. Rui didn’t install those cameras in the Chancellor’s apartment, his wife did! Then that means … she knows about his extra-curricular activities, and she may have seen what transpired between him and I. I automatically stiffen and shift awkwardly in my seat.
“I assume you’ve all met Micha Kloon? She’s President Calavero’s sister. She’s the one really pulling the strings,” she continues.
“Plus, she’s married to Zolt Rada,” I add. It’s all slotting into place now.
Dan Fielding stands up and walks over beside Calista. “Novo had been under construction since the 1960s and that gave successive governments’ adequate time to research and plan the new world, to the minutest detail. Think about what history has taught us. How many times have we seen riots, unrest, rebellions, and wars after any significant period of change? It didn’t require much brainpower to figure out that the people left behind on Earth would be disgruntled with their lot, nor that it’d take them too long to revolt. So Calavero planned for that eventuality too,” he says.
“So what do you think they’re planning next?” Cal asks.
“Their goals, as far as we’ve been able to determine them, are firstly, to squash any revolutionary thought before it takes flight. Secondly, to kill all those would-be dissidents and send out a powerful message to the rest of society that they won’t tolerate any attempt to usurp their authority. And thirdly, to identify those individuals within Clementia who have skills they could use, and offer them a lifeline, a chance to partake in a Novo life after all. If they succeed in getting them on their side, there’s no risk of engagement with other nonconformists who might be brave enough to risk starting another movement,” Dan replies.
“Was Commander Skyee aware of this?” Commander De Luca asks.
“Not at the time they tried to take him out. But he’s up to speed now,” Calista answers.
“What?” Commander De Luca asks, dumbfounded. His head swivels in my direction.
“Dad’s alive. He’s the one who told us to come here. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but he asked me to keep it quiet. He’s coming to join us after he rescues Lily and … my mom.” I barely whisper the last part. Commander Remus’ head perks up.
“Oh, Ariana, that warms my heart,” Commander De Luca says, clearly emotional. Ruby hops up and runs around the side of the table, flinging her arms around me. I smile weakly at her. Honestly, it’s the best I can do. I’m trying to restrain the floodgates, but they’re on the verge of opening with cataclysmic results. Cal moves his chair in close to mine and places a protective arm across my shoulder. Ruby retakes her seat, a perplexed look on her face.
“Commander Skyee should be joining us here soon. He has lots to update us on—exciting developments—but I think we’ll leave that for another day,” Calista says.
“So it’s true that Clementia attempted to kill my dad?” I ask. Focusing on practical stuff is my best weapon against the tears.
“Yes, I’m sorry. Your father was working with Clementia, and he believed in their cause. So when an opportunity came his way—a chance to take something that could change things forever—he grasped it. He advised Micha Kloon and Agent Dale, and they tried to kill him for it. They fully expected to find it on his person, or somewhere in his stealth-craft, but they tore that ship apart and couldn’t find any trace of it.”
“You’re referring to the information I have?” She nods her head.
“Does it contain computer codes needed to shut down the Vita program?”
“Yes. The information you hold has the power to reverse all the wrongs and put things to right. To take back control. That vial contains all the necessary security codes to disable the Vita and instructions on how to safely remove it from the body thereafter. It’s the key to winning the war for mankind.”
No one speaks for a few minutes, and I’m mulling it over in my head. Confusion swirls in my brain. Why did my dad leave the information with me rather than hand it over to Clementia if he wasn’t aware of their duplicity? And that’s not all that’s baffling. “I don’t quite understand,” I say. “If it contains the codes to disable everyone’s Vita, then why didn’t the government just change all the codes? Why the desperation to get this particular vial back?”
“Arrogance can be a very destructive emotion, don’t you think?” she says, before swiftly continuing. “The government knew how potent this information was, and they were so confident in their ability to safeguard the data that they intentionally didn’t create a back-up. They believed they didn’t need to, thinking it was safest to only have one copy. So that list you have is the only list. They can’t change the codes, because they need the original list in order to do it. Nor do they know how to remove the Vita safely, for that information is lost to them too. So the only action available to them is to activate the kill switch, and they’re reluctant to do that just yet, for obvious reasons.”
OMG. Zane and I had suspected it was something to do with the Vita, but nothing as explosive as this.
“So what’s the plan? I assume you have one?” Commander Remus asks.
“We need to start analyzing that information immediately and then organize to remove all of your Vitas. The ideal scenario would be to deactivate all the Vita implants in operation in one swift move, and then start arranging mass removals. Timing will be critical, for we don’t know what advancement the government has made. For all we know, they could’ve identified a way to reactivate them without the code. So it needs to be carefully mapped out. Now that you’re all here, you can aid our effort. And once Commander Skyee arrives, we can start implementing our strategy for the real revolution. He’s discovered much that can help.”
