Absolute Power (Book 1): Origins (17 page)

Eve took a moment to memorize the map, her location, entrances, paths and distances.  The Complex was laid out in a circle surrounded by a wall.  The wall looked to be wide enough to walk on, probably with guard posts at regular intervals.  There were two gates in the wall, one on the west side and one on the east side.  The western opening served as the main entrance and the eastern one led to something marked, Field Testing.  West of the Field Testing area was Research and Development, and north of that was an airstrip.  In the exact center of the Complex sat the security building.

“And we're here,” Robert pointed to a spot south of the security building, across from the parade grounds.  “The Residences are next door and that’s where you'll be staying.”

“What are these?”  Eve asked as she pointed to two squares marked one and two, set directly behind the Residences.

“Those are the Administration buildings,” Robert answered.  “You don't need to worry about them.  Why don't we head to your room?”

Eve gave a nod, and the two left the Education Annex.  Towering above them was a glass dome three stories tall.  It stood flush to a building that was six stories.  The sunlight gleamed off the curved glass almost blinding them.  As they made their way into the dome Eve quickly discovered that it was an indoor garden.  The floor was grass and the pathways made of dirt.  There were trees planted sporadically, some that were nearly as tall as the ceiling.  From where she stood she could see birds, a stream and all sorts of flowers.  Adults in uniforms and kids alike, milled about, chatted, ate or slept on the grass.  The garden stretched across the entirety of the dome making it hard to see where it ended.

They walked further, and Eve began to see the rear of the arboretum.  There were more people behind a glass wall, inside it looked to be filled with tables and couches.

“When they built this place they realized that one of the biggest problems would be morale and entertainment,” Robert said.  “This was their solution.  The Residence is spacious; the building is almost a mile wide and laden with every modern convenience.”

A large group of children came flooding out into the garden.  Eve stopped and instinctively looked for an escape route.  Without thinking, Robert grabbed her hand and pulled her close.  When the kids had passed Eve look over at him, their hands still clenched together.

Robert let go quickly and said, “Let me show you the lounge.”  He went to go through the door, but Eve stayed behind.  Turning, Robert assumed the next words out of her mouth were going to be that she wanted to leave.

Instead, Eve asked, “Can everyone here fight like you?”

“Fight?”  Robert presumed that she had mistranslated.  “We’re trained to protect ourselves and others.”

“Then you will train me to fight and kill?” She asked flatly.

“We don't kill,” he replied brusquely, “above all things we don't kill.”

“How do you keep your enemies from attacking you again?”  Eve asked.

Robert was not prepared to discuss this with an alien teenager.  “Perhaps that’s a question for philosophy class,” Robert said.  “Provided you stay.”  He waited to see if she would give any indication of her decision, but she didn't.

With the conversation over, they entered the lounge, and Robert began pointing out things.  The main section of the lounge was the dining hall.  There were rows and rows of tables and benches and a food bar.  It reminded Robert of a mall food court.  The arcade and TV rooms on the left didn't help.  There was also a large gym, pool and sauna in the back.  One of the TV rooms was crowded with people watching football on the big screen.  Something must have happened because they started shouting.  The crowd who had been eating lunch nearby got up in a rush to see what was going on.  They cut between Robert and Eve, separating them.  He saw her engulfed in a sea of people.  Elbows nudged her left and right.  Robert shoved through the mob, watching the fear build on Eve’s face.  Then from out of nowhere a small dark skinned girl slid through the crowd and grabbed Eve by the hand.

“You okay?”  Shruti asked.

Eve didn't respond.

“Don't worry,” Shruti said and poked a big man who was standing next to them.  “Hey.”

He looked down and smiled when he saw the girl.  “Hello, Shruti the panda.”

“Hi, George the Dragon Slayer,” Shruti beamed at him. “I need a path out of here.”

It was an easy enough task for a man who was nearly seven feet tall and all muscle.  George began walking across the room, and people moved out of his way without him having to ask.  Shruti followed close behind pulling Eve along with her.

When they were clear, Shruti said, “Thanks, Dragon Slayer.”

“Don't forget our chess match,” Deacon-Slater said and went back to the football game.

Eve's eyes were locked on Shruti's face, stuck in a mix of shock and confusion.

“I'm twelve,” Shruti answered the question on Eve’s mind.

A second later Robert caught up to the girls who were standing next to the elevators.  When he saw Shruti grab Eve, he had decided to back off and see what happened.  Every cadet had a moment like this at some point.  Whether it was homesickness, the overwhelming nature of The One or just being a teenager, something snapped their resolve eventually.  It was best if the adults stayed out of it.  Colonel Porter called it a team building exercise.  These would be the kids that Eve would train with, work with and grow up with.  She had to get to know them.

“You're welcome,” Shruti said to Robert.  “And it’s cruel to experiment with the psychology of a child.”

“And it's rude to read people's minds,” Robert retorted.  He turned to Eve and said, “This is Shruti Pandey; she has the ability to read minds.  You'll find all types of Super-Human talents here, over two thousand variations.”

“And this is why you don't kill, because you are a superior force?”  Eve asked, referencing their earlier conversation.

It sounded bad out of context, so Robert spoke quickly, “Because we have these abilities we've chosen to adhere to a moral code in order to protect those who can't protect themselves.”

Eve thought about his answer.

“Eve is an alien,” Robert told Shruti.

“Oh,” the little girl's eyes got big.  “Welcome to earth.”

Robert laughed, “I guess alien isn't exactly right.  She's an alternate-dimensional; her culture is vastly different than ours.”  He put his hand on Eve's shoulder.  “If you'll excuse us I need to show Eve her room.”

“Okay, bye,” Shruti waved.  “Hope to see you later.”

“And Shruti,” Robert said as he pressed the elevator call button, “Watch what you're mind reading.”

“Yes, sir,” Shruti saluted then spun on her heels sending her long hair whipping through the air.

Robert appreciated the laugh.  It had been a while since something had taken his mind off of work or Alex’s death.  When the elevator doors opened, Robert stepped in and hit a button.  Eve hesitated to join him in the small room.

After a moment, it occurred to him what the problem was.  “Have you used an elevator before?”

Eve was examining the numbered buttons.  “I understand it now,” she said.

The doors closed, and they went up.

“The numbers on the buttons refer to the level,” Robert explained nonetheless.  “Your room is on floor three.”  The doors opened again, and they stepped out.  “The floors are sectioned off into male and female wings.  Males on the right, females on the left.”  Robert looked to make sure Eve was paying attention.  Usually, about now the cadets were more interested in the kids hanging out in the halls.

Eve studied the hall and waited for Robert to continue.

He took her left and said, “You're in room three twenty-two.”  He pointed to a sign that listed room numbers and the appropriate hallway to take.  They turned left again.  “The three refers to the floor.  Odd numbered rooms are on the male wing; evens are female.”

Eve followed along silently.

“Level one is where we started, in the lounge.  Level two is for kids twelve and under.  Level three is for kids...”  Robert stopped himself, but Eve didn’t seem to notice.  “You know anyone else your age would have killed me for calling them a kid.”

Eve turned her head perplexed by the information.

“Well, when you turn eighteen you can move up to level four.  If you get promoted then you can move up again, but until then you'll have a roommate.  Level five and six are for senior officers and are off limits without an invitation.  If you have a problem, there’s an older resident in charge of your section.  I think you have Jess…”  Robert corrected himself, “Miss Lang.  We’re old friends, so she’ll take care of you.”

They reached room three twenty-two.  The door was covered with scraps of paper, each with a hand written message on it.  Eve tried to read what she could through the glitter, marker and paint.  They were notes welcoming her to the Residence and some asking her to join group activities.  She wanted to read them all, but Robert stepped in front of her and knocked on the door.

“Male officer entering,” he announced himself.  There was no reply and after a second he slid a keycard through the lock.

The room was painted a flat grey, and thick curtains blocked the window.  Robert flipped a switch, and a small lamp came on giving off a little light.  There were two beds on either side of the room, each with an attached desk and computer.  A cool breeze drifted down from a vent, making the room a chilly sixty-eight degrees.

“Like it?” Robert asked.  “All the rooms are customized to suit the tenants.  Some are flame retardant or EM shielded.  Yours has a minimal light variant.”

“I like it,” Eve said basking in the shadows.  With the cold air and dim lighting she could almost pretend she was home.

“Looks like your roommate has the right side, so you get the left,” he said.  “You have a bed, desk, computer, a closet...  You don't have any clothes do you? Any preferences on attire?

Eve shook her head.

“I'm sure this is a lot to take in, and you're tired,” Robert said.  “I'm going to send Jess... Jessica... Miss Lang up here to help you out with... things.”  Robert grabbed a pen and paper from the desk and wrote.  “If you want to call anyone inside the Residence all you have to do is pick up the phone and dial the room number.  This is Jess's number and mine.  I also wrote down Shruti's.  I'd like you two to join me for dinner at seven.”

After Robert left, Eve sat on her bed and waited for Jessica Lang.  Eventually, she realized Robert hadn't meant she was coming immediately, so she decided to inspect the room.  She spent some time examining her roommate’s things; the pictures on her desk and the clothes in her closet.  Most of the things didn't make any sense to her; magazines, empty containers and various tubes of some sort.  She read the titles of the movies and books on the shelf.  As she compiled a list of objects, she tried to develop an idea of who her roommate was.  It was an exercise in wasting time because she didn't know much about this world.  Eve moved on to reading the numerous stickers adhered to the desk when she remembered the notes on the door.

A bit of excitement was building in her, but she remained cautious.  Slowly she opened the door a crack and peeked outside.  There wasn't a site or sound, so she opened the door enough to poke her head out.  The messages were still there, at least fifty of them taped to the door.  Careful not to rip them, she pulled one off at a time.  She read them as she removed them until she uncovered a plaque bolted to the door.  It read:  Eve Levitas.  Above her name was another plaque with what Eve assumed was her roommate’s name: Danni Rodriguez.

Through with the notes Eve turned her attention to learning more about this world.  She knew that her lack of knowledge made people uncomfortable which led her to the decision to find out everything she could.  Remembering her time in the library she sat at the computer and accessed the online encyclopedia.  It seemed like a good idea until she saw the thousands of entries.  With no way to determine what information was important she needed another solution.  Eve looked around the room hoping that an idea would come to her.  On the wall, above her roommate’s bed, was a poster of boys posing with musical instruments.  At the top, it said: Desperate Youth.  Not sure exactly what it meant she typed the words into the search bar.  A list of websites and database locations popped up on the screen.  The first one on the list called itself the 'official site,' so she clicked it.  A second later the screen was filled with flashing images and music blasted out of the speakers.  Eve was as startled as much as she was fascinated.  So fascinated she didn't hear the knocking at first.  Then the knock at the door came again.  She left the computer to answer the door.  Standing in the hallway with a bright smile on her face was a short woman with sleek black hair.

“Hi, Eve, I'm Jessica Lang, but you can call me Jess.  I'm the gal who keeps watch over you hooligans.”  She spoke faster than Eve thought was possible.  “Can I come in?”

“Yes, ma'am,” Eve said and stepped aside to let her through.

“Call me Jess,”

“I apologize,” Eve bowed and kept her eyes lowered.  “Where I come from elders are treated with respect.”