Moirai (2 page)

The corners of the Chancellor's lips curved upwards
in a smile. “You can rest assured, Olivia, we will get you out before we strike
the mansion. You're too valuable to lose in this battle.”

I was appalled! “I'm not worried about my own life! I'm
worried about everyone else's.” Was I not clear to Collins what was upsetting
me? “You're going to kill innocent people and for what purpose?”

Jaxon spoke up, trying to intervene. “Our goal isn't to
kill the people of Genesis. In fact, if the Governor's Ball is in the evening,
as we're hoping, no one will be at the hospital.”

“Doctors and nurses will be there,” I reminded him.
Glaring, I shook my head. “I can't believe you all are willing to go through
with this plan!” I slammed my fist hard against the oak table.

Joshua's voice was soft, calm. “People don't get sick in
Genesis, Olive.
You
know that. It's unlikely there will be any doctors
or nurses working on a Saturday. The chances of civilians getting hurt is
minimal. I'm not thrilled with the plan either, but you have to see their
side.”

I couldn't believe Joshua was in agreement with the
council! “You know these people; you're okay with watching them die?”

Joshua stared down at the wood and shook his head. “No,”
he whispered. “But I think it's our best option. If we kill Craynor, another
Governor will rise. We need to take out the system in order for the entire
government to fall.”

Chancellor Collins’ voice was harsh as he spoke. “Is that
not what you're here for: retribution?” His eyes were small and narrow, trying
to remind me I left home for a reason, something I will never need a reminder
of. I know what happened. I was there, I experienced it. I was forced to leave
because I was different. Thrown in jail because I was born not from the “The
Day of the Chosen” but by natural means. My existence was illegal.

“No,” I shook my head. “This isn't about getting even.” I
couldn't believe him! Did he think I'd be okay with destroying my home? I
accepted the losses of the Governor's Mansion. Those who would be there helping
support the ball would unfortunately die. Their lives would mean something
though. I couldn't in good conscience agree with the Chancellor's plan to
attack the medical center.

Chancellor Collins stood up abruptly. “What would you
prefer we do, hmm?” His tone was condescending and laced with anger as he paced
the length of the gray-walled room. The window shades were open and cast a ray
of sunshine through, which made me squint as the light stretched in and across
the table.

Margo watched Chancellor Collins pace. “You should sit
down. You'll wear a hole in the floor.” A moment passed and she sighed. “Look,
Olivia and Joshua have a point. Our numbers are small. We may be capable of
fighting but we can't stop the government and tear down the walls of all five
Genesis towns and the other cities of Cabal on our own.” Margo shifted in her
seat, turning her attention toward me. “You mentioned once about other cities
near Haven?”

I nodded weakly. “Yes. I know of two additional nearby
cities. They were part of the eastern rebel alliance.”

Chancellor Collins interrupted. “They were never part of
our five cities.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. “Okay, but five plus at
least two more cities, if they're both still standing, is seven. Seven cities
that could help us!” I stood up, slamming my fist on the table. “I'm not here
to destroy the current system. My goal is not to turn our world into chaos.” I
made it clear. “I want people to have the right to choose their lives. To pick
who they marry, to keep their children and to decide the life they wish to
live!” I huffed and sat back down. “I want things to be right, just. Right now
they're not. No one here can claim otherwise.” I paused, taking a moment to
recompose myself. “I'm not suggesting we destroy the entire system, but rebuild
it. Before we go ahead and take out the medical center in Genesis,” I shot
daggers at Collins, “we need to know further about the infertility issues.
Elsa, how far have you come?” I was not about to suggest wiping out humanity.
It sounded to me like that was Chancellor Collins’ plan. I understood what was
at stake.

Elsa sighed. Every week she was required to update the
council on her findings. “Nothing.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “If I
had more time and more resources…” she trailed off.

Chancellor Collins scoffed at her request. “We have more
than most cities and an advanced lab, better than what the government has
access to.”

Elsa groaned, “That's not the point! I need more time.
More scientists and doctors. It would help even more if there was another woman
like Olivia who could conceive but I haven't found anything or anyone.”

I hesitated, tapping my fingers anxiously against the
table. “I know of one other woman. She may be too old to conceive now but she
was able to, eighteen years ago.”

Elsa's eyes locked on mine. “Your mother.” It was an
obvious answer she'd ignored. “We could try and smuggle her out past Genesis'
walls and bring her here.” She shifted in her seat, turning to face Chancellor
Collins, awaiting his permission.

Collins eyes narrowed. “Absolutely not! You'll make do
with Olivia. If you need more scans or further test samples she'll do whatever
needs to be done.”

My mouth dropped in horror. “That was not part of the
agreement!” When we had first begun the tests, Collins had agreed to do no harm
to Joshua or myself. It had been months since we'd finished the trials; the
town had learned who we were. They had promised the scans would be all I'd
endure and they'd be painless. Thankfully, they were quick and easy, but I'd
heard rumors aplenty and was more than slightly concerned at what Chancellor
Collins would have me do.

“Things change, Olivia.” Chancellor Collins held little
sorrow in his eyes. “You are different. We need to know why.”

Joshua spoke out, “We're all different, in case you've
forgotten! You've made us that way, experimenting on us, doing some crazy
procedure on our brains!”

Chancellor Collins was quickly losing his patience. “That
procedure made you better! It made you successful! The Mindonsiphan had to be
administered,
now
, during your teenage years. You weren't getting any
younger! If we waited any longer the drug we administered would have likely
killed you.”

Jaxon glanced at his watch and cleared his throat to get
our attention. “I say we call a twenty minute break.” The room had been tense
and there hadn't been any agreements since the moment the meeting had begun.

“Agreed,” I spoke up, stressed and agitated.

“Couldn't agree more,” Joshua muttered.

Maya, Hazel, Margo, Elsa, Cate, Aidan and Mason all
murmured in agreement as Chancellor Collins finally resigned. “Fine! We'll
resemble here again in twenty.” He huffed loudly as he left the room.

“I need some air,” I excused myself, pushing my chair
back as it squealed against the floor. I stood up and made my way for the door
before heading down the stairs and outside, glad for the warm sunlight and even
more for the cool air. I moved to sit down, my back against the brick wall, the
cold feeling good on my sticky skin.

“You okay?”

I glanced up, seeing Joshua standing over me. A moment
later he found a space beside me to sit. “Not really,” I admitted. “I'm just
about at wits’ end with Collins.”

Joshua nudged me with a smile. “I noticed. Can I make a
suggestion?”

I nodded. “Go ahead.” I wasn't sure I was ready to hear
it but I trusted Joshua, more than anyone else in this town.

“At this point I think we should consider Margo's
suggestion. If you and I travel to the other two towns, and rally to get them
to join the five cities, maybe we have a fighting chance.”

Elsa stepped outside, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Listen, Olivia. You know I would never consider doing anything that would hurt
you. The Chancellor is overwhelmed with what to do next.” She came to sit down
on the other side of me. “I know he worried you, talking about doing whatever
it takes for answers, but he's just stressed.”

“I'm sure that's it.” I wasn’t convinced.

Elsa sighed, “Jaxon was right. If we can meet the other
rebel towns outside of our five cities, there might be something to it. It's
possible they have their own technology and scientists. We need more than just
ourselves as weapons. Didn't you once tell me Haven had a technology center?
Perhaps they have a stash of weapons hidden there that we could use.”

Joshua nodded. “Yeah, it was pretty sophisticated, but
neither of us knew much about what was inside. Now it's probably flattened with
the rest of the town.”

“Maybe,” Elsa shrugged. “Or maybe not. You both left and
didn't see the damage after the government came through. It's possible some rebels
survived. Maybe they joined up at a nearby rebel camp.”

“What are you thinking, Elsa?” I could see her mind
ticking away.

“I may be smart but I need another scientist or doctor on
staff to help me sort through the data.”

Joshua frowned. “I thought there wasn't anything?”

Elsa sighed. “There is, and,” she paused. “There isn't.
The more I think about it, the more I'm trying to understand the differences,
but it all looks the same. I'm just not sure I'm looking at it the right way.”
She saw our confused looks and continued. “I'm by no means a medical doctor,
let alone a reproductive specialist. It's highly possible I just don't know
what I'm looking for.”

“Joshua and I can take the car, drive back east towards
Spade and Torv.” Though we didn't have the map in our possession, I suspected
Collins had taken it the night we had been brought into the city and pulled
from the vehicle at gunpoint.

“I don't think that's a good idea. If something were to
happen to you…” Elsa glanced at Joshua, wanting him to back her up. “You're too
important, Olivia.”

Whatever he was thinking, Joshua held his tongue.

I opened my mouth to object. “Elsa, I appreciate your
concern but Joshua and I are capable of taking care of ourselves. We made it
across the Gravelands on our own.”

“You were lucky,” she acknowledged. “Just, consider
sending someone else in your place. Margo or even Cate. We know how much you
like her.”

I rolled my eyes in disgust. Ever since Cate had played a
nasty trick on me, stealing my clothes from the shower stall, I hadn't forgiven
her. It was hard to forgive someone who had intentionally acted hurtful and
didn't regret her actions. Though I was thankful to have heard her punishment
for the month was cleaning the toilets of all the buildings. It had certainly
kept her away from me while Joshua and I continued our ability training.

Mason poked his head out the front door. “Meeting starts
in five minutes. You know the Chancellor hates when anyone is late.”

“We'll be right in,” I answered, pushing myself off the
ground and dusting the dirt from my clothes.

Joshua grabbed my hand. “Wait a sec,” he whispered to me.
Elsa turned around.

“I'll be right in,” I gestured for her to go inside. She
rubbed her arms to keep warm and headed into the building. I turned around to
face Joshua, waiting for him to tell me what was on his mind and so important
it couldn't wait.

He leaned towards me, brushing a strand of red-blonde
hair behind my ear. The dye hadn't been able to keep up with my growing locks
of blonde.

“Joshua?” I asked, knowing we were needed upstairs in
three minutes. I didn't see why what he wanted to discuss couldn't wait.

“I don't want to lose you.” His words were soft but held
so much meaning behind them. I felt my heart constrict at his words.

“You won't.” I smiled, leaning in to plant a soft kiss to
his cheek. “I know you're worried and probably thinking about what Elsa said
but you and me—we can read each other's minds. That's important if we're going
out there,” I reminded him. “If for a moment we can tell each other something
that could save our lives, it's worth it.” He had to know I was right.

“It's
not
worth dying over,” he emphasized. “I
won't lose you.”

“I know.” I smiled. “I'll be fine. The rebel alliance
will be glad to see us. Trust me.” How could I have any doubts? We were
stronger and tougher than we'd been last June when we'd come to Haven. Nothing
could touch us. I wasn't worried.

He sighed, thinking it over. “Maybe.” I could tell he
wasn't convinced but he was trying to appease me. That would have to do for
now.

“Come on.” I grabbed his hand, leading him inside and up
the staircase. We were the last to arrive and quietly headed towards the oak
table, resuming the positions we had prior to the break.

Chancellor Collins met my eyes. “Now that we have everyone
back, I believe we should take a vote on our next course of action. All those
in favor of an alliance with the far outer cities, raise your hand.”

I lifted my arm, as did Joshua. Jaxon's arm shot up in
the air, along with Elsa, Maya, Margo and Mason. “That's seven to four,” he
remarked.

Hazel sighed, “Can I make a suggestion?” She wasn't one
to speak often in the weekly meetings.

“Go on,” Collins gestured.

“I'm not opposed to sending scouts to recruit the farther
cities. I do however have some concerns about them finding out where we're
from, our abilities, and the fact we have Olivia here. I would love to think we
could trust every rebel camp, but I think it's safe to say that not everyone
believes in the same cause we do.” I wondered where this side of Hazel was
coming from. She hardly ever voiced her opinion about politics and the
government system.

Collins nodded slowly. “Exactly my thoughts. Many of the
outermost cities prefer seclusion. They have formed their own small alliances
between the towns, but prefer to shove their head in the sand when it comes to
matters of right and wrong.”