Revolutionary Read online

  I sit at the piano and play what has become my favorite song, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” As play, I recall John singing the words to this song for me.

  Jesus, joy of man’s desiring,

  Holy wisdom, love most bright;

  Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

  Soar to uncreated light

  I keep playing, thinking of John and Kristie, their souls soaring to the uncreated light, their being present with him, whole, full of joy. I pray for Loudin, that he would be drawn to this love, that his soul would aspire to it.

  I close my eyes and pour my prayer into my fingers. I cry because I can’t help it and because I can, and I should. Emotions are not to be hidden. These tears are a testament to the fact that I am human, I am made in God’s image, not in Loudin’s. I am more than he planned me to be. And he can be more . . . he can be better.

  When I open my eyes, I see Berk sitting in a chair, facing me. I finish the song and lift my hands from the keys.

  “Beautiful.”

  “I know.” I caress the keys. “It is my favorite song.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the song.” Berk moves to sit beside me on the piano bench. His lips find mine, and I forget everything but the glorious feel of Berk, the taste and smell of him.

  He pulls away—too soon—and rests his forehead on mine.

  “You disagree with me.” I hold his hand in mine, tracing his knuckles with my finger. “About Loudin. You don’t think he can change.”

  “I want to agree with you.” Berk sits back, and I look into his face, so handsome, so conflicted. “But I know Loudin. I’ve lived in the Scientists’ quarters for five years. I’ve watched him. He is the leader and he knows it. The other Scientists defer to him. He really does think of himself as God.”

  “But he’s not.”

  “I know.” Berk brushes a strand of hair from my forehead. “But look what he has done—he created this world. It was all his idea. He hired all of the Scientists that came. Have you noticed they all have similar personalities? They do what Loudin says. They’ll question him occasionally, but not for long.”

  “James said he was so happy to be doing what he loved, he didn’t even think about what Loudin was doing.”

  “Exactly. They’re all like that. Focused on their science.”

  “And Loudin sees that as a positive trait—we were all designed to be focused on our jobs.” The Ten were considered “superevolved” according to our learning-pad lessons. They were better than the average human. “But he was just looking to be obeyed. That’s still what he’s looking for with the survivors.”

  “He has spent a lifetime becoming who he is.” Berk presses an A flat on the piano and the sound lingers in the air. “I believe God can change him. But I don’t believe he will want to change.”

  “I want to believe he will.” I begin to play, my fingers moving over the keys, finding chords and rhythms. “I want to believe he will be like Paul, like Rhen said, that he will turn from what he is doing and will follow God.”

  Berk is silent, and I continue to play, my hopes, my prayers, my love all being poured into this instrument. As I play I feel the Designer’s nearness, his comfort. I finish and lean into Berk, closing my eyes and continuing the prayer that was begun on the piano. The room seems to echo with the notes I played. It seems to be filled with the Designer, every inch, every crevice. I am filled with him too. I am ready. For what, I do not know.

  “He’s back.” Dallas enters the performance pod. “Loudin just landed.”

  CHAPTER 32

  Alex looks like he has been beaten. His entire face appears bruised, his right eye is swollen shut, and he is holding his right arm against his body, his left hand protecting it. He limps painfully into Pod C in front of Loudin, who is wearing a smile that makes the hairs on my neck stand, the flesh on my arms crawl.

  “What happened?” I reach for Alex, but I am afraid to touch him, afraid I will cause him further injury. So I gently place a hand on his shoulder and walk with him to the couch.

  Loudin reaches into his pocket for his communications pad. He lifts it up, the sickening smile still plastered on his face. “It seems like the folks there in Athens are a bit unhappy with their king.”

  Alex says nothing, his expression distant, as if he cannot hear what is happening, isn’t really here.

  “What did you do to him?” Dallas’s entire body is tense, and I fear he will try to hit Loudin. Rhen must share that concern because she places herself between Dallas and Loudin.

  “I didn’t do anything.” Loudin waves the communications pad in the air before returning it to his pocket.

  “Alex, man, say something.” Dallas sits next to Alex, who remains impassive.

  “Aren’t you going to ask about the formula?” Loudin arches an eyebrow. “Did I get it? Will I use it? How did it go?”

  Loudin is mocking us, and he is hiding something. Something so terrible that it makes Alex ill and brings Loudin joy.

  “Please, sit.” Loudin motions to the couches and chairs in the living area.

  My curiosity is replaced by dread. I know, deep within me, that whatever Loudin is about to reveal is horrible, that I would rather not know. But ignorance is not an option. I sit in the chair nearest Alex on the couch. Rhen sits beside Dallas, and Berk takes the chair beside Rhen. Loudin taps on his communications pad and the wall screen lights up. I see the entrance to Athens. People have gathered by the city gate, looking at the aircraft that has brought Loudin and Alex. And someone else. I lean forward, watching the screen as the third person emerges from the conveyance.

  Nicole.

  Dallas stands. “What are you doing with my sister?”

  Loudin pulls out his weapon and motions for Dallas to sit down. He lowers himself back to the couch with reluctance, but he is leaning forward, his eyes focused on the screen.

  Nicole’s brown eyes are wide as she cringes. She reaches for Alex’s hand, and he holds it, helping her down.

  Loudin faces the camera. “I had my Engineers design this—the camera is on a tiny platform that can follow us. I knew you’d want to see what is happening. So here we are: Athens.”

  Loudin moves away, and I see the faces of the people—most are confused. Frightened. They have never seen this aircraft, and if they know of Loudin, it is through conversations they may have had with the people of New Hope. He has never been there, never interacted with the Athenians.

  With a look from Loudin, Alex clears his throat. When he speaks, he does not sound like himself. There is no music in his voice. It is monotone, like a poorly made recording of the real thing. “People of Athens, it brings me great joy to be here today. I have missed you, and I look forward to returning soon to rule in my father’s place.”

  The people nod, confusion lining their faces.

  “This”—Alex motions to Loudin with his free hand—“is Dr. Loudin, founder of the State. I have spent time in the State with him. It is a wonderful place, and we have much to learn from the advances they have made. Dr. Loudin hopes to bring some of you there with us very soon.”

  A few people step back, some murmur. A voice from the center cries out, “What is he doing here? What does he want from us?”

  Several in the crowd echo those questions and shout out more. I recognize some of the guards from the palace. They move forward, their weapons drawn.

  “King Alex.” The guard’s deep voice silences the crowd. “Are you safe?”

  The look Loudin gives Alex is filled with poison, and his gaze goes from Alex’s blue eyes to Nicole’s brown ones. My hand goes to my throat. “No.”

  Dallas is up again, but the video continues and Rhen pulls him back onto the couch beside her.

  “I am well.” Alex lies, protecting Nicole, who presses herself as close to Alex as she can, her small body shaking. “Please put your weapons away. I want to assist Dr. Loudin in his pursuit of a peaceful union between Athens, New Hope, and the State.”

 
So many lies, lies I know Alex would never have agreed to speak. Which was why Loudin took Nicole. He knows Alex would not allow an innocent child to be harmed. He was counting on Alex’s humanity to accomplish his plan.

  “Please allow us to pass, and please inform our esteemed scientists that we wish to speak with them in my father’s . . . my . . . chamber in one hour.”

  The camera switches to that room, and my mind is filled with images of the last time I was there. The king was dead, Peter was dying, Alex was much like he is now—stunned, silent, mourning.

  The bloodstains have been cleaned, new bed coverings replaced the old ones. New window coverings as well. All is black, Alex’s preferred color, making the room seem even darker. The sun shining through the curtains appears gray and muted. Loudin is sitting in the king’s chair at the far end of the room. Alex remains standing, his face still impassive. Nicole is still beside him, trembling.

  Two women enter the room. One is about ten years older than I, her dark hair short, her dark skin smooth. The other woman is older, around King Jason’s age, I’d guess. Her hair is almost entirely gray and hangs down to her shoulders in slight waves. Her eyes are light brown, and they look at Alex with concern.

  “You wanted to see us?” The older woman’s voice is deep, a rich sound that echoes in the room.

  “Dr. Loudin would like the formulas to the pharmaceuticals you have created.”

  The younger woman stands straighter. “Sir, you ordered us to destroy those after your father was killed.”

  “I know.” I see a flicker of what looks like hope on Alex’s face. “But I am confident that you kept a copy, or that you recall their makeup.”

  The older woman looks to the younger, an unspoken message passing between them. “We agreed that those drugs were dangerous.”

  Loudin’s jaw muscles flex, but he remains quiet, allowing Alex to negotiate.

  “Of course. But Dr. Loudin is a brilliant Scientist, and his desire is to see what we have developed here, to see what else can be made from them. Perhaps medicines that can cure some of our diseases.”

  The younger woman raises her shoulders. “I’m sure you have better equipment in the State. It would be wonderful to find more cures . . . if you really think it is safe to reveal these formulas.”

  I want to scream, “No! It is not safe. Do not give Loudin those formulas.” But this is a recording, and I know the outcome. No amount of shouting can change what I am seeing.

  “I trust Dr. Loudin and his fellow Scientists.” Alex seems to choke on those words. Loudin comes behind him, and Nicole’s arms wrap around Alex’s waist. “Please give us the formulas.”

  The older woman pauses, her eyes shrewd. She knows what is happening. She sees that Nicole is being threatened and that Alex is being forced to ask for this. “I have destroyed all the physical copies, but I do recall the formulas.”

  “Excellent.” Dr. Loudin smiles. “Please type them here on this. And as I am sure there are ingredients that only come from this area, I would request that you have someone gather them for me.”

  “Do exactly as he asks.” Alex emphasizes the word exactly, and I shrink back into my chair.

  The older woman takes the communications pad from Loudin and turns it around.

  “You should recall these,” Loudin says. “I’m sure you were young when the War occurred, but even children had older models of these communications pads.”

  “Of course.” The older woman smiles. “I played games on them.”

  “Exactly.” Loudin’s tone changes to that of a friend. “What is your name?”

  “Alayne.”

  “Beautiful name.” Loudin sounds like John. The juxtaposition is revolting. “This, of course, is a more advanced version of the technology of your childhood, but you will find it comes back to you. Like we used to say, ‘It’s like riding a bike.’ ”

  Alayne laughs. “I haven’t heard that in a while.”

  “No bicycles here?” Loudin widens his eyes in mock surprise.

  “King Jason wanted us to reflect ancient Athens.” Alayne is tapping on the communications pad, her earlier concern seemingly vanished. “So no bikes.”

  “Chariots?” Loudin leans over, watching her type.

  “Of course.” Alayne’s smile is bright, and she looks at Loudin with appreciation.

  “So you have horses.”

  “This is Texas.” Alayne winks.

  “I haven’t seen a horse in decades.”

  “Do you ride?” Alayne looks up from the communications pad.

  “Grew up in Nebraska.” Loudin takes a deep breath. “My grandpa had several horses on his farm.”

  I listen, fascinated. Is Loudin telling the truth, or just trying to win Alayne over so he ensures she types in the correct formulas? Or both? I try to imagine him as a child, riding horses on a farm. I cannot conjure the image.

  “You’re welcome to take one out for a ride,” Alayne says.

  “I’m afraid my riding days are over.” Loudin puts a hand on his lower back. “But I may come back another time and just take a look at them. Beautiful creatures, horses.”

  “So you’re planning to return?” Alayne looks up from the communications pad.

  “Of course.” Loudin walks to the window, pulls back the black covering, and surveys the courtyard. “Now that we no longer need to stay below in the State, we plan to explore the world again.”

  “Can you go anywhere in that jet?”

  “We can.”

  I watch, confused and disgusted, as Loudin explains how the aircraft works, what fuel has been developed for it, and how delighted he is to find survivors around the world. I am even more disgusted that Alayne apparently believes it, all of it.

  “I would love to see Europe.” Alayne looks over what she has typed into the communications pad. “My parents went to Germany on their honeymoon. They have such lovely pictures from that trip—the castles and the mountains. Stunning. Did any parts of Germany survive?”

  Loudin pretends to be thinking. “No, I don’t believe we have seen indication of life there. There does seem to be a pocket of survivors in Romania though.”

  “That’s too bad.” Alayne sighs. “What I wouldn’t give to have seen one of those quaint little villages.”

  “A terrible thing, the War.”

  I want to jump up now. Rhen must notice because she shoots me a warning glance. Loudin is responsible for the destruction of those “quaint little villages,” and he acts like he feels bad they did not survive. How can this woman not see that Loudin is manipulating her?

  “Can I take this to my office?” Alayne lifts the communications pad. “I am having trouble recalling some of the formulas.”

  “Of course.” Loudin smiles. “May I come with you? I’d love to see your facilities.”

  The camera turns off, and the next scene is New Hope. The people there are crying, hysterical, angry. They are running toward the camera, rage in their faces. They are all saying one word over and over again.

  “Nicole.”

  CHAPTER 33

  The camera turns, and I see Loudin carrying a limp, blood-soaked Nicole in his arms. Her eyes are wide, frightened, and unmoving.

  “Nicole.” Dallas runs to the screen, as if he could break through and reach his sister. He bangs his fist against the wall screen until a Monitor comes behind him and places a needle in his neck. He slumps to the ground, but I do not notice where he is taken. I cannot take my gaze off the screen, off Nicole.

  “I tried to stop him.” Loudin is yelling over the crowd, his eyes large and sad, though I know that sadness is fabricated. “But Alex was in a rage when we left New Hope. He thought I was trying to take over his throne. I was his intended target.”

  The people stop, their eyes going from Loudin to Alex, whose hands are bound behind his back, a piece of fabric covering his mouth.

  “It happened so fast.” Loudin’s voice breaks, and he looks down at Nicole like he actually cares for her.
“He came at me with a knife, and this sweet, brave girl tried to stop him. She ran up to him, and he . . . he killed her. Slashed her throat. He didn’t even show remorse. Told me I was next.”

  Alex’s eyes are wide, and he shakes his head back and forth. Of course he didn’t do this. Surely the people of New Hope know that much about him.

  “Just like his father.” Someone in the crowd yells, and others join in.

  “Thankfully, one of the guards came to my rescue.” Loudin pulls Nicole closer to him. “Alex was subdued before he could hurt anyone else. But it was too late for Nicole. I just wanted to take her for a ride in our aircraft. She looked so sad when I arrived. I wanted to make her happy.”

  I scan the crowd, looking for Carey. Where is he? He’ll know Loudin is lying, but Carey is nowhere, and the crowd is getting more and more angry, looking at Alex like they want to kill him, tear him apart.

  And then they do. One man breaks through and throws a fist in Alex’s face. Alex, bound and gagged, cannot fight back, cannot tell them what truly happened. The wall screen goes black and Loudin looks at us, the smile even more nauseating now that I know what he has done.

  “Just a reminder that I will complete the goals I have set for myself.” Loudin’s smile finally disappears. “In case you were thinking of challenging me or attempting to stop me.”

  I swallow hard. I thought James hid us so the cameras wouldn’t record our conversations.

  “Don’t look so worried.” Loudin’s laugh is short and high pitched. Like a single note being pushed out of an oboe. “I didn’t listen in on you. This time. I was a bit preoccupied, as you can tell. But I know you. I know how you think. I will always—always—be a step ahead of you, and I will always get what I want.”