The Torrent (The New Agenda Series Book 4) (9 page)

17

G
race was escorted
out of the conference room, and the council members began deliberations. Faraday sulked in his chair, a sour taste in his mouth and a scowl on his face. President Jordan had knocked his case into a tailspin, and Faraday’s plan to destroy Grace Strader’s reputation failed. Clearly he needed to initiate Plan B—a conversation solely for the ears of President Sullivan. His muscles clenched at the thought, but he needed to see her in private.

Councilwoman Conklin took the floor. “I must speak for Miss Strader. She really did try the proper channels. She didn’t outright disregard our laws. If anyone was less than helpful, it was me.”

Faraday shot Conklin a look. Obviously, she was backing out of their agreement. He had told her if she helped secure the rights to the child, she’d be an important player on his team when he became President of the Pacific Northwest Region. What had changed? Certainly it wasn’t her heart, because the woman didn’t have one. Cold as the wind coming off a glacier, Conklin didn’t care about human rights. She was purebred Insider with an innate instinct to succeed, kicking down anything that got in the way. People like President James Jordan had been working diligently to smooth out these Insider traits, but Conklin hadn’t gone soft. The change of “heart” had to be based on pure logic and reason. She knew the majority of the council would turn on Faraday for his blatant disregard of the child’s welfare. The members––half Outsider and half Insider––believed Morray’s societal ranking system was corrupt, and fought against the slightest resemblance of going back to the old ways. He regretted not considering this more seriously when he went to Conklin in the first place. Now his ultimate endgame was under threat.

Desperation inched its way into his chest. Faraday hated the fact that he would need President Sullivan’s assistance. Going to her wasn’t anything out of the ordinary in their long-term relationship––it was the foundation. Years ago, when the walls came down throughout the West Coast, he went to her, pleading to get a spot on the council, but her hands were tied. She did secure the position for Director of the Silicon Valley Academy, but it came with many strings. Strings that always ended up wrapped around Faraday’s neck like a noose strangling away his dignity. How he detested spending time in her company. The endless hours of copulation had been a high price to pay for the position. Now the cost was even higher. If he were to secure the role of President of the Pacific Northwest, he’d have to sell what was left of his soul. He glanced at the floor, to President Sullivan’s sparkling shoes rubbing against his ankle. He scooted his chair back, disgusted.

“Director. A word in private, please.” Sullivan smiled sweetly.

“Excuse me?” President Jordan spoke up.

“This is regarding an urgent matter at the academy, and I’m afraid it can’t wait,” Sullivan said.

The council member on the end stood. “Actually, some of us would like to take a bathroom break, sir. We’ve been in this room all morning.”

“And it’s lunchtime,” another member added.

President Jordan nodded to the council members. “Yes, of course. My apologies. Let’s break for two hours and resume deliberations. Are you okay with that, President Sullivan?”

“Yes, thank you,” she said, showing off her gleaming white teeth. She pinched Faraday. “You and I. Now.”

The group dismantled, leaving Faraday and Sullivan the last two in the room. She grabbed the sleeve of his suit.

“Not here,” he muttered. “Monitors.”

“Let’s go to your place,” she said.

Faraday thought about his penthouse in the Northern Sector of the city center. The unit overlooked the dark blue waters of Puget Sound. He was the only person taking up residency in the luxurious building, and the idea of inviting President Sullivan into his immaculate living quarters made him feel dirty inside. Filthier than he already felt in her presence.

He tugged at his collar. “You’re accommodations are much more suitable. Why don’t we go to your suite?”

“I don’t care where we go; I just want to get there and quickly. I’ve been enjoying your new makeover all morning.” She grabbed his ass, digging in her long nails.

Faraday fought back the vile burning in his esophagus and forced a smile.

They took a transporter to the top floor of the Administrative Building to her presidential suite. For the first time ever, Faraday hoped they’d actually run into President Jordan. Anything to stop the transaction from moving forward. But they made it to President Sullivan’s suite without a hitch.

“Take off your jacket, Director.” She poured two tall glasses of champagne.

From inside his pocket, he removed a tiny blue pill and slipped it into his mouth while she was pouring the champagne. He couldn’t perform his obligations to President Sullivan without it. He unbuttoned his jacket and placed it on the back of the plush sofa.

She slithered like a tigress moving in for a kill. The sight of bubbles sparkling gave him an instant headache. Each one of his private encounters with Sullivan entailed the same ritual––starting with a glass of champagne, followed by another, then an intense shaming session that led to the bedroom.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to imbibe so early in the day, especially since we have to return for the deliberations in two hours.”

“I’ve decided you won’t be participating in the deliberations. You brought the case to the council, and since it didn’t go as planned, you will stand by as a silent observer while I fix your mistakes.” She never let him forget his lower ranking position.

He wanted to take the bottle of champagne and bash it over her blonde helmet of hair.

She shoved the glass into his hand and clinked them together. “I’m not too worried about the council. As you know, there’s always the secondary plan.”

Faraday perked up, sipping the detestable champagne. “Yes, and I would like to discuss that. My original plan has been derailed by that prick of a president, James Jordan. Him and his human rights agenda.”

“Well, Director, you did open the door. How could you possibly think that the council would allow you to remove a child to place him in a soldier program? You should’ve consulted me first. Had you, we wouldn’t be in this situation. The child would be at the academy under your care.”

He hated it when she was right.

“I didn’t think anyone was paying attention to me. I figured everyone would be focused on Grace.” He swallowed another mouthful, the bubbles burning the whole way down.

“I’m starting to question my decision to back your campaign for presidency. I don’t want someone in office who makes irrational decisions. I can’t have that sort of behavior attached to my good name.” President Sullivan sat on the couch and patted the cushions, inviting Faraday over.

This was how it always started. She would rub in the fact that Faraday was a buffoon, stripping away his confidence until he reached the point of complete desperation, and then he would plead for her help. He couldn’t just ask like a civilized adult. She insisted that he implore her to save him. From there, he’d beg her to go to the bedroom, though it was the last thing he desired. He had to convince her that he couldn’t live another second without caressing her. It was a despicable charade. But in the end, he got what he wanted. President Sullivan had the power to make things happen.

He sat next to her on the couch, resting his head in his palms and conjuring up a series of whimpers. She reached around and patted his back, gently moving his head in her lap, where she stroked his hair and whispered soothing words.

“There, there, dear child. Now tell Mama everything, my darling.”

“I was a very bad boy …” He paused to find the strength to squeeze out the next word. “Mama.”

“What did my little sweet boy do?”

“I made bad choices. Very bad choices.”

“Yes, and?”

“I should’ve have come to you first …”

“And what happens when you go off on your own and do bad boy things?”

“I get hurt, Mama. And now everyone’s against me and I’m all alone. I’m scared.” Faraday actually began crying real tears, shame-filled drops.

President Sullivan lifted his head, cupping his face. “Mama’s gonna make everything okay. I won’t let anything bad happen to you. I promise I’ll fix this messy mess you made. But what do you need to do first?”

The next part usually sickened Faraday to the point of cognitive dissociation. He’d go through the motions, but his mind would be in a faraway place, plotting and planning the day he would be back in charge. The day he could squash Sullivan. When he had the upper hand, he’d keep her alive and use her for experiments, the same way Morray had used the retirees on the island of Ret-Hav. Only worse. Much, much worse. He’d be sure to pay back every one of their “private” moments by the thousandfold. The cost of his humiliation would be steep, making sure she suffered dearly for every ounce of pain he endured.

“Having second thoughts, my darling?” she said in a low voice.

“No ma’am.”

“Well, then …”

He got up and unbuttoned his shirt, removed his pants, and stood before her naked. Sullivan grinned wickedly, licking her glossy lips.

“Are you sorry for what you did?” she asked.

He nodded.

She raised her empty glass. “Pour Mama another.”

Faraday walked over to the bar in the nude and poured some more champagne. She eyed his glass and raised her eyebrows. He chugged back the remaining champagne as quickly as he could, then poured more. He handed her the flute, and she clinked their glasses together.

“Good boy.” She sipped slowly, peering over the rim. “And do you have anything else to say?”

He waited until she finished her champagne before he positioned himself over her lap, with his bare ass facing up.

“You may punish me now,” he mumbled into the cushions.

The whipping commenced. Faraday pictured Sullivan hanging upside down by her toes, while he prodded her with an electric wand.

After a few minutes, she slinked toward the bedroom. He crawled down the hallway after her to finish out the final segment of their ritual.

“No, wait. Please don’t leave me alone. I need you,” he called after her.

She stood in the doorway with her arms folded across her overly enhanced chest, her cleavage like a giant crack in the moon. “Okay, I’ll let you into my room under one condition.”

“Anything. Anything you ask.” The taste of vomit filled his mouth.

“You must promise to always put me first. And you must always bow down to me.”

“I promise.”

“Get up. You may come in.”

Faraday followed President Sullivan into the room, staring out to the city as she removed her black jacket and pencil skirt. She’d keep on her bra and panties, allowing Faraday the “pleasure” of removing them. The city center was so still and quiet, but before long the place would be teeming with residents and business people. Once the center walls came down and the city became an open venture, there would be no stopping the migration of people. He would be at the helm, ruling as their powerful leader. The people would bow down to him. And he’d bring back Morray, who would grant him everlasting life. His power would endure over the centuries. Long after Sullivan’s chemically pumped body had rotted away. Moments like this would never happen again and he’d be a free man.

He climbed into bed with the President and buried his face in her hair, kissing the neck he planned to one day strangle with his bare hands.

“When can we discuss the plan?” He licked her face, per her instruction.

She moaned with delight. “Not until we seal the deal.”

He removed her bra and panties, grateful the blue pill had finally taken affect. Faraday closed his eyes to finish their business transaction, hoping it would be one of their last.

18

“
D
on’t go.” Morray
held Ava’s arm.

The full moon shining above struck her with a beam of clarity—the kind that comes from a peaceful place inside, not driven by fear, but truth. A truth that cuts right to the middle. Morray would never let her go, but that was his choice. His destiny. Not hers. Her destiny wasn’t to be with Morray; it wasn’t even to get rid of him. Her destiny had everything to do with getting back home and living her life––free of him.

Morray could continue his amenable act, but Ava knew he had an underlying agenda. Growing tired of the continuous feedback loop, she didn’t want to waste her energy. The quickest way to get rid of him would be to let him think she was finally caving. This would distract him from her agenda, which was to get the hell out of the mainframe. Alone. His obsession with her would be his downfall, as in the past. She’d let Mooray work hard to convince her that he had changed, and when he felt safe, she’d take action.

Smiling, she gently removed his hand from her arm, knowing she’d need to use calculated moves to ward off any suspicion. “I can’t stay here with you, Morray.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“That’s not fair.” She glanced up at him and quickly looked away, pretending to be flustered.

“Is anything fair? You’re here with me and I’m here with you. We’re together. And look all around us. This is what I’ve always wanted. You and me ruling together, indefinitely. This could be ours, Ava.”

She scanned the enchanted gardens, with the enormous palace resting majestically in the background. For a brief moment, it seemed like a nice place to be stuck for eternity––if Morray weren’t a complete lunatic with a history of vicious crimes.

“Tempting. It is. And while I’ve grown accustomed to your company, I’m not sure I could live with myself if I gave in to you.”

The first seed was planted.

Now she needed to step back and let it sprout. She couldn’t appear too eager, otherwise he’d catch on. It was a delicate line.

“I have an idea,” Morray said.

“Can’t wait to hear it,” she muttered.

“Come now, Ava. Who knows how long we’ll be in this program? I say we make the most of it while we’re here. Why not try to make this work? All you have to do is change your attitude and trust me just a little bit.”

“I will never trust you.”

“What have I told you about that word? Never is an impossibility.”

“How about a compromise?” she asked.

“I’m listening.”

“If you behave like a gentleman, I might consider the possibility of becoming friends while we’re stuck here.”

Morray held out his hand, sealing their transaction. Ava reached out, placing her hand in his palm.

“I promise to behave,” he said.

“It’s a deal.” Ava’s heart pounded, worrying he might see through her act.

“I’m pleased you’re willing to give it a try. I rather enjoy being with you, Ava. Even when you’re not at your best.”

“What do you mean
not at my best
? My worst is a thousand times better than your best.”

“That came out wrong. Give me a chance to show you who I really am.”

“I know who you are, William Stowe Morray.”

He smiled. “Well then, I’m not too worried. There’s more good in me than evil.”

She couldn’t pretend to agree with that statement, so the two remained quiet, letting the weighted silence hang between them. A cold chill blew across the mountain, causing Ava to shiver.

“Do you want to hear my idea, or are you going to stand there stewing over things neither of us can change?” he asked.

“Fine. What’s your idea, William?”

His eyes lit up when she said his name. “I’d like to go into the city center and try to figure out the timeline.”

“Hmm …” Ava pondered.

That actually wasn’t a bad idea. The Administrative Building operated the entire city center. If she could get to the servers inside, she might find another portal, or figure out how to break the coding and send her consciousness back to her body. And Morray was the only way into the city center.

“Do you think it’s functioning?” She tapered her enthusiasm.

“That’s what I’d like to find out. Maybe it’s empty? Just like the palace. We won’t know until we try.”

He was up to something. If he really wanted to stay in the program with her by his side, why bother checking out the city center? Maybe for the same reason she wanted to go in––to access the servers and escape the program. Or more likely, he had designs to lock her inside the city walls forever.

“What’s the point?” she asked.

“I’d like to see if there’s life inside. And if there is, maybe you and I can work together to fix whatever I wrecked. I know it’s not real, but I could at least right my wrongs inside this program.”

She studied him carefully, wondering how he could sound so genuine. He had mentioned wanting to make things right, but she knew better.

He lifted her chin. “Are you worried I’ll lock you inside?”

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” she said.

He bent to one knee and Ava felt embarrassed. She didn’t like seeing Morray in a submissive position. It seemed unnatural.

“I implore you to trust me. You know how much I detest being alone. You know how much I want to be with you. I will never hurt you.”

“You just said never.”

“Touché, my dear. But honestly, we have nothing to lose.”

He was right about that. She had already lost everything that mattered: Grace, Joseph, and her freedom. Going inside the city center might be the only way to get back all she had lost. Or it might be her final resting place.

“All right. I’ll go with you. I’m actually curious to see what’s going on. Do you think Dickson programmed it to have people existing inside?”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

“You know that if you do try to trap me in there, I’ll find a way out. I always do.”

“And if you do, you know that I’ll come find you.”

“You always do,” she said.

He stroked her cheek. Staring into Morray’s eyes, she tried to find something to explain why he was so determined to have her.

“Why, Morray? Why me?”

“I’ve already told you. It’s destiny.”

He headed to the palace and Ava followed, wishing there was another way.

*

Ava and Morray stood outside the eastern wall. He had changed into a clean suit, and she found a shawl to wrap around her shoulders. As he typed a code into the access pad, she tried to peek over his shoulder to memorize the sequence, but his fingers were too quick. One of the giant solar panels opened and he moved off to the side, motioning for her to go inside.

“I’m not going first,” she said.

“I was just being polite.” He walked ahead, spreading out his arms. “See, everything’s fine. Come on.”

Ava walked through the opening and the panel closed behind her, sealing them both on the Inside. Only one of them had the access code to get out. At the moment, Morray had the advantage and Ava didn’t like that.

Being back inside the massive city center, splintered her into fragments. Everything was how she remembered: the dwelling units, which increased in size by neighborhood, the giant Arena in the distance, the Garden Center, rows of shops, the main street that divided the city, the many sidewalks and the enormous Administrative Building at the center. Though she couldn’t see the armored walls, they were there, locking her within the city. The same prison she had escaped many years ago. But that was another lifetime. Another dimension. One that no longer seemed to exist.