Page 71 of The Champion
A snort sounded from Celeste. “Just shows how unrealistic people like that are. Apartments aren’t built by magic. It will take decades before we have everyone living above ground.”
“Sure, if we keep doing what we’ve been doing.”
She shifted her balance. “I heard rumors.”
My interest was piqued, and I zoomed in on her. “What rumors?”
With a quick lift of her chin, she gestured for me to follow her. We moved back to stand against the wall, away from the other people in the foyer.
“Zola got drunk last night and she told me some things she shouldn’t have. It was all done in confidentiality, of course, but I’m telling you anyway. The way they’ve treated you is gruesome, and you deserve to have some hope.”
“Tell me.”
“The fracture in the parliament isn’t just a matter of the election. What they’re not telling us on the News is that the outside world has been putting heavy pressure on our government for months. Sanctions are being intensified as we speak. Zola said that we’re being accused of breaking human rights and that unless we open our country for people to leave as they please, we’ll lose all support from the outside world.”
“Freya.” I whispered her name with awe because in my heart I knew who was behind this pressure and it gave me hope that she hadn’t given up on me.
“Don’t tell anyone that I told you. And don’t let them know I told you about the fuck-up in the lab either.”
“What fuck-up?”
Celeste’s eyes flickered from side to side before she spoke in a hushed voice. “You know that Cameron took over after you. Don’t give me those eyes, Victor. What was I supposed to do? He was eager and said he knew what he was doing and it’s not like I had many people volunteer to fill your shoes. You’re a hard act to follow.”
I groaned. “What fuck-up?”
Celeste’s chest lifted as she inhaled sharply. “Where do I start? Let’s just say it’s been one thing after the other. It’s like that man is hexed and everything he touches turns to rubbish. I want you back, Victor. With you I sometimes had staff running to me and complaining that you were a perfectionist who barked at them and were impossible to work with. But with him, people are worried that he’s destroying what we’ve worked so hard for. All his promises of results have failed, and the worst part is that one of his experiments killed an entire crop of Nuclea.”
“You’re joking.” I stared at her. “How is that possible? Who in their right mind would experiment on an entire crop and not just a sample?”
Celeste rolled her eyes. “I wish I could tell you, but the last time I visited the greenhouse I left with tears in my eyes. With you gone things are just…” She sighed. “You were strict but at least there were a high morale and standards. A few weeks ago, I walked in on Cameron and two of the younger assistants having sex. It wasn’t even noon yet. At least that explains why they are distracted and get nothing done.”
I frowned. “Fire Cameron! This is a lab, not some sex club!”
Celeste shrugged. “I can’t fire him for having sex at work when I’ve done that plenty of times myself. But I did reprimand him for having sex in a lab that’s supposed to be sterile. The least he could do was use an office or a meeting room.”
I shook my head. “I would have never allowed that.”
“No. You wouldn’t. But I think part of the problem is that with his new position comes attention. You know how that works.”
“Is that supposed to be an excuse for his incompetence and his lack of respect for the work we do here?”
“No, of course not. Oh, hang on, Zola is calling me.” Celeste was among those who had chosen to get a brain implant and her voice changed to sweet and soft when she connected to Zola. “Hello, dear.”
I couldn’t hear Zola’s part of the conversation but from the change in Celeste’s tone and expression I sensed the urgency.
“Yes, he’s here. As a matter of fact, I’m talking to Victor right now.” Her gaze met mine while she listened to Zola. “I’ll let him know. How soon will you be here? All right. Be careful out there, it’s crazy. What did you say? Yes, that’s a good idea. We’ll see you soon.” Celeste looked left and right while catching me up. “Zola says that Joseph asked her to talk to you. She wanted me to make sure that you didn’t leave before she gets here. The parliament is blocked by protesters so she’s using the underground exit.”
Celeste and I moved closer to the screen when we saw a building on fire in the background of the reporter who stood with the crowd.
“Have mercy,” Celeste muttered and lifted a hand to her neck.
We all stared at the reporter, who was interviewing a man with crazy eyes who was talking fast.
“The government thinks they can buy us off with two more days of vacation a year, but we want access to the same privileges as they have. Why should a member of parliament live in the Blue Tower while a chef like me has to live down on sub2? Who says that their job is more important? All they do is sit around and argue about ridiculous things. And ever since Moreau died it’s all been shit. We can’t get supplies. How am I supposed to cook without supplies, huh?”
“Are you saying that people should get back to work so you can get your supplies?” the interviewer asked.
Narrowing his eyes, the angry man spit out, “No. I’m in solidarity with every practical worker. And don’t blame us for the lack of supplies. What about the normal deliveries from the outside world? Don’t think we haven’t noticed that no drones are coming or going. Where is our flour and spices from the Motherlands and our beer, booze, and meat from the Northlands? Our government has cut us off from the rest of the world and we demand to know if the rumors are true. Did they discover a brand-new country where people are free to love and live above ground? No wonder they’re afraid that we’ll flee France to live there.”
