Free Secret Value of Zero, The by Victoria Halley Page B

what we’re trying to do, too.” He pressed his fingertips together. “Of course, you’re suspicious. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have run away. Let me explain and I’m sure you’ll understand.”  
    Meke wondered why people kept saying that. It wasn’t like explanations and rationalizations could wash everything clean.  
    “This world, this country, sorts everyone according to their intelligence and aptitude. Nice idea in theory, but it’s killing us.” He rubbed his forehead. “Stars constitute less than two percent of the population. We’re dying out. Fivers are getting smaller, too. Stars and Fivers don’t have the time to bear that many children, so the options were limited. There’s also the issue of inbreeding. When I was at the Ministry of Education, I studied the old system. It was horribly inefficient, of course. People would squabble over the stupidest things. Nothing got done.”
    Meke wondered where he was going with this.  
    “You see, that society had more vibrancy. More humanity in it. More kindness. We thrived for centuries on this philosophy. I want to bring that back, maybe in a better form.” He leaned forward, his fingertips on the desk. “That means people need to be free to do what they want, within reason. Exactly what you want, right?”
    Meke shrugged. “Sure, I want that. But what I don’t want is to be involved. You can do whatever you want.” She waved her hand. “But I’ll just be on my way,” her hands shaking as she finished her sentence.  
    Feelings of selfishness and self-absorption fell upon her. She wasn’t doing anything for the greater good. Then she remembered the institution. No longer did she want her fate to be wrapped up with someone else’s needs and desires.  
    Sterling rubbed the side of his jaw, nodding slightly. “Did you know that Cecil is having some of the same side effects as you are?”
    “What?”  
    Sterling saw the flash of alarm in Meke’s eyes and continued. “Mind you—Cecil doesn’t see better, like you. He hears better. He can hear things that happen more than a kilometer away. It’s quite remarkable.” He paused. “It occurs to me that this drug only amplifies the sense that you depend on. Your sight and Cecil’s hearing. I wonder…”  
    After Meke had recovered from the surprise, she forced her eyes to meet Sterling’s. “What will you do with me and Cecil?”
    He tilted his head in puzzlement and then understood. “We will keep you safe here. I won't force anything onto either one of you. That would hardly be fitting.” He exhaled. “I, however, won't refuse any assistance you give our doctors.”
    “Great. When can I leave?”
    Sterling glanced at Arya, eyebrows furrowed. “Leave? I know that you don’t want to be involved, but I’m not sure if you understand the situation.” Sterling picked up a handheld. “There are soldiers after you. Not ordinary soldiers, but the Elite Forces.”
    He handed her the thin screen.

    ---------- Begin Message ----------

    TO: The First Commander of the Elite Special Forces of the Prosperon Army, Praveen Damore

    FROM: The First Special Minister of Science and Technology, Prosperon, Lucio Donner

    RE: Target

    Praveen,

    Please send out your best men and women to capture Meke Lichota, Genex subject #135. She carries vital state secrets. She must be captured before anything leaks out to the public. Cecil Savage, Genex subject #323, has also been captured. Retrieve him if possible.  
    Do not harm subject #135 in any way, she must be alive and unharmed after capture. I authorize you to take extraordinary measures.  

    ---------- End Message ----------

    A chill spread throughout her body. She returned the handheld to Sterling. She fought to keep her face still. She knew that the institution guards had been hunting them, but the Elite Forces? That was something else.  
    The Elite Forces were the best of the best. Every soldier had scored in the 99th percentile of fitness and at