This is hell, I'm pretty sure. I've been standing here for more than an hour listening to everyone's fondest recollections of the person I'm least fond of in this world. I really think that my ears might be about to start bleeding, but that would mean that I wouldn't be able to hear anymore and then my suffering would end. I should be so lucky.
Add to that I haven't been able to get anywhere near my quarry, Max is being guarded tighter than Tutankhamen's treasure, and she probably doesn't realize it. Every time I've made a move within twenty feet of her another damn transgenic has come up to shake my hand and thank me for coming. All the while Mole and Kate are sending these little smirks in my direction that I would dearly love to blast off of their faces, but we all know that I don't stand a chance in hell, exoskeleton or not.
"Thank you all for sharing your touching words of support with us today. I think I speak for every one of us when I say that our movement has lost a great leader, and that we have all felt the deep loss of a personal friend. If you would all join me in a moment of silence in Alec's memory." I take this opportunity while everyone has their heads bowed down to creep a few inches closer to Max for a better view.
She still looks radiant beneath the tearstained puffiness, her hair spilling like raven's wings to cover the delicate oval of her face. I don't often have the opportunity of seeing her in a dress and I soak in the way that it softens her curves. She holds her hands demurely over her stomach, and the black of her clothing pales her skin to a light shade of gold.
"Mr. Cale." So rapt am I in the contemplation of my once love that I completely miss the approach of the weedy teenage girl at my shoulder.
"Elizabeth wasn't it? How pleasant to see you under, uhm, more pleasant circumstances." I wince inwardly at my didactic wording, but my full attention is otherwise occupied and this little chit of a thing is hardly worth my notice.
"Well I felt that it was my duty to attend. After all, that poor boy lost his life helping to rescue me. I know that I didn't speak with him much, but it seems like such a shame that he died and left such a pretty young wife behind." She smiles up at me with guileless brown eyes like a big veal calf's.
"She isn't his wife. I mean she wasn't his wife." I blurt the words out quickly without giving them much thought. The little twinge of a smile works its way up to her mouth.
"Well I guess that it doesn't really matter when you truly love someone. I'm sure she still feels her loss very keenly." The brash little thing is daring me to challenge her, she knows that there was something between myself and Max once. My irritation jumps to the fore.
"You surely aren't here by yourself are you? This is an awfully dangerous place for a little girl." Let her stew on that implied threat for a while. It doesn't seem to affect her much though.
"I was accompanied by my mother. She said that she had a few things to discuss with Miss Guevara. I can only assume that it pertains to the death of her uh, paramour." A meeting with the senator eh? Max wouldn't let me in on the first one, but there's no one to stop me from being a fly on the wall during the second meeting.
"Let me escort you to the drink tent Ms. Elizabeth." I turn on my charm to nine and offer the little girl my hand with a smile. After a moment's hesitation she accepts the invitation and we head off in the same direction that Max went. Let them try to stop me from getting close this time, they'll have to bash the girl out of the way too.
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Back on the island of Cano Pelour…
I storm up the stairs two at a time, my incandescent fury propelling me through the midday crowds. My doctor's coat billows and flows around my knees adding bulk to my thin frame. I take only a small pleasure for once in the fact that people are all but flinging themselves over the abutment to get out of my way.
I have incontrovertible proof this time of Steven's screw ups, and I will not fail to get him kicked out of the enclave once and for all. The twenty flights of stairs barely affect my heart and lungs and I know with pride that I am the strongest of Father's children. Now if only Father will listen to reason and get rid of that raving idiot, my life might just be perfect.
Last flight of stairs, sun pours down on me now because I've finally reached the top level where Father's study, and the greenhouses reside. This is the only portion of the compound that reaches near the above ground. Taking a moment to quell my impatience, I take a few deep breaths before pounding loudly on the study door. A small click signals that Father has unlocked the door, and shoving the insubstantial piece of wood aside I storm into the office.
"What seems to be the problem Corri?" Father's voice is as gravely and soothing as always but it will not calm me today.
"That idiot, that flaming imbecile. He took the wrong person, and I think he may have done a great harm." Father gives me a measured and considering look, the grave lines of his face crinkling in an almost internal smile.
"What has Steven done to upset you my dear?" He knows that it's Steven, but that's nothing new. Steven has been a thorn in my side for years.
"He took a young man during the war between the drones and the other's who came to fight Pardidos." Father holds up his forefinger and I fall instantly silent, damn training.
"This should not be news to you Corri. I told everyone that I planned on taking one of the strangers. As unkind as that may have been, it is an unfortunate necessity if I am to save you and all of my children from Pardidos' hand." I lean closer to Father, balancing my hands on the old wooden desk.
"But you don't understand. Steven did something horrible. Not only did he remove one of the clone specimens from my care, but he may have caused great damage. The poor boy he took has been mated, very recently at that." A small thrill of triumph fills my stomach as Father frowns deeply. This time I win.