Mom smiled softly. ‘Can you take a little more walking, Maggie?’
I nodded. ‘Of course. We need to get moving!’
Mom took my other arm and together she and Sam started walking – but in the wrong damn direction!
‘Not this way!’ I said. ‘We need to get out of here.’
But Sky was on her radio, obviously talking to the security guards, who started to turn around and noticed us coming their way.
‘Just trust us, Maggie,’ Sam said with a small laugh.
As we got closer, my heart sped up. I couldn’t breathe as I waited for the people to push down the fence and charge us. But they didn’t.
In fact, they were all calm. All silent. Watching as we moved closer and closer. One of the security guards jogged towards us and suddenly I felt a wave of relief.
‘Liam?’ I asked, not sure if I was seeing things.
He made it the last few steps and gave me a toothy grin before pulling me in for a hug. ‘Wasn’t about to let anyone else watch out for you until you were ready to get back to the job yourself.’
‘Who are all these people, Liam?’
He glanced at Sam. ‘She doesn’t know?’
Sam shrugged, looking as though he was enjoying himself. ‘No idea.’
Liam laughed and pulled out his radio. ‘Tell them it’s her,’ he ordered.
‘Liam!’ I yelled, but it was too late. Why the hell was no one running?
But then I saw the guards talking to the crowds. I heard the murmurs and saw the movements until they travelled beyond where my eyes could see.
A flickering light.
A candle.
Another. And another.
And then hundreds.
Until there were thousands.
As far as I could see, spreading out like a wave of earthly stars.
The breath whooshed from my lungs.
‘They’ve been keeping vigil, Maggie,’ Mom said, tears in her eyes. ‘They’re here to thank you.’
I was speechless, and even if I wasn’t, there was no way I could speak over the lump in my throat.
‘A lot of them are wrongly accused negs,’ Sam said. ‘Liam thinks some are true negs who have never committed any crime. Many of them are the families of negs who’ve come to thank you for saving their loved ones when they couldn’t. They started arriving by car after Gus’s message went live. Then on foot. Then, they just stayed. Quentin sent security, but no one has caused a problem. Liam organised to keep everyone warm and fed while they waited for you.’ He pointed to a group of a few hundred near the top fence. ‘That’s the line of volunteers, Mags.’
I shook my head and squeezed out the words. ‘For what?’
‘To work for you. Anything. Everything. You gave them back their lives and they want to know if there’s anything they can do for you. They refuse to leave.’
And then the voices started, soft at first but quickly building into a thunderstorm of sound. It only took a few of the words for me to recognise what they were singing.
I grabbed Liam’s hand and listened as thousands of voices sang ‘Amazing Grace’.
Tears poured down my face.
Tears of guilt, mostly.
‘Take me down there, Liam,’ I said, my voice trembling.
‘She’s too exhausted,’ Mom argued, but Liam just gave her a big smile then lifted me in his arms, cradling me easily as he walked me towards the singing crowds. Once there, he gently put me down and kept his arm around me while I walked along the fence line as far as I could manage, thanking people for being there and telling them I was sorry for everything they had been through.
The shame was devastating. I didn’t deserve their praise and wanted to hide away, but they deserved for me to face them.
If only they knew everything, they wouldn’t be singing songs. If they knew how many I had walked away from. About Sarah – how she’d been shot dead in front of me because I’d failed to get her out. I shook my head. Gus might have told my tale, but still … They didn’t know all the people I’d left to their terrible fate.
I didn’t last long, and as I started to fade Mom was there, gently telling Liam I’d had enough for one day.
Liam watched me for a beat, but then nodded and instructed the security guards to inform the rest of the crowds that I was going to have a rest and that I would visit again tomorrow. This seemed to satisfy them, and then he picked me up and carried me in his arms all the way back to my room in that ginormous ranch.
‘Your son?’ I asked as Liam pulled up the covers for me.
He smiled proudly. ‘He’s here. Staying in one of the guesthouses with me. He wants to meet you.’
‘I want to meet him too,’ I said groggily, my eyes closing, only to flash open again. ‘I have guesthouses?’
‘Four permanent ones,’ he said. ‘And we have set up some temporary caravans on the property for the extra security.’
‘How big is the property?’ I asked.
‘Roughly? About thirty thousand acres, I believe.’
‘Oh. Right,’ I said, my eyes closing before I could even begin to process the fact that this place was about twice the size of Manhattan. Because if I had to process that, I might also have to acknowledge the fact that despite all the crowds … I felt entirely bereft.
Over the next two days, I caught up on all that had happened. The world had woken up on Monday morning to Gus’s face streaming on every single media platform known to man, in every corner of the world.
Gus had been right when he described himself as a brilliant hacker – no one had quite worked out exactly how he’d done it. The initial feed only aired for about forty minutes before they managed to bring it down, but it was enough. The world knew and then the feed started to come back online. Two hours after that, CNN started the continual loop that I had seen. Their ratings had never been higher.
The world now knew that Phera-tech was a corrupted technology; that the simplistic system of rating one another had turned into a control mechanism that was taking lives and stealing rights.
Negs had been released immediately because of the immense public pressure following Gus’s message. It appeared that the world was no longer willing to go quietly into the night.
Talk shows were now dominated by negs telling their gruesome tales. One even came on talking about me, that he had met me and begged me to take him out of there. I watched, remembering the night I had gone in and found him. It turns out he was a real neg and was happy to admit it to the world along with the fact that he had never done anything criminal or violent – except for when he had been underground. I sympathised with him when he confessed he would carry that guilt with him for the rest of his life. Most of all I was surprised when he told the host that he understood why I’d done what I’d done and that he believed I’d made the right choice. I shook my head, watching.
Following leads from all the seized M-Corp files, police had uncovered sweatshops around the world where those in charge had used the disruption to turn workers into negs – leaving them as little more than slaves.
The news reports indicated that there had been a number or arrests made from within the Mercer Corporation and that the company was now working in full cooperation with the US government and the UN.
But, of course, there was still so much more to do. That’s where the reports always ended. So much more to do.
I had been slowly getting my strength back and starting to move around a little more. I spent as much time as I could visiting with the people on the fence line and helping the security guards bring supplies.
On Saturday morning, I sat on the sofa with Mom and Sam, all of us nibbling on the omelette Mom had made. She still couldn’t cook and the thing was more charred than should be possible, but Sam and I scooped a handful of cheese on top and told her it was superb. Soon enough Liam and his five-year-old son, Jacob, joined us and we turned up the volume just as Jacob spat out his first bite of crispy omelette.
CNN had now
returned to their normal broadcasting. They were filming a press conference at the White House; a common occurrence at the moment.
I half watched as the President began to speak, knowing that there would be a lot of talk we’d already heard. But eventually he started talking about Phera-tech and that was when I tuned in.
‘… We have reached a point where we need to make some decisions. As a country, but also as a world and as a species. We should have done this before it all began. We should have listened to the warnings. We were wrong. But now we have a chance to make things right. There is a technology that we can offer the world, but it’s now your choice – your vote – that will make the difference. So I’m going to hand over the microphone to someone you already know quite a lot about. His part in the exposure of what has really been happening with this technology was instrumental. Ladies and gentlemen, Quentin Mercer.’
Cameras started flashing everywhere. It was the first time anyone in the general public – including me – would see him since the news broke. They’d had him in lockdown, and rumours had started running rife as to what he and his brother were up to.
The camera zoomed in as a door to the press conference room opened. My heart pumped double time as I sat rooted in place. And then, there he was.
He was safe and perfect and I had to bite my lip to stop the cry that came from my soul. His black suit and crisp white shirt made him look strong and much older than his eighteen years. But his face was gentle and beneath the powerful exterior I could see the tiredness his eyes betrayed.
He came to the stage and shook hands with the President. They exchanged a few quiet words and then Quentin stepped up to the microphone. He paused, looked out to the press and then turned to the camera.
‘My father was a criminal. He took the wrong road and many people paid the price for his wrongdoing. As his son, I offer you my deepest apology, but I know that means very little right now. There is no excuse for what he did. No punishment great enough. But I believe there is a way to move forwards. A way for us to show the people of this world who would take our freedom from us that we are not going to stand by and let that happen.’
At first I struggled to listen to what he was saying, too busy taking in the sight of him – every single inch. He was beautiful – even the wound near his eye that was neatly stitched. When I did start paying attention to his message, I was struck by how much strength flowed from each word. He was most definitely in control and I knew I was watching the beginning of greatness.
‘It is hard to stand before the world and admit that my father was the worst kind of person.’ He dropped his eyes. When he lifted them, he gave just a glimpse of his sorrow and I felt it in every part of my body. ‘To admit that he killed my mother. And to admit that I’m glad he’s gone.’
Oh, Quentin.
‘If the system worked, my father should have rated as a neg, but he never did. Perhaps he rigged the system, or perhaps the system is flawed. Perhaps it was something else.’
I was struck by his words and the fact that, like his mother, he had come full circle, back to the technology and how it had let them down in so many ways.
He took a deep breath and stared into the camera. ‘It is hard to admit these things. But it is made easier by being able to tell you that my mother was the best kind of person.’ A small smile broke through his serious expression. ‘She worked as an undercover agent for the government, working from the inside to find a way to stop the great injustices that were happening. She risked her life every day and, in the end, gave her life for this very purpose. It is my mother’s example that both my brother, Sebastian, and I look to for guidance as we pave the road ahead.’
He relaxed into his stance a little, the small movement making his speech more personal.
‘Yes, we found a cure for the immediate problem. And that’s great. But that doesn’t stop the bigger problem we’ve created. My mother had a vision that we could live in a world that had both technology and empathy. In the days before her death, she told me how she believed we were capable of both, as long as we put our humanity and compassion before advancement. She believed if we could do that we would be able to tap into a greater evolution of mankind than any of us could comprehend. And I agree. Over the past week, we have been testing a technology that Eliza Mercer developed, and thanks to the input of Gus Reynolds in the final weeks of his life we believe this technology is now ready to be introduced to the world. So what does it do?’
Quentin smiled and I knew he had the world in the palm of his hand.
‘Well,’ he went on, ‘in a nutshell, it will limit Phera-tech so that ratings under fifteen per cent are no longer displayed, thereby preventing negative ratings completely. But it will also limit the higher ratings, maxing out at ninety per cent. We believe nothing in life should be so definite that a person could be willing to kill for it – both the good and the bad. In addition to this alteration to your M-Bands and to Phera-tech, the laws requiring a minimum monthly register of ratings along with the Negative Removal Act will be scrapped. The research shows that negs are volatile and often violent, but ask yourself this – do we not all deserve the chance to change and to evolve? I hope you’ll agree with me that we do.
‘I’m here today not on behalf of the Mercer Corporation, but on behalf of my brother, Sebastian, who is away giving a similar talk in other countries, and on behalf of my mother who is no longer with us. And in order to show you just how true that statement is …’ he paused and you could feel the attention of the world waiting for his next words, ‘Sebastian and I, as the sole heirs of the Mercer Corporation, have hereby relinquished control and ownership, donating the firm, its wealth and all of its patents and intellectual property to the United Nations. No single entity will be able to make these types of decisions again. A board of trusted international representatives in the fields of science, business, politics and human rights will be entrusted with future decisions. The technology will endure. It must because we, the public, demand it must. But hopefully, if you choose to pass this vote with us, we will find a way to make the technology kinder.’
Quentin stood back and the President took over, explaining that given the urgent nature of the matter, a vote would proceed immediately with all US residents required to register their votes online within the next twenty-four hours.
‘Over the next hour, all M-Bands will automatically update with a “vote” zip complete with instructions. We’ve kept it as straight forward as possible and the results will be announced this time tomorrow.’
The President then opened the floor to questions, of which there were many. But I had stopped listening. All I could do was watch Quentin as he was ushered from the room by security guards. It was clear the government were still keeping a tight hold on him, ensuring he spoke to none of the press or answered any questions. How long would they keep him hidden away?
Thirty-six
It was Sunday – a week since we’d raided the tunnels – and it was funeral day. I didn’t know how I was going to get through it. I didn’t even know if anyone would come. Gus and I didn’t exactly have a lot of friends, so when the funeral company had asked me for the guest list I’d baulked. He didn’t even have any family that he cared for, and knowing how he’d felt, I hadn’t put them on the list.
I stood in front of the distressed mirror in my bedroom, feeling just as worn. I was wearing a long navy-blue dress and had my arm in a black sling. I barely recognised myself anymore and was frustrated that I looked so lost. I needed to be strong today. I needed to be strong for Gus.
I grabbed Gus’s black fedora and put it on just as I heard the front door open and Liam call my name. I walked downstairs slowly, knowing each step brought me closer to the final goodbyes.
‘Is it on?’ I asked, when I found Liam and my family all standing nervously around the television screen.
Liam nodded, turning up the volume.
The President was speaking, talking about the unprecedented amount
of votes that had been received. And about the extraordinary landslide. Sebastian Mercer stood in the background, but I couldn’t see Quentin anywhere and that worried me.
‘It is with great pride that I announce the implementation of the new restrictions on Phera-tech. As decided by the people of the United States of America, we will no longer single out those who rate as negatives. Ratings below fifteen per cent and above ninety per cent will no longer appear. The Negative Removal Act has been rescinded, as have the laws requiring minimum monthly ratings. As your President, I thank you for taking this brave step towards a better future.’
‘Wow,’ Mom said. ‘I honestly wasn’t sure if the public would get behind it. Everything is going to change now.’
Liam nodded, tapping on his M-Band. ‘And the UK, Russia, China, Japan, Australia and other countries are delivering equally strong results.’
‘This is incredible, right, Mags?’ Sam said, shaking his head in amazement.
‘Yeah. It’s a new world,’ I said with a genuine smile, even as I backed up a few steps and pointed towards the door. ‘I’m just going to … go for a walk before we have to get going.’
Everyone seemed to understand, and I was grateful they let me go.
I went outside, relishing the feel of the fresh morning air. I wandered towards the crest, noticing that a helicopter had just landed in the field ahead. I figured it was our ride to the funeral.
I stopped just before I reached the top of the hill, not wanting to face the thousands of people I knew were still there. It was such an odd sensation. I’d been alone for so long, running my own game, manipulating others, caring only about my own goals. But now here I was, surrounded by people, about to bury my only friend – and there was only one person I wanted to see.
It was over.
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes, letting the cold seep into me. And yes, more tears fell. I felt like I’d turned into a damn water feature.
I don’t know how long I’d been standing there when I started to register the sounds of excited chatter coming from the people at the fence line. They weren’t normally this noisy, and when the cheers started to increase, I took a few tentative steps towards the top of the crest.