will be held.”
“In due time, Olivia,” Chancellor Collins nodded slowly. “We need to discuss our plans for the day of the Governor's Ball.”
“Plans?” I repeated, confused. “What do you mean?”
Chancellor Collins glanced briefly at Jaxon before landing his gaze on me. “We're planning a strike on Genesis. The Governor's Mansion is not our only target. I think it would be beneficial to take out their medical center where children are conceived. It would put a huge dent in their system.”
“What?” My mouth dropped and my eyes widened in shock. “You're not serious!” There were innocent lives at stake.
The Chancellor answered somberly. “I'm dead serious.” He stared at me, showing no indication of joking around.
I couldn't believe his suggestion. I'd known for months I'd be going back to Genesis. A small part of me wanted to go back, in hopes of seeing my mother again. I knew it was selfish and I'd be stupid to try and find her, but even so, just a glimpse would satisfy me, to see her alive and happy. What the Chancellor suggested was insane. There was no reason at all to risk hundreds of lives. And for what purpose? “This is a stupid idea.” I stared at Chancellor Collins, refusing to back down. My eyes narrowed angrily as I crossed my arms defiantly. “I won't go in. I won't do it if this is your plan.”
The corners of the Chancellor's lips curved upwards in a smile. “You can rest assured, Olivia, we will get you out before we strike the mansion. You're too valuable to lose in this battle.”
I was appalled! “I'm not worried about my own life! I'm worried about everyone else's.” Was I not clear to Collins what was upsetting me? “You're going to kill innocent people and for what purpose?”
Jaxon spoke up, trying to intervene. “Our goal isn't to kill the people of Genesis. In fact, if the Governor's Ball is in the evening, as we're hoping, no one will be at the hospital.”
“Doctors and nurses will be there,” I reminded him. Glaring, I shook my head. “I can't believe you all are willing to go through with this plan!” I slammed my fist hard against the oak table.
Joshua's voice was soft, calm. “People don't get sick in Genesis, Olive.
I couldn't believe Joshua was in agreement with the council! “You know these people; you're okay with watching them die?”
Joshua stared down at the wood and shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “But I think it's our best option. If we kill Craynor, another Governor will rise. We need to take out the system in order for the entire government to fall.”
Chancellor Collins’ voice was harsh as he spoke. “Is that not what you're here for: retribution?” His eyes were small and narrow, trying to remind me I left home for a reason, something I will never need a reminder of. I know what happened. I was there, I experienced it. I was forced to leave because I was different. Thrown in jail because I was born not from the “The Day of the Chosen” but by natural means. My existence was illegal.
“No,” I shook my head. “This isn't about getting even.” I couldn't believe him! Did he think I'd be okay with destroying my home? I accepted the losses of the Governor's Mansion. Those who would be there helping support the ball would unfortunately die. Their lives would mean something though. I couldn't in good conscience agree with the Chancellor's plan to attack the medical center.
Chancellor Collins stood up abruptly. “What would you prefer we do, hmm?” His tone was condescending and laced with anger as he paced the length of the gray-walled room. The window shades were open and cast a ray of sunshine through, which made me squint as the light stretched in and across the table.
Margo watched Chancellor Collins pace. “You should sit down. You'll wear a hole in the floor.” A moment passed and she sighed. “Look, Olivia and Joshua have a point. Our numbers are small. We may be capable of fighting but we can't stop the government and tear down the walls of all five Genesis towns and the other cities of Cabal on our own.” Margo shifted in her seat, turning her attention toward me. “You mentioned once about other cities near Haven?”
I nodded weakly. “Yes. I know of two additional nearby cities. They were part of the eastern rebel alliance.”
Chancellor Collins interrupted. “They were never part of our five cities.”
I rolled my eyes in annoyance. “Okay, but five plus at least two more cities, if they're both still standing, is seven. Seven cities that could help us!” I stood up, slamming my fist on the table. “I'm not here to destroy the current system. My goal is not to turn our world into chaos.” I made it clear. “I want people to have the right to choose their lives. To pick who they marry, to keep their children and to decide the life they wish to live!” I huffed and sat back down. “I want things to be right, just. Right now they're not. No one here can claim otherwise.” I paused, taking a moment to recompose myself. “I'm not suggesting we destroy the entire system, but rebuild it. Before we go ahead and take out the medical center in Genesis,” I shot daggers at Collins, “we need to know further about the infertility issues. Elsa, how far have you come?” I was not about to suggest wiping out humanity. It sounded to me like that was Chancellor Collins’ plan. I understood what was at stake.
Elsa sighed. Every week she was required to update the council on her findings. “Nothing.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “If I had more time and more resources…” she trailed off.
Chancellor Collins scoffed at her request. “We have more than most cities and an advanced lab, better than what the government has access to.”
Elsa groaned, “That's not the point! I need more time. More scientists and doctors. It would help even more if there was another woman like Olivia who could conceive but I haven't found anything or anyone.”
I hesitated, tapping my fingers anxiously against the table. “I know of one other woman. She may be too old to conceive now but she was able to, eighteen years ago.”
Elsa's eyes locked on mine. “Your mother.” It was an obvious answer she'd ignored. “We could try and smuggle her out past Genesis' walls and bring her here.” She shifted in her seat, turning to face Chancellor Collins, awaiting his permission.
Collins eyes narrowed. “Absolutely not! You'll make do with Olivia. If you need more scans or further test samples she'll do whatever needs to be done.”
My mouth dropped in horror. “That was not part of the agreement!” When we had first begun the tests, Collins had agreed to do no harm to Joshua or myself. It had been months since we'd finished the trials; the town had learned who we were. They had promised the scans would be all I'd endure and they'd be painless. Thankfully, they were quick and easy, but I'd heard rumors aplenty and was more than slightly concerned at what Chancellor Collins would have me do.
“Things change, Olivia.” Chancellor Collins held little sorrow in his eyes. “You are different. We need to know why.”
Joshua spoke out, “We're all different, in case you've forgotten! You've made us that way, experimenting on us, doing some crazy procedure on our brains!”
Chancellor Collins was quickly losing his patience. “That procedure made you better! It made you successful! The Mindonsiphan had to be administered,
Jaxon glanced at his watch and cleared his throat to get our attention. “I say we call a twenty minute break.” The room had been tense and there hadn't been any agreements since the moment the meeting had begun.
“Agreed,” I spoke up, stressed and agitated.
“Couldn't agree more,” Joshua muttered.
Maya, Hazel, Margo, Elsa, Cate, Aidan and Mason all murmured in agreement as Chancellor Collins finally resigned. “Fine! We'll resemble here again in twenty.” He huffed loudly as he left the room.
“I need some air,” I excused myself, pushing my chair back as it squealed against the floor. I stood up and made my way for the door before heading down the stairs and outside, glad for the warm sunlight and even more for the cool air. I moved to sit down, my back against the brick wall, the cold feeling good on my sticky skin.
“You okay?”
I glanced up, seeing Joshua standing over me. A moment later he found a space beside me to sit. “Not really,” I admitted. “I'm just about at wits’ end with Collins.”
Joshua nudged me with a smile. “I noticed. Can I make a suggestion?”
