The Constant Star (69)

THE STORY SO FAR

The shield was open for too long.”

“That one wasn’t me. And I will investigate it thoroughly. It seems though that someone has been spying on me. That mission was top secret, only you and I knew about it. I will find out who was responsible and we will make them pay.”

Siff is not sure whether to believe Macy, but if she told the truth about ordering Addy to kill her, why would she lie about telling the Upper Levels where she was? “…So…what now? Am I a prisoner?”

“Only if you think you should be. I don’t think you’re a threat. I think you want to do what’s right. But there is a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“You left.”

“Because of you.”

“No. I didn’t make you go; you chose to leave. But that’s not the problem. Y’see, you were a figurehead for a lot of people down here. They looked up to you and a lot of them feel like you betrayed us when you left.”

“But me leaving was the deal.”

“They don’t know that. There’s still lots who believe in and sympathize with you, but there are a lot who don’t. With you gone it was a problem that wouldn’t harm our cause, but now you’re back it has the potential to split our uprising in two. It’s a problem that needs fixing.”

“…How? Am I in danger here? Are you…are you going to…?”

“No, of course I’m not going to kill you! I’m going to fix this. Already got a plan and everything. See, I’m going to bring you back in. Put you on stage and then send you out for our cause again.” Siff gives her a worried look, “Don’t worry, it’ll be recon in a safe zone. I know you can’t handle the fighting thing, but it’ll show you’re with us. It’ll work, don’t worry. “

“Addy also said another thing. She said they all died. Karl, Conner, Wrench, Pint. She said they all died because of me.”

Macy sighs and looks mournfully at Siff, “We got hit hard that first day, there was nothing I could do. If you would have stayed you would have fled with the rest, and you might have died also. Addy took it hard. She made it out with a few others, but yeah. They’re all gone. I’m sorry.” Siff sniffles as she feels the guilt of leaving them behind, “Hey, it wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t your fault.” Macy walks over and embraces her as she begins sobbing, “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t. It wasn’t.”

Siff spends a few minutes crying in Macy’s arms before she is held at arms-length. Macy looks in her bloodshot eyes, “War is a terrible thing and the things that happen in it are terrible. We need to make this end as soon as possible. And to do that I need you to be strong, okay? We’re going to re-introduce you to our people, and then you’re going to head out and help end all this suffering. We’re going to make a new life for everyone here, and no-one else will have to suffer. Are you with me? Are you with me Siff?” There is a sniffle and a nod. Macy wipes the tears from Siff’s face, “You are amazing, Siff. Lets go show them. Ready?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

55

The mood is different in the crowd outside. She can’t see them, but Siff can hear them. A lot less cheers and jubilation, a lot more murmuring. Macy is standing by the door with her two silent bodyguards, waiting to be introduced by one of her generals. She smiles and gives Siff a wink, “It’s all going to work out. Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

The voice behind the open door calls out, “…and so it is with great honor I once again introduce you to…Diana!”

There is applause, but not as before. The war is affecting morale in the lower levels, it seems. Macy steps out boldly and waves to the people from the balcony, beckoning their silence. Siff sees her pause briefly, taking in the moment. She looks to her general and smiles, then addresses those below, “Great people of The Lower Levels! Thank you for your continued faith and perseverance in our cause. Every day brings us closer to the victory we seek and the freedom we deserve! Without your bravery and skill none of all that we achieved would have been possible. We have gained significant ground, but the sacrifice has been great. Some may even think the sacrifice has been too great.

“I am one of those people.

“It has been a weight on my mind how we have been unable to gain continuous control over the Janus AI systems, how their security teams seem to know ahead of time where we will strike, and even some top-secret information from my own meetings seems to have been leaked to them. This all strikes me as suspicious in the extreme. A spy must be among us.”

There is disconcerted murmuring from below as Macy pauses for effect, “Do not worry, the spy who is a traitor to us all has already been found. In fact, not only one, but a group of spies has been identified.” She looks over to her general who is in shock, he obviously had no idea Macy would be talking about this. She pulls her pistol and points it at his face. He looks in horror as she smiles, “It’s you.” He starts to raise his hands in protest, but she pulls the trigger. A single loud crack and his body crumples before her, the back of his head missing.

Siff curls up, pressing herself against the wall, contemplating just running out of there. But the door opens and Addy leads a troop in with four other generals bound and gagged forcing them onto the balcony. Macy gives the nod and a screen is projected above her as she continues

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