The Constant Star (73)

THE STORY SO FAR

You did everything you were supposed to, except you didn’t die. And that’s why we’re here. You get to be a martyr and once again pretend what you’re doing is for the good of someone else, and I get to instill camaraderie and unity into a tiring rebellion. You should thank me: you’re going to be remembered as a hero, and not the pathetic, naive, selfish creature that you really are.>

“Macy, I came back because I changed. I realized how selfish I’ve been and I came to set things right. I’m so sorry for everything; you don’t have to do this. I’m willing to stay and make things right.”

<Even if I believed you, I wouldn’t give a shit. But in case you’re telling the truth, think about it this way: you’re finally doing something good with your life.>

“How are you going to convince them you didn’t kill me? You abandoned me, paralyzed me, and left me to die.”

<Dear god, Siff! Really? You can’t figure it out? Your fucking overlords turned me into a technological avatar, and you can’t imagine how I might be able to create video of your great sacrifice? Here, look.>

A holographic display comes from the front of the paralyzer and shows a video of Siff. She is shooting from behind cover. Addy’s voice can be heard, “Siff! You’ve got to get out of there! You’re overrun!”

“No way! If I don’t hold this ground we all die! Go! Don’t make my decision be in vain. You’ve got to get off this level! I’ll hold them as long as I can!” She goes back to shooting as gunfire rings about her.

“Siff, I will never forget what you’ve done for us.”

The hologram disappears and Macy’s voice returns, <I’m showing this vid real time to the troops on the lower levels. When we shot up those buildings we got a lot of attention. Thanks to the hardware Addy installed, the Brainers think our full force is breaking through from this position. They have sent a large force and are advancing on you right now; they should be there in a couple of minutes. And that’s when you get to go out with a bang.>

“They’ll just capture me. I’m not armed and I’m helpless.”

<Oh, no, no, no they won’t. Like I said before: you’re too valuable to let them have you. This necklace isn’t just a paralyzer, It’s got enough explosives to level a seventy-five meter radius. As soon as they get to you…boom!> Siff starts to cry, <Oh knock it off, you baby. At least you get to go quickly.>

“Macy, please.”

<Macy pleeeeeaaaaase. You spoiled, untouchable little shit. Your daddy isn’t here for you this time.>

“Idun, we were friends.”

<I stopped being her when I realized the vanity of you entitled assholes.> There is a slight clinking noise nearby, like the sound of a small metal object hitting the ground, <I can’t wait to push this button and hear the silence at the other end of th—>

The grenade explodes and stops the comm. Siff watches as a blue electric pulse spreads out from her and dissipates after a few meters. She can move again and quickly pulls the paralyzer off her neck. She hears movement behind her and turns terrified. A very large soldier dressed in black pulls his face-mask off, “Bear!” Tears of relief and love freely flow from her eyes and she runs to hug him tight, “Bear! It’s you, oh thank god it’s you.”

He hugs her back and almost crushes her, “I’m so glad I found you. We need to move: There’s a massive Security force on its way here. They’ll be here soon.” He looks at her gunshot wound, “Can you walk?”

Siff nods, “She only wanted to hurt me.”

“We’ll get that patched up as soon as we’re in a safe zone. Come on.” He smiles, “It’s good to see you, Siff.”

They move silently through the empty streets, away from the Rebellion and Security forces, “I had no idea this was such a large place. Everything I’ve known has been the top few levels.”

“Yeah it’s shocking when you first see it. We’re told how big Janus is, but when you actually experience it first-hand…it’s something else entirely. This way.”

Bellerophon helps Siff climb through some rubble and into a basement. She looks at him quizzically and he just smiles, “The Rebellion aren’t the only ones who know about back doors and hidden compartments; Janus is covered in them.” He reaches down to a floorboard and lifts the steel cover up, “After you.”

Another tunnel. Great.

Siff drops down and winces in pain. She forgot about the flesh wound. Bear follows and closes the latch behind him, “Right. Now lets take a look at your leg.”

Siff sits against the tunnel wall as her friend plays field medic. He sprays the wound with a cleaning and numbing agent, then wipes it down and bandages it up, “No deep tissue damage, and a minor burn on the edges. You should be fine.”

“Yeah.”

Bear sees her staring away into the middle-distance, he looks at her concerned, “Are you though?”

“Huh?”

“Fine?”

“I don’t think anyone is fine right now.”

“I’m not asking about anyone, I’m asking about you. Siff, are you okay?”

Her eyes tear up, “No.”

“Tell me. What’s going on?”

“It’s just that…she’s right. About me. About everything. And all this. It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault.”

“Hey, hey. Walk me through it. What happened?”

“I wanted to go be with the Chosen Ones, so I gave her the codes that started the war. I wanted to escape from all my problems like I always have. I’ve always been so selfish.”

“Come on, Siff—“

“No! Even with you I’ve always been selfish. Making you take the fall so I could win at those games. Making my dad get me out of trouble whenever I was caught with my notes and drawings.

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