The Collection (26 page)

Chapter 61

In order to stop the Registry, Affinity must be stronger than the enemy. If that includes sacrificing our own, so be it.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

The walk was quiet. Mia didn't want to strike up a conversation with Rex, and Eleanor seemed unapproachable. They were going up a path, higher into the mountains. Every time a building came into view Mia hoped they would stop, but instead Eleanor kept on walking. The air felt thinner up here; Mia couldn't tell if they had been walking for thirty minutes or an hour, but either way it would be difficult to make her way back to Andrew. Finally Eleanor took a turn. They were off the main path and into the jungle. Mia was happy to have the shade. A fence came into view; there was a keypad and Eleanor pushed her palm against it. Mia heard a buzz fade away and the fence open. Eleanor walked through and Rex and Mia followed. When the gate shut the buzz returned. While Affinity felt like an open community, this place was more like a prison.

There was a larger building in the center of a clearing and several smaller ones surrounding it. The trees weren't completely cleared away. Eleanor made her way to the larger building; another palm scan and a door opened up. They walked inside and Mia was happy to feel the blast of air-conditioning on her face.

They entered a large room that must have taken up the entire first floor. There was a giant conference table in the center and screens on all the walls. They walked toward the table, passing a door leading to a flight of stairs.

“Please have a seat,” Eleanor said.

Mia pulled out a chair and Rex sat opposite her. The table was elegant. Mia thought it belonged in a fancy office more than a room in the middle of the jungle. The chairs had wheels and were large and comfortable. None of this fit in with the rest of Affinity.

“You are in the External Tactics division of Affinity,” Eleanor said. “Do both of you know what we are?”

“Yes,” Rex said.

“I assume Dr. Drum filled you in?” she said to Rex.

“Yes,” Rex said.

“And you learned of us from young Sarah?” Eleanor asked Mia.

“Yes,” Mia said.

Sarah had told her to act surprised, but Mia didn't think it was worth trying to lie to Eleanor. The woman carried a level of intensity Mia had never seen before; she would likely be able to read any lies. She walked over to the table with a tray of water glasses. She handed them out before having a seat.

“Let's start with Millard,” she said.

Mia didn't notice a remote, but one of the screens came on. There was a picture of Rex.

“How do you know my real name?” Rex asked.

Eleanor smiled and ignored Rex's question. Sarah had mentioned ET had access to impressive technology.

“You served multiple terms in the American military,” she said. “Then you were head of security for Grant Marsden.”

The screen switched. There was a box with a giant question mark.

“Mia,” she said. “You have been much more difficult to find information on. Your companion Andrew CMW1408 is impossible to track, since his release from the orphanage, because America doesn't keep records on their young men. Carter Rowe, on the other hand, was raised by his father, who recently passed away in a car accident. Miles away from the spot where Mr. Marsden's wife lost her life.”

The screen switched again. There was a picture of Grant on the screen.

“There is much to be said about this man,” she said. “His recent tragedy is big news to the American people. However, it is impossible to find a picture of his wife or confirmation of her name. At first we thought it might be a publicity stunt to gain public appeal, and there was no wife.”

The screen changed. This time it was Mia's Registry photo.

“One of our members uploaded this to us,” she said. “It was circulated around the city of Saint Louis, along with a hotline to call regarding your disappearance. As far as I can tell it is the only photo of you in existence.”

Mia hated that photo.

“The American government is going to great lengths to make sure you don't exist,” Eleanor said. “If you came forward as Mia Morrissey there would be no photo or person to back up your claim. Why is that?”

Mia was uncomfortable. Eleanor waited for a response.

“Because I made it out of the country,” Mia said. “My story might inspire other girls to run.”

“We know you are Grant Marsden's wife,” Eleanor said. “And I think Millard was sent down here to execute you; why he hasn't remains a mystery.”

Grant did say he had friends in the government, but Mia thought he was a private citizen. She didn't know why her identity required erasing.

“I am no longer in Grant Marsden's employ,” Rex said. “I am looking for a new life to lead.”

“And you care about stopping the atrocities happening in America?” Eleanor asked.

“No,” Rex said. “I am a soldier looking for a new general. Affinity has shown me respect and I would like to serve them in return.”

“Why should we trust you?” Eleanor asked. “I believe Mia does not.”

“Because being in Grant's employment for so long has taught me many personal things about him. I know his habits, his weaknesses. I can be a great asset.”

“How do I know you're not still working for him?”

“If I was, I would have killed her,” Rex said.

The room went quiet.

“Grant Marsden is cruel,” Rex said. “He is on his way to political power. I have been growing uncomfortable living under his leadership. My plan was to make it out of the country, to help Mia, and to make a new life for myself. Somewhere else.”

“Why help Mia?”

“I felt I owed her that,” Rex said. “I don't enjoy death. It is part of the job, but I take no pleasure from it. My actions resulted in the death of one of her companions. If I was going to live a new life I had to make amends.”

Mia was shocked. Her heart was breaking again, thinking about Whitney's death. Rex had a heart? He felt guilty for Saint Louis. Mia didn't know how to feel about his admission. While he was trying to make it right, Whitney was still gone.

“So you're not passionate about stopping America,” she said. “How do you feel about stopping Grant Marsden?”

“The man deserves no respect,” Rex said. “He shows none to any other people, regardless of their status in the world. His actions involving Mia's disappearance were poorly planned and executed. Above that he fails to admit fault and learn from his mistakes. He is indecisive. If Grant Marsden rises to power America will burn to the ground and destroy the rest of the world in the process. I do have a problem with that.”

The screen changed again to show Grant's face.

“We are anticipating an announcement,” Eleanor said. “That Grant Marsden will be declared the next grand commander of America.”

“No,” Mia said.

Rex was right about one thing: if Grant led the country, that would mean a darker, harsher reality for America. Mia didn't want to imagine the possibility that her home country could become an even more horrible place to live.

“We need to stop him,” Mia said.

“How?” Eleanor asked.

“I can come forward,” Mia said. “If I'm still alive it will destroy his credibility.”

“But how do we prove you are who you say you are?”

“He has a file on her in his house. Complete with pictures, fingerprints, her blood analysis,” Rex said.

“Wouldn't he destroy it?” Eleanor asked.

“Not a chance,” Rex said. “He won't stop trying to destroy her. If that file disappeared he would be throwing away any leads and any way of gathering information on her whereabouts.”

“Interesting development,” Eleanor said.

“You two are discussing me like I'm not in the room,” Mia said.

“The two of you are a great asset,” Eleanor said. “During your tenure at Affinity I would like to invite you to join the External Tactics division.”

Mia's heart jumped into her throat. This was the branch Sarah had warned her about. Rex agreed quickly, but Mia wasn't sure this was the life she was after. She thought about learning computers with Sarah or driving for Zack. Those options still left Mia with a somewhat normal life.

“I need to think about it,” Mia said.

The corner of Eleanor's lips curled upward.

“Take all the time you need. The offer does not expire,” she said. “I think that is all for today.”

Eleanor rose from the table. Rex and Mia stood as well. They walked back outside in silence. Once they reached the fence Eleanor placed her palm on the keypad and the fence opened again.

“Mia, can you make it down the mountain by yourself?” she asked.

“You're not coming with me?” Mia asked.

“Rex made his decision, and I'd like to spend some time picking his brain,” she said. “We need to move forward with our plans. Once you have made your choice, please let Zack know.”

Mia felt out of sorts. She nodded and headed through the gates and back to the main path. Part of her was angry she wasn't asked to stay with Rex and strategize on how to stop Grant. But then she remembered she had been asked; it was she who had turned down the opportunity. Mia had an important question to ask herself, one whose answer she was unsure of. What would be better: living a life aiding a noble cause or living a life fighting for the noble cause?

Chapter 62

As soon as a member is no longer capable of completing all the physical requirements of Affinity, he or she will transfer into inactive status, unable to hold positions of authority.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

“I don't want to take orders,” Andrew said.

Mia walked back into the meeting room, a little shocked Carter and Andrew were still seated.

“It's not like that,” Zack said. “We have to defend the camp. That means learning combat skills. There are no sergeants or generals. Everyone must go to training though.”

“It sounds like an army to me,” Carter said.

“We'll check it out this afternoon,” Zack said. “And you'll see then.”

None of them noticed Mia walk in. Then Zack looked up and saw her.

“Mia,” he said.

Andrew and Carter turned around to see her. She saw some relief on Andrew's face, but Carter seemed indifferent.

“Where's Rex?” Zack asked.

“He stayed with Eleanor,” she said.

“We were about to break for lunch,” Zack said. “Meet me in the fields in two hours. We'll catch a training session and you two will understand.”

Carter and Andrew stood up. Zack went to the back of the room with a stack of papers.

“How was your morning?” Mia asked. She tried her best to smile.

Before either of the men could respond, Zack spoke. “Mia, could I speak with you in private?”

“Wait for me outside?” Mia asked.

Carter didn't respond, he just walked toward the door.

“What is with all the secrecy?” Andrew asked.

“It's not secret,” Mia said. “Just a job offer.”

Andrew raised an eyebrow.

“I'll tell you everything after dinner,” Mia said. “When we have some free time.”

“I'm not free then,” Andrew said.

Mia knew he had disappeared last night after dinner too.

“I can come with you,” Mia said.

“No,” Andrew said. His voice was sharp. “I mean, after everything I need some space. We'll talk about it later tonight?”

Mia nodded. Andrew had been known to want alone time, but Mia didn't know why he would have it prescheduled. He raised his hand and gave her arm a quick squeeze for reassurance before walking out. Once his hand was gone Mia looked down at where he had touched her. It was tingling. Even with everything that was happening he could still ignite something in her. She didn't want the feelings to fade.

“Mia?” Zack asked, breaking her out of her trance.

She walked up toward him.

“Did Eleanor ask about the militia?”

“No,” Mia said. After this morning Joseph's militia didn't seem as big a priority as yesterday.

“Good,” Zack said. “ET was informed, but they haven't commented.”

“Why is that good?”

“They're leaving it to Internal to handle,” Zack said.

“Is there any news?” Mia asked.

“There is a convoy,” Zack said. “Stationed right outside our borders. They won't step foot onto the land though. They must have some type of electronic sensors. They're staying just beyond the view of the cameras.”

“How did they find us?”

“I think we were followed,” Zack said. “Remember how we heard the car, but then it never attacked? Stayed out of sight?”

Mia nodded.

“Did you give any more thought as to what they want?” Zack asked.

“I still think it's me, Carter, and Andrew,” Mia said. “We escaped.”

“No,” Zack said. “That doesn't make sense. You're just three people and they are a business almost. It would be a waste of their resources to track you. Did Carter or Andrew take something from them?”

“The clothes and the car,” Mia said.

“We searched the vehicle,” Zack said. “Nothing important in there.”

“They asked about it though,” Mia said.

“If we give it back my guess is they'd leave us alone,” Zack said. “I still have the ban in place on anyone leaving camp, but soon the people will have to know what's happening.”

“Do you think the militia will attack Affinity?” Mia asked.

“I don't know,” Zack said. “They'd regret it if they did, but I'd like to avoid that at all costs.”

“Why would they regret it?” Mia asked. “Aren't you scared? What if they win?”

“Let me show you something,” Zack said.

He pushed open a side door and walked into a computer room. There were screens all over the wall.

“The whole jungle is wired,” Zack said. “Everyone here is a trained fighter. If they step foot on our land in a hostile manner we can detonate bombs. We know our jungle. The rest will infiltrate from the trees. Even if they sent all their forces here we could still take them out.”

“But your land would be destroyed,” Mia said. “And they're trained too. What if someone from Affinity is hurt in the process?”

“That's why I want to figure out how to make them go away,” Zack said.

“Did you try talking to them?” Mia asked. “Point-blank ask these men what they want?”

“Too risky,” Zack said. “Our security system can halt all electronic devices that cross the threshold, but it can't stop bullets. I'm not sending anyone down there; it's too big of a risk. I was hoping they would send one man in here, but so far nothing. I'm going to drive down there soon, so I can get a better look and make sure their numbers aren't growing.”

“What happens if they are?” Mia asked.

“Then we will prepare for battle,” Zack said.

“Maybe I shouldn't have been so aggressive,” Mia said. “When they had their guns on you. If we'd only talked to them then instead of attacking . . .”

“You did the right thing,” Zack said. “When someone has a weapon pointed at you it's the only way to react.”

“I'm having a hard time keeping this from Andrew,” Mia said.

“Don't tell him,” Zack said. “He's still recovering. Finding out the men who tortured him are so close might make him snap.”

“Snap?” Mia asked.

“If I were him I would want some revenge,” Zack said. “Wouldn't you?”

Grant. He had tortured Mia in a way. Chased her across the country, taken her friends' lives and almost her own. Mia had the chance to get some revenge; by joining ET she could accomplish that goal. Revenge wasn't what she was after though. Mia wanted a stable, normal life, away from him and the horrors of her past.

“They're waiting for me outside,” Mia said.

“I'll see you at the fields this afternoon,” Zack said. “Keep thinking about the militia. What could they want?”

Mia nodded. She went back into the main room and out the front doors.

“You're popular today,” Carter said.

He was leaning up against the building. Andrew was standing next to him.

“Zack wanted to know about Eleanor,” Mia said.

“What about Eleanor?” Andrew asked.

“I'm really hungry,” Mia said. “Can we go eat?”

Andrew nodded and Carter kicked off against the building. Mia knew Andrew wanted to protect her. He'd always made that clear. Now Mia had the opportunity to protect Andrew, but keeping this information from him still felt a lot like lying.