I'd been trying to figure out how I could survive yet keep my autonomy. Joining the military certainly would have been a means of survival, but it would have meant forfeiting my independence. I wasn't willing to do that.
***
Scott wasn't happy about it, but I'd made my decision. It had been a path of difficult times, cold times, hungry times and painful times, but I'd kept my independence. I'd also made a name for myself, and many throughout Tkaron respected and feared me.
What Richard was offering was different. He wasn't asking me to give up my independence. He was asking me to use my independence to help others.
He'd been waiting patiently, had given me plenty of time to think about his offer, but I still had some questions. “Why would I want to help people? Why do you?”
“Life shouldn't be like this, this Divide that we have in Terene. Ever since the war against Mediterra, our citizens have turned on each other, and many in the Gov have encouraged it. It benefits them. Don't you see? The workers outnumber the Gov and the heads of corporations, but rather than banding together and demanding a better life, they fight for the slim pickings they're given. This allows the Elite to keep all the money and power. It doesn't have to be like this, and it wasn't always so.”
“Are you sure about that?” He sounded like Mom and Dad. “Are you sure it's not just wishful thinking?”
“I know it's not. I've seen...”
I wasn't done. “After all, there really aren't many jobs available, and most people barely have enough to get by. Even if the Elite were to share what they have, would there really be enough for everyone?”
“Keira, you said yourself, you see good things happening to bad people and bad things happening to good people. It doesn't have to be that way. It shouldn't be that way. You can help to change society for the better and make a living in the process.”
“I'm already making a living, and I'm helping society get rid of some of the troublemakers. Our methods aren't even that different.”
“Yes they are. You're only helping yourself, when you could be helping so many. You can change that.”
“I can't change my outlook on the world just like that! Do you really think a person can just wake up one day and think, it’s all going to be different from this moment forward?”
“I did, and Scott had a lot to do with that.”
“Did he recommend that you join the military too?” I asked sarcastically.
“No,” he replied seriously. “He wasn't even certain that it was his best option.”
“Really? I thought that was always his plan.”
“Maybe you don't know your brother as well as you think.”
Does Richard know Scott better than I do? Does Scott share more with him than he does with me and April? I looked at Richard carefully and asked, “What has Scott told you?”
“I'm not certain I understand what you’re asking.”
“What has Scott told you about me?”
“He said I can trust you.”
“And?”
“And that you're independent, but I'd already guessed that.”
I smiled, then asked, “Do you expect that good things will happen to you because you do good for others?”
“No, but I do believe the only way to heal our realm is to serve others. It doesn't really matter if 'good things' come my way or not, but yes, it has worked out well for me.”
I knew it.
Richard continued quietly. “You have an opportunity. What would your parents want you to do?”
I looked at him coldly. “What do you know about my parents? Just because Scott...”
He interrupted. “I'm sorry. Scott never talked about your parents. I only know that they're no longer with you.”
“Oh.” If Scott hadn’t told him about that, then he couldn't possibly know Scott better than I did.
Both of our parents had died because of greed, and nobody had stepped in to help them. Where would I be now, what would I be like today, if people had been looking out for each other back then? Maybe Scott, April and I would have grown up happy.
As suddenly as it had come, my anger drained away. Only sadness remained. I was a product of my environment, doing to others what had been done to me. I was living a life of revenge. Could I change that? Did I even want to?
“I need some time to think.” I stood. “Thank you for telling me what happened to Rose.”
“Please, let Eberhardt drive you home.”
“No thanks. I'll walk.”
“Then let him walk you home.”
Then they would know where I lived, and they'd know where to reach me. I guessed that would be all right. I nodded and looked at Eberhardt. He'd been so quiet I'd almost forgotten he was there.
We walked a few blocks in silence. Every once in a while a car drove by.
Eberhardt interrupted my thoughts. “Did Scott ever talk with you about the Resistance?”
“No, why would he?”
“He seems like a good candidate, doesn't he?”
I smiled, and then shook my head. “He's military. That's about as close as you can get without actually being the Gov! Do you know Scott too?”
“No, I've never met him. There are many reasons to join the Resistance, you know.”
“Why did you join?” I asked.
“I'm not as noble as Guy, but I do respect him for that.” Eberhardt paused. “I've been hurt.” He traced his finger along the scar on his face. “People I love have been hurt and killed, and I want payback. The Resistance allows me to push back, hard.” He grew quiet again.
We kept walking, lost in our own thoughts. I kicked some trash out of the way. It was another brochure touting the wrongdoings of the Gov.
“Why do you call him Guy?” I finally asked.
“It's not just a code name. It's the name he prefers, at least among those of us in the Resistance. He chose it for himself. You should ask him why.”
“But I'm not part of the Resistance.”
“You will be,” Eberhardt concluded with certainty.
We walked the rest of the way in silence. As we neared my neighborhood, cars became virtually nonexistent. People lined the sidewalks, sat in the sun and enjoyed the bright sunny weather. Others walked along the street, heading this way or that. After a cold winter, the warmth was appreciated by all.
Richard and Eberhardt had both given me a lot to think about. Can a few people really change society?
-Keira-
Lunch with April
The next day, April and I met for lunch at a small café. We ordered bread and hummus to share. Meat that wasn't reserved for the military was either ultra-expensive or unsafe.
“So, what have you been up to? The usual?” April combed her fingers through her long blond hair and pushed it out of her face. She had grown up to look so much like our mother.
“I've met someone.” Had Scott ever told her about Rick?
“Really?” Her deep brown eyes brightened. “Do tell. Is he good looking?” She toyed with a pair of wedding bands that hung on a chain around her neck. They had belonged to our parents.
“Is that all it's ever about with you?”
“No, sometimes it's about money. Is he rich?”
“He's a friend of Scott's.”
“Military,” she assumed.
“No, from before.”
“And they still keep in contact?”
“Apparently.”
“What's his name?”
“Rick, well, Richard Burke, the third.”
“He sounds rich. How did you meet? Did Scott introduce you?”
“Not exactly. So...Scott never mentioned him?”
“No, I don't think so. Why?”
“No reason. We met at work.”
“Oh no!” April rolled her eyes. “I hope he was an employer and not a mark. Either way, they say work relationships never last,” she teased.
br />
I smiled. “I've heard that before too. Plus, he's so different.”
“What do you mean?”
“He's an idealist, like Mom and Dad, and...well, I'm not. I should just forget about it.”
“Not so fast! They also say girls marry their father. No wonder you're attracted to him. Is he cute?” she asked again.
“Stop!” I playfully cuffed her alongside the face.
“Ow, hey, he is, isn't he?”
Just then, the Beckett's nanny arrived with two young girls in tow.
“Do you mind watching Edrea and Vanessa for a little while?” she asked April. “I need to run a personal errand.”
April nodded. “Sure. We'll be in the park. Let's go, girls!” She motioned with her head for me to follow.
We settled down on the warm spring grass and watched the girls at play. They looked happy and innocent.
“Were we like that when we were young?” I asked.
“I don't know about you, but I am still young.” April smiled and tossed her hair back.
“You know what I mean.” I nudged her with my elbow.
“Yes, I do.” She turned sober. “They're how I wish we could have been. We weren't given the opportunities they have.”
I looked at her. Her life hadn't been easy either, though Scott and I had both supported her as much as possible.
“Do you think that's right? Do you think some children deserve that life and others don't?”
She shrugged. “It's just how things are.”
“But, is it the way society has to be?”
“What's gotten into you, and what have you done with my sister?” April teased.
Rick's mood had rubbed off on me. I continued seriously, “It's not what Mom and Dad believed. Maybe Terene really was different once, more...I don't know, fair.”
“I don't know that fair was ever an option, but if this guy is good looking and wealthy and into you, you could have the better life you're dreaming of, couldn't you?”
I wondered about that. Could Rick be into me? Oh, I knew I could make him like me – I'd seen the look in his eyes when he saw me in the bath. I was good at making men like me, but then it wouldn't be real.
On my way home, I stopped at my bank. When I tried to withdraw the money Mrs. Ramsey had promised to wire, the teller gave me a strange look and said, “I'm sorry, Miss. That account has been closed.”
“What?” I asked in surprise.
“That account was closed,” she repeated, “just this morning.”
“By who?”
“I'm not at liberty to share that information.”
“It's my account,” I responded in a steely voice, “and you're telling me I don't have the right to know who closed it?”
I saw her gaze shift, and I glanced over my shoulder. She'd caught the eye of the security guard on duty.
I bit my tongue, then turned and walked calmly toward the exit. Suddenly, a guard reached for me. I dodged and ran out the door and into bright sunlight. A few blocks away, I hailed a cab. It didn't look like it would make it more than a few blocks, and the interior smelled funny. Nevertheless, I paid the driver and directed him to the Beckett estate. Upon arrival, I hurried around to the service entrance in back.
“Lewis.” I nodded a greeting toward the chef. “Do you know where I can find April?”
“Hi, Keira. She's straightening the parlor for afternoon tea.”
“Thank you.” I hurried down the hall.
April had been living on site for over a year now, so I knew my way around. In the corridor, I passed the butler who also greeted me. I entered the parlor, walked over to the off-white fainting couch, pretended to faint and looked up at April.
“I need your help, sis.”
“So dramatic!” She giggled. “I'll try my best. What do you need?”
“Information. Do you know of any upcoming social events in the next week or two? It's important.”
“Why? You want to party?” She grinned, every bit the youngest.
“I'm serious about this.”
April sat down next to me. “I can see that,” she said quietly. “What's up?”
“She double crossed me and closed my bank account. Nobody does that to me and gets away with it!”
“Who? Wow, wait a minute.” Her grin faded completely. “You're really angry.”
“How can you tell?” I asked sarcastically.
“Other than the steam coming out of your ears? Look, go home and relax.”
I looked at her like she'd gone insane.
“Really, I've got your back. Who did this to you?”
“Elaine Ramsey,” I whispered. Her eyes grew wide, and I nodded to let her know how serious I was. “I need to know if she's throwing a party anytime soon.”
“Cheer up! A lady of her standing throws parties all the time.” April threw her arm around my shoulders. “They always talk about events like that during tea. That and who's engaged and whose wedding was horrendous and...” She stopped and gave me a look. “I'll eavesdrop this afternoon, and I'll stop by your apartment tonight.”
“Thanks.” I gave April a big hug. I didn't want to drag her into my affairs, but in this situation, it was the quickest way to get the information I needed.
***
Later that evening, April stopped by as promised. “I can't believe you pulled a job for Elaine Ramsey! Do you realize how influential she is? That's pretty risky, even for you.”
“Well, she'd as much as told me she wasn't going to pay me, but I had no idea she'd close my account. Who steals from the Working Class anyway?”
“She does, obviously. But you'll get it back. She's throwing a dinner party next Thursday at her Galt residence. You are just going to steal, right? I mean, you're not going to...” She slid a finger across her throat. “Not Elaine Ramsey.”
I hugged her close. “Don't worry, April. I'll do what I do best. I'm a master of disguise. I'll sneak in and out. She won't even know I was there until it's too late. Then, I may have to disappear for a while, until she moves on and tries to take advantage of someone else.”
I hated lying to April.
-Scott-
Meeting the President
I'd been in Parisio for a couple of days, preparing for my meeting. It was good to be back. I reached up to straighten my tie. Then I opened my briefcase, pulled out some documents and began paging through them, focusing on what I planned to say.
My associate chose a seat against the wall and waited patiently for the others to arrive. She didn't look it, but I knew that Madame Bellami was just as nervous as me. She had chosen to wear more colorful, yet dressy attire appropriate to her station. We both had high hopes that the Mediterran Gov would back our proposal.
“Monsieur President, messieurs, dames.” I pushed back my chair and stood as the President and his advisors entered the meeting room. “I am truly honored that you've agreed to meet with me today.”
“Shall we begin?” The President gestured to the chairs, and we all sat. “Let's get right down to business, shall we?”
“Yes, sir. Have you had a chance to read our proposal?”
“We have.”
Some of his advisors nodded in agreement.
“You're a member of the Terenian military, are you not, M. Maddock?”
“I am, but you must understand that I am not here in that capacity, nor do I represent the Gov of Terene.”
“You are a brave man, M. Maddock, to bring this proposal to our attention. Just by coming here today, you are placing yourself in danger. You understand that if we agree to this, you will likely be considered a traitor to your realm. Are you willing to sacrifice so much?”
“As long as there's a chance it will save others, yes.”
“Are the rumors true?”
I hesitated.
“M. Maddock, are the rumors about genetic engineering true?”
&nbs
p; I looked down as I thought about how best to answer his question. Rumors had been circulating for decades. Were they true? I just didn’t know, but every so often a soldier would go missing. We’d been told they’d gone AWOL, that they had deserted, but I just didn’t believe that. I’d known some of them personally. And all the tests they continued to give us, especially those of us in Special Ops...I raised my head and looked him in the eye. “I have no proof, but it’s likely.”
He nodded. “It is my understanding that you would only bring certain people into Mediterra, people who would be trained and then returned to help your cause.”
“That’s correct, as well as certain individuals who may require sanctuary. Obviously, there is no way to anticipate who would fall into that category. We plan to provide all funding.”
“We must agree upon a cap. I will not allow undue strain upon the communities of Mediterra.”
“Of course, if you'll turn to page 38, you'll see that we plan to be extremely selective. Our goal is to keep Terenian citizens safe within our own realm. However, we also recognize that it will not always be possible.”
The President and his advisors took a moment to review page 38. Then he looked at me and asked, “Who is the other contact?”
“My partner, Guy Bensen. He has a better handle on the financial aspects, and I'm in charge of transport. We are equally invested in this opportunity. Our contact information is on page 5.”
The President turned to page 5, reviewed the information, and then pushed the proposal away. He closed his eyes and thought for a few minutes.
Then he spoke, and everyone listened. “M. Maddock, I am impressed by your courage and by your selflessness. I did not expect that from a Terenian. You must know that the citizens of Mediterra generally make a practice of keeping to themselves. We do not want the problems created by others to become our own.”
I nodded. We were not unaware that we had already achieved a victory just by being granted a meeting with the President.
“Because your organization is working to better your society, and based upon your character.” He looked at each of his advisors in turn. All but one nodded. “We accept your proposal.”
I let out a breath of air and smiled. “Thank you, M. President.”
“There is one more matter to discuss before I make this official. This side venture. Explain it to me.”
“I'm sure you realize, M. President, that illegal activities such as this occur on a daily basis in realms throughout the world. It's a lucrative way to fund our rescue operations. We want to make it legal on your end. We're offering the Mediterran Gov 15% from the sale of such items.”