Part 7 – Trapped
Java stormed out of the base, desperate for some air and peace. She was sick of being ordered around by that arrogant, jumped up little twerp, Ved. He thought just because he was Jay's brother that he could do whatever he pleased, including lording it over Java and Siva, because they were 'just Ram's sex slaves' as he had put it. It had made her furious to hear that said, because right now she knew it was true. Ram was keeping more and more information from them, and cutting down on their duties within the tribe significantly. Java was barely allowed to enter the control room where Jay and Ram spent most of their days huddled up having meeting after meeting with recon officers, techies, spies and who knew who else.
When Ram did request her or Siva's presence it was simply for their use in the bedroom, and nothing else. Java felt trapped. There was no one to help her, no one who could help her. She had thought that by becoming Ram's wife she'd have more power, but now she found she had less. Soon she would have none. Ram had demoted two of the most intelligent women in the tribe to nothing but pretty little wives, to serve him and simper at him. Now he was even demanding that one of them provide him with a child! She shuddered at the thought of carrying Ram's baby. She didn't care if Siva agreed to it, but she never would, never.
Besides, she wouldn't make a baby with a man she didn't love. And Java most certainly did not love Ram. The man she loved barely knew she was alive. He looked at her only as his best friend's wife. He never saw her how she wanted him to see her. He never wanted her like she wanted him.
Jay.
Java knew she could never be with him. She was trapped in a nightmare of a marriage to Ram. He would never let her go. Moreover, Jay was devoted to Ram, he'd never betray his trust. She wouldn't care about her loss of power within the tribe, her demoted status, none of it, if only she had Jay.
She walked to the perimeter of the compound and stood in front of the fence. She stared at the dark city below, tears stinging her eyes. So this was her life now. Locked up, chained to this tribe, and to a man that she hated, with nothing, with not even work to distract her from her pain. For the first time in a very, very long time, Java began to cry. She was startled by the sound of boots pounding across the concrete behind her. She rubbed her hands across her wet eyes quickly. A flashlight shone in her face, and she shut her eyes, momentarily blinded.
"Java! Sorry, I didn't know it was you!"
Java's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Jay's voice.
He lowered the flashlight to the ground, and grinned sheepishly at her. "I was up on the tower, and I saw you here by the fence. I thought you were an intruder."
"It's all right. No harm done. I've probably disrupted your shift, you should go back," Java said nonchalantly, turning from him.
"Nah, I was bored anyway. The night shift isn't much fun," Jay chuckled. "Plus, it's freezing up on that tower!"
"You should get some of the lower officers to do guard duty Jay," Java remarked. "You have more important things to do."
Jay came to stand beside her, and shrugged. "I don't mind really, I like the fresh air and the quiet. So what are you doing out here?"
Java was glad for the darkness, or he would probably have noticed her flushed cheeks and heaving chest. Her whole body reacted drastically, just by him standing near her. "I'm just getting some space. Ved was—"
"Ved was what?"
"Nothing. It's fine."
"Java, you can tell me. I know how irritating Ved can be, trust me! I've lived with him for fifteen years!"
"He was just being a little… insufferable. Acting suspiciously like Ram," Java said, hoping he hadn't noticed the bitter tone in her voice as she said her husband's name.
Jay laughed. It was a full and hearty laugh that made Java smile to herself. She loved to hear him laugh. It was something she didn't get to do very often. Whenever she was around, he was always talking shop with Ram. She rarely got to spend time with him alone and see his more human side. But when she did, it was something she cherished for weeks afterwards. She memorised his wide smile, and the deep laughter lines that framed his mouth. She replayed memories of him running his hand through his spiky blonde hair, over and over again. She thought of how playful his humour was, nothing like Ram's with was dark and mocking.
Even in the darkness now, she could imagine just what his face looked like, lit up with laughter.
"Ved's at an impressionable age. He thinks Ram's god right now," Jay told her.
"Ram thinks Ram is god," Java replied without thinking.
Surprisingly, Jay laughed heartily. "Exactly. Ved's just letting his power go to his head – like Ram is. Ignore him. I'll have a word with him if you want."
"Forget it. He's just a kid. I shouldn't let him get to me."
Jay nodded. He was silent for a moment before speaking again. "I guess congratulations are in order."
Java looked at him, perplexed. "Excuse me?"
"Ram told me you guys are planning to have a baby."
Java let out a strange noise, a strangled cry from the back of her throat. "No! No we are not! He wants one, but… no, no he's not getting one from me Jay, I can assure you."
Jay frowned. "Oh, right. Sorry. I just thought…"
"I'm not the maternal type Jay," Java stated hotly. "Ram will have to get his baby from Siva if he really wants it."
"Are you okay? You sound upset."
"I'm fine. Just tired. I think I'll go to bed now. I'm sorry I kept you from your guard duty," she said, rather formally.
Jay looked bewildered at her change of mood, and wished her good night. She barely heard him though, because she rushed off quickly, a loud rushing screaming in her ears. How dare he! How dare Ram go around bragging that she was giving him a child! Over her dead body would he get a kid out of her! And for him to tell Jay especially… it made Java furious.
Java needed to figure out how she was going to regain her power within the Technos. Yes, regain her power, and stop Ram from trying to turn her into the perfect little homemaker.
-O-
Luke left the Guardian's chambers and exhaled shakily. He had been called in to recount the story of Trudy's apparent suicide again. Almost every day since the event, the Guardian had asked his Lieutenant to tell him over and over exactly what he had seen and what had happened. Dutifully, Luke did so, with coolness and conciseness. But afterwards, he was left a wheezing, trembling wreck. Once he left the Guardian to return to his own quarters, his nerves frazzled completely and every single time he nearly collapsed with fear. This time was no different. Hurriedly walking back to his room, he gladly shut the door behind him. His breath came in short, sharp gasps.
He stared straight ahead of him. How long could he keep this charade up? How long before the Guardian found out the truth and did something drastic? How long before he became so frustrated that Trudy and Brady were 'dead' that he did something drastic anyway?
The leader of the Chosen was restless. He had confided in Luke that he felt at a loss since the demise of the Supreme Mother and the baby. Zoot had called on him to watch over mother and child and this was how he repaid his glorious request? By letting the two of them die? Though they may be with Zoot, their purpose had been to bring his word to the people, to be his blood connection to Earth. Now, the Guardian had told Luke, he must do it for them. He must be the mouth of Zoot. He was talking of going back to recruiting members.
Luke was cautious. He wasn't sure if he was ready to go back out there and be Lieutenant Luke once again. He had become so used to being just Luke… a normal young man, a light and humorous man, a kind and caring man… the man he had been with Trudy. He didn't know if he wanted to change back so soon. Staying in this frame of mind kept Trudy with him a little longer. He didn't want her to leave him for a second time. Luke fell to his bed weakly. He missed her desperately. He felt empty. He was sinning, sinning terribly, but he loved her with every fibre of his being. He loved her more than Zoot, more than the Guardian, more than the Chosen. She filled his every thought and every feeling.
It was terrifying for him to think that he might never see her again. Absolutely terrifying. But she had been unhappy with the Chosen. Though Luke thought that she should have wanted to spread the news of Zoot to the people, he wouldn't make her believe something she didn't want to. If being the Supreme Mother was not something she wanted, then that was her choice. He had helped her leave because she had wanted to leave, simple as that. He would have done anything for her.
All of a sudden, a loud, frenzied knock sounded on Luke's door. Immediately, he stood up and squared his shoulders. "Come in," he said in a loud, authoritative voice.
The door opened and a lower member of the Chosen entered, an excited look on her face. "The Guardian has announced his plans! He wishes to leave at once. Zoot has told him that he must spread his word across the land!" she said breathlessly.
"He wants to leave now?"
"Yes. He has ordered that we pack up and go right away," she nodded.
"Thank you. You are dismissed," he said distractedly and the girl rushed out of the room.
Luke frowned. So his suspicions were correct. The Guardian had been planning to go back out to the people again and begin encouraging them to join the Chosen. Luke had very mixed feelings about that. Very mixed feelings.
-O-
"So we'll have stalls and tents where people can set up and trade, we'd better have different sections for food, equipment, clothes and stuff like that. Also, maybe we could have friendly competitions between tribes - martial arts, singing and the dance competition of course… just to get a good atmosphere going. I was thinking that we could have a big tent for tribal leaders to convene in too. Just somewhere where they can all come and talk to each other, throw around ideas, make plans… and then afterwards maybe we could elect one tribe leader to talk to the crowd on behalf of the others and tell them what the leaders have been discussing."
"That tribal leader meeting sounds good, really good. The trading and competing we had at the last event. Some of it went off well so it's a good idea to include it in this one." Bray nodded appreciatively.
Danni smiled and looked down at her reams of notes. "I thought we should have it on the beach again. I mean everyone knows where it is, it's an open space, it's perfect. I also did a sketch of how we might set all the stalls and things out. We could have the tribe leader's tent right in the middle with a podium outside. All the stalls can go around it in a half-circle and then the competition arenas and things can complete the rest of the circle," she explained, handing him some pages with drawings on them.
Bray glanced at them before looking at her. "This is great, really. Danni… I feel so bad, you've done all the work, all the planning…"
"You've got a tribe to look after! You've been running yourself ragged worrying about everyone. And you've got security watch tomorrow night. I still don't see why you won't leave that to Lex… it is his job Bray," Danni said, exasperated.
"I'm not covering for him Dan, I'm covering for Ryan. He's just gotten married, and I'm worried about Salene – I want Ryan to have more time with her. Anyway, I want to feel like I'm doing something to help this tribe instead of just giving orders."
"Bray you don't just 'give orders'. You work hard, maybe harder than anyone else here," Danni admonished him.
"Everyone in this tribe works…" Bray said, thinking of how they had all really gotten into a routine of cooperation lately. If even Lex was pulling his weight now, then something was going right with the Mallrats, and Bray was proud of all of them.
"I still think you've got it the worst," Danni said stubbornly with a little grin.
"You," Bray shook his head. "What am I gonna do with ya?"
He leaned in and kissed Danni sweetly. Reluctantly, he pulled away and cupped her cheek.
"I have to go and talk to Trudy," he said with a sigh.
"You should. She's not getting any better."
"I know… but me and you are spending time together later," Bray said firmly.
"We're always together!" Danni laughed.
"No, we're always together planning things, or discussing the tribe, or worrying about problems…" Bray corrected. "We're more like business partners than anything else!"
"We're much more than business partners," Danni said, with a flirtatious hint in her voice.
Bray shot her a playful grin. "Don't I know it. I'll see you later. Don't you go anywhere," he said, standing up.
"Don't worry. I won't," Danni shot back.
Bray gave her one last, long look before turning and leaving their room.
-O-
Ebony entered the Mall through the car park with Spike and a few Militia members trailing behind her. Spike trudged along, a hostile look on his face. Patsy and Cloe had Jack's CD player, blaring down by the Phoenix fountain. Scrunching up her face at the noise spewing from the speakers, Ebony stalked over and switched it off.
"Hey!" Cloe exclaimed.
"We're practising! Turn it back on!" Patsy said, petulantly placing her hands on her hips.
"Practising for what?" Ebony asked derisively.
"The dance competition. This time none of your mean Locos are gonna cheat and win it," Cloe said archly.
Spike raised and eyebrow and stepped forward. "That was at the Tribal Gathering," he said, looking at Ebony.
"Thanks for that Sherlock," Ebony spat at him. "What's going on?" she asked the girls.
"Ebony… how are you today?" Trudy asked evenly, coming down the stairs with Brady.
"Just fine," Ebony said smoothly, unbridled venom bubbling up inside of her.
"Good. The kids are practising for the dance competition. Are the Locos thinking of putting in another… entry?" Trudy asked easily, her tone clearly referring to how the Locos had cheated Tai-San out of winning the first time round.
"Oh I don't know… depends on what the prize is I suppose," Ebony shot back.
"I suppose it does," Trudy answered, sending her a long look as she passed by. "Have fun girls," she smiled at Patsy and Cloe, before walking around the fountain and heading down a corridor.
"Ebony. Where have you been? Bray and I have a lot to talk to you about," Danni said, appearing with some notepads in her arms.
Looking away from Trudy's retreating figure, Ebony felt her hatred for another rise. "Let me guess… Tribal Gathering number two?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
So the great Danni had an event planned. Something to bring the City together and make people… what? Work together, co-operate, forgive and forget? Ebony fought to stop herself from laughing aloud. It would be a cold day in hell when the Demon Dogs came together to lend the Locos a helping hand. The turf wars were still fresh in Anubis' mind… he would never forget how Zoot had waged unrestrained war against him and his tribe.
And the Outcasts? Would they be able to play happy families with the tribes who had turned them out onto the street? Ebony could think of dozens more problems between different tribes that weren't forgotten even now, not by a long shot.
"Yes as a matter of a fact," Danni replied. "Girls, why don't you go rehearse down in the basement, huh? You'd have more space and privacy."
"I guess," Patsy said, grabbing the CD player as Cloe picked up the battery.
As the kids left, Ebony spoke. "Another Gathering, well, that's just a… great idea," she said, a dark smirk pulling at the corners of her plump lips. A great disaster more like. She'd help with this, oh she would… and watch it fall apart in front of Danni's eyes.
"I'm glad you think so. Could you speak to Lex about security for the Gathering?" Danni asked, scribbling something in her notes.
"Security? Worried about some trouble?" Ebony asked in a suggestive tone.
"We just want to be careful. Now could you please do that?" Danni asked in a haughty voice, before walking away.
"You'll get what's coming to you," Ebony muttered.
"Such a nice girl. Beautiful too. I think her and Bray'll go the distance. What do you think?" Spike asked, laughter in his voice.
"I think you need to go talk to pretty boy about Danni's precious security," Ebony snapped, glaring up at Spike.
Spike raised his eyebrows. "I'm not doing your dirty work."
"You'll do it or you're out. Now go!" Ebony shouted, pointing upstairs.
Spike gave a derisive laugh and turned gesturing to his officers to follow him up the stairs.
"No, I want two of them with me," Ebony said, pointing to a few of the Militia.
"Why?" Spike demanded.
"I don't have to answer to you," Ebony snorted, smoothing her hands over her shiny leather pants. "Now go do what you're told lackey," she snapped.
Spike shot her a disgusted and furious glare before marching up the wide staircase, stomping all the way. Four of the Militia followed him while the two Ebony had picked stayed behind.
"Now boys, we've got a little trek ahead of us. Move out," Ebony demanded, and pushed them ahead of her. She had some business to attend to… and urgently.
As Ebony stalked out with the two guards, Spike stopped at the top of the staircase. He pulled a member of the Militia aside. "Follow them. Don't get caught… or you'll get dead, and that's a promise," he hissed to him. "Go!" he hurled the young man in front of him, and he scurried back down the stairs, cautiously following Ebony's path.
-O-
