Michelle Maddox - Countdown

I did the math in my head. The Countdown was grossing a minimum of fifteen billion dollars a year.

Jonathan continued: "Now that the implants and his ability to feed from the subscribers is perfected, he plans to drop the subscription fees and widen his network, even spreading to Offworld. All he needs is people who want to be entertained and are willing to be fitted with the implant."

"Why haven't you tried to stop him?" Rogan clenched the side of the table. His knuckles were white.

Jonathan pressed his lips together. "What makes you think I haven't? I have been secretly working behind Gareth's back on a plan to put an end to all of this before it gets even worse."

"I can help you," Rogan said.

Jonathan shook his head. 'The best thing for you to do is to get as far away from here as possible."

"I disagree," Rogan said firmly. "He's my brother-"

"All the more reason for you to stay away. You're too close to the situation. You will only interfere with what I have planned. Besides, it's my duty to do what I can. After all this time, I've waited too long…."

I watched the different emotions play on his face. "And you feel guilty about it. I read you when I was in the hospital room."

His jaw clenched. "Yes, all I feel now is guilt. So much time has passed, and I haven't known what to do. I've watched the true Gareth slip away and a monster take his place, and all the time my fear for my own safety has kept me from taking the necessary action to stop it." He blinked, and then met my gaze. "I'm still amazed by your abilities, Kira. Can you tell me more about them? You were marked down as a low-level psi, but if that were true you wouldn't have been able to read me so well. I am wondering if perhaps your father, since he, too, was a scientist, may have manipulated the data so you would be able to stay under the radar for so long. There are those who wish harm to anyone who may be different from them."

I thought of Kurtis. He'd wanted to kill me for what I was. What I am. He'd been hired to take me out seven years ago. Maybe my father really did hide how strong my abilities were-and not just from me.

"I don't know. I… I've never really used my ability much before. A little here and there, but it always hurt, so I didn't really explore the possibilities. But now that I've been using it a lot, playing this game, I can do way more than I thought I could."

I licked my dry lips. "I can get pictures, words…. It's as if I'm actually reading somebody's mind … or more like a blueprint of what their thought patterns are. But I've always been able to tell if somebody's a good person or a bad person down deep by touching them."

"Like a flesh-and-blood lie detector?"

I shrugged. "I don't know if you could say that. I read you as being honest, but you've lied to me a bunch of times."

His expression darkened and he looked away. "I'm sorry for all of that."

"But it doesn't mean you're not honest. You obviously want to do the right thing by trying to stop Gareth. A few lies doesn't change what you are deep inside."

"I hope you're right. I really do." Jonathan sighed deeply and then stood up from the table. "I've arranged for two tickets on the next shuttle to Offworld for the both of you. Once there you will be able to go your separate ways."

"Separate ways?" I repeated, glancing at Rogan.

"Of course." Jonathan nodded. "Now that you're not bound together by the ninety-foot implant parameter, you're free to part company."

There was silence for a moment as I let that little piece of information settle in.

"When docs the shuttle leave?" Rogan asked.

"It will be here in four hours, at precisely three o'clock. Out back of this safe house is a set of train tracks. The shuttle appears as a regular commuter train so as not to incite a riot of people wishing to leave. It will stop here for only two minutes and then take you to the docking station, where you will leave for the journey to Offworld." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two folded pieces of paper. "Here are your tickets."

We each took one. I stared at the small printing on it. So official. This was what I'd been wanting for so long now that it seemed surreal to actually be holding it. This was all it took? This little piece of paper was enough to change my life forever?

"I've written the name of a man you should contact once you've arrived, Kira. He's a scientist who specializes in helping women like you who are have higher-level psi abilities. He will pay you well for your cooperation in his studies. I promise that the studies themselves will cause you no pain. In fact, the more you use your ability the less pain you should experience. It's like exercising a muscle, you see."

I bit my bottom lip. "And then what?"

"And then the sky's the limit, really. I can see you potentially working in law enforcement." He smiled. "What better way to find out someone's guilt than to see into their very soul?"

"Law enforcement?" I smiled at the absurdity of the suggestion. "Are you serious? Won't they mind that I've picked a few pockets in my time?"

He smiled. "I think they might forgive you." He turned his attention to Rogan, and I noticed that his eyes were shiny with emotion. "As for you, Rogan. I cannot express to you how sorry I am for all the pain you have been through these last four years."

Rogan's throat jumped as he swallowed. "The past is over. I'm free now."

Jonathan nodded. "As I said, Gareth has had a few sentient moments over the years. He was able to arrange for a bank account to be set up for you in the new city in your name. I personally arranged to have your criminal record cleared, so your name will cause no red lights upon your arrival on Offworld. You should be able to access the bank account number I've written on your shuttle ticket without any problems. Gareth wanted you to have enough money to last the rest of your life."

Rogan stared at the ticket. "He … he did this for me?"

Jonathan nodded. "You should know that he begged me once to kill him while he was in control of his body, but I couldn't do it. The virus within has always looked at me with suspicion since that day. He doesn't trust me. He has associates with him … bodyguards … every time I'm in the same room with him."

"And how were you able to get away today?"

"After your escape, Gareth was furious. The headquarters were in chaos. I had a feeling that you might be headed here, and when you pressed the buzzer I was able to simply slip away. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay for much longer, though. In fact, I must leave immediately."

"I'm coming with you," Rogan said firmly.

"No, you're not. My plan does not involve you. I must do it myself."

"What is your plan?"

His expression was tense, and he was silent for a moment before he fished into the front pocket of his pants and pulled out a small card. "I will contact you in a week to tell you if I was successful. However, if you don't hear from me, then it means that I failed. Wait a couple of weeks until everything has calmed down and then go to the location on this business card, even if you must return from Offworld."

Rogan looked at the card. "Why can't I help now?"

"It's too dangerous. Especially with your recent escape. The moment they see you they will kill you. They'll kill both you and Kira."

I held on to Rogan's arm and glanced at the card. It had a strange H-like symbol on it and an address here in the city.

"What is this place?" I asked.

Jonathan lips thinned. "Just a small glimmer of hope after years of darkness."

"You do talk in riddles, do you realize that?"

He gave me a meager smile. "It's one of my talents, actually."

Rogan took a step closer to Jonathan. I wasn't sure what he was going to do until he thrust out his hand toward the other man. Jonathan took it and shook firmly. Then Rogan grabbed the other man into a rough hug.