“This is far, far worse than a rogue Sentry. I am thankful, though, for the guiding hand of the universe that has helped us keep the authorities out of this blight, especially now that we know who possesses the last of the five
lathe’ad
.”
Saiyu rose from her seat. “Allow me a minute to bring Ashack back.”
“Of course.”
The Elder returned shortly with her mate, whom she bade to sit beside her again. Ashack resettled himself and sighed. “Fine. We know it is Reyor. What now?”
“The outbreak must be stopped,” Nageau said. “That is the first priority. The Sentry’s contact, Joshua, has been sent the canister that was found. He is working on a means to deliver the material which they believe will destroy the source of the epidemic.”
“Are they certain it will work?”
“Joshua is quite confident, having tested it on the specimen he received from Aari and Tegan.”
“But even if it does work, it is just one canister,” Ashack persisted. “Would there be enough material for the entire world?”
“I have no answers at the moment,” Nageau said. “All I can say is, if there is a time the world needs prayers, it is now. I have received word from Sentries in several countries that the situation is worsening. Patience is wearing dangerously thin in countless communities and whole nations. We are facing a ticking time bomb. The Sentries are doing what they can but this is beyond them. We need to eliminate this scourge at its source.”
Ashack gestured impatiently. “It will only get worse as it comes down to survival of the most ruthless. The intrinsic need to live will overpower everything else.”
The gurgling of the water fountains behind them provided a stark contrast to the Elders’ strained discussion. Saiyu clasped her hands over her lap, her bracelets clinking, and said, “Perhaps we should connect with our Sentries in all the affected areas. The time to organize a more direct response to this scourge has arrived.”
Nageau concurred. “We can start by reaching out to the Sentries we have linked with in the past and directing them to connect with the others we have yet to locate and communicate with. The first task will be for them to identify the location of these pods, as they are called, by employing the method used by the younglings, or any other means available to them.”
“I will help coordinate this,” Tayoka volunteered.
“Thank you.”
“That sounds like a step in the right direction. However . . . ” Tikina hesitated. “I do not mean to turn this conversation back to Reyor, but now with the five exposed, do you suppose their families might possibly be in danger?”
“That notion has been concerning me,” Nageau answered. “I had hoped that it was my overactive mind acting up but now that you have voiced it, I see a need for us to give this question serious consideration. We may need to act on this matter sooner rather than later.”
“Are you suggesting that we bring them here, to Dema-Ki?” Ashack asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
“As I said, we will need to study this carefully before making any decision. Though Reyor’s intent for their families is unknown as of now, I think that, yes, that may be an option. I take it that you do not favor this?”
“You mean well, Nageau, and we are all aware of that. But now that we know Reyor is alive and could very well pose a threat to Dema-Ki, it may be prudent to keep the five’s families away from here.”
“This is something that will need further contemplation,” Saiyu asserted. “It is a delicate matter.”
Nageau yielded agreeably. “Tayoka, if you could please connect with the Sentries immediately, that would be good.”
Tayoka dipped his head. “I shall.”
“If that is all, I believe we may adjourn.”
Nageau and Tikina were the last to leave. The pair walked together into the foyer and gazed at the flames that streamed from the cauldron. Tikina gave him a light squeeze and said, “Our foe is a dangerous one. Cunning, too. Each step we take after this will have to be thought out with painstaking care. Whatever disagreements may arise amongst us, the Elders will always stand by you and we will never fail to act as one. But that you already know.”
Nageau took her hand and led her past the cauldron and down the steps of the temple. “Yes, as sure as I know the sun will rise tomorrow. I have never doubted for a moment the loyalty and commitment of the Elders to our people and our faith. My real concern however, is for the five. They have been on my mind constantly with the knowledge that”—a sense of guilt tightened around his throat like a noose and his voice was choked—“they will have to grow up faster than any youngling ever should.”
T
he metal door opened and a short man with greasy black hair and bulging eyes framed by glasses stepped in. Aari had no doubt that he was staring at Dr. Nate. Tegan, across the table from him, looked like she was ready to stomp on the diminutive man with a pair of heavy boots.
Dr. Nate carried his briefcase, which was half as tall as he was. He smiled like a weasel as the door shut behind him with a heavy and definitive boom. “Ah, this is much more secure than the last place. Very nice.” He stared pointedly at Tegan. “I’d like to see you try to get out of this one, young lady.”
Tegan didn’t move a muscle and stared blankly in return.
Dr. Nate set his briefcase down by the table and stood between Aari and Tegan. “Young man, I don’t believe we’ve ’ad the pleasure of meeting before. I am Dr. Nate.”
Aari kept his lips together and glanced at Tegan. She flared her nostrils slightly in loathing.
“Tegan,” Dr. Nate said. “I tried so ’ard to convince you and Mariah that we aren’t the bad guys, but you both foolishly refused to believe that and caused us nearly one million dollars in damage on your way out our door.”
Aari goggled.
A million bucks?
“Now, then. If I am to assume correctly, neither of you are willing to cooperate, yes? Well, alright.” Dr. Nate opened the briefcase and pulled out a rugged, military-grade laptop which he placed on the table. The next thing he produced from the case was a pair of big wraparound glasses, painted black with a thin cable attached. Aari eyeballed the glasses with growing unease.
The last thing Dr. Nate pulled out of his briefcase was a gel-like helmet, its blue surface studded with a dense field of electrodes and micro-LED lights. Now Aari was really worried.
“What’s all that?” he asked.
Dr. Nate stroked the helmet in a manner that made Aari half expect it to purr. “An advanced wireless optogenetics controller unit. It is my newest creation. These devices ’ave multiple uses, young man. Right now, they will ’elp make you more, let’s say, cooperative, so we can finally get some answers out of you.”
Aari did a quick deduction.
Optical manipulation of the brain by the helmet and who knows what the glasses will do . . . Oh boy.
He looked at Tegan and she gave him an imperceptible nod.
Right. Game time.
“That thing uses light to manipulate neuron cells, doesn’t it?” he asked, driving his tone a notch higher.
The weasel smile returned to Dr. Nate’s face. “Smart boy. Yes, it does indeed.”
“Why do you have that? That’s gonna mess up our minds!”
“Calm down, it won’t hurt at all.”
“Liar!” Aari screamed. “You could completely fry our brains with that thing! Don’t put that on me!”
“I won’t have to if you’ll tell me what I want to know.”
“No!”
“One last time, Aari.”
“Drop dead!”
Dr. Nate picked up the helmet. “I gave you a chance and you completely blew it.”
Aari shrank away from the approaching man. “No, no, wait!
Wait!
”
“Too late, boy.” Dr. Nate raised the helmet.
“I’ll tell you! I’ll tell you what you want!”
“What are you doing, Aari?” Tegan snarled.
“We can’t let him put that on us—God knows what it could do!”
“We can’t betray the Elders! I swear, if you talk—”
“Tell me, do you recall anything about a prophecy?” Dr. Nate interrupted.
“Yes,” Aari answered hurriedly. “It was a really big thing to them. When they first took us in and healed us, they—”
Tegan jumped up and lunged at him. He ducked, but was a tad late. She crashed into him, knocking him out of his chair and sending him sprawling to the floor.
“Guards!” Dr. Nate shouted frantically.
Tegan stood over Aari, teeth bared, hair falling into her face. “Don’t you
dare
talk, traitor! I will end you, mark my words!”
Yeesh, she’s a really good actor
, Aari thought as he cowered, head tucked between his knees.
This is terrifying.
Two armed men burst into the room and pulled Tegan away. She bucked and yelled at them, all the while threatening Aari to keep his mouth shut. Dr. Nate helped Aari up and sat him back down on the chair, then addressed the guards. “I want you to take ’er away until I’m done chatting with this young man.”
Aari watched as the guards dragged Tegan from the room. She was putting up a real fight and throwing all into her performance. Hoping that he could be as convincing for Dr. Nate’s interrogation, he sat back and thought,
Real test begins. Please let me ace it.
* * *
She’s not looking too good, Jag.
Those words were what drove Jag to dive into the pickup truck and tear toward the hospital. His grandfather had called him to speak about his grandmother’s condition, and when Jag heard she wasn’t faring well, he dropped everything without a moment’s thought.
He arrived at the hospital shortly afterward, found his way to the Intensive Care Unit, and stepped lightly into the room. He went to join his grandfather by the bedside and slung his arms around the elderly man in greeting. Looking over at his grandmother, he was pleasantly surprised to see her eyes were half-open. Her face lit up from behind her oxygen mask and she weakly lifted a finger, beckoning him closer.
Jag sat beside his grandmother on the bed, softly stroking her hair, and gave her the happiest smile he could manage. “Hey, Gran.”
She pulled the mask off, much to the alarm of her husband and grandson. Jag wanted her to put it back on but she shook her head. “Let me talk,
meu neto
,” she said, coughing.
Jag hesitated, then put the mask down and kissed her forehead. She lightly caressed his cheek with her thumb, smiling. “It’s lovely to see you again, Jag. We’ve missed you, your grandfather and I.”
“I’ve missed you, too,” Jag said softly. “How are you feeling?”
“You know, I’ve seen better days.” She laughed, but it came out as a painful wheeze.
As Jag gazed down at her, he found himself having to fight back tears. “I love you. And Tristan loves you, and Camilla, and Mom and Dad, and—”
“Shh, dear. I love you all too.”
“Stay strong, Grandma. Keep fighting. Okay?”
She just continued to smile up at him. “You have a good heart, Jag. I know you’ll do amazing things in your life.” She coughed again. “You are a light, a beacon. Never let anyone take that away from you, and don’t lose who you are.” She stroked his cheek again. “I am so, so proud of you.”
Jag blinked rapidly. He tilted his head so he could nuzzle her palm. She started to sing, then, softly and at first uneven, but he recognized her words right away and was brought back to that night of the terrible storm. As his grandmother continued to sing, a sense of peace came over him like it had when they’d watched the storm together all those years ago.
Her voice eventually ebbed as she fell asleep. Jag picked up her mask and adjusted it for her, then got off the bed and hugged his grandfather again.
“I thought she wasn’t doing well,” he said, “but she looks alert.”
His grandfather wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. “She’s been conscious, yes, but her heart muscle isn’t healing. The doctors have determined that the damage is . . . is irreparable. Maybe—maybe we’d want to get the rest of the family here within the next few days.”
Jag was stunned. His grandfather had not divulged that information to him over the phone. He was at a loss for words. A tear slid down his cheek as he reached for his phone and he hurriedly wiped it away. “I’ll call Tristan.”
His brother answered his phone right away. “Hey, bro. How’s everything?”
“Not good. Gran’s not doing well. Gramps thinks it’d be best if we got the family down here.”
“Oh, God, no.”
“She was conscious just a short while ago but she’s weakening, Tristan. The doctors said that the damage to her heart isn’t getting better.”
“Okay—okay. We’ll be there as soon as we can, promise. Camilla’s in Seattle on a short business trip.”
“And Mom and Dad?”
“I told them about Grandma. They’re cutting their trip short and catching the earliest flight out of Zurich tomorrow. How’s Gramps?”
“I’m not sure. You know how inseparable they are. This has to be unbelievably difficult for him. Add that to the crop loss and I don’t know how anyone in his position would be faring too well.”
“Give him a hug from us and tell him we’ll be over soon.”
“Yeah.”
“Take care of yourself, kiddo.”
“You too.”
Jag slid the phone back into his jeans and went to put an arm around his grandfather. “Tristan and Camilla say they love you, and they’ll try to come as soon as they can. Mom and Dad are in Switzerland right now, but they’re catching the first flight out tomorrow.”
The old man acknowledged him. They sat quietly for a while, feeding off each other’s strength, until Jag’s phone rang. He quickly picked up when he saw that it was Kody.
“Hey, man,” Kody said, sounding as though he was uncomfortable. “I really, really don’t want to do this, but we need you back for the plan.”
“Right, sorry. I’ll be there soon.”
“I didn’t want to pull you away from your family, but—”
“It’s fine. See you in a bit.” Jag hung up and turned to his grandfather. “I’m really sorry, Gramps, but there’s something I have to do. I’ll be back as soon as I can, I promise”
He hugged his grandfather one last time before stepping out and running to the pickup. It hurt him to leave the two of them in the hospital but the plan needed to be executed flawlessly and he had to be with his friends to see it through.