Free City Center, The by Simone Pond Page B

Joseph and set him down in a chair. A test, she thought. Morray wanted to see how she’d react to the Outsider. He must have scanned the South Sector feed from the day before and saw her defiant act of not retreating to her dwelling unit as ordered. She wasn’t sure if he knew about her contact with the Outsider. Joseph said he had blocked the mainframe, but she still questioned his level of technology. And even if it did work, Morray was a smart man—he could put the two of them together during that time frame. She knew he was behind the mirror studying her reactions. If she didn’t pass this test, she could be accused of treason.
    “I’m confused, Planner Dickson. Is this not the terrorist?” She stumbled backwards.
    “Just a few minutes, Miss Rhodes.”
    “Please tell me what’s happening.” Ava tried to appear panicked. “How is this for my protection?”
    Planner Dickson left the room. She looked at Joseph. His head drooped forward from the heavy doses of sedation. She didn’t feel an ounce of fear, but she needed to convey that she did. She pressed her back against the observation mirror, concealing her facial responses from Morray and whoever else was in the observation room scrutinizing her nonverbal cues. She went through the logical stages of threat she had learned in combat training. First she should appear startled. After recognizing the threat, she’d need to assess the situation. She stepped away from the mirror and studied Joseph. Finally, she’d need to command presence. She assumed a warrior stance.
    “Why are you leaving me alone with the Outsider?” she called out toward the observation mirror, keeping her focus on Joseph.
    She had to convince Morray there was no previous contact, and that she perceived the situation to pose imminent danger. If she couldn’t manipulate Morray into believing she had never encountered Joseph, she’d end up attending her own trial. Morray had zero tolerance for traitors. She held her defensive stance—sweat dripped down her back.
    “Guards! Dickson! Someone, I demand you get back in here and remove this terrorist!”
    After a few minutes, the door slid open and Morray entered the room. “Remove the Outsider.”
    Ava stood at attention and lowered her head, avoiding eye contact. “Are you, umm, are you the Creator? Chief Morray?” Her voice trembled.
    “Just Morray, please.”
    She glanced up. She had never seen Morray in person—he was far more handsome than the statues and Arena holograms. He stood over six feet with an athletic build and broad shoulders. His dark hair didn’t have a strand out of place. Nothing was out of place. He looked perfect, except for his murky and inert pale gray eyes. She moved in closer and watched as his pupils began to pulse like he was waking from an extended sleep state. He remained steady, but a small curl appeared on his lips. The most powerful man was flustered in the presence of a Successor Candidate—she almost called checkmate. To be safe, she took it to the next level and collapsed against Morray’s stiff chest.
    “Why did your men bring the Outsider into my room? I was told I was here for my protection, and then…” Ava looked into Morray’s eyes.
    “A pre-graduation test, my dear. And you passed.” He smiled and looked away.
    “I apologize for my behavior, Chief Morray. I’m usually far more composed. But the stress of Graduation Day, and now this… I’ve been training my entire life, but I’ve never encountered an actual terrorist threat.” Ava hoped her tears were convincing.
    “You handled yourself quite well. And please, don’t worry, Miss Rhodes, the Outsider was under heavy sedation. I’d never put our most favored Successor Candidate in harm’s way.”
    “I appreciate that, sir. Still, the whole situation was quite unsettling.”
    Ava pressed her face against his chest. He held a firm stance—showing any signs of affection would be against protocol. She detected a slight increase in