126(Track 1: Always a catch- Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard)
In Miles' Quarters
Miles stared out the window, anger bubbling up inside of him. So much had happened, still the girl seemed to thrive. It was almost too much.
Now, the public would meet her.
Miles turned away from the window, stunned to find his assistant watching him. He hadn't even heard her come in, "Triff. What do you want?" He snapped.
She stepped over, slowly, "Just wanted to confirm some things, sir, before the party tonight."
Miles nodded, turning away, "What things?" He asked as he sipped from his glass of wine.
"You killed your last assistant, didn't you?" Triff said.
Miles whirled back around to face Triff, who stood facing him defiantly.
"Well did you?" She pressed, "I would like to know, before I do what I was ordered to do."
Miles' gaze went to Triff's hands, but they were empty. She was wearing flats, not her usual heels. And then he knew what she was there for, "If you are supposed to kill me then go ahead and try," he snarled, turning his back on her.
"I don't try," Triff said simply, "I merely do what I am ordered to do. But I would like to know, before I end you. Did you kill your last assistant?"
Miles chuckled, "It's ironic, really. I kill her, then you kill me. The Department really likes to mess with the boudaries, don't they?" He sighed, turning to see Triff's reaction.
She merely smiled at him, "The Department makes the decisions, not me. I just carry out orders."
"But surely, you feel something. You, of all people, do feel. You're one of the most real people I've met since I've been here."
Triff looked away, finally, "I feel," she agreed softly. Miles sensed he'd said something that had more meaning than he knew, "but when you break the rules around here," her gaze sharpened, "you get aborted."
Miles nodded, "Why now, though? What don't I know?"
Triff stepped forward and placed her hands on both sides of his head, gently, "You don't know when to let someone live," she whispered, gently.
Miles couldn't meet her gaze, "Life is useless, it means nothing," he growled.
Triff's resolve hardened at the words, "Life is always important," she said, "and when someone considers himself above life, he must be reminded."
With that, she snapped his neck.
Miles' body fell to the floor, unseeing eyes staring past Triff. She went to the door and closed it behind her, wiping away tears.
Triff felt, alright. But when she was given a job, that came before her feelings. She was just that good at her what she did. Yet sometimes, her feelings were affected by her work. And when that happened. . .
Triff straightened her red dress and regained her composure. There was more work to be done before the day was over.
(Track 2: Leave no man behind- Hans Zimmer)
That evening
Grand Hall Building
Lio and I waited for the other Chosen to filter into the Grand Hall, where all the society parties were. I had to stop myself from waving excitedly at the others, instead settling for a big grin. Lio smiled down as well, nodding to the twins.
Lio and I stood on the top balcony that caught one's attention immediately, to greet the News and the public.
Everyone else would stand on the stairs, that way we looked like a unified force. The dresses and outfits were outstanding. I caught sight of Ethe and Koll, they were to stand on my left on the staircase. Ethe looked great in a black suit, Koll wore a simple white suit with a green tie.
The twins looked identical, as always, in black suits. They stood on Koll's right also on the staircase.
"Good to see you guys," I said, calmly.
"Nice to see you as well," Koll nodded, voice warm.
"You look all dressed up, Cinderella," Ethe teased.
I made a face at him, "Thanks, Romeo."
Ethe frowned, "I don't want to be Romeo, he dies remember?"
Laughing I shook my head, "Alright, fine. Casanova."
Ethe nodded, "That's better."
"How?" Lio wondered.
The twins giggled.
It felt good to see them all again. We'd made it this far. Miles wasn't suspicious, the plan was about to go into motion. This was the calm before the storm.
"You ready?" Koll asked softly as last minute preparations were finished up by the party crew.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied.
Koll frowned and tilted his head to see something behind me, "That's new. The tattoo, I mean."
I turned slightly so he could see it better, "Those we lost back in Africa," I answered his unspoken question.
He nodded, "And the symbol?"
"My Unit, it's the symbol of the Chosen." I replied.
A small smile pulled at the corners of Koll's mouth, "I like it."
"Listen up everybody," The party coordinator said, "we are opening the doors in five minutes. Tawny, have your statement ready. Lio, be sure you actually smile this time. As for the members of your teams, be seen but be quiet. That pretty much goes for everybody else. Got that?"
"Yes, Hime," I called, "we got it."
Hime was a frizzy-haired short man that more resembled a teakettle. He was round and short but when he opened his mouth you couldn't miss him. It was shocking how such a loud voice could come from someone so tiny. His red hair was the only way one could find him, as he tended to be in the middle of everything.
Hime nodded, "Good. Once the speech has been made, feel free to mingle but you know the rules. Nothing about the Department must be said tonight unless it is glowing praise."
I swallowed the bitter taste of hatred and nodded, "Alright, Hime, go worry about the dessert. We got it."
Koll watched Hime totter away, "He's a funny little fellow, isn't he?"
I smiled, "Not as weird as half of the people you'll meet tonight. I've had a chance to be exposed to some of the society types. Be prepared to smile no matter what insult they give. They like wit, keep it cool. A good comeback is appreciated, but don't get nasty."
Koll grinned for real. "I'd pay serious cash to see you get nasty," he said.
I smiled back, "Give me ten minutes after the speech, I'll make some real havoc. Miles'll love it."
"Just keep a hold on it till after the speech," Lio said from the side of his mouth.
Then Hime called shrilly, "They're here, everybody look your best, don't forget to smile!"
Koll's hand slipped into mine and I held it. Lio's hand slipped into my other hand and squeezed. Both wanted my affections. But they didn't realize that right now was too dangerous. And at any rate, how did they expect me to choose? Both were good young men.
I cleared my thoughts and waited for Hime to open the doors.
The News had a camera inside and Hime waited till the camera was shooting before he opened the doors.
"Welcome to the annual Chosen Celebration!" Called the announcer, a guy with a voice so deep it resonated on each syllable before leaving reluctantly to move to the next.
Music played in the background as the heads of society walked into the Great Hall. I was to wait till everybody had gathered in the foyer to give the speech, then everyone would walk up the stairs to the dance hall where the festivities would begin.
As the people continued to flow into the foyer, I was aware of just how much there was at stake. Not just my life, or the lives of the Chosen survivors, but the lives of those below and in the city. They were all on the line. And it all rested on me being a difficult debutant.
I could play the part of a warrior. But debutant?
There was always a first time for everything.
I looked for Hime, waiting for him to signal that I was to give the speech. He met my gaze and put up his outspread hand. 5. Then a finger went down. 4. Another. 3... 2... 1.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I let my voice carry over the heads of the crowd, speaking clearly, "thank you for joining us in celebration tonight. We would like to give you our thanks for letting us serve you and the great city of Vigilant. My Unit members and I are honored to be here tonight."
Lio's part came next and he spoke well, "While we were in Africa, our one fear was that we would be separated from what we had come to know as home. Vigilant has been a city full of warmth and we thank you all for your dedication in finding Tawny and I even when all hope was lost."
I released Koll's hand and Lio's hand, turning so that the camera could see the tattoos, "In honor of those we lost, we have ensured that they will never die. Their names are tattooed into our skin and carved into our hearts. To the families of the fallen, we say thank you."
I paused as the heads of society clapped and cheered. When the applause had died down I looked directly into the camera. This was where I went off-script.
"What happened in Africa was a tragedy. We lost many good men and women when it could have been avoided. I ask each of you who are watching or listening in your homes, or wherever you are, to ask yourselves this question: What are we fighting for? I fight, not only for a better future, but for the person who stands next to me. You have no idea what happened in Africa, only what the News tells you. I lived through hell only because of the dedication of my team member and a promise I made to myself. To never give up. This is the reason why I had the names tattooed onto my skin, that way I would not forget the sacrifice or the injustice of our circumstances. The odds are against us, ladies and gentlemen, for survival. I will likely not survive the coming year, but I pray that my words will live on in each of you."
Utter silence. I risked a quick glance at Hime. He'd gone white. A surge of triumph ran through me.
"So thank you. And enjoy the party!" I shouted.
Cheers and stunned applause filled the room. The Chosen cheered the loudest. They understood a small part of what I was saying.
Little did they know that I'd just told those in the resistance to start preparing. I'd just openly declared war on the Department.
Now, to make more havoc.
We turned away from the camera and into the dancing hall. The people came in, murmuring among themselves and I allowed myself the luxery of a smile.
"You enjoyed that," Koll chuckled.
"Girl's gotta have some fun," I replied simply.
"Then how about a dance?" He asked, taking my hand and pulling me onto the dance floor.
It was one of the ancient dances from the 1800's, thankfully my acting classes had also included dancing, table manners, and proper decorum for the modern age as well as the classical age. (Hence the reason it took several weeks.)
I let Koll guide me around the ballroom, enjoying the feeling of breaking away from the life I was scripted to lead, "Has he kissed you yet?" Koll broke the silence.
I had been focused on how nice it was to dance with Koll that the question caught me offguard, "What?" I asked, trying to figure out what Koll's cryptic question meant.
"Has Lio kissed you?" Koll repeated, glancing down at me.
"Oh," I understood better and shook my head, "no, he only kissed my cheek."
Koll's gaze snapped to mine, "When?"
I frowned, "Look, you don't have a right to decide who kisses me, why anyone kisses me, and when. You are my unit member and I care for you. But you do not control me."
I was probably a little too defensive but this coming from Koll. . . For some reason it made me angry.
Koll and I finished the dance when the music went from classic to a slow dance. Without asking to, Koll's arms wrapped around my waist, "I'm sorry, you're right," He said, drawing me closer.
I wanted to pull away but everyone was watching me and I couldn't show my discomfort, "I don't know how to slow dance," I admitted.
Koll smiled, "Really? I thought that would have been taught to you," he said.
I lifted an eyebrow, "They assumed I already knew how," I admitted.
"Put your arms around my neck," Koll gave me a little grace.
I gave him a look, "Seriously?"
"Look around," Koll said, "this is how you slow dance."
I glanced at the others around us and sure enough, the other women had done the same. I let my arms go around his neck.
"See?" Koll said, gently guiding me through the steps, "not so hard."
I felt my face flush. How come Koll could make me feel like I was always awkward? It wasn't that he made me feel uncomfortable all the time, but he just. . . Just caught me outside of my comfort zone.
"I should have kissed you first," Koll said softly.
I met his gaze shyly, not sure how to respond, "Why?" I finally asked.
"Why do you think?" He teased smiling warmly.
"I asked the first question," I retorted.
He leaned forward and whispered in my hear, "I'll tell you when there's more privacy," he leaned back but I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"Mind if I cut in?" Milo asked, grinning.
Koll glanced at me, a promise in his gaze. We'll talk later, he said.
Milo took Koll's place, "Sorry to interrupt whatever that was," Milo said, "but for the camera's sake, it is best to trade partners."
I nodded, "Thanks for the reminder."
Grinning, Milo shrugged, "Least I could do. It's nice to see you, by the way."
I smiled back, "Nice to see you too. How have you been?"
"Busy," Milo admitted, inclining his head slightly, "but not too busy to have some time to myself."
That was the code. He'd done some sneaking around.
"That must be nice," I replied calmly, "what do you do in your free time?"
Milo shook his head, "Nothing you would like. Exercise, mostly. Maybe some reading, but I like to build up my abilities."
The dance ended. I smiled at Milo, "Thank you for the dance." During the exchange in the conversation, the underlying message was that he had figured out how to do some snooping unnoticed.
"You're welcome," Milo nodded.
"My turn," Lio said as another song began.
"Mind if I take a break," I asked, "I'm a little unaccustomed to heels."
"Of course," Lio led me to a chair, "sorry, I didn't think about your feet."
I grinned, "It isn't you're fault."
We watched the dancing for a bit, Ethe was dancing with a blonde beauty, Koll was glowering in the corner, and Milo had switched partners as well. It was so neat and rehearsed that the dancers looked like they were part of a machine, all the pieces working together to create a unified force.
Finally, I decided that my feet had enough rest, "Does the offer still stand?" I asked as they played a classic song.
"Of course," Lio grinned widely as he swept me into the dance.
It was different, compared to dancing with Koll. Lio was shorter and yet his shoulders were just as wide. Koll's gaze was intense, Lio's was warm.
I managed to shake off some of the magic of the ball, I had to be focused.
"You alright?" Lio asked.
"Yes," I smiled, "just keeping focus."
Lio nodded, "I see. So did Koll-"
"Tawny," someone broke into the conversation. A woman in a red dress stood next to Lio and I, "I need you to come with me."
She had the air of authority and my CIMM recognized her as Miles' assistant.
"Of course," I said turning back to Lio, "I'm sorry-"
"No need to apologize, duty calls," Lio said, nodding.
(Track 3: Goodbye my son- Hans Zimmer)
I followed Miles' assistant, Triff the CIMM identified her as, from the ballroom, "Is everything alright?" I asked.
Triff kept walking, leading me away from the crowd.
I felt a ball of worry form in my stomach, twisting sharply as she opened a door. I paused before I entered, glancing at Triff for any sign of assistance.
She stood there, holding open the door, "Go in," she prompted.
"What's inside?" I asked.
"A proposition," Triff replied calmly.
I nodded, "Miles?"
Triff's gaze slid away from mine, "Miles is no longer in charge. I suggest you go in," she warned.
I bit back the flood of questions that tried to escape and walked inside. Another young woman stood there, waiting, in front of the window that spanned the length of the far wall.
She looked to be as young as Mallagon, fresh face, with a scar running down across her nose. Wide blue eyes made her look sweet but the sharp angles of her jaw and the severe bun her hair was pulled back into told me that this woman meant business. Her clothes were also black but the cut of her dress was sharp and angular, as she was. Threatening was the word that came to mind, when one thought of her.
"Tawny Felis," she said, voice smooth and pensive, "you look lovely."
"Thank you," I waited for the punchline, information, anything. Beneath my dress, I wore my replacement knife. It was much like the one I'd worn into battle in Africa. The handmade Sticecraft Tsuki blade, but with a nearly violet-blue ray skin and black sheath. My hand slid to where it was hidden within the folds of my dress, the firmness of the blade giving me a small sense of comfort.
"Miles is dead," the woman said, since the pleasantries were out of the way, "and I am in charge. I'm O'cana, his replacement."
Replacement. Miles dead. This didn't add up to a good picture. Someone had figured something out. The game had changed. And I was clueless as to which pieces of the puzzle had been switched.
"You, Ms. Tawny, have been playing with fire," O'cana walked over and gently ran a manicured finger over my scarred cheek- something that everyone seemed to do- but her cold touch made me shiver, "that doesn't burn. That's against the laws of nature and nature will start to fight again," she said, walking around me.
"Speak plainly, I'm just a simple soldier," I said, since she'd dropped the niceties and was toying with me now.
"Very well," O'cana said, walking back to her desk, "you are conspiring against the Department. Am I wrong?"
The breath caught in my throat but I didn't react otherwise. O'cana smiled at my silence.
"Hm," her teeth were pearly white, the same way a tiger's teeth gleamed before they sunk into the haunches of prey and stained red, "we need to punish you for this."
The ball of fear in my stomach made me glad I hadn't eaten anything, "And how do you propose to punish me?" I asked, glad that my acting lessons had taught me to control my voice.
"By taking what you hold most dear," O'cana replied.
I steeled myself for the verdict.
"Your memories," she whispered.
The statement echoed through the silent room. In the distance, I heard someone laughing back at the party but O'cana's words had struck a very painful blow.
"Honestly, I thought it would be more fun if I killed one of your little suitors," O'cana admitted, going to the window and looking out at the city, "but the People would dislike that. Unexplained deaths are so tiresome. No, better to make you as clueless as the people and see your dear little boys struggle to protect you. You should thank Triff for that, I was all for killing one of them."
I glared over at Triff. She met my gaze easily, no remorse on that face of hers. She'd helped O'cana. That made her an enemy.
"But this game," O'cana continued after letting her words sink in, "would be boring if I had all the pieces at my disposal. That is what this is all about, you know," she said turning to me.
I didn't understand, "What do you mean, a game?" I asked.
"You really are a poor naive little soldier, no imagination," O'cana sighed. But obviously she wanted me to fully understand just what she meant because she explained, "In a battle, there are pieces. Like chess. Do you play chess?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Well, I am the queen of this game. I am under the king- in this case, the Department- but I hold all the real power. You are the queen for the opposing side- the resistance- but are under their command. Now, if I killed off either of your cute little lovers, that would be like taking out your knights. If I killed you, the resistance would collapse because the king is nothing without the queen. But your memory. . ." She smiled the same hungry smile at me.
"Is almost as good as taking the queen," I finished.
"Precisely. I have shown you the next move I am about to make, since this game would be no fun as you aren't smart enough to play it without help, but I will leave you an out. For the sake of the game," she said.
"Thanks," I growled sarcastically.
O'cana tutted, "Don't get angry, it'll distract you. Now listen closely, since you won't remember this later. I will store your memories so that you can recover them. But I won't make them easy to get to and you'll have to sacrifice to get them back. Now, shall we begin the game?"
"And if I refuse to play the game?" I snapped. I was running out of options.
"Then your unit, your lovers, and all of the petty little people back at home that are parents to your friends will die. And then I'll blame Miles' death on you," O'cana said simply.
I felt as though I'd taken a physical blow. Dad would be killed, Ethe and Koll's families, the twins and their families, Lio and his family, all killed because of me.
O'cana was brilliant at the game. She knew my greatest weakness. Those I cared for. I had no idea if she even had a weakness, O'cana was too ruthless to put a value on life.
"Well?" She prompted, "What'll it be, little heroine? Let everyone die and your little revolution go to waste or play and try to win despite the odds."
I gripped the knife within my dress, wishing I could attack her here and now, cut her down. But out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Triff had a gun in her hand. She'd take me down before I could give O'cana a scratch.
I had run out of options.
"I'll play the game."
(Track 4: Never take off the mask- Hans Zimmer)
Twenty minutes later
Koll glanced around the ballroom, looking for Tawny. He didn't see her dancing, she wasn't with anyone else and a rush of fear hit him. Being a spy was a dangerous thing and to not see her for any length of time made him nervous.
He made his way to Ethe, who was at the food table, "Hey," he tugged at Ethe's sleeve.
Ethe turned, "Wha?" he managed to say around a mouthful of food.
"Have you seen Tawny?" Koll asked.
Ethe shook his head, "She wa' dancin' wif," he paused to swallow, "with Lio a while back but I haven't seen her since. I assumed she was with you," Koll's expression told Ethe otherwise, "let's see if he knows."
Ethe made his way through the crowd and found Lio talking with the twins, "Hey, where's Tawny?"
"She was with Miles' assistant," Lio replied, noticing the looks on the faces of Ethe and Koll, "what's wrong?"
Koll growled, "You should have gone with her, you idiot!"
Realization hit Lio like a kick in the head, "I saw which way she went," he said and the three boys left the ballroom as fast as was politely possible.
Milo saw them leaving and wanted to go but Koll gestured for him to stay. The fewer that left, the less likely the absences were to be noticed.
"Tawny?" Ethe called as they entered a part of the building they hadn't been allowed into.
"Keep your voice down," Koll warned, "we don't want to be caught off guard. Go to Combat Mode."
The boys paused as they switched modes. Looking around with the thermal scanner, Koll noticed a spark of heat in one of the rooms on the far side of the building, "This way," he said and headed towards it.
Praying under his breath that it wasn't a trap, Koll paused before the door.
"Prepare for combat," he warned.
From nowhere, weapons appeared. Ethe even had a machine gun but where he'd gotten it from , Koll didn't want to know.
Koll had a small handgun set to stun and scanned the area once more. The only heat signature was inside the room. Only the heat signature was on the ground.
"Now," Koll said, when he was satisfied that there was only one person inside, and threw himself against the door. To his surprise, it popped open easily.
Tawny lay on the ground, motionless.
"Secure the room," he told the others as he bent over Tawny. Switching back to normal mode, he scanned her for injuries. She was alright, no sign of bruises or injuries. Completely normal but he had no idea why she was unconscious.
"She's not hurt," He said, picking her up and moving her towards the moonlight that beamed down through the window.
"Why is she knocked out, then?" Lio asked, voice tight with worry.
"I don't know," Koll admitted, "but we need to get her back to her room."
"This is all my fault," running a hand through his hair, Lio looked miserable, "I'll go get a car and we'll get her out of here as fast as we can."
"Go with him," Koll told Ethe.
"Why?" Ethe wondered.
"Just in case," Koll said. The tension in the room went from high to very high.
"Why does he need to come with me?" Lio questioned, sharply.
"Because something happened and we don't know what, better to go in pairs," Koll snapped, "now move!"
Lio's teeth gritted together but he glanced down at the unconscious girl Koll held and his expression softened, "Alright," Lio said and left the room, Ethe behind him.
Koll stayed where he was and cradled Tawny in his arms, "What happened?" he wondered out loud, "What did they do to you?"
But the unconscious Tawny didn't wake.
Author's Note:
Wow. We're nearly at the end, folks. I can't believe it. Don't worry, I will begin work on the second book soon. Just need to do some planning and make sure I like the direction this is going. :) One more chapter after this. Sorry about all the Zimmer music, but I can't help it. He's just a good composer.
Again, special thanks to Terra Booma, Chris SG-17, Aquade, Winter's Howl, Reldan Water, Black Trinity, and Beta Productions. You guys are the best reviewers a writer could have. :)
And thank you, dear reader, for lasting this long with me and my characters.
The last chapter's a doozy, I warn you. Short, but no worries. It's not the end. Just because it's the end of the book doesn't mean it's the end of the characters or their fight.
Thanks again.
Ink