A/N This is rated M for language and violence. Thank you to my betas Evenstar and Cloakseeker for all of their help. Additionally: Fair warning I am NOT a writer. I don't pretend to be one and my job is all about NOT creating things and about keeping things short and sweet in our documents as much as possible. However, I do have to try to paint a picture for a 3rd party without getting to awful about it and maybe it will be freeing to use words and really flesh out a whole story. The reason I am writing this (or attempting to at least) is that I am just on a kick of fanfiction and the movies again and I am just SO PISSED about the fact they decided not to make a fourth movie. I really can't stand the fact that we are left wondering what they were going to do with the big change at the end of the movie (it's been out long enough, time to watch it or deal with spoilers). I have searched high and low in fanfic and cannot find the satisfying end I am looking for so it is my hope that I can get all of this out and satisfy that itch. It's not that I haven't enjoyed a modern-day story or two or any of the other twists writers have put out there, just that I feel a need to fix some of the problems we were left with after the movies. I might cover some stuff that seems unnecessary but unfortunately my husband has me stuck on some of the science and infrastructure issues so that's going to be in there too.
So, without further ado… Start by picturing the end of the movie for me. Back up just a wee bit to where they have just stopped the serum. Caleb shouts "how's that for damaged?" and here we are:
As the gas drains out of the room and starts to dissipate, I join Four and his mother with Caleb in the vault. Panic still flowing through our bodies, relief beginning to set in. We make our way to the communications room directed by Caleb. Four sits his mother down and comes over and we embrace for several minutes as Caleb begins to fire up the communication system. Four helps Evelyn toward the camera. She make a brief statement to the city that she wants her people to stand down and regroup she will be there shortly. I take her position in front of the camera and ask that all sides stand down and regroup. I tell them There are things that will be revealed in due time but first we needed to stand down and regroup and form a counsel to discuss this. I see no reason that they will listen to me but I hope they do. I turn the camera off and turn to Four. . He touches his forehead to mine and says, "I don't want to let you go, but we have so much left to do."
Hearing this Caleb nods to me and runs out of the room. I know he is headed back up to David's ship and that I will be behind him shortly. I haven't let go of Four and turn my attention back to him.
"I know, the question is do you know what we each need to do now?"
"Yes," Four responds in a whisper, I know he is being as quiet as possible because we know we are likely still being watched never mind the presence of his mother who was an adversary all of 3 minutes ago. "I'll gather the council, and my mother and get them all caught up and settle things here. You take care of the outside problems and I will see you when you get back."
"That is exactly the plan. I am going to take Caleb with me and I will be back to you as soon as I can" I whisper in return. We embrace and share one final passionate kiss and I turn to head back to Caleb.
"Hey Tris!" Four shouts. I pause and turn to look at him. "I wish like hell we could trade jobs right now. Just, please just make sure you come back to me."
"I Promise." I smile at him.
FOUR POV: I test the com up to Caleb and he responds, apparently having got it back online. "Caleb, do I need to explain what I will do if you come back without her?" Caleb is silent at first I can picture him shaking his head terrified. "I'm gonna need a verbal on that please"
"uh..u-Understood Four." Caleb stammers out.
"Good" I respond. Then I turn to my mother. "Mom, we gotta talk..."
"I know honey," Evelyn responds. I scoop her up and we get moving.
TRIS POV
I head up to the roof where we Caleb is with the ship. When I arrive, I indicate for him to let me in and he does. He looks a strange mixture of relieved and still terrified… I brush it off as his inexperience with adrenaline and the come down from the rush.
"What are you smiling at?" Caleb asks.
"Nothing," I say. I didn't realize I was still smiling not sure why. I feel relieved that we have saved the city for the moment and I am still riding the adrenaline rush knowing that we aren't done yet, never mind what the exchange downstairs does for my heart. We have fought so hard, he has stayed by my side and fought for me at every moment of this. He has learned to trust me to handle myself, he did after all train me well and has been with me through this ordeal. I know he still worries and its sweet but certainly better than him trying to stop me. Luckily this time I don't plan on any risky heroics and self-sacrifice. This is going to be a businesslike stealthy assassination, and then I will head to the bureau where it will be strictly business.
I plan in my head what I am about to do: David must go. Then the Bureau will help us rebuild and get Chicago on its feet and leave us alone. The ruthlessness of my plan even in my head surprises even me, and I am glad Tobias won't have to witness me like this first hand. I turn to Caleb and say, "What does the com situation look like right now, can we speak freely?" I ask.
"I have blocked all I can and as far as I can tell we are safe to talk in here, but let us get outside the camo wall where we know all com is dead before we say too much" Caleb responds. I nod and he takes us out.
"STOP!" I shout, louder than necessary in the tiny bubble. He hits the breaks and I barely stay in my seat.
"What? What is it?! He shouts back.
"Head to Dauntless, I need to grab something." I say, in a much more normal voice.
"Oh, ok." He responds directing the vehicle accordingly. He heads toward the initiate entrance and I realize that is the way I brought him in last time. I don't bother to correct him that the way we came out is also a way in, I look forward to the jump. Crazy, I know but I also am not looking to go slow.
"I'll meet you at the exit we took last time" Caleb says, startling me out of my reverie. I realize we have stopped. I nod at him and get out. I take the jump, my first jump where I met the love of my life and my last jump where I last had my father with me and right after I lost my mother clear in my mind. I cannot shake the memories even as I head to the armory. It isn't secured well but it also isn't stocked well. I suppose there hasn't been time to put things back after the invasion on Abnegation. I suppose no Dauntless feels settled enough to give up their weapon, I can't blame them.
I take stock of what is left and start making decisions. I start by grabbing a solid black leather belt and start threading it through the loops on my pants. I then head for the knives. I add a large knife in between the back belt loops. I strap a set of knives to my calf hidden by my boot and pants. I lament that I don't have time to prepare better. I grab a bag by the ammunition and make sure it is packed reasonably well with what I need, I toss in the set of knives for Caleb and move on to the guns. I tuck a pistol into the back of my pants, and strap one rifle to my back. I find a thigh holster and move the gun from the back of my pants to the more secure option and add an ammunition pouch securing them to my belt with the straps, and carry out one more rifle by hand. I head back to the pistols and toss one in the bag for Caleb. I consider the possibility of more and the other ways I can carry more but I am going for stealth not one-woman army. It feels like over-kill but I am not sure what level of resistance we will run into and I don't intend to leave Caleb unarmed either. I really hope that plan doesn't bite me in the ass on this adventure. I take a look back at what is left and opt to spare the second to secure the area before anyone else gets the idea to get in here. I can't change the security to keep out Dauntless that know the protocol but I can at least close it off to outsiders who might get smart.
I rush out the exit as planned and hop back in with Caleb who gives me that same old look of judgment I was used to growing up with him when I would act in some way that he knew I shouldn't be. I shrug him off and we take off toward the wall. We are silent on the ride until we reach the wall. We go back the way we came and notice Peter shouting at the wall, I am amused but focused and offer only a wry smile. We get thru the camo wall and begin to plan.
"I am going to kill David" I tell Caleb. He gulps and is clearly trying to formulate a response.
"Then what?" He responds.
"Well, I am going to use his little stash of truth serum and make sure his heirs apparent are going to leave us the hell alone. I am going to kill them off one by one until leadership is in place to leave us in peace."
"I can't see how I would be of any use there..." Caleb says.
"Oh, you're still needed." I say. He glances to me questioningly. "I need you to get into their system and copy all data about Chicago into something you can bring back and use in Erudite, then, you're going to erase all of that information from their computers." He nods along.
"I can do that" he says. "I need time…"
"Oh, you'll have time, don't worry, possibly even help if I get my way fast enough." I tell him. He looks at me confused the nods and refocuses. It is kind of nice to have a compliant boy in my life who does what he is told without questioning me too much. Although I wouldn't trade Four for the world especially after all we have been through, it will be nice not to have to trade strategies and argue the strengths and weaknesses of each one before we get to work. As I think that to myself I frown and realize, if there is a flaw to my plan Four is the only one who could help me see that and help me fix it. I take only a moment to lament the idea and brace myself with the thought that, without worrying for his safety and the back and forth over strategy I can get back to him that much faster.
Caleb looks at me and asks "So, after we handle the airport we head home?" I shake my head.
"No, after that we head to the Bureau." I say.
"What are we going to do there?" Caleb asks
"I am going to kick in doors until I get their stupid council together and I am going to get them to help us rebuild and then I am going to convince them they also need to leave us in peace." I explain, although I notice my voice sounds a little strange… I am feeling angry just thinking about what they might do to my home city if I fail.
"Uh, Ok then…" Caleb says. We finish the ride in silence until the airport is just on the horizon, only the size of a bug.
"Caleb, make sure you stop way outside of their range. We need to be as stealthy as possible." I warn.
"Got it. We can get in pretty close with the cloaking shield this thing has, but their emergency sensors go out about a mile" He says. He takes it down toward a rock formation what looks to be a mile out. I remember David telling me that this airport used to have a big tower where people would look out at the flying things… 'airplanes' he called them. I am suddenly relieved that it was destroyed in the war rather than the earlier disappointment I felt and not getting to see such a curious thing. I hand Caleb his rifle, and the set of knives and pistol from the bag. I help him strap the knives to his leg and put the pistol in his back like I have. On the walk toward the main structure, I notice Caleb is trying to tell me about the area… I do not really care about his Erudite tendencies right now. I vaguely listen as he explains that we are lucky that the outlying buildings were destroyed, as those would have had longer-range sensors to see us coming. If they aren't causing us problems, I just don't care right now.
We spent enough time here I feel like I should know a better way in other than the decontamination entrance. Luckily, I tune in just in time for Caleb to direct me to another entrance as he explains that during his time off from surveillance he took the opportunity to study this place as well. Leave it to Caleb to learn the new word "airport" and proceed to learn its history and memorize a map of the place. We slip in to what is obviously a rarely used entrance on a side of the building I don't remember ever being in. When we get inside its obvious that almost no one is on this side of the building with any frequency.
Surprisingly we see almost nobody for quite a while into our trek. We head to a corridor that I vaguely remember. Caleb lets me know this is near the surveillance area. We very cautiously open the door to the surveillance pod room and notice there is no one in the hallway, the pods look inactive as well except for one. We sneak our way up toward it and see the operator is looking down at his side, we notice that David is in the pod but has not yet noticed us. I signal to Caleb to point his gun at the operator and I will handle David. He nods and rips the door open while I point my gun at David. Both David and the pod operator throw their hands up.
The pod operator looks terrified and asks Caleb "Hey, what's going on?!" We ignore him.
David looks at me condescendingly with his hands still raised. Without breaking eye contact or moving the muzzle of my rifle off David, I tell the operator to sit down with his hands on his head and so long as he doesn't interfere he won't be harmed. He looks to the door and I tell him "sorry, I would let you go but I can't have you going for backup.
**********************[David dies, this is dark AF so if you're tender about these things, feel free to skip along to the next set of stars]
"Tris," David starts. I cock an eyebrow indicating he should continue. "I should have figured you would try something like this." I continue to stare him down, not caring what he is about to say just preparing myself for what I have to do. I think to offer to let him go, but can't think of a way to ensure the safety of Chicago if I do. I don't particularly like the idea of killing again, but I think back to Will's needless death, the death of my parents… so many people all within his power to save and not only did he fail them, he wanted to end all their lives. As far as I am concerned wiping the memories of a person may as well be as bad as stopping their heart.
"Tris," he says again in his patronizing voice, or maybe that's his version of pleading. I begin to ponder what he might say. Would it be false promises of leaving us in peace? Would it be an argument as to why I should fall back in line and let him try again to erase my city? Would he beg for his life? Ugh would he bring up my mother as he begs for his life? I decide I don't want to hear it. "What do you want?" I say lowering my rifle with my left hand while my right hand leaves the trigger to reach for my knife.
"What do you really think you have to say to me now?" I say pulling the knife from my belt and reaching out to slash his throat. My effort is rewarded in a spray of blood but I surge forward plunging the knife in to his chest.
I spare the barest of glances to ensure that Caleb still has his gun trained on the pod operator. Caleb looks a little green and is obviously focusing with everything he has on his task rather than on mine. The pod operator still hasn't moved, and I only spare the thought that his hands are still up. I twist the knife and watch as the light leaves David's eyes. I am so worried about this threat to so many people that I wait until I am sure he is gone, I check his pulse to be sure. I tell the pod operator to hold still for just another few moments. I stand back up and stare at David's corpse long enough to feel certain that even the best doctor can't bring him back.
I look to Caleb for confirmation, slightly amused to realize he knows what I want. He nods and says "Yeah, he's gone for good now." I wipe my knife blade on David's shirt and place it back in its sheath and take up my rifle once more.
I fully expect to feel the same anxiety holding a weapon after this cold blooded murder as much as I felt after the unfortunate kill or be killed situations I came out the "not killed." I feel nothing. I don't have it in me to feel satisfaction at his death, I don't think I am quite that evil but I still don't feel guilty. I suppose the blood on his hands washes away my guilt. It was damn near Four's blood on his hands not hours ago. I resist the urge to spit on his corpse and move on.
I tell the pod operator he is welcome to flee at this point. He does so without delay. "Caleb," I start, "time to find Matthew." He nods and we head out of the surveillance room my rifle at low ready. On our way through we see a crowed in their camoflauge come rushing through, they seem focused on something in the middle of the group and rush by without noticing us.
I expect that wave of guilt once more and when it doesn't come, I begin to wonder if I have broken something inside of me and become a merciless killer. My mind wanders back to Tobias and wonders, will he love me any less if I have lost such a piece of myself? Would he be proud? Would I be horrified if he is proud? No, I realize, he has too good of a heart for that, I hope he just understands. So far in our short time together he has made me a better person in so many ways, maybe he can help me be better here too.
We make our way further in and the few people who see us coming rush out of our way and head for cover. I am relieved I don't have to hurt more people than necessary. Matthew comes rushing up to me a few corridors later. He holds his empty hands out in front of him and says "Tris, Look let's talk, whatever you want, you know I want to help."
"Fine, why don't we just head on up to David's office. You can page anyone else who thinks themselves important on our way up." He nods and proceeds to go to the nearest door, poke his head in and issue soft instructions to the person on the other side.
"Matthew," I say, "you understand if one weapon comes into that office I will end you as well right?"
"As well" he asks. Then says "Ah, you've already found David. Ok." He turns back to the door and speaks softly to the person on the other side again.
We head to David's office which is of course abandoned. I keep Matthew in sight at all times but I nod to Caleb and then in the direction of David's computer at his desk. Caleb heads straight for it and begins typing straight away. I take that as a good sign and decide to focus back on Matthew. He has moved a chair so that its back is to the wall an another in front of it. He sits in the chair with the exposed back and motions for me to sit in the chair which he positioned for cover. I eye it cautiously and look at him to which he replies "A show of good faith, I don't want you to feel like you have to watch your back while we talk. No matter what happens I feel there are some very important things I need to tell you."
"Well," I ask, "Say what you have to say."
"Whatever it is you want, as David's obvious successor I am more than happy to do."
"I want the experiment shut down, I want the data erased, and I want you to leave Chicago alone."
"Done." He says.
"Wait what?" I ask.
"Tris, I have had my doubts about the ethics of the experiment for a while now but after what happened today, it is only right. I would like to add some suggestions though." I scoff. "Hear me out." He says.
"Go on." I say.
"There is a principle in research that says when you are done with the participants of a human experiment you are supposed to put them back in the state in which you received them or better."
"I swear Matthew if you propose wiping memories again…" I start.
He interjects with "No! No! I mean for the better in this instance."
"How so?" I ask. I know my skepticism is showing plainly on my face.
"Well, I know for a fact that the Bureau has plenty of funding. They just made David work for it. They were tired of his crap and wanted to do better things with their resources. To them it was like feeding lab mice whatever experimental drug. If we appeal to them appropriately, I think they would be more than happy to build the lab mice a nicer home and let them live in peace."
"That is more than I had planned to ask for, what makes you so sure?" I ask. This idea sounds far too good to be true so I remain cautious. These people have put me through far too much for me to be willing to just go quietly again.
"Let's just say, I know one of the council members very well, I have better knowledge of how they work than David ever did. He just always felt the need to discount me for my age."
"Why didn't you use that influence when we needed it when he took me!" I growl. I feel like shouting but I am just too tired at this point.
"I know, and I am sorry. I tried but David is... er, was a real pain in the ass with giving me any sort of access to my mother when he needs something."
"Your Mother!?" I say losing control of the volume of my voice. "Well that's stupid, why wouldn't he use you to his advantage?" I ask, confused.
"You're telling me, Tris," He responds with a laugh. "Look Tris, since you took David's ship I've had our people preparing the back-up vehicle getting it out of storage. Once it is ready we will head up to talk to the council. My mother is expecting us and will have the council gathered. Trust me when I say, the idea of not being pestered about this experiment regularly is worth quite a lot to them. The people who support the experiment are embarrassed by the length of time and lack of results. As for everyone else, the experiment is seen as controversial at best, what with testing on human subjects without their knowledge much less consent. I think it will not be as difficult as you think to put an end to that part. The rest might be a bit more difficult. I will help you get what you need and I will try to help you make sure Chicago is not bothered. I would like to maintain a little contact so that should you need anything more in a desperate situation we might be able to help. For now while we wait on that vehicle, how about we have some lunch and talk about what you would like to see for Chicago."
END CHAPTER 1