The Torrent (The New Agenda Series Book 4) (7 page)

13

D
irector Faraday stood
confidently before the West Coast council members, his attire impeccable. The Director of the Silicon Valley Academy had altered his appearance to create a more polished image. Instead of his typical blue lab coat, he wore a tailored suit, and earlier that morning a team of Beautifiers cleaned him up. He stood before the table of twenty members, clean-shaven and sporting cropped silvery hair, which gave him a distinguished look––presidential and authoritative. He wanted to give the impression of someone with life experience, yet appeal to the younger crowd. The fresher faces of council were an easier sell, since they weren’t savvy enough to know the intricate tapestry of manipulation. They could be bought with a small price. The older members, who had been in office since the beginning of the new democracy, would be tougher to sell.

James Jordan, the former Insider, really stood out. The man had been President of the Southern California Region for the last seventeen-plus years, and he was completely devoted to creating an honest and fair democracy. An honorable man, if you were into that sort of bleeding heart mentality, which Faraday was not. James Jordan had been aligned with Ava Rhodes Strader from the beginning. The two had formed a solid alliance after the walls had come down. They worked together during the transition period. Their work was well known throughout the West Coast Regions, and many other city centers modeled their approach. James and Ava had formed the West Coast Regional Council, and though Ava had left many years ago, James stayed on. His job was to continue building new and improved democracies throughout the west.

Faraday wasn’t thrilled when the Los Angeles walls came down. At the time, he had been running the Silicon Valley City Center. Morray had given him the position after he discovered Faraday’s penchant for technology and obsessive desire for social structure. He was the first city center dweller Morray freed from the fate of termination at the age of thirty-six. But the freedom came with one stipulation attached: Faraday had to promise to devote his life to Morray’s cause.

Faraday kept the Silicon Valley City Center running smoothly: Inceptions, Graduations, and Retirements every eighteen years. A loyal steward of Morray’s perfect system, his razor sharp focus and calculated methods made him a strong candidate for the elite squad. Acceptance into this group ensured the coveted gift of everlasting life. Faraday lived for the day he could leave behind his aging body and upload into a fresh shell.

But that never happened.

Ava Rhodes had gotten in the way. Her escape from the Los Angeles City Center changed the course of events for everyone. The insufferable woman thought she deserved freedom––that everyone was entitled to make their own choices. The traitor turned against Morray and instigated a terrorist attack, which caused the entire city to revolt and take down a system that had been in place for three hundred years. With Morray out of the picture, she worked with James to rebuild a new society in the Southern California Region. Soon the other city centers followed, crushing the legacy that Morray had worked so hard to build.

Fortunately for Faraday, he had engrained himself within the Silicon Valley City Center and they depended on him to keep things running after the walls came down. He had worked with the new President of the Northern California Region, a young go-getter named Linda Sullivan, to secure a position at the academy. It was a giant step down from running the entire center, but he was grateful he wasn’t sentenced to death like many other elites. However, he wasn’t voted into the West Coast Regional Council. He had made a solemn promise to himself that he would find a way back to a position of power. He didn’t know when, but he knew the opportunity would eventually present itself.

Finally, the time had come.

He had proven himself highly capable as Director of the Silicon Valley Academy, and believed he had earned the position of President of the Pacific Northwest. The untouched region would need someone with experience, and Faraday had that by the decades. He would get elected, and after he was in position, he’d plant the seeds for the future he envisioned. The city walls would be removed and the migration process would begin. As President, he could run things his way. He’d reintegrate the concept of societal structure and shift back to a controlled system of order. This would mean removing any and all obstacles from his path, as well as extinguishing the natives to expand his region and increase his power.

Reestablishing the system was only one part of the plan. He needed to retrieve Morray from the mainframe and get him back among the living. Without Morray, there would be no eternal life.

Earlier that morning, Faraday visited the nursery. He stood over Christian’s incubator, watching the child sleep. He quietly pulled up the access panel, typed a list of numbers, and waited for the system to boot up. Carefully, he placed Christian’s tiny hand onto the connector panel, syncing him to the mainframe. The system monitor lit up into a kaleidoscope of colorful coding. The first part of his plan flowed together like an orchestra. The child slept, oblivious to the magnitude of his role. The beautiful codes continued streaming, connecting Christian’s DNA coding to the network.

“Do you have any idea how important you are to my plan, little one?” He sneered. “Your DNA is astounding!”

Faraday marveled over Dickson’s level of genius––the man had designed the baby with unique DNA coding that would unleash a flow of instructions and powerful information into the mainframe. As long as Christian was hooked into the network, he’d act as a delivery channel. And soon enough, Faraday would be able to locate Morray’s identity matrix.

Once Faraday resurrected Morray from the dead, the two would be unstoppable. They could reinstate the New Agenda, first by removing anyone who disagreed with their goals. They could start over with the way society was intended to be: monitored, measured, and controlled. He already had a body shell waiting for Morray’s return––the biometric body of Phoenix had been stored away in a safe location within the Administrative Building. Morray would be so pleased that Faraday was working to restore the system of balance, and as a reward, he would replace Faraday’s weathered body for a younger model. But first things first.

In order to execute his master plan, Faraday needed a few things to happen. First, he needed to win the council’s approval, then he needed to get rid of Grace by proving she was a threat, and once she was out of the way, he’d be granted rights to Christian, thus keeping the child continuously plugged into the mainframe until the return of Morray. A wicked smile split his face as he watched the child sleep.

He had already won the favor of some of the younger council members by making promises for opportunities and positions on his cabinet once he became president.

“If you stand behind me, I’ll make you second in command,” he told Councilwoman Conklin. The cold-hearted bitch brightened at the possibility of more power.

“Help me get into office and I promise you’ll have more influence than you ever dreamed,” he secretly shared with other members.

“Together we can do something important with this new uncharted territory,” he promised.

Most of the politicians jumped at the chance to be on the inaugural team, so that was easy. The more delicate issue would be the child. He’d argue that Christian had special “gifts” and the academy’s soldier program would provide him with many possibilities for a propitious future––for everyone involved. The child would help unlock the hidden treasures of the mainframe. Now he just needed to get Grace out of the way, which shouldn’t be too difficult since she had broken a bunch of laws and had a bad attitude.

“Good afternoon, council members,” he addressed the room. “I greatly appreciate you taking the time to fly up to the Seattle City Center to conduct our business. I hope you’re pleased with your accommodations. While we’re meeting under unsatisfactory circumstances, it’s a glorious city, indeed.”

Many of the members nodded, except for the few in the tougher crowd. James Jordan stared at Faraday, eying him carefully. Over the years, James had been working diligently to establish equality among the Outsiders and Insiders. During the Silicon Valley City Center transition, the two had butted heads on several occasions. James had spearheaded the bill to grant academy scholarships to the Outside regions. Something Faraday fought hard against. He didn’t want to mix Outside blood with the pristine quality of Insiders. Faraday lost that battle; he wouldn’t lose this one. The walls would come down. He had no doubt James would be an advocate for the natives, claiming their rights to the land and arguing to keep the center closed. But Faraday only needed the majority vote, and if that failed, he’d go to Plan B …

Faraday straightened his suit jacket, undoing the top button as he sat in his chair. “We have two items on our agenda today. One is the matter of the city center walls. And the other is the pressing issue of Grace Strader. As you know, the child has been rightly returned to the city center and is recovering from a deadly flu virus that he obtained while on the Outside. A virus he wouldn’t have come in contact with had it not been for Miss Strader’s irresponsible behavior. Currently, she’s being held in one of our containment rooms, awaiting trial.”

“If I may,” James spoke.

Typical James, already starting in. Faraday forced his lips into a terse smile. “Yes, President Jordan, the floor is open to all council members,” he said.

“Thank you,
Director
. I believe we only have one item on the agenda that needs to be addressed: the matter of Grace Strader. The other issue regarding the city walls is a bit pre-mature. Though you submitted your bill through the proper channels, the council hasn’t discussed anything yet.”

“My apologies, sir. I––”

“Additionally, I’m not at all pleased that you’ve arrested a minor, who may not be guilty of any high-level crimes. Miss Strader had been caring for Christian since his Inception Day. The records show that she has been an exceptional caretaker, well suited for the role. She merely left the city center for a short period of time, and has returned with the child. I don’t feel this should equate a kidnapping charge.”

Faraday hadn’t expected that argument from James; he assumed he’d be more concerned about the welfare of the natives by opening up the city. But since getting Grace out of the way had more importance than anything on his agenda––possibly more than becoming President of the Pacific Northwest Region––he obliged. The wall discussion could wait.

He nodded, careful not to jump too fast and reek of desperation. He needed to appear strong before the council, yet remain humble. “Yes, you do make a very interesting point, President Jordan. But I’d like to remind everyone it’s not only about her removing the child without permission, but putting him in an incredibly dangerous situation. Miss Strader’s behavior was reckless and impulsive.”

The members looked to James, but before he had a chance for a rebuttal, Faraday continued: “Additionally, while the Seattle region still needs to establish its system of law and order, the West Coast Regional does have laws regarding kidnapping. It’s described as when a person, without lawful authority, physically moves another person without that other person’s consent. Christian is too young to give consent. Since he was created within the Seattle City Center, he rightfully falls under the government’s jurisdiction. Miss Strader should have obtained approval from representatives of this region.”

“I agree with that, Director. Unfortunately, as you know, we’re still finalizing said government. I know you’re running for President of the Pacific Northwest, but that doesn’t grant you the rights as acting representative. Therefore, you had no authority to arrest Miss Strader without the council’s consent.”

Faraday loosened his collar. “Agreed, but I didn’t want to risk a possible flee. Miss Strader had returned, and I took advantage of the situation while she was still within the city walls. The law also states that intent to use the abduction in relation to a nefarious objective, including gaining a ransom or reward, is a punishable crime.”

James Jordan stiffened and narrowed his eyes. “I don’t see any intent in connection with a nefarious objective. Miss Strader believed she was protecting the child––from you, and your soldier program.”

Faraday jumped in, scanning the weaker, more impressionable, members of the council. “I don’t think you fully understand how completely irrational she has become. Not only did she remove the child without permission, steal a hovercraft, and disappear for three months, she was using the child as leverage to force the authorities to do more thorough searches for her mother, Ava Strader.” A little lie.

The council members silently stared back and forth at one another. It was time to push them over the ledge. To solidify his argument, he turned on his digi-pad to display the hologram footage of Grace attacking Miss Adams in the containment room.

Faraday eased back into his chair. He had enough evidence against Grace to destroy her credibility. Addressing the council members in his most serious and assured manner, he said, “Miss Strader is a dangerous threat to our society and must be contained. This is why you are here today. To witness her trial and convict her of these heinous crimes.” He looked directly at James, then to Sullivan. “Wouldn’t you agree, President Sullivan?”

Sullivan stood up, placing her perfectly manicured hand on Faraday’s shoulder. “I’m with Director Faraday on this one. I vote to begin Grace Strader’s trial tomorrow morning.”

One of the other members chimed in. “I second the motion.”

“All in favor?” President Sullivan asked.

All twenty members raised their hands in favor; James Jordan was the last one to agree.

14

O
n the morning
of Grace’s trial, Miss Parker and Miss Adams returned to Room 4011 to escort her to the main conference room. Being able to present her case to the council meant that Faraday hadn’t completely commandeered the new democracy. Her voice would be heard.

“Good morning, Miss Strader,” Miss Parker sang.

“Ready for the first day of the rest of your life?” Miss Adams asked.

Grace forced down the desire to knock the smirk off of Miss Adams’ permanent grouch face. Once again, Miss Parker aimed the silver wand and Miss Adams carefully released the straps around Grace’s wrists and ankles. The blood flowed back into her fingers and toes, tingling in prickly pain. Miss Adams yanked Grace out of the lounger, and she stumbled around trying to get her footing, hating every second of being in the weaker position.

“Get yourself together,” Miss Adams barked.

Grace ignored the humiliation tactics and concentrated on the daunting challenge ahead. She remembered her first weeks at the academy when her scores were low and she felt like giving up. She finally realized the best way to turn things around was to cooperate with her team members, instead trying to out-perform them. That same principle needed to be applied to these circumstances.

Grace looked up at Miss Adams. “I’m sorry I disrespected you. I assure you, it won’t happen again.”

“Nice try, sweetheart.” Miss Adams chuckled and slapped the containment bands on her wrists. Grace hoped the council would be less deplorable. “Let’s go,” she grunted.

They walked down the corridor without speaking, their sneakers squeaking on the polished floors. Grace got centered.
Breathe … Steady yourself … Do not react …

Fighting Faraday would be futile––a battle she couldn’t win. He’d lob a bunch of trumped up accusations her way, but she needed to stay logical and not react. Her goal was to convince these people she was immensely sorry for her offenses and convince them to drop the charges so she could return to her life in Ojai Village. There she’d start gathering intel and figure out what Faraday was really up to. She’d find a way to prove his devious ulterior motives for gaining the rights to Christian.

Miss Adams escorted Grace into the conference room. Grace squinted to shield the bright morning sunlight.

“Where is everyone?” she asked.

“Your trial doesn’t start for another thirty minutes.” Miss Adams nudged her along. She removed the containment bands and settled her into the trial box situated on a platform at the front of the room.

Grace’s throat cracked with dryness. “Any chance I can get some water?”

“Water can be provided.” Miss Parker opened a wall panel and pulled out a bottle of sparkling pink water. Why did the Insiders still drink enhanced water?

“Plain, please?”

Miss Parker widened her radiant eyes, retrieved a bottle of clear water and sashayed over to Grace. She chugged it down and asked for more, but Miss Parker shook her pretty little head. A wave of irritation heated her insides and she wanted to punch the perky ball of congeniality. The woman’s positive facade was worse than the frumpy Miss Adams. Grace decided not to waste her energy on the two minions and sat back in the chair to meditate before the trail.

The council members filed into the conference room, taking their seats around the table. Grace counted twenty members, not including Faraday, since he wasn’t one yet. Twenty people she’d need to convince. Twenty stern-faced people she’d need to sway in her favor. But she wouldn’t back down, not when her freedom––and Christian’s safety––dangled by such a thin thread. The thrill of the challenge gave her a refreshing burst of energy.

Faraday took the floor, approaching the trial box. He had changed his appearance: no more beard, and his typical puff of white hair had been cropped shorter and meticulously tamed into place. She figured the makeover was to appeal to the younger members of the council. Transparent, if not laughable. But she didn’t react, staring straight ahead. A few allies sat among the council members. People her mother had worked with years ago when she was on the council, helping with the transition when the LA City Center walls came down. Grace spotted James Jordan, the President of the Southern California Region, seated at the far end of the table. She counted on him to be her biggest advocate, but he was avoiding eye contact.

“Good morning, council members.” Faraday spoke with the affected tone of Insider pageantry that Grace despised. “As you know, we’re gathered here today for the trial of Miss Grace Strader. She’s being charged with felony theft of city center property: one hovercraft and one child.”

Grace cringed hearing Christian being referred to as
property
. Heartless bastard. The trial might not be so tough after all. Surely the council would see his disregard for human life. Appealing to their empathetic natures would get them on her side in no time, but she’d have to go slow and steady to build her case.

“First, we’d like to hear from our defendant.” He peered at Grace; his empty blue eyes sent an icy chill down her back.

She swallowed, wishing she had another glass of water.
Stay centered …
If she wanted their trust, she’d need to remain calm. Being honest and humble would go a long way in winning them over.

“First of all, I’d like to apologize for distracting you from your busy schedules. I hope to plead my case in an efficient and timely manner.” She paused and smiled, though the members stayed stony. “I’d like to express my deepest and sincerest regret for my actions. My behavior was thoughtless and reckless. If I could go back in time, I would’ve handled the situation much differently. My intentions were to protect Christian. I had grown very attached to him while working in the nursery, and I suppose my motherly instincts took over.”

Faraday stood close to the trial box with his back to the council as he glared at Grace. “A mother doesn’t put her child in harm’s way.”

“I only removed him from the city center because I believed he was in grave danger.”

“Not only did you put the boy in jeopardy,” Faraday interrupted, “you stole an official vehicle in order to flee to an unknown location. You had no intention of a return date and only came back when the child was fatally ill. Isn’t that right, Miss Strader?”

Grace felt shaky. Faraday made everything sound much worse. She glanced over his shoulder to the members, who were adding notes into their digi-pads. She remembered her father’s request:
at least try to appear agreeable
. All she had to do was be agreeable with Faraday––just for a little while. The truth would come out when the time was right.

“You’re correct.”

He stepped back, shocked from her response. It took him a moment to postulate his next attack. “This isn’t the first time you’ve acted in an erratic manner. In fact, you have a track record of making irrational decisions that affect those around you. I call in Officer Lucas West.”

The door opened and Lucas walked in, cementing his attention on the council members and avoiding Grace entirely. She wished he’d give her one quick glance, just a bit of reassurance to remind her they were on the same team. Otherwise, she was floating in the middle of the ocean without a boat.

“Officer West, I’ve requested your presence here today as a character witness to Miss Strader. Can you describe your relationship with the defendant?”

“She’s my girlfriend,” he said.

Grace’s heartbeat kicked up a notch hearing Lucas say those words. She held back a smile so she wouldn’t appear like a giddy teenager before the council.

“As a couple, you have an intimate relationship. In a sense, you know Miss Strader very well. Probably better than most people.”

“That’s subjective, sir. There’s a possibility that I don’t know her as well as I think I do. Also, I’m sure her family is a bit more acquainted with her, since they’ve known her a little longer.”

Some of the council members smiled at the comment. Lucas exuded charm by the gallon. All he had to do was grin and his luminous green eyes would light up a room and everyone in it. He had a much better chance winning over the crowd than Grace.

Faraday moved over and stood directly in front of Lucas, blocking him from the others. “I’m glad you brought up her family. As I see it, the majority of Miss Strader’s poor decision making has been the result of family-related circumstances. Specifically, with regards to her mother, Ava Rhodes.”

“Sir?”

“Pardon me, I mean Ava Strader.”

Grace wondered why the hell Faraday was bringing her mother into the argument––she had nothing to do with the current situation.

Faraday continued: “I’d like you to share with the council what occurred on the night of the gala event at the Silicon Valley Academy during your training last year.”

Lucas maintained a stiff composure, looking straight ahead. “Are you talking about the Survivor’s Shuffle?”

“Yes, the dance.”

Grace had always loathed the name of that event and Lucas knew it. He was trying to communicate with her in his special way. She stifled back her laughter, afraid she’d make a farce of Faraday’s line of questioning.

“Miss Strader and I attended the event together.” Lucas remained professional, but Grace noticed a hint of red on the back of his neck. “I recall she looked absolutely impeccable and she was incredibly charming.” He turned around, beaming at Grace. “One of the best dates I’ve ever had.”

Faraday scowled.

“Yet, she abandoned you during the date to run off on some half-cocked mission, going against academy regulations. Against council regulations. She broke several rules and put the lives of innocent cadets in danger, simply to go on an unofficial search and rescue mission to find her mother.”

The scumbag was establishing a pattern of behavior, and simultaneously trying to rile up Grace’s emotions. His tactics were callous and cruel. She didn’t flinch, didn’t ruffle, though a hurricane had been set loose inside her head.

“I wasn’t aware of these happenings on the night in question,” Lucas answered.

Faraday shifted, fiddling with the top button of his suit jacket. Grace bit back her smile. “I see. Well then, why don’t we discuss the Delta training team? You were assigned to be the team leader, correct?”

“Yes, sir. That’s correct.”

“And Miss Strader was under your supervision?”

“That’s also correct.”

“And how would you describe her behavior while on the training team?”

Lucas looked to the ground, knowing there wasn’t a subtle way around the answer. “She was insubordinate …”

“Speak up, Officer. Did you say insubordinate?”

“Yes, but only for those first few weeks.” Lucas tried to backpedal, but it was too late.

“And did her behavior have any adverse effects on the team as a whole?” Faraday inched over to Lucas, standing only a foot away.

“Yes,” Lucas mumbled. He turned around to Grace, his eyes full of regret.

She nodded, letting him know it was okay. Faraday had put him on the spot. What choice did he have but to be honest?

“I think it’s safe to say that we’ve established an obvious pattern in our defendant’s behavior. She makes reckless decisions that serve only her agenda, not caring who she puts in harm’s way.”

“I didn’t say that, sir,” Lucas said.

“You didn’t have to.” Faraday escorted Lucas to the exit. “Thank you for your time and service, Officer.”

On his way out, Lucas turned back to Grace and mouthed
I’m sorry
.

She shrugged, letting him off the hook, and returned her attention to her opponent. Faraday was using intricate misdirects to throw off Grace, as well as the council. If she wasn’t careful, the final outcome would be detrimental. His accusations were false; she hadn’t acted out of selfish reasons, but only as a way to protect others. But that didn’t matter. She needed to turn things around and get the council to focus on Faraday. Get them to see the real issue they were overlooking: that placing a child into the soldier program went against new democracy policy. It was Faraday’s fault that any of this had happened in the first place. She’d survive the trial only if she could turn it around.