01 Read online

  After every member of the group had been introduced, they made their way inside, escorted by four soldiers, two in front and two in back. Guy and Keira welcomed the group, and they began their tour in the main conference room.

  Adira ran up to her father and hugged him. “Please let him go.” She sobbed and looked directly at Guy.

  “What’s he doing?” My fingers sought Brody’s, and I squeezed.

  Guy signaled a couple of the soldiers. “Bring him along,” he suggested. “Let him see all the people he murdered. Bring him too.” He nodded toward Minister Brackaby. “Since he’s the one who managed to activate the detonator.”

  Raquelle brought up earlier footage. We watched as Prime Minister Armstrong

  threatened everyone and as Minister Brackaby finished the job. Now it was Brody who was squeezing my hand.

  The screen returned to a live feed. The group was in the hallway. They moved toward the stairs and descended by twos and threes. Once again, we saw the bodies and the cases along the walls, but this time the reactions of the people added an element of truth to the horror.

  The group was instructed to look but not touch. They began to spread out. There was a cry, and the vid turned to hone in on the source. A middle aged woman had found someone she recognized, a man of similar age, her husband perhaps or a brother.

  “Matthew?” she cried. “Oh, Matthew!” She threw her arms around the body. A soldier moved forward and pried her away. Some of Matthew’s blood had seeped into her white sweater.

  A few other people also found loved ones. Others studied the cases along the walls.

  Prime Minister Armstrong stared straight ahead, with no expression at all. Adira stood at his side and clung to his arm. She was pale, but she held her chin high.

  Alexis prompted him. “Prime Minister? Don’t you have anything to say?”

  “These people were all volunteers. They knew the risks.”

  “They knew they were going to die?” Alexis pushed. “That you were going to harvest their organs?”

  “They offered themselves for the betterment of the realm. They will be remembered as heroes.”

  “Heroes? Please explain.”

  “See the cases along the walls?” the Prime Minister said.

  The vid’recorder zoomed up on one of the cases. Beneath it a label stated, “Cordova, G. Age: 29.”

  “They didn’t survive the treatment, but their organs are stronger for it. These organs are fit for transplant, and the recipients will live long lives.”

  “What treatment?”

  “That’s confidential. Until our tests are concluded…”

  “Oh, I think your tests are concluded.” She cut him off, her voice like a razor. “You’ve killed your subjects.” She waved her arm at the room full of corpses. “And you mentioned transplants?”

  “Yes, what happened to these…people…was unfortunate, but the transplants can go ahead as planned.”

  Alexis appeared to look right at us through the vidscreen. “As Prime Minister Armstrong has just explained, these organs from Working Class citizens will help Elite patients who need transplants.”

  “Yes,” the Prime Minister agreed. The vid centered on him once again. “Terene needs strong rulers if it’s to continue to prosper.”

  “Prosper?” Using her transmitter, Alexis spoke to Raquelle. “Cue up the footage of Mediterra.” Then she addressed the Prime Minister and the viewers. “I’ve been to Mediterra, and I’d like to share some footage from my most recent trip just this past month.”

  The images that appeared next showed it all. The vid panned across green countryside, farmland as far as the eye could see with fields full of crops: yellows, various shades of green, specks of red and orange. Then rolling hills and flowing blue rivers flashed by, dot-ted throughout with small villages and a couple of larger cities. This footage had been taken from the air.

  The next images were of an airport. People smiled, hugged and kissed as they greeted one another. Techno gadgets were abundant, and both the people and the setting were clean.

  Outside the airport, hovercars and maglev trains stood waiting to take passengers home.

  The images shifted. We appeared to be riding in a hovercar. In time, the palace emerged in the distance. Alexis even shared a short interview with the President.

  I smiled and leaned my head on Brody’s shoulder. “He’s a good man.”

  “You know him?”

  “Sort of. Scott works at the palace. I had lunch there once.” I sat up straight. “Scott! I wonder if he knows.” I stood up and looked around.

  “What are you doing?”

  “There has to be one! Do you see a transceiver?”

  Brody reached into his pocket. “I still have mine. I guess it doesn’t matter anymore whether or not anyone’s listening.”

  “Thanks.” I hurriedly punched in Scott’s number and activated the vidscreen. Seconds later, Scott’s image appeared.

  “Aimee!”

  “Yes, it’s me. You’ll never guess what’s happened.”

  “You’ve taken Parliament. It’s all over the news. I’ve been calling you guys for hours!”

  “Oh, we got rid of our transceivers. The Gov was after us.”

  “I understand. I’ll be flying out in a few hours. The President wants me to check things out firsthand.”

  “What about Dani and the kids?”

  “They’re staying here, at least for now. Look, I have to go. Can someone meet me at the airport at 1900?”

  “That soon?”

  “Time change, remember?” he said.

  “Oh, yeah. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Is this your new number?”

  “It’s mine,” Brody said, “and we’ll be there to pick you up.”

  “Who’s that?” Scott asked.

  I handed the transceiver to Brody so he could speak with Scott directly. “Brody Delaney. Nice to meet you.”

  “Guy’s told me about you. Thanks for all your help.”

  “Thank you for starting the Resistance.”

  Scott smiled. “No problem! See you later.”

  Brody closed the connection and moved to put his arm around me. This time I was prepared, and I didn’t pull away. I looked at the large vidscreen on the wall. The group had returned to the front steps of the Justice Center.

  Eberhardt found us a few minutes later. I turned off the vidscreen.

  “We were wondering where you’d gone. Food’s been brought into the main conference area. You hungry?”

  “Yes, but can’t we eat in here?” I said.

  “This room’s not big enough for the crowd we’re planning to feed. Why don’t you want to join us?”

  “The ministers make me uncomfortable,” I explained.

  “They’re gone. While everyone was distracted by the tour, we moved them. Well, all except for Armstrong and Brackaby, and they’re leaving right now.”

  “Where did you take them?” Brody asked.

  “The military is escorting them to a high security prison where they’ll wait for trial.”

  I heaved a sigh of relief.

  -Guy-

  No Dictator

  I reached for a sandwich and sat down to eat and think. Keira did the same. Everything was moving so fast. What if I made a mistake? Terene couldn’t afford that, not now.

  How much should I share? I looked around. David Harlow stood talking to a small group of soldiers by the window while Alexis and her vid crew reviewed some recent footage on the other side of the room farther away from the glare of the sun. Just then, Eberhardt walked in with Aimee and Brody. I trusted everyone here. I had to. How could we proceed otherwise?

  When everyone was settled, I set my plate aside. “I need your help.” The room quieted.

  I paused and looked at my friends, my allies, at Keira. She reached for my hand. It was all the encouragement I needed. “The people are ready for a change, and we need to decide how to best make that happen.”


  “We?” Aimee asked.

  I smiled. “I’m no dictator, and frankly, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, so…any ideas?”

  “Scott’s on his way,” Aimee said.

  “Really? We’ll need to send someone to pick him up. When is his flight due?”

  Brody draped his arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get Scott.”

  I took deep breath. We can do this. Together we can do this. I stood up and continued, my voice grew stronger. “Change is never easy, but the citizens of Terene are ready. And we have allies in Mediterra who can help us get to where we want to be. If we’re open to change, we can learn from them.”

  ***

  Hours later, we returned to Keira’s apartment and settled on the sofa. She leaned against me, and we watched a replay of the day’s events on the teleview. From the front steps of the Justice Center, I addressed a crowd of thousands.

  “The military is in charge until we elect new representatives. They’ll keep order. Remember, this will take some time. But if everyone agrees to do their part, and we all help each other, things will get better for everyone.”

  “How do you plan to help?” a voice called out, over the murmurs of the crowd.

  “Me? I’m moving out of my apartment and turning it over to the military. The soldiers assigned to keep order will need places to stay. If you have any spare room, I urge you to do the same.”

  The crowd fell silent.

  “They’re only here to keep order, and many of them have been on your side all along.

  We need to learn to trust each other, to depend upon one another.”

  Keira and I held up our hands. Our fingers were intertwined.

  “It’s time to close the Divide. Reliance on citizens makes us great! Working Class and Elite together as one. We will be the change we want to see.”

  I turned to Keira. “Did that sound stupid?”

  “Just the end part.” She shrugged. “But, hey, you were winging it.”

  “Gee, thanks.” I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. She grinned at me.

  Alexis began to take requests. We watched as a queue formed, and citizen after citizen offered what they could. Most offered a room, bed or couch for military personnel. Many restaurant owners said they would provide select menu options for soldiers. Others offered meals for Working Class citizens. One man said he would provide free clothing from his second hand shop for any children in need. Keira shuddered when she saw him.

  “You know him?”

  She shook her head, unwilling to share, and I decided not to press the issue. If it was important, she would tell me.

  Alexis filmed throughout the afternoon while Raquelle continued to broadcast live to every city in Terene. It wasn’t until Scott arrived that I learned she’d been able to send the signal much farther than that. When the signal grew weak, other techno experts in other realms picked it up and kept it going. Worldwide, people knew what was happening in Terene, and because of that, Ricky was my new hero.

  “Hello everyone!”

  A cheer erupted from the crowd.

  “Look, it’s Zuri!” Keria pointed at the vidscreen.

  A tall, dark skinned man in a bright yellow shirt with ruffles faced the vid’recorder.

  “Many people don’t know this about me. My mother, rest her soul, was Working Class which is why I am too, but my father is Elite. So, I guess I’m somewhere in the middle.”

  “Friend of yours?” I asked.

  “He did our hair for the benefit, mine and Aimee’s.”

  Zuri said, “Thursdays are my day off, but until further notice, I’m offering a special: a free wash, trim and style at our downtown salon for the first eight people to arrive.”

  “Every Thursday?” Alexis asked.

  “Every Thursday.” He grinned.

  I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. “It’s nice to see all the different ways people are chipping in.”

  “And you started it all,” Keira said.

  “Well, not me alone.”

  The front door opened. Scott entered first, followed by Aimee and then Brody. Keira rushed to her brother for a hug. I stood and waited my turn. It had been far too long since I’d seen my old friend.

  “Where should I put my things?” he asked.

  “You can put them in our room and sleep on the couch. It’s right this way.” I started to turn, but Aimee stopped me.

  “No.” She turned to Scott and smiled. “No one is sleeping on the couch.” She took a deep breath. “You’ll have my room. Brody’s invited me to stay with him.”

  Keira hurried over, and I was close enough to hear her whispered words. “You’re sure about this?”

  Aimee shrugged and nodded. “I trust him.”

  Heart of Humanity

  -Scott-

  Duty Calls

  Geoffrey tapped my arm. This would be his fourth question in an hour. I ignored him and focused on the ceremony, anxious for the new Gov to officially take charge in the west-ern city of Vanover and relieve me of my duties here. Geoffrey cleared his throat. I scowled and swiveled my leather executive-style office chair to face him. It wasn’t like this was our first, third or even fifth Exchange of Power, and Geoffrey Baines had been at my side since the beginning; he knew the process.

  My team observed as 10 men and women dressed in business suits saluted two flags and recited the new Oath of the Realm, guaranteeing to protect and honor all citizens equally, something that hadn’t been done in Terene in over a generation. Our next task would be to escort one of the ministers now standing before us to the capital city of Tkaron. He or she would represent the realm as a member of the main branch of Parliament. In this way, all eight territories would be represented. No one knew who the next Prime Minister would be.

  The ministers would offer a list of three candidates, and the citizens would vote. This short but important ceremony deserved some respect.

  Geoffrey pointed at the transceiver clipped to my belt. It silently glowed, announcing an incoming call. I let out a breath, brushed my suit coat further aside and unclipped the small device, ready to hit ‘cancel.’ Whoever it was could call back later or leave a message. Then I saw the number. Keeping my eyes and most of my attention facing forward, I lifted the small device to my ear and spoke quietly so as not to disrupt the ceremony.

  “Dani?”

  “Scott.” Danielle’s tone demanded my attention.

  “Just a minute.”

  I pushed my notepad to Geoffrey, stood and quickly moved to the outer office.

  From behind the welcome desk, a young woman with long dark hair and ruby red fin-gernails watched a newsvid on the teleview embedded in the wall. Guy Bensen, the reason for all this change and my best friend, gave his daily newscast. With an air of stoicism and serenity, he faced the vid-recorder. His words and manner reassured the masses that the process of change would continue. Guy was exactly what Terene needed. Only his closest friends knew that he hated being the center of attention.

  I hurried across the room to the window and spoke to my wife. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Noah.”

  My heart jumped to my throat as I thought of my five year-old son, and I swallowed nervously.

  “It’s his liver,” she continued. “The doctors say he has cirrhosis. Scott, he needs another transplant.”

  I reached down and remembered the removal of my kidney. “Cirrhosis? How long does he have?” I whispered.

  “We have a little time.”

  “How much?”

  “A few months, according to his doctor. When can you come home?”

  “We’ll finish here by the end of the week. Then we’re scheduled to fly back to Tkaron before heading for the eastern seaboard, but I can be back in a day or two.” I glanced at the secretary. I’d give her Brody Delaney’s number. That would assure me a flight out tonight, and I’d be back home by dinnertime tomorrow.

  “We’ll be all right for a
week or two,” Danielle said.

  “I’ll try to get a flight out tonight,” I assured her. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I stared out the window and took a deep breath. Another transplant. The golden yellow, flaming orange and scarlet red leaves of a Douglas maple shone in the midday sun. We’d break for lunch soon. I’d have to talk with Geoffrey about a change of plans. I’d been away from my family far too long.

  About the Author

  S.L. Wallace is a teacher and lifelong writer who is a descendant of the famous William Wallace. Like him, she believes in freedom and independence. Unlike him, she fights her battles with the pen, most recently taking a political stand against recent changes in govern-ment at both local and state levels.

  Connect with S.L. Wallace at:

  Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/slwallace

  Her Blog: crossroadsofhumanity.blogspot.com/p/slwallace.html

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Reliance-on-Citizens/269905359690713

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5247133.S_L_Wallace

  Twitter: twitter.com/authorSLWallace

  Other books in the Reliance on Citizens series:

  Price of a Bounty

  Heart of Humanity

  Document Outline

  Canvas Skies

  S. L. Wallace

  For Jim and Alyssa

  Table of Contents

  -April-

  Cauchemars

  -Guy-

  The Dry Martini

  -Keira-

  Brody Delaney

  -Brody-

  Secrets and Lies

  -Guy-

  Moving Ahead

  -Keira-

  The Proposal

  -Aimee-

  Nadine

  -Keira-

  New London, New Decisions

  -Aimee-

  Leaving Parisio

  -Keira-

  Reunion

  -Aimee-

  Getting to Know You, Again

  -Brody-

  Asking for Help

  -Keira-

  Assassin in the Night

  -Guy-