Chapter 6
TOBIAS
Play it cool Tobias, I reminded myself. Play it cool. Don't react. I took a deep breath. "Did you now?" I asked, feigning nonchalance, my mind racing at what she could possibly know. Not about Tris. Not about Cara's serum – Christina and Cara had had a bit of a falling out when Christina had started dating a guy from the Fringe, Sam. It hadn't lasted long, but their friendship had never been the same.
"I certainly did," she replied, "And I bet you know what it is."
"No clue," I replied, unable to come up with something feasible unless it was about me going on as a Dauntless trainer, umm I mean Police trainer.
"You're lying. You know I can tell when you're lying," she replied and crossed her arms. I shrugged and feigned innocence. "Ok fine, I heard you are seeing someone," she said at last and I forced myself to not laugh. Seeing someone could be a good cover to "disappear" for periods of time while I was trying to see Tris.
"Where did you hear that?" I asked, trying to keep the smile from my face.
"Never you mind," she replied and the smile burst through. I couldn't help it. "It's true, I knew it!" she said and jabbed me in the shoulder. "Who is she?"
"Never you mind," I replied back, copying her words. I did wonder where she had heard it though. But it worked for me for now. Hopefully it wouldn't come back and bite me on the ass. Now that I knew it wasn't going to get awkward between us, I slung an arm over her shoulder. "Keep it between us for now," I said. I didn't want to have to answer questions about it all the time.
"Of course," she replied.
"What gave me away?" I asked.
"A few things," she said mysteriously. I looked at her for a minute but it seemed neither of us would spill so left it at that just as Shauna, Hana and Zeke came in from the kitchen with the food and laid it out on the table and we all sat down.
The Dauntless (or ex-Dauntless) didn't say prayers as we had in Abnegation, but I knew from previous experience that Hana and Zeke would bow their head for a second in thought and thanks before everyone dug in. "Cheers," said Zeke and we passed the food around.
"Cheers," I echoed. Given my new promise to myself about better observing people, I thought I would start tonight as I watched how Shauna and Zeke interacted with each other. Shauna's confidence had taken a severe nose-dive after the accident but since she was getting around so well now with the leg braces, she was starting to shine again. Not being able to work in Dauntless or something like it had been hard for her to take. And once she was able to run, dodge and jump again, perhaps she could look at being a trainer or something.
Zeke had trusted Shauna with the fact he was spying, and he was devastated when Shauna was fighting for her life after the bullet hit her. He was the first to get her to smile and laugh again after she recovered and she got over the whole Divergent thing. I remember that being harder on Tris than she cared to admit.
Zeke had always spent a lot of time with Shauna, even during our initiate days and I wondered now if I had missed something then. Although Zeke was always with other women and on dates while I was the odd one out always wondering what I had done to offend the friend I was meant to be keeping occupied. It wasn't until I became a trainer that I realised I had appeal. I had something other women wanted.
Something that Tris wanted.
"Sorry what was that?" I asked Hana, realising I had tuned out the conversation and she just asked me something.
"I asked about how the new transportation plan was going. I've heard that there is a major operation underway to improve the buses, trains and roads. And something about these planes as well?" Hana asked. She had been informed of the technology of their airplanes but had not yet seen one. I had been told by Christina that Uriah had really loved the sensation of flying. I was glad he was coming back. He was always such a joker.
"There certainly is. Johanna is an advocate improving all forms of communication between the sectors including the Fringe and Milwaukee and she sees the improvement of the transport system across the board, not just in Chicago, as a vital step in making this happen," I said, quite passionately.
"Sounds like the project was your idea?" Zeke said, this time absolutely stunning me with his insight. I had pushed the project before the 'People's Revolutionists' had come about and because the project had been highlighted as a priority beginning a month ago (and well publicised) it was currently going a long way to calming the population.
"It was actually," I replied and was surprised at how much I enjoyed admitting as much. I hadn't pushed many items of my own agenda, now what I considered important as yet as I was still the assistant and there was already so much to do. It all takes time.
"Good for you," Hana said smiling. She seemed to recognise the need I had to be and feel appreciated. Johanna was a great boss and an exceptional politician and definitely had the people as her priority, but it in no way diminished how much I wanted to see happen and the changes I wanted to see. Johanna and I had different priorities in how to best serve the people. So we didn't clash but it wasn't often that my priority projects were her priority projects. But she was by far the best person to learn from.
"Thanks," I replied. Thinking about these projects and the best way to move the city forward was the best way I knew to distract myself. But despite all of that, seeing Tris again had been an incredible experience. It wasn't awkward or unfamiliar. It was as if no time had passed. At the time I didn't even think about it but realistically it had been three years since I had seen her or spoken to her or kissed her – apart from in my mind. Although technically that is still what it was.
After dinner Hana brought out a chocolate cake that reminded me of the Dauntless cake but this was even more delicious. It was rich, moist and downright incredible to eat. And before I could even compliment the baker, Zeke jumped in.
"Thanks mum, this was the best cake yet. Better than Dauntless cake," Zeke said. And I saw Shauna blush. Interesting.
"Thanks son, but Shauna made it," Hana said. Shauna looked up at Zeke through her lashes and Hana smiled knowingly as Zeke blushed. Shauna cleared her throat then pinned me with a gaze.
"How is Matthew doing these days?" she asked.
"I haven't spoken to him in a while. Last I heard he was beginning to make a breakthrough in his research of memories. I have actually been meaning to go and see him. I might do that tomorrow," I replied. "Christina, do you still keep in touch with him?"
"Not as often as I would like. He's been rather elusive, losing himself in his research. I think he was hit by Tris' death harder than we believed. Either that or he was always a workaholic. But they did seem to get close very quickly," Christina replied and it was times like this I hated the Candor in her. Given that I had never cared for or loved anyone except for Tris, it was incredibly rare for me to get jealous. Now was one of those rare times. And it was also why Matthew and I never became as good friends as we probably otherwise would have – even in spite of my lack of Divergent genes and him being the one to let that bomb drop.
"I think the deaths of all our friends and family hit us all harder than we cared to admit," Hana said diplomatically after seeing the emotions flick across my face. Hana was Dauntless born and raised, as were her children so she was always very regal in her dealing with emotions. I admired that in her. She held herself to high standards and was always brave.
"Here, here," I said and we raised our glasses. A late toast to our fallen family.
"Have you heard about our new intake coming from Jericho?" Christina suddenly asked and reminded me.
"No, where is Jericho?" Zeke replied.
"Some place we haven't heard of. North Carolina? North Carolina? Apparently they have been doing training at an old military base – Fort Bragg?" Christina replied. I had read about the "States" since our reintegration into the country. Though I hadn't heard anything about a training centre out there, nor of any colonies.
"How many are coming?" Shauna asked.
"A contingent of ten so I hear," Christina replied. "They call themselves the Protectors," she added and I frowned slightly. Protectors of what?
"Protectors of what?" Zeke asked, echoing my thoughts.
"Yeah of what?" Shauna added.
"That's about all I know. They should be here in about a week so I hear. Permanent transfers?" she replied though the last part sounded like a question. Interesting, I thought. Perhaps I would come on to the Police Force as a trainer? No. I needed to concentrate on whatever this was with Tris as well as my career in trying to sort out the disgruntled members of the Fringe.
"Has there been any talk through your channels about the People's Revolutionists?" I asked Christina.
"I have heard of them. Word is spreading through the Fringe about them. I've heard there are flyers around stating that Chicago and the Bureau are creating its members to be able to be programmed and wiped at any time. Which when you think about the serums Erudite developed they probably aren't far wrong. Jeanine Matthews developed the serum which effectively implanted and programmed the people into doing what she wanted. Hell I was one that was programmed. And although we weren't wiped, sometimes I wish we were," Christina said and a tear ran down her cheek that she quickly wiped away.
"So they are saying that Chicago and the Bureau are using it as mind control?" Hana clarified. Christina nodded. "Don't they know what's been going on and how Chicago was used with the Factions?"
"They are claiming that the technology wasn't destroyed and that we have been trying to weaken them before we "implant" them to be who we want and do who we want. It isn't really that far-fetched," Christina added. That was true, but it wasn't as if that was our current focus. That had been a problem caused by an egocentric women who wanted to eradicate what made us human and make us her robots so she could rule the Factions.
"You're right it's not. But why focus their attack on Chicago? We have bent over backwards to change everything that had occurred and to make this a much more equal society. Christina works assisting those wishing to move here to the city. Zeke works with the police force to make sure the people are safe. Four works to make sure the right action is taken in government. What more do they want?" Shauna spoke passionately. I wondered if she had had a run in with someone who was focused on this. Christina on the other hand didn't seem so concerned about it all which surprised me given she was ex-Dauntless and we were taught to protect the people and ensure there were no riots or violence. To be brave.
"I think question should be more WHO started it than WHY," Caleb said. This was the first time he had weighed in on the conversation. I almost forgot he was sitting there with us. We all looked at him. "Well yes, the technology existed with the serums to do what they are talking about. And presumably even though it was destroyed, the people who created it would be able to do it again. And we all know what Tris did with the Bureau. People accepted the change because that was what they needed at the time and that was what gave them a greater sense of belonging and safety. So what has happened that would make them doubt that now? And who would want to make them doubt that now? Who has the most to gain from it?"
It amazed me that I never noticed this side of Caleb. Even when he was working against us, thinking he knew better about trusting the Erudite and turning in his sister. I had actually always thought of Caleb as book smart, not situationally smart. But he had an excellent point right now. We all stared at him in silence, contemplatively. I thought about sharing my views but something about Christina being there and her sudden distaste of everything that had been improved had me worried. But then, Tris trusted her implicitly. Perhaps I should too.
"Well perhaps we need to take another step back and look at who has gained the most from the new world order," I said and Caleb nodded.
"Good point. Johanna has certainly gained a lot. She was the unspoken leader of Amity but now she is akin to a ruler. Not that she is a dictator but she is probably one of the few who are closest to it. I would have said your mother Tobias, but she stepped down from power a long time ago and seems content to just be herself," Caleb said, thinking aloud.
"George and Amar have moved into a different kind of leadership position, controlling the police force. That would be a good advantage," Shauna added, choosing specifically to not single out Zeke who could almost be put in the same category.
"Ok so they seem to be the main three people who have gained a lot as a result of the changes, so who has the most to gain by seeing them taken out of the equation? Seeing them lose their power," Caleb said.
"Isn't that the question of the day?" Hana asked and Zeke and I snuck a look at each other. Question of the day? Hardly. If only she knew.
"That should give you some idea of where to start looking into it huh Zeke?" Shauna asked and Zeke nodded. "Perhaps you could look into it from your end too Four?" I nodded. And I would definitely go and see Matthew tomorrow.
"Thanks for dinner Hana, but I have to get back," Christina said as we finished dessert. Caleb nodded as well, looking at his watch. I think he wanted to get out of here before we made him jump on and off trains again.
"I should also be going. Thank you Hana," Caleb said and left with Christina with a wave to us and a sheepish smile. He still wasn't over being busted at Cara's.
"Four, can you please give me a hand to take these to the kitchen?" Hana asked and I looked at Zeke and Shaun.
"Definitely," I said and picked up a handful of plates and quickly left the room. But not without a sneaky glance back at the two of them.
"So, I've missed you," Zeke said quietly and then all I could hear was murmuring and dishes clanging as Hana began stacking the plates to wash. Damn.