Protector of Men Ch 76
They were both silent, moving listlessly with the crowd around them, walking out of the hall. Few words had been spoken since the dance. Moments of euphoric nostalgia flashed through their minds that only served to intensify the already apparent tension.
"Well," Shade sighed as they walked further, the crowd thinning, "This is me."
"My elevator, I mean," He added, scratching the back of his neck. Zandra nodded with an unconscious frown.
"I'll see you later then," She said.
"Yeah…"
"Yeah." A quick wave, and she had departed. Shade watched her go, then slowly unlocked the door to his apartment.
Myrrh was in his room as he entered.
"Hey, Myrrh, I told you I didn't want you here tonight."
"Man," Myrrh said, his hands up in innocence, "I needed a place to crash. Those ladies…"
"Come on, get out."
"That one chick? Man, Shade, my buddy." Myrrh put a chummy arm around Shade, who threw it off in disgust, "She is it! Woah, Shade."
"Myrrh, go."
"Hey!" he suddenly exclaimed, eyes wide in epiphanic pleasure, "You two should come over here!"
"Nice suggestion. Now leave."
"Aww – you wouldn't throw a beggar out in the snow?"
"There's no such thing."
And with that, Shade finally shoved Myrrh out of his room. Solitude finally achieved, he collapsed onto his bed to finish Ulysses.
"Are we leaving?"
"Oh no," she said, shaking her head vigorously, "We go in a week."
Zandra was quiet as she waited for Kesia to continue.
"But Cover wants us to get a look at the ship."
"Now?"
"Yeah."
And soon they were off on a journey to the docking bay to meet with the rest of Purgatory's crew.
The USS Libertas.
It was almost a humorous name; it evoked an idea of grandeur, of the pinnacle of machinery, though it was neither. Libertas was small; much smaller than Purgatory, and even smaller than Stotte. Trim, Cover and Shade stood in front of the hovercraft ready to greet them.
"This is the USS Libertas," Cover said as they approached. He glanced back to the ship, and then turned to face Zandra again.
"It's smaller, so we'll have to cut down on crew."
Everything was silent for a second; everyone looked around, trying to decipher what Cover had just told them.
"I can go," Trim said, stepping forward. Zandra's eyes were wide with sudden comprehension, but Cover's expression betrayed her feeling.
"That's not necessary," he said, staring unblinking at Trim. Trim held his gaze.
"Alias is staying behind."
"Why?" Zandra shot, surprising herself.
"She's undergoing some physical rehabilitation."
There was an awkward pause. Cover coughed, then continued.
"We'll be leaving on Tuesday. Zandra, do you know what we need to be doing?"
"We need to contact Neo," she said.
"Anything else? Do we have a plan?"
Zandra paused for a second; her shoulders drooped a little.
"No."
"Then find someone who can help you with that."
Zandra nodded.
And they took a tour of the ship; Zandra was surprised (and a little worried) to hear that they might have to double up rooms. Everyone looked around and did a silent check of possible roomies. Zandra looked forward, so did Shade. Their eyes never met.
"Only three at a time can jack in," Cover told them as they came in on the main deck. Kesia sat at the control chair and ran her hands along the keyboards. It wasn't like Purgatory, but it would have to do.
And soon enough the tour was over, and they all departed.
"Hey Zandra," Shade called, as she was about to leave. Her heart began to pound.
"Yeah?"
"Are you going to talk to Emory?"
"I think so."
"I saw him earlier on the 11th floor. He might still be there."
"Thanks."
"So, ah – what are you doing later?"
"I dunno. I may be with Emory for a while."
"Oh. Well I'll see you later."
"Yeah."
"Bye."
"Bye."
And she was alone again. Zandra started to make her way to the eleventh floor, though she was in no hurry. She tried to keep her mind from wandering during the long elevator ride. Once the doors opened, she kept her eyes peeled for any sign of Emory. But strangely, he seemed to be doing the same.
"Zandra," she heard him call in a hoarse voice. She turned to her right and saw that he was coming to her, his arm waving jerkily. His gait was erratic and he had a hint of a limp – but he was quick nonetheless.
"Hello, Emory," Zandra said, putting on a warm smile. Emory did not return it.
"We have much to talk about," He said, taking her arm. Zandra let herself be steered back into the elevator and watched as he guarded the door from any passerby's. Once it was closed, he turned back to her.
"You got Neo out."
"Yes," Zandra replied, "He's staying with the Oracle for now."
"The Oracle?" He looked almost concerned; his eyes were wide.
"I didn't want him to, but he is."
"That will be fine for now," he allowed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "The Oracle has gained too much leverage here."
Zandra nodded. "I heard a lot of people see her now."
"Too many," Emory continued, "If they knew…"
Zandra watched him expectantly.
"She's got a lot of secrets," he said, "She's not what they all think she is."
"I had a feeling," Zandra answered, "I don't trust her."
"Good. She's already led too many astray."
"What is she trying to do?"
"She's idolizing you," he said, eyes wandering the still-ascending elevator, "She'll get them excited about a prophecy."
"About me," she said, almost as a question. Emory nodded quickly.
"From there it will be downhill."
"So what do I do?" she asked after a long pause. Emory was nodding to himself, but soon shook out of it and addressed her.
"Go back to him as soon as you can, and get him to tell you everything he knows. We can't win the war just from the Oracle, and you'll need to know as much as you can."
There was a pause, and then he continued:
"There are many things you still don't know about this world."
The elevator suddenly slowed to a halt, and Emory jumped out.
"I have work to do for now," he said without looking directly at Zandra, "But we will talk later."
With that, he leapt down the hallway and out of her sight. Without a plan, Zandra glumly made her way back down to Stephen's apartment.
There was no plan, and days before she'd depart. She sat on the bed in his apartment and stared at the wall. She couldn't be a leader if she didn't know the way. There was no plan. Why would the Oracle make them follow a hollow leader? Zandra sighed. Stephen's apartment exuded gloominess. This was all once his. He had stayed here, and his essence pervaded the room. I can't stay, she thought, and got back up. It was no use thinking about him longer. It was a fait accompli, and nothing more could be done.
Zion needed some more exploring.
The door slammed shut behind her, and she didn't look back. Only a few days before they were going back out. She'd have to make the best of every second.
A/N – that's the end of rectitude! Wow, that was super-long. I'll be revising this once I get reprise done… my beta-reader is helping me with that. Again, thank you ever so much to all my faithful reviewers! I'm going to have to wait a while before I start ravaged, so I can appropriately adjust for revolutions. So excited!!
