Remy
I’d always struggled with guilt. As the daughter of a pastor, and a girl with a weakness for boys and beer, there had been guilt since I hit puberty. Now the guilt was piled high for more reasons than just my rebellious behaviors. Standing in my new room after work, knowing Tater had a mechanical bug in his head because of me, and all of the humans in Primo Town were sharing rooms and dingy bathrooms, thin mattresses with no pillows . . . yeah.
Meanwhile I had been placed in a grand, high-ceilinged room with a four-poster king bed. I hadn’t touched it yet, hadn’t even moved since I walked in, but with the thick mattress, bustling comforter, and plush pillows, I could only imagine it would be heavenly. The only thing the room was missing was a window. Through the open bathroom door I saw a glistening sink and sunken tub. My God . . . the guilt was so heavy that I would never be able to enjoy these things. I wanted to beg for Kelsey and the other girls to come here with me. I wanted to demand that Tater be released from his mental prison. I wanted to tell the Senator that if they had the resources for this kind of luxury, they could do better for Primo Town.
But I couldn’t say any of that, because despite the pretty room, I was still a prisoner like the others. A prisoner with some sort of weird hold over her captor—I couldn’t forget that—and I couldn’t let whatever power I had go to waste. But using it required extreme delicacy. The Senator was not dumb. And I wasn’t sure he completely trusted me after seeing me come out of the cornfield with Tater.
My eyes stopped their scanning when I spotted an alarm clock radio, and my heart began to patter with nervousness. I approached it and turned it over, opening the battery compartment. Now my heart gave an even greater bang because it had batteries. I stared at it, then glanced at my closed door. I couldn’t hear anyone in the hall, so I sat on the floor and turned the volume down, then set it to AM radio and slowly began moving the dial. Static. More static. I barely breathed as I listened. I went from the lowest station number to the highest, painfully slow, three times, staring at my door with my heart in my throat.
Not a single signal. I tried FM next, and it was the same. No radio waves. My hope sank. Still, I wanted to somehow get this to Linette. Maybe she knew where to look. Or maybe there was a certain time of day when allies would go live on the air. I set the radio back on my side table and placed my hands flat on the bed, pushing down several inches into the softness. Tears burned my eyes. I shouldn’t have this. I took a cleansing breath and let it out. Time to let go of the guilt and focus on making the most of my place here at the palace.
Amber
My medical office was in the same building as communications. When my shift ended, I went down to check for news. Matt and Top were busy looking at a screen.
“How’s it going?” I asked them, leaning against a desk.
“Still no word on exactly when the ships will be arriving,” Top said. “But we’ve been able to contact our allies in several places.”
I chewed my lip. “Aren’t you worried they’ll intercept your messages or whatever?”
“Eventually, they probably will,” Top said. “The Baelese are technologically advanced. Everything they do and use is the best of the best, so we’re taking advantage of that fact by going old school. Technology from twenty years ago isn’t on their radar. AM radio with amplitude modulation transmission. Landline telephones. Telegraphs. We’re trying everything we can to reach others around the world and fly under the radar.”
“Are you using Morse code?” I asked.
“Pig Latin.” Matt winked and grinned.
I made a face. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “Morse code takes longer and we’re trying to keep comms as short as possible. Most of the Baelese in charge of their tech and comm seem to be the ones who weren’t raised in human society, so they wouldn’t have learned it.”
I had to laugh and shake my head. “Okay.” They were taking a risk, but I guess at this point it was as good as any other idea.
“Believe it or not,” Top said, “it’s working. We choose a twenty-minute interval at different times each night, and pray that word will spread.”
“Good.” I pushed off the desk. “Have a good night, guys.”
“Ou-yay Oo-tay,” Matt said.
I paused as my mind sorted out the sounds, then smiled to myself and left.
Remy
Nearly two days passed before I saw the Senator again.
“Hello, Ms. Haines,” he said as the kids filed out. “I hope you found your room welcoming.”
“Very much so,” I said, smiling up at him. “I can’t thank you enough.”
This seemed to please him and make him relax a fraction.
So, I asked, “I do have one request, though?”
His eyes narrowed. “What do you need?”
I looked down at my twined fingers, then back up at him with all the emotion I could muster in my eyes. “I can’t stop thinking of little Kelsey. I’m worried because I didn’t get to say good-bye. I think if I said good-bye, I could move on and know she’s okay, you know?” I tilted my head. “Do you think I’d be able to make a really quick visit?”
He set his jaw and glanced toward the windows for a long while before responding. “I don’t suppose it could hurt anything. But it must be brief.”
“Thank you!” I clasped my hands under my chin and watched him soften again.
“During lunch tomorrow, I’ll have two guards take you to Primo Town and escort you inside. You will have ten minutes.”
I couldn’t stop smiling.
The next morning, with a pounding pulse, I wrapped the power cord around the small radio and put it in the bottom of my teaching bag, then piled other things on top. It didn’t escape me how dangerous this was. If I was found smuggling a radio into Primo Town, I would be executed. Surely even the Senator would agree to that. A twinge of guilt soured my stomach at the thought of him feeling betrayed by me, but I shoved it away. Stupid, stupid feelings.
The time between breakfast and lunch break dragged on forever. When it was time, I clung to my bag and climbed into the back of the Jeep with the Nevada sun blazing down on me. I really missed my sunglasses.
At Primo Town, I was led to the dining hall and ushered in. I held back a smile at the sight of a frowning Linette surrounded by all of my girls and Ronaldo.
“Make it quick,” the female guard said, nudging me forward with the side of her rifle. “And no touching.”
Kelsey gasped and smiled big enough to break my heart when she saw me. She started to get up, but I motioned her to stay seated, and I squatted beside her. The other girls moved closer to hear.
“Hi, sweetie.”
“You’re back!”
“No,” I said gently. “I’m only visiting. I came to say good-bye, because they want me to live in a different place now.” She opened her mouth to object, and I rushed on. “Everyone here will take care of you and make sure you have everything you need.” I almost choked up when her eyes started to water, but I swallowed it down.
“What about our story?” Macy whispered. “You never finished.”
I looked into her sad eyes. “All you need to know is that the Earthlings win in the end.”
All of the girls smiled. I stood and looked at Linette, barely whispering. “I’m visiting the dorm.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she said nothing and made no move to acknowledge what I’d said. She was smart. She would find the radio wherever I ended up leaving it.
“Good-bye, girls.” I gave each of them one last smile before looking over to see Tater at the corner table, alone and lifeless. Everything inside of me turned over as I left the dining hall.
On our way to the gates, as we neared the women’s dormitory, I asked, “May I stop in the room and get my other dress?”
The guards exchanged a questioning look, and the female nodded. “Quickly.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I rushed into the room. I couldn’t close the door withou
t raising suspicion, so it remained open several inches, but the moment I was out of their sight, I sprinted to Linette’s bed. My hands quaked as I dug out the radio, all the while staring at the door. I got it in my fingers and shoved it under Linette’s mattress. Oh, God. There was a small lump. I pushed it and crumpled her blanket a little to make it less noticeable. Then I rushed to the joint cabinet and stared in. My dress was gone.
The door flung open and I let out a yelp, holding my chest.
“Finished?” the female asked.
“I think my dress was recycled to another tenant, but that’s all right. I’ll clean this one each day.”
The guard gave me a disgusted once over and said, “Come on.”
I thought about the radio. It could be Primo Town’s sole means of information on what was happening outside of this town. But it was a death sentence to me and Linette, if caught. I prayed it would be useful, and that the risk was worth it.
That’s for you, Tater. I’m sorry it took so long.
Amber
Six days before mating season began, the base was buzzing with high energy and a sense of purpose. Nervousness invaded my system, and I spent my days trying to stay busy inventorying medical supplies and training a male and female soldier to be medics. Rylen was gone from before sunrise most mornings, and only sometimes made it back in time for dinner. I knew he would be pivotal in this invasion of the invaders, and that made me both proud and terrified.
I was surprised to see Shavontae drag herself into my office and fall into a chair, her head leaning back against the wall. Her skin was ashen. I immediately went forward and felt her forehead. No fever, but she sure was clammy.
“What’s wrong, hun?” I asked.
“Stomach bug.”
Oh, no. Momentary panic struck me. The last thing we needed was some sort of illness outbreak right before this battle.
“Have you heard about anyone else being sick?” I asked.
She shook her head, eyes still closed. “I could barely drag my ass outta bed this morning.”
“Vomiting? Diarrhea?”
“Neither. But I’m dizzy and I feel like I’m gonna throw up. All I want to do is sleep.”
“When did it start?”
“Yesterday.”
I did a full exam, and everything looked good. I had her pee in a cup, and passed it to my junior medic to test for high sugars and bacterial strains.
“Have you tried to eat or drink anything today?”
“I had some water. Small sips. And Devon got me some crackers. Everything stayed down, but I had to force myself to eat it.”
“Okay. I’m going to let Top know that you need to stay in bed for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Only me or Devon can bring you food. But I’m going to tell D not to touch you.”
“Fine. But can you give me anything?”
I sighed, feeling horrible for her. “Stomach bugs just have to run their course. If I try to give you anything, it could make you puke. Rest is the best thing for you.”
“I don’t have time for this,” she said weakly.
“I know.”
A short knock, and then the door opened. My female infantry medic looked at me with big eyes.
“Ms. Fite, can you come here one sec?”
A weird feeling crawled over me as I told Shavontae I’d be right back.
In the hall, the girl showed me the urine reading, and my heart lurched. That couldn’t be right . . . but then again . . . I thought about it. How long had it been since we were at the bunker in Utah? Months. How long had it been since I gave Tae her last Depo-shot? The blood drained from my face. She was due for one in June. It was July third. And unlike me, Shavontae had not been in the civilian world while DRP were running it, giving out those shots that would cause infertility.
Shavontae was pregnant.
“Thank you,” I whispered to the medic. “It’s fine. I’ll talk to her.”
I walked back in, slowly closing the door, and pulling up a chair close to her.
“Tae?”
“Yeah?” she whispered, cracking open her eyes at me.
“You’re pregnant.”
Her eyes popped open and she sat up like a spring, ramrod straight. “Shut the hell up.”
“We forgot your shot last month.”
“It hasn’t been that long.” Then, if possible, she became even more ashen as she did the math in her head, and she covered her mouth. Her abdomen heaved. I grabbed the trash can and put it in her hands just in time. “I need . . .” She panted into the trashcan. “D.”
I rushed to the door and called out for one of the medics to find Devon, but not to say a word, just to reassure him that everyone was okay. In the next ten minutes, Shavontae had begun shaking and murmuring, “I can’t do this. I gotta fight. But I can’t fight. I can barely stand. What am I gonna do?”
“I don’t know,” I told her honestly. She held out her hand and I went to her, taking it and rubbing her back.
Devon burst through the doors and came straight to Tae, crouching at her knees. “What’s wrong, baby? You still feeling sick?” He looked her over, clearly worried.
“I—” She glanced at me, as if for support, so I nodded. Devon looked at me, terrified.
“What?” he demanded.
“Get this.” Shavontae let out a small laugh, garnering his full attention again. “You’re gonna be a daddy.”
His severely drawn eyebrows would have been comical if it weren’t so serious.
“You fuckin’ with me right now?”
“Nope.” She laughed again, but this time her chin trembled, and he pulled her into his arms. I opened the door and slipped out, giving them privacy.
Top was standing in the hall with his arms crossed. He must have come when Devon was called.
“Something serious?” he asked.
I was sure Devon and Tae wouldn’t mind me telling him. Top knew everything about everybody here. “She’s pregnant.”
His eyebrows went up. “Well.” He nodded. “I suppose the Earth will need to be repopulated once we take out the parasites. The timing could be better . . .”
I wanted to smile or laugh at his dry humor, but the thought of a baby amidst all of this madness was terrifying. I couldn’t imagine how they were feeling.
“She’s in the early stages, and she’s already feeling sick,” I said. “She wants to fight, though. I know her.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Top said. “Don’t worry. We do have positions that don’t require being on the front lines. I’ll talk to them.”
I nodded. We stood in silence a moment before he patted my shoulder.
“Things are coming together, Tate. I mean, Fite.” I smiled, and he chuckled. “Just a handful more days, and everything’s going to be different. Better. And we’ll all get a new start.”
I nodded and closed my eyes, imagining. It really would be a brand new life. That morning at breakfast, as I’d put my rationed scoop of sugar in my coffee, I couldn’t help but think about how there were currently limited amounts of mass produced items on Earth. We would have to re-learn things that our society had taken for granted for decades, because eventually, things like roasted coffee beans and granulated sugar were going to run out. Things would be more simple, which I wouldn’t mind as long as we had freedom to grow again. It would be hard work, but we would rise to it. If we survived.
That gloomy thought had settled over me when Devon opened the door and looked surprised.
“Top,” he said. “I was just coming to look for you.” Devon opened the door, and First Sergeant stepped in. Devon sent me a grateful look, and I gave him a small smile before he closed the door.
As much as I hated the Baelese for taking away my ability to become a mother, I didn’t envy those two and the timing of their news.
Remy
One thing I hadn’t taken into account when I gave Linette the radio was that I now had no alarm. No natural light to wake me. No idea what time it was.
Thankfully my internal clock woke at the same time every day, but without the assurance of sunlight or a clock, I woke at all hours of the night, anxious. At some point in the morning, I got dressed, brushed my teeth, and lay on the floor in front of the door. When the guards came for me, they would give one knock and then open the door. I had to be ready.
Apparently it had been earlier than I thought, because I fell back asleep, leaning against the wall, and nearly had a heart attack when the door opened and hit my foot. I yelped and jumped to my feet as the guards looked at me like I was crazy.
“Sorry,” I said, smoothing back my hair. I picked up my teaching bag and went out, closing the door behind me.
When I got to the teaching auditorium, the lighting was dim, and I noticed how dark it was outside. Then I heard the steady white noise of rain. It didn’t rain much in Nevada, but during the summers we sometimes got huge downpours that caused flooding. Seeing the sheets of water coming down the windows, I worried for everyone in Primo Town.
It was hard to concentrate through my lesson, and when the physical instructor came in, I got exhausted watching the kids run sprints up and down the length of the room for an hour. Two of them vomited, which I rushed to clean up, and then they jumped right back in. I’d learned not to get emotional about it, but it never stopped being difficult to watch. I was surprised their instructor didn’t make them do the obstacle course in the monsoon. Crazy psycho.
At the end of the day, the guards met me at the door.
“You are to dine with Bahntan,” the female said, sounding snide, like I wasn’t at all worthy.
“What an honor,” I said brightly.
They marched, stiff, the female leading us, and the male behind me, until we got to the same library room where the Senator and I had touched hands. My nerves ratcheted up as I entered and saw him sitting handsomely, lost in thought. He stood and pulled out my chair, which I took, thanking him.