Carmela and her best friend Rachel weaved around holes in the sidewalk as they speed-walked toward their office building. They quickly passed grand, dilapidated buildings, remnants of a vibrant city ruled by the Guilds before the Empire’s shadow fell. Carmela clutched her satchel’s fraying strap, hoping she hadn’t made them late by digging through her closet in a fruitless search for a stronger bag to carry the treat she’d made for the Imperial-approved once-a-month office celebration. She looked over at Rachel. “You’re going tonight, right?”
“You mean to the block party?” Rachel’s shorter legs worked hard to keep up with Carmela as they moved along the crumbling sidewalk.
“Of course.”
“Dad’s still against me going.” Rachel adopted her father’s lecturing tone. “The Imperial Occupation is a fact of life, like rain and rolling blackouts. Sticking your neck out will only draw trouble you don’t want.”
Carmela watched as two other workers ducked into the former headquarters of the Merchant Guild. The Empire didn’t allow Guild history to be taught or even written about, but Carmela’s grandmother had been proud of her heritage. She’d taught Carmela and her cousins to be proud of their Ankaran roots, even though they’d been born into Imperial territory. She looked around to be sure no one was near, then lowered her voice. “I don’t know. Peotr thinks things can change.”
Rachel sighed. “Your cousin is a hero.”
“Woah,” Carmela chuckled. “Don’t give him too much credit. It’s one thing to write songs about freedom. But actually fighting for it?”
“No, he wouldn’t!” Rachel shoved her hands into the pockets of her thin winter coat. “Would he? The Empire would execute him.”
“It’s harmless talk.” Carmela used a soothing tone. “No one wants to fight.”
They rounded a corner, catching sight of an armed soldier leaning against a building, sinister in the ubiquitous black and gold uniform of the Empire.
Carmela leaned down and whispered, “It’s that jerk, Maddy.”
Rachel wrinkled her forehead. “I have nothing to give him today.”
Carmela tightened her grip on her bulging bag. “Quick, let’s cross the street before he sees us.” Carmela picked up her pace, dragging Rachel along. “If he sees us, remember to try Peotr’s mind shield.”
The mind shield was a silent mantra that her cousin was teaching everyone, hoping it would help mask their true thoughts from the Imperial mind readers. There’s no problem. No problem. No problem.
“Should I start now?” A moment later, Rachel groaned when she kicked a broken street lamp, the tinkling glass ringing out through the nearly deserted street. “Sorry.”
Maddy turned his head lazily at the sound, smirking when he saw them. “Well, look what we got here.” He straightened up and headed toward them, eying Carmela’s satchel. “Got something good for me today?
Rachel hung back, squeezing her hands together.
Carmela whispered, “Yes, now.” She felt a crawling sensation along her scalp and shuddered, hoping that Peotr’s trick would keep the soldier out of her thoughts. There’s no problem. No problem. No problem. Carmela shrugged and spoke up. “Just my lunch.”
Maddy rolled his eyes. “You’re right. There will be no problem as long as you do as I say.” He held out his hand for the bag. “Let’s see what you brought.”
“Sure, no problem.” Carmela chuckled nervously at this confirmation that he was reading her thoughts. No problem, no problem. She pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle and held it out, shoving the partially empty bag behind her. She grabbed Rachel’s elbow. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
“Hold up.” Maddy held Carmela’s wrapped lunch in one hand as he stepped in front of Rachel. “What about you?”
Rachel hunched inward. “I don’t have anything.”
Maddy shook his head in mock sadness. “Rachel, Rachel, Rachel. You know the rule. You make my life easier, and I don’t make your life any harder.”
Carmela clenched her fists, staring at a puddle of water. “Imperial soldiers aren’t supposed to harass Ankarans.”
Maddy scoffed. “This isn’t harassment. This is tax-collecting. So what gives, Rachel? Why can’t you pay your tax today?”
Rachel looked at her feet.
Maddy narrowed his eyes as he stared at her.
Rachel winced, putting a hand to her forehead as Maddy laughed with derision. “So you gave your lunch to your sister? That wasn’t very smart. Now, what are you going to do?”
Carmela clenched her fist as she looked to see if anyone was around. It was a pointless instinct. Only another Imperial soldier could intervene. Why would one of those people bother to help a couple of poor Ankarans?
“Uh, what can I give you?” Rachel patted her pockets before taking off her jacket. “You can take my coat.”
“What?” Carmela shook her head. “No, don’t give him that.”
“I’ll take it.” Maddy smiled, a hint of cruelty showing in the curved lips. “Next time, you’ll remember to bring something.”
Carmela put her hand on Rachel’s elbow and stood up straight. “Corporal Maddy, that lunch was for both of us. That’s our tax for today.” No problem, no problem. She kept up her mental chant, hoping he would just let them leave.
“Well, then, let’s see if what you brought me is good enough.” He let the towel fall open and stared at the contents in his hand, sneering. “Dry bread, a potato, and a shriveled apple?” He dropped the food, kicking the apple into the road. “What kind of crap meal is this? My rations are better than this.”
Rachel made a sound of dismay. She started to chase after the apple, but stood still.
Carmela stared at the bread lying on the dirty sidewalk, anger temporarily drowning out the ever-present hunger. She forgot about her mental mantra as she glared at Maddy.
Maddy’s eyes widened. Then his smile turned gleeful. “You are hiding something better. Give me the box.”
Carmela mentally kicked herself. Why’d she let herself get distracted? There’s no problem. “This is just work stuff. Nothing that’d interest you.”
Maddy held out his hand. “Oh, the cake in that box interests me. Hand it over, and we’ll call it even.”
“I can’t! This is for the monthly celebration at work. It’s my turn to bring the cake.”
Maddy shrugged. “So make another. I don’t care.”
Rachel slowly bent down to pick up the bread, brushing off the dirt before pushing it into a pocket.
Carmela shook her head, “Come on, I saved for three months to buy the ingredients.”
“Boo-hoo. You should have saved enough to make two cakes.”
The morning bells rang, making them officially late for work. Carmela groaned.
Rachel wrung her hands. “We’re late.”
“That’s a demerit for you girls.” He walked toward Carmela. “Cake-less and an extra hour on the work party this week. Not a great start to the day.”
Rachel said, “Give it to him. It’s not worth it.”
Carmela ignored her as she glared at Maddy. “You’re such a bully. You have no right to take our cake.” She tried to move around him.
He stepped in front of her.
She dashed to the side, trying to avoid his reach, but as soon as she moved, he was there in front of her.
“I can read your mind, hon.” He snorted. “I know what you’re going to do as soon as you do. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
Carmela started a mental commentary, trying to think as loudly as she could so he couldn’t detect her intentions. No, just leave me alone. Go away. Go away! GO AWAY! She zigged and zagged, trying to get past the soldier.
Maddy winced. “Stop shouting.”
“Then stop listening!” Carmela darted past him, cradling the cake still tucked in her bag. “Rachel, run!”
“What?” Rachel picked up the potato. “Oh, coming!”
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Maddy ran past Rachel as he chased after Carmela.
Carmela glanced back to see Rachel dart into the road, but Maddy’s fast approaching shape grabbed her attention. She tried to think as loudly as she could, Leave me alone! She veered to one side and then the other, hoping to avoid his grasp.
“Come here, you little–.” Maddy lunged, missing Carmela but latching onto her satchel.
His yank on the strap pulled Carmela off-balance. She shouted as she twisted, trying to pull the strap from Maddy’s hand.
“No!” Rachel yelled, “Leave her alone!” She threw the potato, smacking Maddy on the cheek.
“Ow!” He jerked on the strap, causing it to snap.
The sudden stop of their tug-of-war sent Carmela tripping over a chunk of sidewalk. She clutched the bag as she landed hard on her knees. Grimacing at the sudden pain in her knees, she stared in disbelief at the intact cake box cradled in her hands.
A commanding female voice rang out. “That’s enough!”
Carmela saw a tall woman in an Imperial uniform crossing the street with long, confident strides. She noticed the officer’s gold buttons and intricate braid, but the purple sash was new to her.
Maddy stood his ground, crossing his arms as he watched the approaching officer.
“Oh!” Rachel sank to her knees, putting her forehead on the ground, palms flat on the crumbling sidewalk.
Carmela stared at her friend, dumbfounded. She had seen no one bow so deeply before.
Maddy glared at her as the woman approached. He hissed, “On your face, worm. And keep your mouth shut.”
Carmela’s face burned. Abasing herself in front of anyone felt deeply wrong. “Why should I? You’re not even standing at attention.”
A look of disdain crossed his face. “I don’t bow like that to someone like her.”
Rachel hissed, “Carmela, that’s a royal.”
Carmela’s mind whirled as she set her satchel down as far from Maddy as she could. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to lower her head to the rough, broken sidewalk. A royal? This must be one of the many cousins of the new Rathanian Empress. But what was a royal officer doing here in Ankara? Why would one of them visit a backwater territory of the Empire? And why wouldn’t Maddy bow to a royal?
The officer stopped in front of them, putting her hands on her hips. “What’s the problem, corporal?”
Maddy slowly dropped his arms and stood at attention. “No problem, Major. Just taking these lazy girls to work.”
Carmela’s mouth dropped open as she stared at a furry caterpillar crawling along the sidewalk under her nose. How could Maddy lie to a mind reader? She hadn’t even known that was possible.
“I have eyes, corporal.”
Maddy cleared his throat. “Um, —.”
The officer’s crisp tone was not unkind as she said, “On your feet, ladies. I see one of you keeps up on Imperial politics.”
Carmela pushed herself up, wincing at the pain in her knees.
“Y-yes, ma’am.” Rachel’s voice was tremulous, but Carmela heard the strong current of relief. “My father likes to keep up.”
“Good man.” The major clasped her hands behind her back as she looked from Rachel to Carmela. “So, ladies, what’s happening here?”
Maddy spoke up. “I was just—.”
The major shot him a cool look. “Lock it up, soldier.”
Maddy shut his mouth, staring daggers at the other two women.
Carmela hesitated and met Rachel’s eyes. She wished she could read her friend’s mind. Should they tell the truth or appease Maddy?
The major’s voice rang with authority. “Well?”
Rachel jumped. “L-like he said. We were r-running late to work.”
The officer turned to Carmela, raising an elegant eyebrow.
Carmela struggled to force herself to agree. This woman wouldn’t always be around to stop Maddy. They’d have to deal with him on their own. “It’s true that we’re late to work.” She made her thoughts as loud as possible. He’s a liar. He was harassing us.
Carmela observed the officer, but she didn’t see any hint that she’d picked up on Carmela’s thoughts. What kind of Imperial officer didn’t read the person they were interrogating? She glanced at Maddy in confusion.
Maddy smirked, giving Carmela a knowing look.
The officer said, “And the red mark on your cheek, corporal?”
The smirk dropped off of Maddy’s face. “Uh, I was sparring earlier this morning.”
“I don’t have to be a mind-reader to know that you’re lying.” The office nudged a chunk of potato with her foot. “Not to mention you still have potato on your face.”
Maddy whirled around, pointing a finger at Rachel. “That’s right, she attacked me. I want her punished.”
Carmela swayed as roaring filled her ears. She’d seen people lashed in the old city square. It was not a slap on the wrist. “It’s not her fault. She was protecting me.”
Maddy shot her a dark look.
The officer put her hands behind her back. “Harassing local citizens is a crime, corporal. Surely you know the punishment.”
Maddy glared at Carmela. “She’s lying.”
Carmela held her breath. While she would love to see Maddy punished, he would just be that much harder to deal with afterward.
“Well now, I can’t assess that, but it would be easy enough to find an officer who could. Is that what you want?”
Maddy scowled. “No, ma’am.”
“So, what happened to your cheek?”
“Looks like I got hit during training this morning.” Maddy wiped off bits of potato still clinging to the side of his face. “Ma’am.”
“Fine. Continue your beat, corporal.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Maddy glared at the young women before he stalked away.
The hatred in Maddy’s face made Carmela’s stomach twist, and she briefly considered giving him the cake to appease his anger. But everything in her rebelled at the thought. She shook off her dread and focused on the major, a royal officer, no less. This woman had probably met the Empress, maybe even was friends with her! Carmela stared at her feet. She wanted nothing to do with royals.
Rachel released a shaky breath. “Th-thank you, Major Ironclaw.”
Carmela froze as the name of the new Empress rang in her ears. She didn’t even wonder how Rachel knew her name as she struggled to catch up. The Empress, here? But no, this couldn’t be her. The Empress was famed for being a strong mind reader, and this woman had threatened to call a mind reader. Besides, the Empress wouldn’t be serving in the military, and she certainly wouldn’t be wandering the streets of an occupied country alone.
The major tilted her head slightly. “Inform your father that while in uniform, we go by our family name, not the clan name. You may address me as Major Zorina Steele.”
Carmela gaped at her, the pieces finally falling into place. This was the new Empress’s older sister, who by birthright should have taken the throne when their father, the old Emperor, died. Everyone in the city knew her story. Zorina Ironclaw was passed over because she wasn’t a mind reader, relegated to the military to protect her sister’s throne.
Major Steele looked at Carmela, who stammered, “Th-thank you, Major Steele.”
“I like to see people fight back against bullies, but you will not best the likes of that corporal with a potato.”
“I-I’m sorry.” Rachel twisted her fingers. “I wasn’t thinking. It just happened.”
Carmela stood up straight. “Imperials aren’t permitted to use their mind reading on Ankarans, except in specific situations. He broke the law. Why didn’t you punish him?”
Rachel whispered an emphatic, “Ma’am.” She shot her friend a significant look.
“Ma’am.” Carmela flushed slightly, torn between wanting nothing to do with this woman, who was the enemy after all, and showing her respect. They owed her, which made her more angry.
Major Steele gestured to the deserted street, a wry smile curving her lips. “I don’t care about protocol in private. Besides, I’ve trained myself to decode body language. I can see anger and frustration in your friend, but no disrespect.”
Carmela nodded slowly, a little surprised to realize the officer was right. She had sided with Ankarans against one of her own people. That didn’t happen often.
“I didn’t punish the corporal because in doing so, I’d have to punish you for striking him. I think you’ve had enough for one day.”
Rachel said, “But you’re a princess, Ma’am. Couldn’t you, uh, —.” She faltered, shooting an appealing look at Carmela.
Carmela picked up on the thought. “Couldn’t you punish him for abusing his power without punishing Rachel for trying to protect me?”
“In uniform, I’m just one of many majors. Even I have to follow the rules.” Steele flicked the insignia on her collar as she smiled mirthlessly. “That’s the point of royal siblings traditionally serving in the military. Military service helps protect my sister’s interests, while keeping me too busy to plot to claim my birthright.”
Carmela shared a startled look with Rachel. Maybe the major wasn’t a contented Imperial subject of her sister? She cleared her throat. “Thank you for intervening. It’s more than we expected.” She lifted the box and smiled crookedly. “And you saved our celebration.”
Rachel nodded, “Yes, Major. I’m very grateful for your help.”
“Just a moment.” A serious tone entered the major’s voice. “I heard Maddy tell you to stop shouting, but neither of you had been. What was that about?”
Carmela’s cheeks flushed. “I guess my attempts at keeping him out of my head were annoying him.”
“I see.” She tapped a finger to her lips. “A word of advice. Shouting is a rudimentary mental shield. It uses a lot of energy and isn’t sustainable. Plus, a skilled mind reader can work their way through pretty easily if they concentrate.”
Rachel nodded eagerly. “What would you suggest, Ma’am?”
“Instead of fighting Maddy’s intrusion, invite him in.”
Carmela jerked back. “Why would we do that?”
“Invite him in, but direct him away from what you want to hide. Give him something else to investigate.”
Carmela frowned, trying to puzzle out what that meant.
Rachel bounced on her toes. “You mean we should lure Maddy away from what he wants to know by thinking about something else? Like maybe something that would stroke his ego?”
Major Steele chuckled. “You’re pretty quick, Rachel.”
Rachel blushed.
Carmela couldn’t argue with that assessment. Her friend was a hundred times smarter than she was. “So, you’re saying that if we think loudly about something else, we’ll distract him?”
The major made a waffling motion with her hand. “You don’t have to think loudly. Just visualize it with as much detail as you can. Make it as real in your head as possible, using all the senses. Then keep really quiet on whatever it is he wants to know.”
Rachel bowed from the waist, and this time Carmela didn’t hesitate to copy her friend. The major had just given them a new way to hide their thoughts, not just from Maddy, but from all mind readers.
Carmela straightened. “Thank you, Major, but may I ask why you’re telling us this?”
Major Steele shrugged. “I don’t like bullies.”
Carmela eyed her, wondering who would dare bully a princess.
“Time to get you ladies to work. Where to?”
Rachel said, “Longev.”
Major Steele raised an eyebrow as she gestured for them to fall into step. “The medical research company? What do you do for them?”
Carmela hustled to keep up with the major’s fast pace, cradling her broken satchel in her arms. “We’re genetic engineers.”
Rachel clarified, “Working on curing congenital heart defects.”
“Interesting.”
They fell silent until they approached the tall, stately building housing Longev. The unofficial Medical Guild didn’t have the resources to restore the property to its former glory, but the old building was still grand.
Steele held up a hand, halting them at the foot of the front steps. “If a mental shield doesn’t seem like enough to protect yourselves, you could take matters into your own hands.”
Rachel’s jaw dropped.
Carmela said, “Are you implying we should, um, do away with Maddy?”
Steele gave her a sharp look. “Killing an Imperial citizen is a quick way to get in front of a firing squad.”
Carmela stiffened. “Then what do you mean, Major?”
“I think two motivated young genetic engineers could figure out a way to level the playing field.”
Carmela met Rachel’s gaze, certain her eyes must be as wide as her friend’s.
Steele slid a business card out of her pocket. “If you go that route, you’ll need some help to acquire genetic material, if nothing else.” She held the card out. “Call me.”
Carmela stepped back, staring at the card as if it would bite her. She whispered, “We can’t do that. Modifying the brain is illegal.”
Steele didn’t move. “So is harassing Ankaran citizens.”
Rachel took the card, running a finger over the text, an excited expression on her face. “We’ll talk about it.”
Steele pulled out a pad and scribbled a note. “Give this to your supervisor.”
Carmela rested the satchel on one hip as she took the slip of paper Steele held out. “Thank you for excusing our tardiness, major.” She glanced down, eyebrows shooting up as she read the words more closely. “And for excusing us from the work group this week!”
Steele winked. “It’ll give you time to think about my offer.” She turned and walked away.
Although they’d been late for the morning meeting, Major Steele’s handwritten note had gotten them out of trouble. The director of the genetics lab obviously knew who the major was, as he had looked torn between keeping the note as a souvenir and burning it. Everyone had been glad that Carmela and Rachel had saved the cake for their monthly birthday celebration at lunch, and not a crumb was left as their coworkers dispersed to their own labs for the rest of the afternoon.
Carmela tucked the carefully cleaned box into her satchel as she watched Rachel pacing back and forth across their small lab. “How am I supposed to concentrate on work when you’re bouncing around the room?”
“Ooh! I have another idea.” Rachel was nearly vibrating with energy as she paced around the room.
Carmela spoke wryly. “I think you’re on a sugar high.”
Rachel pointed a finger at her. “Your fault. No one told you to use an entire month’s allotment of sugar in the frosting.”
“Totally worth it.” Carmela smiled smugly.
“Don’t change the topic. I will convince you.”
“You can try.” Carmela leaned back in her chair and crossed her ankles. “But it doesn’t matter if you can make it work. Genetic mods to the brain are illegal.”
“But we don’t have to touch the brain!”
“Oh? How so?”
“We use bacteria to carry the treatment into the gut.”
Carmela frowned. “What good is that going to do?”
“The gut and the brain are connected. Modify the neurons in the gut, and you modify the brain!”
Carmela narrowed her eyes at her friend. “How do you know this? The digestive tract operates on entirely different principles than the heart.”
Rachel shrugged. “Dad likes to read.”
“And lecture you. Yes, I know.”
“We wouldn’t be altering the brain if we did a gut treatment, so it wouldn’t be unethical.”
Carmela leaned forward. “But the whole point is to turn people into mind readers. That’s a mental enhancement, no matter how you do it. And messing with the mind is wrong.”
Rachel folded her arms. “What’s wrong is being pushed around by the Imperials just because they were born with the mind-reading ability, and we weren’t.”
“I know it’s not fair, but—”
Rachel cut her off. “Not fair? Maddy steals from us nearly every day. He almost hit you today! What will it be tomorrow?”
“I should have just given him the cake.” Carmela tapped her foot on the ground. “I just didn’t want to. I made it for us.”
“And that’s why we have to do this.” Rachel tapped the major’s card. “We should have the same abilities so we can protect ourselves.”
Carmela frowned. “I don’t know. This would be sticking our necks out in a big way. What would your father say?”
“I’m tired of being pushed around. Aren’t you tired of being pushed around?”
The memory of Maddy’s smirk twisted Carmela’s gut before she pushed it away. “It doesn’t matter. It would take us years to figure out how to mod people to be mind readers.”
“I already figured out how we can do it.”
Carmela’s mouth dropped open. “Listen, I get that you’re brilliant, but not even you can figure out mind reading in an hour.”
“I’ve been thinking about it all day.”
Carmela laughed in disbelief, glancing at the clock. “Oh, well, in that case, what have you figured out in the past seven hours?”
“I’m serious. Look, it’s really simple.” Rachel held up one finger. “We already know how to edit genes.”
“Sure, in mice hearts.”
“Major Steele can get us some DNA samples of mind readers.” Rachel held up a second finger. “With Pauli’s help, we can isolate the key genes in an afternoon.”
“It might take a little longer than that.”
A third finger went up. “Marvin’s worked out a way to get CRISPR into bacteria that can survive in the gut.”
Carmela pursed her lips. “Um, okay, I think I see where you’re headed with this.”
Rachel held up a fourth finger. “The gut is literally a second brain, with some of the same neurons.”
Carmela nodded. “And the vagus nerve directly connects the gut and the brain.”
“So, once we have DNA samples of mind-readers, we have everything we need to create a CRISPR-based therapy.”
Carmela shifted. “There’s no way Director Minot will go for this.”
“Then we don’t tell him.”
Carmela scoffed. “Even if I agree to this sugar-fueled insanity, we can’t do the work here. Minot would discover it eventually.”
Rachel waved aside her concerns. “Major Steele will come up with something. She’s a woman who gets things done.”
Carmela stared at the major’s business card on her desk. “It’s fishy. Why would she want to help us?”
“You heard her. She hates bullies.”
Carmela narrowed her eyes as an idea solidified. “Her little sister probably bullied her.”
Rachel’s eyes widened. “Do you think–?”
“That she wants us to make her a mind reader?”
Rachel nodded.
Carmela gulped. “Rachel, this is way beyond making waves. Boosting Major Steele to be a mind reader would be treason.”
Rachel frowned. “Treason?”
“The major is the older daughter. How do you think the new Empress will feel when she learns we gave her big sister a way to claim the throne?”
“Ooh, I didn’t think of that.” Some of Rachel’s excitement bled away.
“There must be other Imperials who weren’t born as mind-readers. They’ll come looking to get this treatment when it becomes known.”
“So we’ll keep it secret.”
Carmela shook her head. “Three or four non-mind-readers working on a treasonous project surrounded by mind-readers? How could we possibly keep it secret?”
“We’ll figure it out!”
“Listen, I think it would be amazing if everyone could read minds. But if we figure this out, and it worked, it would change everything.”
Some of Rachel’s excitement returned. “Yes, that’s the point!”
“But would things change for the better? Who would get the treatment? Would people use the ability ethically?” Carmela shook her head. “The only thing I’m sure of is that we wouldn’t be the ones in charge of those decisions.”
“I hear you.” Rachel turned the major’s card in her fingers. “But this could be our only opportunity to do something that mattered.”
Carmela leaned forward, holding out her hand. “Why don’t I hold on to that for now?”
Rachel tossed the card on the desk. “Doesn’t matter. I have her contact ID memorized.”
“Rachel,–.”
Rachel shrugged. “I won’t call her if you don’t agree. I can’t do this without you.”
“You need a distraction. Come to the block meeting tonight.”
“I don’t know,–.”
Carmela laughed. “You were just talking about treason, but you balk at going to a simple meeting?” Carmela’s voice took on a teasing note. “Peotr will sing his new song. We can talk to him about this afterward. See what he thinks.”
A hint of color highlighted Rachel’s cheeks. “Sure, I think you’re right. I could use a distraction. I’ll come.”
The monthly neighborhood block meetings were one of the few Imperial-approved gatherings. Carmela figured this was the Empire’s attempt at replacing Guild affiliations with neighborhood ties. People were supposed to go to their assigned block meeting, but Carmela’s cousin Peotr made a point of going to a different block party every month. Carmela usually went where he went.
That night, Carmela sat on a couch next to Rachel in a stuffy living room crowded with their friends and acquaintances, but no one suggested opening the windows to let in fresh air. If an Imperial soldier overheard any forbidden topics being discussed, they’d use it as an excuse to rough up the crowd before arresting whoever they felt like arresting. Everyone was quiet as they listened to the young man sitting on a stool in the center of the room. As Peotr played his guitar and sang softly, his eyes unfocused, Carmela hummed along with the refrain. She absorbed the words, trying to commit them to memory.
In the shadow of the moon, we find our secret tune.
A melody that whispers, “Soon the dawn will break.”
With every chord we strum, we tell the tales unsung,
Of struggles that we know will come, for freedom’s sake.
Carmela rubbed at the goosebumps pebbling her arms.
Rachel leaned in close. “Peotr has such a gift.”
Carmela adopted a bored tone. “Yeah, he’s alright.” She smirked, anticipating her friend’s response.
“Alright? He’s a genius.”
Carmela caught Peotr glance over at Rachel, cheeks reddening slightly. She whispered, “Say that a little louder. I don’t think he quite heard you.”
Rachel flushed, then mumbled, “I’m sure everyone tells him that.”
Carmela smiled. “I think he’d rather hear it from you.”
“What makes you say that?” A hopeful lilt entered Rachel’s voice as she darted glances at Peotr.
“I think he likes you. You should talk to him.”
Rachel squirmed. “I couldn’t. What would I say?”
“Tell him you think he’s hot.”
Rachel laughed and bumped shoulders with her friend. “I can’t do that!”
Peotr reached the end of the song, and everyone clapped.
Carmela smiled at the crowd’s enthusiastic response, but then realized that much of the sound was someone pounding on the door.
Peotr met Carmela’s eyes, then glanced at Rachel, jaw tightening. He gestured toward the window, whispering, “Everyone, out!” He raised his voice, “Coming!”
Carmela grimaced. This wasn’t his apartment. He shouldn’t be the one staying to deal with whoever was at the door.
Peotr’s closest friends hung back, helping people escape through the windows.
Maddy’s voice easily penetrated the thin wood of the door. “Open up. Five, four, three, …”
“It’s Maddy!” Carmela pushed Rachel towards Peotr’s friends. “He can’t find her here.”
Rachel resisted their attempts to help her through the window, looking back. “Peotr!”
Peotr turned at the sound of her voice, worry clear in his gaze.
The door crashed open, splinters of wood flying into the room. Three soldiers in full riot gear stormed in, their boots thudding heavily on the wooden floor. They fanned out, rifles raised, their faces obscured by visors.
“Freeze!” one barked, his voice distorted by his helmet’s speaker.
“Hands up!” another yelled, sweeping his rifle across the room.
“On the ground!” the third commanded, pointing his weapon at the ceiling for emphasis.
The room erupted in confusion over the conflicting orders. One of Peotr’s friends shoved Rachel down behind a chair, then held up his hands.
Carmela stepped in front of the chair, effectively hiding Rachel from view. She raised her hands, palms sweaty and heart pounding.
Maddy pushed through the soldiers, his helmet visor pushed up. He scanned the room, landing on Carmela. He smirked. “If you’re here, your friend must be, too. Where is she? We have unfinished business.”
Carmela focused on her mantra, No trouble, no trouble. She met Maddy’s gaze, forcing herself not to glance toward Rachel’s hiding spot.
Peotr called out, “Think loud, everyone. Don’t let them read you!”
Maddy casually backhanded the smaller man across the face.
Carmela cried out as Peotr stumbled back, hand covering his mouth, blood seeping through.
Maddy drew in a deep breath before slowly releasing it. “I love the feeling of fear.” He closed his eyes as if savoring the first bite of a gourmet meal. “Mmm, such a rush.”
Peotr straightened up, balling his fists. “Where’s your warrant?”
Maddy patted his rifle. “This is all I need. Where’s Rachel? Did she go out the window?” He narrowed his eyes, staring from person to person before smirking. “Your shields are so pathetic.” He turned to stare right at the chair Rachel was hiding behind. “Come on out here, sweetheart.”
Carmela stepped forward, forcing Rachel to remain where she was. “You should leave. You don’t have a warrant.”
Maddy glared at her. “Don’t think you’re something special, just because the major gave you a pass today.”
Peotr looked at Carmela with a question in his eyes, while his friends murmured in confusion.
Carmela crossed her arms. “You’re not allowed to bully us.”
Rachel shoved at her legs, trying to get her to move out of the way.
Carmela ignored her, standing firm. “It’s not right. We’re all human.”
“Human.” Maddy scoffed. “You’re barely human. We’re your superiors in every way. You’ll learn your place or wish you had.”
Peotr spoke in a calm, clear voice. “Every baby, Imperial and Ankaran, is born with the same needs: sustenance, shelter, safety.”
One soldier looked at Peotr, cocking his head.
Carmela repeated the mantra loudly, “I’m not causing trouble,” as she reached trembling fingers into her pocket. She kept her planning as quiet in her mind as she could. If she could just call Major Steele, let her hear what was happening, maybe she could get her in time to help.
Peotr continued. “We all grow up with the same wants: to love and be loved, to have meaningful work, and to rest.”
“Sure.” Maddy snorted. “So do horses and dogs, but we don’t let them decide their own lives either.” He laughed derisively, and his soldiers joined in.
Carmela slipped the card out of her pocket, then glanced down, trying to locate the number without looking directly at it. Why hadn’t she memorized the major’s phone number?
Peotr continued, “And we all deserve to be treated with respect and have the freedom to choose how to spend our time.”
Maddy scoffed. “You have the freedom to choose whether to show respect or get a beating.”
The phone slipped out of Carmela’s hand, making her heart skip a beat.
Carmela looked down to see her friend huddled behind the chair, dialing from memory. Her heart swelled with pride at her friend’s bravery.
Peotr lifted his chin. “We’re not breaking any laws here.”
Maddy narrowed his eyes, then smiled a cruel little smile. “You have a crush on her.” He gestured at one of his soldiers. “Find Rachel and bring her here.”
“What?” Peotr stiffened. “Leave her alone!”
Carmela held up a hand at the approaching soldier, moving to block the way to Rachel. Her voice was calm but shaky. “Wait a second. This is getting out of hand.”
The soldier slowed, then looked at Maddy.
Carmela was careful to enunciate. “Corporal Maddy, why have you burst into a peaceful gathering?”
Maddy frowned at her. “You really are the dumb one, aren’t you?”
Carmela licked her lips, acutely aware of Rachel angling the phone up towards her.
“Corporal Maddy, please explain why you and your three fellow officers burst into Clancy Martin’s apartment without just cause?”
Maddy took a step toward her. “What are you playing at?”
Carmela began repeating her mantra more loudly when the major’s advice rang in her ears. She quickly pulled up the memory of icing the cake, imagining it in excruciating detail. The smell of the slightly warm chocolate cake, the resistance of the knife dragging through the bowl of thick icing, the satisfying sight of the icing smoothing across the top of the cake.
Maddy narrowed his eyes at her. “You’ve learned a new trick.”
Carmela shoved away all thought of Rachel holding the cell phone just out of the soldier’s line of vision. “Corporal Maddy, please explain why you assaulted and injured my cousin Peotr and why you’re threatening my friend Rachel.”
“Why do you sound like you’re in a courtroom?” His eyebrows drew together. “I’m not fooled by your mind snare. I can still push through it.”
Carmela felt pressure against her temples, shuddering at Maddy’s mental touch. She doubled down on her mental imagery, this time adding in how good it had tasted.
Maddy made a frustrated sound, and the pressure against Carmela’s temples disappeared. “That was my cake. Whatever. I don’t have time for this.” He grabbed a half-filled wineglass from a table and threw it at Carmela.
Carmela jumped back in surprise, forgetting to concentrate on the cake. She stared at the dark red liquid spreading across the floor at her feet, her stomach twisting.
Maddy’s face cleared and laughed. “Oh. I see now.” Punching his fist into his other hand. “Shut her up. Her friend has a live phone.”
The nearest soldier turned his rifle around and drew back, preparing to ram the stock into her gut.
Rachel’s voice rang out in desperation. “No!”
Carmela only had a split second to brace for the impact, but as the rifle swung toward her ribs, something knocked her aside. She landed halfway on a sofa. As she struggled to right herself, she heard a sickening crunch that would haunt her for the rest of her life.
Peotr cried out, anguish in his voice.
Carmela scrambled up to see Rachel crumpled on the floor, lying in the spilled red wine. Her knees buckled, and she slid to the floor. She shook her friend’s still form. “Rachel!”
Rachel didn’t respond.
An odd sensation tugged at Carmela’s attention. While both of her knees were wet, one was cold, and the other was warm. She looked down and caught her breath when she saw that one knee rested in a spreading puddle of blood. She instinctively pushed away from the blood, then followed the trail to her friend’s head.
Peotr shouted, “You monster!” Chaos erupted in the room.
“Oh god, Rachel!” Ignoring the blood, Carmela scooted closer. She stared uncomprehendingly at the red and gray and pink mass stuck to the side of her friend’s head. She reached out to brush it off, but someone stopped her.
“It’s too late. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Carmela shook off their hand, not even looking to see who it was. She stared in horror at Rachel’s caved-in skull, at Rachel’s blank eyes. The world froze as the truth crashed in on her. Rachel was dead. Terror and pain coalesced in her chest, then forced its way out in an agonized scream. The dam broke, and Carmela sobbed uncontrollably. She gripped her friend’s shoulders. “Rachel! Rachel! No. No, no, no, no, no. Rachel, please! No. Rachel. Open your eyes, Rachel. Please. Please.”
Rachel’s body was unmoving, unresisting.
Someone tried to pull Carmela away.
Carmela angrily shrugged them off, then pulled Rachel’s head into her lap, tears falling onto her friend’s face. She pressed her forehead against Rachel’s. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. All my fault.”
The noise in the room came rushing back as rough hands pulled her up, leaving Rachel’s head to drop roughly to the floor.
Carmela lashed out, kicking her feet uselessly against the soldier holding her, crying helplessly.
Maddy leaned down, putting himself eye to eye with her. “You’re right. This is all your fault.” He sent Rachel’s body a dismissive glance. “Maybe next time, you’ll show proper respect.”
Carmela could only sob in response.
Maddy gestured to his men. “Come on, we’re done here.”
Peotr didn’t wait for them to leave as he clambered over the sofa to reach Rachel. “Oh god, oh god. Rachel. I’m so sorry.”
Carmela dropped to her knees as the soldiers left. She mumbled, “It’s my fault. I made her come. I never should have brought her here.” “
Peotr looked up, eyes haunted. “This is my fault. These meetings were just talk, just a way to blow off steam. I never really thought there’d be trouble.” Tears ran down his cheeks. “I didn’t protect her.”
Peotr’s friends murmured in agreement.
He continued in a stronger voice, “Words won’t protect the next person those Imperial jerks harass. It’s time we did something about it.”
Carmela lowered her voice as excited talking burst out among the others in the room. “You’re talking treason. They’ll execute you.”
Peotr’s jaw hardened as stepped away from Carmela, speaking loudly enough to draw the attention of everyone in the room. “I could be killed at the whim of any Imperial soldier. Any of us could.”
His friends nodded.
Peotr spoke in a passionate tone. “Do you think Rachel will get justice?”
Carmela shook her head in unison with the remaining people in the room. Anger at the injustice of their lives burned in her gut.
Peotr continued, “No. Maddy’ll get a slap on the wrist. Best case for us? They’ll send him home. But the Empire will just send another in his place.”
His audience, and they truly were his audience now, made angry sounds.
Peotr held up his hands to quiet the room. “He was right about one thing, though. We have a choice. We can submit to their rule, or we can fight for our freedom. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to fight.”
A cheer rang out as people began crowding around Peotr, a question on everyone’s lips.
Peotr put up his hands for quiet. “What about you, cuz?”
Carmela stared down at her friend. Rachel had always followed the rules, but even she had wanted to fight back. “She was smarter than me. She knew that if we didn’t do something, things would never change.”
Peotr nodded slowly. “Are you with us, then?”
Carmela picked the major’s card up, wiping a smear of drying blood away to reveal a phone number. “Thanks to her, I know what I have to do,” she said, knowing that her next few days in the lab would change everything for everyone. “I’m in.”
Lisa Young is a speech-language pathologist by day and a science fiction writer by night. With a passion for exploring the boundaries of human potential, she is the author of the forthcoming “Hidden Galaxy” series, where genetic enhancements, parallel Earths, and mind control are just the beginning. Her debut short story, a prequel to her planned trilogy marks her first foray into published fiction.
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