Dana’s already bruised bottom stung even more as men dumped her in a chair. Someone ripped the bag off her head and the gag from her mouth. Her eyes hurt from the bright light that shone in them. Blinking, she waited for them to adjust.
The plastic tie cut deep into her flesh as she attempted to free her wrists. She felt warm blood ooze down her skin as each of her movements made the tie tighter. The throbbing bruise on her face distracted her.
“Dana Ginary,” said a cold voice.
The man it belonged to paced the room. Only his boots were revealed in the light.
“Who are you?” demanded Dana. “What am I doing here?”
“You should already know the answer to that.”
Dana guessed why. President Klens was getting even. She scolded herself for being so stupid.
“Now, you had your little outburst. The president allowed you to see your family. All is well.”
“Then why am I here?” Dana demanded again.
Colonel Fernau stared at Dana. “I think I will let the First Councilman explain that.”
He knocked on the door. Immediately, it opened, and in stepped Seth Michaels in a crisp, pressed suit. Kenny followed behind his father.
Dana watched them through the strands of her hair that remained plastered to her face.
“Dana Ginary,” said Seth Michaels. “My son has told me a lot about you. I expected to meet someone of better repute.”
Dana remained silent. She had no idea where this was going.
“I am willing to sum up your latest outbursts against the state as the mere whim of youth. But I want something in return.” A foreboding tension filled his voice.
“And what would that be?” asked Dana, keeping her voice under control as she struggled against the plastic tie around her wrists.
“Surely we don’t need this, Colonel,” said Seth Michaels.
Colonel Fernau stepped over to Dana and cut the tie loose.
Relieved, Dana rubbed her sore wrists; blood trickled down her fingers. Her eyes darted from one man to the next, unsure of what they wanted.
“As you are aware, the resistance movement has been growing these past several months. President Klens would like to see them eliminated. I am sure you are aware of the lies they spread.”
“I wouldn’t know,” said Dana. “I haven’t met anyone from the resistance.”
“Haven’t you?” Seth Michaels arched an eyebrow at her. “I hear that you are friendly with a man named George Saule.”
“He’s no—” began Dana.
“I’m afraid he is. Though perhaps he did not wish you to know.”
Dana started to realize what this was about.
Seth Michaels continued. “I am offering you a chance to be forgiven for your past transgressions. We know you have been to the underground market and that you went with George. Don’t bother asking how. We know everything.”
Dana glanced at her forearm. She knew she had been implanted with a chip since birth, but it never occurred to her that it could be a tracking device. But if it was, then why couldn’t—
“You can’t track them, can you?”
The looks on the others’ faces told Dana she had guessed right. The members of the resistance had found a way to keep from being tracked with the chips in their arms.
“I knew we would understand each other,” purred Seth Michaels. “No, we cannot track them. They have found a way to keep our devices from picking up their chips. They have a mechanism that bounces the signal everywhere so that we cannot pinpoint it.
“But if we had someone on the inside, that person could tell us when and where they meet.”
“I am not part of the resistance,” said Dana.
“No, but you can get yourself in.”
“How?”
“We will stage something. A little show that will make them think they can trust you.”
Dana didn’t like this. “You want me to betray them. To gain their trust and then turn on them. I won’t do it.”
“Miss Ginary, I suggest you reconsider the matter,” said Seth Michaels.
“Do you miss your parents?” said Colonel Fernau. “It would be unfortunate if they never returned home.”
Panic filled Dana. She had last seen her parents get on the bus headed north to the district where they lived. “What are you saying?”
“Unfortunately, they were found in possession of contraband items. The penalty is most severe,” said Colonel Fernau. “And then there are your friends, Elsie and the other one, Sanders. It would be unfortunate if they suffered an accident.”
Pure hatred filled Dana’s eyes as she stared at the colonel.
“Or perhaps, you only care for that red-headed girl. Jesse, is that her name? I hear her grandmother is very ill despite the medicine you managed to procure for her.”
“You son of a—” began Dana.
“The point is,” said Seth Michaels, “we can make all of this go away if you do as we ask. We will even wipe out all of the red flags on your record.”
“By blackmailing me?”
“I call it persuasion,” said Colonel Fernau.
“Think about it,” said Seth Michaels. “This could be your one chance to get out of Waste Management.
“If you succeed, I will personally see to it that you get the most comfortable job in this region. You and your parents will be allowed to move out of the province they live in and into more luxurious accommodations. You need never fear hunger or poverty.”
Dana said nothing.
“You don’t know these people,” said Seth Michaels, “and you do not owe them anything.”
Dana continued to remain silent, her mind racing over her prospects.
“I can make all of your problems go away.”
Gradually, Dana looked up at Kenny’s father. Her eyes darted over to Kenny, who stood silently in a corner of the room. “And you called yourself my friend.”
Kenny whispered something to his father. Immediately, Seth Michaels motioned for Colonel Fernau to follow him as he left the interrogation room.
Kenny unplugged the surveillance camera and locked the door. “I am your friend, Dana.”
“And I accepted your gift.”
“I gave you that watch because I knew you needed it.”
Dana looked at the floor.
“Dana, please. They are only offering you this chance because I begged my father to. President Klens wanted you killed. But I convinced my father to give you this chance to redeem yourself.”
“Redeem myself? I’m not the one using fear to control people.”
“Oh, forget the politics, Dana. This is beyond that. Our system works as long as everyone follows the law. If you weren’t so stubborn, we wouldn’t be here right now.”
“Not everyone can be as pliable as you,” spat Dana.
“Oh, cut the crap! What is the resistance to you, except a bunch of people who want to start trouble? We all have our place in society. We can’t just go around always thinking about what we want.”
“But isn’t that what you do? Isn’t that what President Klens does?”
“Huh?”
“You still believe in this system don’t you, Kenny? Even after everything you have just witnessed.”
“Everyone benefits,” said Kenny.
“Really? Am I benefiting right now?” Dana eyed the person she had thought was her friend. “Ask a question. Any question. Challenge the system in some way and you will find yourself exactly where I am.”
“But I am offering you this chance to change all that,” said Kenny.
“And I called you my friend.”
“I am your friend! I don’t want to see you here. I didn’t know Colonel Fernau was going to arrest your parents. That was his idea. Do what they want. Give them the resistance and you will go free.”
“Do you really believe that?” asked Dana.
“Can you afford not to?”
Dana and Kenny locked eyes. She saw in his eyes that he believed what h
e said, even though she did not. Still, her parents’ lives were at stake.
“Do it for yourself. Do it for your parents.”
“Where are they?” asked Dana.
“In a containment facility. Don’t worry. I’ll see to it that they are comfortable. My father assured me that they will be kept safe as long as you do as he asks. When you are finished, you will all go home.”
Tears welled up in Dana’s eyes. She choked them back, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of making her cry. What choice do I have?
“Promise me, Kenny. Promise me that nothing will happen to my parents.”
“I promise.”
“Then, I’ll do it.”
Relieved, Kenny opened the door and let his father and the colonel back in. “She has agreed.”
“Excellent,” said Seth Michaels.
“You will stick close to George Saule,” said Colonel Fernau. “Very close. We believe that sometime within the next week, he will meet up with the resistance again. When he does, follow him.”
“But how will I gain their trust?” asked Dana.
“We will take care of that,” said Colonel Fernau. “The next time he goes into the city, make sure you are with him. I don’t care how you do it.
“Once there, some of my men will attack you both. Don’t worry. They’ll have orders to not kill either of you, and they will know to let you win. But make the fight look real. You may end up with a bruise or two.”
“It is acceptable,” said Dana, her voice hollow.
“After that, it will be up to you to convince the other members,” said Colonel Fernau. “You will identify the leaders. We will take care of the rest.”
“We are all counting on you,” said Seth Michaels.
“I understand,” said Dana.
“Very well,” replied Seth Michaels. “Take Dana back to Waste Management. If anyone asks where you have been, tell them you were visiting that girl.”
“Yes, sir.”
Dana allowed herself to be hauled out of the chair and led away. Her will to fight had deserted her.
“You did well, my boy,” said Seth Michaels to his son. “Positively well.”
“Thank you, father. What will happen to her parents?”
“They will be transferred to a more secure location,” replied Seth Michaels.
“More secure?” said Kenny.
“Do not worry,” Colonel Fernau stepped in. “I am having them taken to a place where they will be comfortable. It is more of a penthouse. They will be under guard, but they will have every comfort life can offer. It is for their security as well as ours.”
“Oh,” said Kenny. “I did promise her.”
“You will keep your promise just like I always keep mine.” Seth Michaels wrapped an arm around his son. “Now, it is time we return home. There is much to do.”
Chapter Fourteen