The Collection (30 page)

Chapter 70

Affinity is made up of individuals, not governments. If another country offers aid we will accept and become allies, but we will not directly affiliate ourselves with our host countries.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

The days were flying by so fast Mia was having a hard time telling them apart. Carter didn't mention the ticking clock on his ultimatum, and Mia took that as a good sign. He was at the school today, where he spent most of his time. Andrew was starting to fit in as well. Mia stood on the field watching him train with his group. They were practicing defensive moves and even from a distance Mia could see the joy on his face. After training he would speak to Katie for a while, then join Mia at dinner. It was a simple, easy routine.

“You ready?” Sarah asked.

Mia had forgotten that her purpose in the field was waiting for her friend. Without a permanent workstation chosen, or even one in mind, Mia spent most of her time shadowing Sarah.

“You don't have to come with me today,” Sarah said. “I see you eyeing Andrew; you can spend the whole day with him if you want.”

Mia shook her head. She enjoyed practicing her defensive and fighting skills, but not enough for full-time work. Mia turned and started walking toward Sarah's workspace.

“Did you stay up too late last night?” Sarah asked. “You seem really out of it today.”

“I stay up too late every night,” Mia said.

Sarah let out a laugh. It was true. Mia's favorite part of Affinity was the nights. Whoever was free gathered in the field and socialized. Mia was always one of the last to head to bed. She loved hearing about everyone's days and the general experience of getting to know people, which she'd never had before.

Last night she'd spoken with two sisters; they were young and both were born here. They teased each other and each took turns trying to surprise the other by pulling on her hair. Mia laughed as she watched them, but part of her core stung at the sight. She had been robbed of those types of interactions with her own sisters, and the young women in America would never know that type of bond existed.

“Zack thinks you should sample some of the other areas,” Sarah said. “It's obvious you lack a passion for computers, and driving can't be a full-time occupation. Carter mentioned you liked to cook before. Do you want to spend a day in the kitchen?”

Mia almost spat. The kitchen had always been an escape for her, where she could focus on one task and excel. Now that she had escaped the Registry she didn't need to clear her mind. Armed with the knowledge she now had, any time her mind was clear, thoughts of America filled the space.

“You don't want me following you?” Mia asked.

“Maybe you should think about Eleanor's offer,” Sarah said.

“I want a quieter life,” Mia said.

“Do you?” Sarah asked. “I mean, you have everything you were after—you're in a safe place, the people who love you are protected, you're forming new friendships—but you're not letting yourself go. I can see it, the way you carry yourself. What could be eating away at you?”

“Nothing,” Mia said. “It's just an adjustment, that's all.”

Sarah shook her head. “You're not adjusting well,” she said. “At least not when it comes to picking a path.”

“I'm learning something about what you do,” Mia said.

“Like what?” Sarah asked. “Give me an example.”

The two entered the jungle and started up the hill to Sarah's tower.

“I can type better,” Mia said.

“Do you have any interest at all in learning how computers work or staying at the forefront of technology? I showed you a lot of new things, inventions I couldn't wait to get my hands on when I was as new as you, but you look unimpressed when I show you.”

“If I'm bothering you, let me know,” Mia said. “I can shadow Zack, or someone from his team.”

“I think it will be the same,” Sarah said.

Mia wasn't sure if Sarah was right. When she saw the advances all Mia could think about was the poor people in America who would never know this type of technology existed. Sarah stopped walking and Mia looked up. They were in front of the electric gates of ET. Mia whipped her head toward Sarah and gave her a suspicious look.

“I did this for your own good,” Sarah said. “Ask Eleanor if you can spend the afternoon here. I'm sure she'll agree. Then maybe you will have your answer regarding your place in Affinity.”

Before Mia could respond the gate started to open. Sarah waved and turned, walking down the hill. Mia redirected her gaze toward ET. The gate was open now. Without thinking Mia's feet dragged her across the threshold, her body knowing what she wanted more than her mind.

 

T
his is against protocol,” Eleanor said. “And unfortunately since you are not a member of External Tactics yet, you are not privy to certain parts of the facility.”

“I don't want to see everything,” Mia said. “Just an idea of what my life would be like if I joined ET.”

They were in the same room Eleanor had escorted Mia and Rex to earlier in the week. Mia was seated at the table and Eleanor walked over to the control panel for the screen. She started typing.

“There is no typical day here,” Eleanor said. “At one point you may be brainstorming, looking for weakness in American defenses; at another you may speak with one of our contacts. It varies depending on where we need help.”

“If I were a member of ET,” Mia said, “what would I be doing right now?”

Eleanor spun around and showed her pressed lips. She looked like she wanted to scream at Mia but instead broke into a smile. She hit a button on the remote in her hand and the screen changed, displaying hundreds of small pictures. Mia couldn't focus on a single one; they kept shifting.

“These are the images we receive from America,” Eleanor said. “Some are feeds hidden by members of our organization who reside inside the country, others are satellite images where we found weakness in America's defenses, and others are from television programs and private security devices we have been able to hack.”

“How many people does Affinity have?” Mia asked. “On the inside at least? Why don't you evacuate them?”

“Those are the types of questions that only get answers if you're a member of External Tactics.” Eleanor pushed another button and the screen went dark.

“We are not pioneers, living in the wild trying to think up schemes,” she continued. “We are an advanced society, more so than most others in the world. If you join us this will all be at your disposal.”

“Why me?” Mia asked. “I'm not good with electronics; I'm uneducated.”

“Outside of your connection to Grant Marsden?” Eleanor asked.

Mia nodded; that couldn't be the only reason they saw her as worthy.

“You managed to escape from confinement twice; you rescued two men from a dangerous situation and since then have stopped an attack on Affinity,” Eleanor said. “There is a difference between intellect and education. You are a great asset, for many reasons.”

There was warmth growing inside Mia over Eleanor's compliments. Something she felt selfish for embracing.

“That being said, coddling is not in my job description,” Eleanor said. “You already know more than the average Affinity member. I'm afraid I cannot give you further details without hearing your decision.”

Eleanor stared at Mia, her arms crossed over her chest. This was the moment Mia needed to pledge her allegiance to ET, but before she could speak Andrew's face came to her mind. She thought about the time they'd spent together this past week. How nice it was to have him by her side, without any doom looming over them. If Mia knew everything ET and the Registry were up to that blissful ignorance would vanish forever.

“I need more time,” Mia said.

“Then you can spend it elsewhere,” Eleanor said.

Mia stood up from the table and Eleanor walked toward the door, holding it open for Mia as she left. No more words were exchanged. Mia regretted coming to the ET compound. She walked to the fence and waited for it to open. Even though the information she had gained today was minute, Mia knew that instead of satisfying her craving to know the Registry would be destroyed, it had only intensified it.

Chapter 71

Each Affinity camp can set up their village how they see fit, as long as the shared priority remains working toward the downfall of America.

—Internal memorandum from Affinity

Tonight was her first meeting. The entire organization was invited and External Tactics would run the event. Two days had passed since Mia's time with Eleanor and still she couldn't make up her mind. Mia thought about Rex saying Grant was indecisive and not worthy of loyalty; she wondered what the big man thought of her now.

“What is this about?” Mia asked Sarah.

“It's a special meeting,” Sarah said. “I'm not sure what for. It must be big news though.”

Mia looked around the room. There were about one hundred people in attendance. She was surprised more didn't attend, but Sarah did tell her some of the people wanted to stay in the dark on some of the larger issues. Before Mia could make it to her seat Eleanor intercepted her.

“Mia,” Eleanor said, “have you given any more thought to my offer?”

“I'm still deciding,” Mia said.

“I hope you don't wait too long,” Eleanor said.

She continued walking up to the front of the mess hall. There was a large table set up and the other eleven members sat down. Eleanor's seat was in the middle.

“She's never spoken a word to me before,” Sarah said. “I doubt she knows my name.”

“Maybe you should rethink joining ET,” Andrew said. “You'd fit in nicely at the head table.”

“I think I like it better down here with the minions,” Mia said.

Sarah and Andrew laughed at her joke. Carter walked in and sat by them.

“I thought you weren't coming,” Mia said.

“It beats sitting alone in the cabin,” Carter said.

“I'm glad you're here,” Mia said.

Carter looked away. She wanted him to feel like he belonged.

“Can I have your attention?” Eleanor said.

The whole room stopped talking in an instant. Mia had never seen anyone control a room with such power.

“It has come to our attention that the rise of a new grand commander is imminent. This individual is more ruthless than is imaginable.”

Grant. Mia knew Eleanor was right. She glanced over at Andrew, who gave his full attention to the ET panel.

“We have some inside access to him,” Eleanor said. “We are looking for volunteers for a mission. We need to send a group across the border, into America, to retrieve some files.”

The files on her. Mia looked around the room. Nobody had raised their hand yet. This was crazy. People could lose their lives, and there was no way everyone would survive the return trip. Mia wouldn't have that blood on her conscience. Eleanor couldn't think simple files were worth the loss of innocent people.

Carter stood up. “I volunteer,” he said.

Mia reached over and tugged his clothing. He brushed her off. Eleanor nodded at him. Someone else stood up. These people were going to risk their lives. Mia didn't think they understood what they were giving up. She stood up.

“Stop,” Mia said.

Everyone turned and looked at her.

“Excuse me?” Eleanor asked.

“Nobody is going back,” Mia said.

“That is not your call to make,” Eleanor said.

“Then I would like to accept your offer to join External Tactics,” Mia said.

“Consider yourself a member,” Eleanor said. “But this has been decided.”

“Then I'm going back too,” Mia said.

“No,” Andrew said.

“Unfortunately your presence will do more harm than good on this mission,” Eleanor said. “We need you for something else.”

“You want me to present myself as the grand commander's deceased wife,” Mia said. “And I need to go back there to do it.”

There was an audible gasp from the room.

“Mia, what are you doing?” Andrew asked.

Eleanor glanced at the panel members.

“We're listening,” she said.

“No,” Andrew said. He stood up. “If any of you go back they'll kill you. He'll kill you.”

“I'm not letting anyone else sacrifice themselves,” Mia said.

“I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself,” Andrew said.

“As moving as this display of affection is,” Eleanor said, “it doesn't concern us. Everyone, thank you for your time tonight. Volunteers, please meet at ET tomorrow morning. This meeting is adjourned.”

The people took Eleanor at her word and started standing up, talking among themselves.

“I won't allow this,” Andrew said.

“It's not your call to make,” Mia said.

“Mia, you said you wanted a quiet life,” Andrew said. “What would you call sending yourself to certain death?”

“I can't let another person die because of the Registry,” Mia said. “I do want a quiet life, but this week has shown me I can never find true peace until the Registry is done.”

“So you think exposing Grant's lies will put a stop to it?” Andrew asked.

“No,” Mia said. “But I think if we're going to stop the Registry it has to happen from inside. We need to strike soon. Once he takes over, those people back home, they're in grave danger. The whole country.”

Andrew didn't argue with Mia. He looked away. Eleanor approached them.

“That was brave,” she said.

“Some files on me aren't worth people's lives,” Mia said.

“What about the women trapped in America? Is risking a few lives worth their freedom?”

“I'm going back,” Mia said. “I'll expose Grant from the inside, but I'm going alone.”

“Rex is a crucial part of this mission,” Eleanor said.

“Just the two of us then,” Mia said.

“I won't leave you,” Andrew said. “I'm going too.”

“Me too,” Carter said.

Eleanor glanced around. She let a smile curl up on her lips.

“You underestimate the capabilities of Affinity,” Eleanor said. “Four members will not take down a massive government. We have much at our disposal.”

Mia thought about the video feeds. That was impressive, and it was only a fraction of their capabilities. Still, Mia didn't feel more confident.

“If you three are volunteering you will be informed of our proposal,” she said. “However, input from members outside of ET is not welcomed.”

“So you want us to risk our lives without a say?” Andrew asked.

“This is voluntary,” Eleanor said. “I hope to see you three in the morning. Mia, welcome to External Tactics.”

Eleanor turned and left. The rest of the room emptied out. Sarah stayed with the group until Zack walked over. He put a hand on her shoulder and she left the room. Her eyes stared into Mia and they were filled with concern and worry.

“We can't do this,” Andrew said.

“We already have,” Mia said. “There's no other option.”

Andrew's face was hard. He wouldn't make eye contact. Mia knew he wanted to scream at her. Carter, on the other hand, could barely contain his grin. It was like he felt relief at returning home.

“It's up to us,” Mia said. “We have to go back. We have to stop this. All of it. The Registry, mandatory service, the way America works.”

“You heard Eleanor,” Andrew said. “We're only three people, four if you count Rex.”

“Affinity is behind us,” Mia said. “I wouldn't underestimate their methods.”

“And what are those?” Andrew asked.

“I don't know yet,” Mia said.

She knew sitting idle wasn't an option. Mia did her best to hide her fears and show Andrew and Carter her determination.

“But no matter what, we are going to do this . . . together.”

None of them spoke a word. Mia knew Andrew didn't agree with their plan. When Mia had landed in Mexico she was a terrified, helpless girl paralyzed with fear. Now she was about to mount a rebellion against the most powerful country in the world. She knew she should be terrified, but instead she felt a strange sense of calm. The quiet life Mia dreamed of would never be possible until the Registry ceased to exist. This time Mia wasn't alone. She was part of something larger; she was part of Affinity. Mia could do this—she could go back. The Registry would be stopped.