The Society Ch. 08

"No, I mean you personally, are in danger. Remember when you said that you didn't want to be a part of our group anymore? Well Marshall doesn't want you with us either, and he...wants to remove you permanently."

"What? You mean.... He's trying to kill me?" Alyssa asked, slowly understanding what was going on.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about, and I'd keep your voice just a little bit lower if I were you." Fran said, though irrationally as the walls of the sleeping quarters were soundproof.

"But...why? I mean I understand that I've been going back and forth, after making a commitment, but I couldn't just leave? Why? Oh my god what have I done..." Alyssa said while holding her head down and shaking it, the realization of her actions hitting her like a ton of bricks.

"I know I know dear, but it's okay. Look, with you knowing more about the plan and now backing out, he doesn't want to risk you jeopardizing the plan. Trust me, this isn't his first rodeo nor mine, and I have seen this happen a number of times. Once you align with Marshall, you are either in, for good, or out, for good."

Just as Fran finished that sentence, a pounding came from outside the door that startled both of them out of their current trains of thought.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Called a voice from outside the door.

Fran held her index finger to her lips in a 'stay quiet' gesture. She knew that the doors to the sleeping quarters were soundproof, so the guard couldn't hear them. Still, her instincts of survival took over and made her do it anyway. Alyssa followed suit and stayed quiet, her heart practically jumping out of her chest.

"Hello! I'm looking for an Alyssa Sanders? Anyone there?"

Still silence, they barely moved a muscle. She heard the guard mumble something and then walked away. For now, they were safe.

"Was that..."

"Yes, that guard wasn't coming to do a routine check. That isn't part of the security's protocol. He was coming to take you, maybe to the termination chambers, maybe somewhere else. But it wasn't going to end well."

Alyssa started sobbing, the desperate realities of her situation hitting her like a whirlpool all at once. Fran took one arm and wrapped it around her

"Don't worry dear. I know it seems bad, but it'll be okay. I will tell you how to get through this."

"But Fran, why are you helping me? Don't you feel upset about me abandoning the mission too?"

"I did at first, but I understand you Alyssa. I see where you're coming from. I remember when I first started embarking on these types of missions, and I felt scared, terrified at times. It didn't sit well with me at first. So, I completely understand why you wouldn't feel ready for this. I tried to convince Marshall to change his position on this, on you. But he isn't easy to budge once he believes in something."

"Yea it seems that way. Okay, so what should I do?"

"For now, you have to do two things. One, you have to avoid being alone in dark, quiet places. If someone is looking to kill you or take you away, that's the easiest way for them to get you. And two, you need to stay close to Ethan for the next few days. He's the President, at least for the next three days, so Marshall won't kill him or harm him, it'd be too alarming for the public. Stay close to him, and check in with me every night."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you so much Fran, and I am sorry again for putting you in this position."

"No worries at all dear, we'll make sure you're okay." She gave Fran a hug before walking out as Alyssa headed to bed. Fran didn't quite understand it, but she was caring for Alyssa almost like a grandmother. It felt like the opportunity for a bond like that was something that she missed, and she wanted to protect her now.

***

After three days of confusion and anticipation, the Society was about to have its first election in years. The candidates did everything they could to secure votes and win the public over, and the citizens had plenty of time to consider each of their perspectives and decide on a winner. Now, it was time to choose.

The voting system in the Society was slightly similar to the system on Earth, with a few differences. There were polling stations, but only two. Every citizen of the Society would congregate in the main commons area, where the debate was held, and then make two single file lines parallel to each other. Instead of having an open area where multiple polling stations are placed with a hood for privacy, the voter would walk up to the front of the line, where an agent would verify their information via a virtual scanner.

Once their identity was verified, they were sent up to a private, enclosed small room by elevators, where the voting kiosk was located. This system was put in place to ensure better privacy, and to avoid any manipulative persuasion by outside forces. In the voting room, it was quiet, an eerie silence, and low lighting, allowing the voter to think in peace.

Ethan and Marshall were also allowed to vote, and they were the first up, a ceremonial tradition taken from Earth. As they walked to their respective lines, they shook hands, one of many times they had to pretend to be cordial to each other. In reality, Ethan knew what was at stake, and he knew that Marshall had tampered with the election in some vile manner. His methods had few limits, and were always malicious. That made things even more close and tense as they prepared to vote for the next President of the Society. Before Ethan took the elevator up to the voting room, he looked at the faces of the citizens in line. He smiled at them, maintaining his political disposition, but he saw the same uncertainty in their faces. He hoped his last words were enough to sway them.

For the General and Fran, the decision was clear, and they voted for Marshall, being on his team and his main supporters for years now. Fran, however, was starting to see things a bit differently. She still supported Marshall through and through, but knew that his methods were too much sometimes. Alyssa, on the other hand, was conflicted. She wanted to vote for Ethan, but feared Marshall now. She wasn't sure if voting for Marshall was a better strategic move, but in the end, she knew that Ethan was the best choice for the Society moving forward, and voted for him.

Ethan almost wished that Kodi could vote also, to bring the numbers on his side. But she wasn't a part of the Society, and he didn't need her becoming a part of it. This was also an election to protect her, shield her from all this.

After the other citizens cast their votes, it was time to collect the tally and announce the winner that night. Lucius did the honor of announcing the results, gathering everyone back in the main commons area. There was chatter galore filling the large white room, with people discussing the potential results, and generally amazed by the fact that an election had taken place. Lucius had to quiet them down.

"If I could have everyone's attention please! Quiet down everyone! Again, I would like to thank all of the agents from the Society, the two candidates, and you all, of course, the most important variable in the equation. Thank you for making this a smooth, yet exciting election process. Give yourselves a round of applause!"

The crowd cheered, but not as loudly as they had in the past. Anticipation clouded their excitement, subduing their gleeful applause and replacing it with more of a robotic clapping. Ethan and Marshall replicated this stoic clap, glaring each other down as they stood on stage across from each other behind Lucius. They both looked exhausted. The process was daunting and had been weighing on them heavily.

"Now, the votes have been tallied by the Special Voting Council, and we appreciate their support. The results are in, and it is time to announce the winner."

Ethan, usually unfazed and unbothered, noticed that his hand was visibly trembling. He felt butterflies in his stomach. These nerves were something new to him, a symptom of the moment. Even Lucius, as he picked up the envelope and opened it, had nervous hands and was sweating a bit.

"With just 52% of the vote, the winner and new President of the Society is...Marshall Conners!"

Disbelief struck Ethan's face. He had never shown this kind of emotion, but the shock of the announcement caused a wide 'O' shape on his mouth, agape in astonishment. His blue eyes were wide open, as wide as they'd ever been. He couldn't believe it. His father had just defeated him and won over the presidency. Again.

Marshall was all smiles as the crowd was cheering and clapping, erupting into a standing ovation. Again, Ethan noticed that this seemed to be mostly for show, as the hands would come together reluctantly. There was the same emotion that graced his own face: fear. Fear of the future, fear of what would be coming. Fear of him. Fran and the General walked up the stage to greet him, giving him hugs and shaking his hand, congratulating him on his incredible win. Marshall looked over at Ethan, his gaze piercing through him like a silver bullet, smug and boastful. He loved it. He loved being able to take down his son, who usually walked around so confidently.

The crowd quieted down as Marshall gave a victory speech.

"Thank you, thank you all! The Society gave you the opportunity to exercise your freedom of choice, and I appreciate you for giving me the chance to be your President once again. The last time I occupied this position, we were in a state of turmoil. People who shouldn't have been leaders, who weren't fit to lead you, had power over you, and it almost destroyed the Society. I am here to tell you that we now find ourselves in a similar predicament. The chaos, the rapid changes, the confusion. A breach in our security! I know you are worried, but I promise that I will be the one to change this, a gleaming light in this pit of darkness. We will endure, and persevere into a New Age. Thank you again everyone! Good Night!"

The crowd applauded again while Marshall, Fran, and General Miller walked behind the curtain and all the way into Fran's office. With all of the citizens and most of the agents in the main commons area, it was free for them to talk openly.

"Marshall, I can't believe it! You won!" Fran said as she looked at him with shining eyes. Even though she was perturbed with the Alyssa situation, she had been with Marshall for decades, before the space station was even complete. She couldn't help but be excited, seeing the culmination of years of hard work.

"Well I can, you clearly don't have any faith in me, Fran." Marshall said while chuckling.

"Congratulations on your victory, sir. Well deserved." The General said with excitement in his scruffy voice while shaking Marshall's hand again.

"Yea, yea thank you. Alright, let's get right down to business. Fran have you eliminated our little problem? I haven't heard any report from the team since we sent them out." Marshall asked, leaving Fran with a nervous pit in her stomach.

"Well the team hasn't been able to find her, she seems to be missing, or at least hasn't been around her sleeping quarters."

"Find her. We didn't come all this way to fuck it up now." Marshall demanded with a rigidity in his voice that startled Fran.

"Of course, sir, I'll give you a report later."

"Good. Now Jack, how's our project coming along? Everything ready?"

"Ethan should be in custody any minute, if not already. As for us, I had the maintenance division pass off presidential clearance to you early, so you should have access to his quarters now."

"Wait, what's going on?"

"We're being pre-emptive, Fran. That's the only way to stay ahead of that smart-ass son of mine."

"You did this before the election?"

"I put this in motion even before the debate. Like I said, way ahead."

"But what's so important about getting into the quarters? And why didn't you tell me?"

Marshall started getting ready to walk out the door as Fran asked her barrage of questions, and he looked visibly frustrated as he turned to her.

"We don't know exactly, but it's a place that has special authorizations to enter, no one can go down there, and it's tied to Ethan, so I want it. As for why I didn't tell you, I knew you were busy with your part in the plan, so I didn't want to burden you with more than you needed. We work as a team, right? Fulfilling your role is the best way to contribute."

"I suppose that's true, yes."

"Exactly, I didn't mean anything by it. Now, me and Jack are going to go ahead and take care of this. Work on finding Alyssa and I'll meet you a bit later."

***

Kodi awoke from an apparent nap, although she didn't remember going to sleep on Ethan's bed, nor enter the sedation pod. And damn did she have a headache. And her wrists really hurt. Because they were tied together! As the realization set in, she tried to move forward, but to no avail. All she succeeded in doing was hurting her wrists even more, and her arms as she was flung backwards. She was cuffed to the wall, and these weren't regular cuffs. As her vision came back, she felt an electric charge shock her from the cuffs, hurting her arms and even back.

"Oh, you still got some fight in you, you're a persistent one."

As Kodi looked up, she saw a room she vaguely remembered, but hadn't seen much of. It was almost elegant, and there were people seated everywhere. In front of her, however, stood a man with a suit, white hair, full white beard, and piercing blue eyes that reminded her of Ethan's but with much more malicious intent hidden in the glare.

"Who are you? Where I am? What am I doing here?" Kodi asked in a frenzy, her mind processing many different things at once.

"Whoa whoa there, contrary to your belief, you are not in the position to be asking me any questions. I am in charge, and you're the prisoner." The older man said as he crept closer to Kodi, so much so that she could feel his breath on her face. It simultaneously enraged her and scared her.

"Leave her alone Marshall! This is between you and me, she has nothing to do with it!"

Kodi was startled by the voice, and looked to the side of her where she heard it from, and was shocked at who she saw.

"Ethan?? What the hell are you doing here? Why are you tied up like me?"

Before Ethan could answer, their bodies both shook in place as the electric charge zapped through both of them.

"Young lady, did I not say that I will be the one asking the questions! There is no need to look towards Ethan, or anyone else for help. Your life is in my hands now."

"Fuck you." Kodi said as she heard the crowd gasp. Now that she was more oriented and looking outward, she realized that they were on a stage, and chained to the wall behind a podium. What kind of show was this guy, Marshall putting on?

"Hmm, you found a real feisty one, son."

Son?

"Wait, Ethan this is your father? I thought you said he d-

Another charge administered, this one making Kodi and Ethan visibly flinch. Kodi breathed heavily, her head still hurting from whatever hit her and knocked her out.

"Let me start asking the questions, you've done enough. Now, you're the girl that breached our security and boarded our station, right?"

Kodi nodded, not wanting to receive another shock.

"And you did this with the intention of destroying the Society, right?"

"No, I didn't even know exactly what was up here. All I wanted was some equipment and supplies to help the people down at Earth."

"I shouldn't have asked a question, because no matter what you wanted, you did put us at risk. You jeopardized the safety of all these wonderful citizens staring at you now. It doesn't matter what the reasoning was."

"Marshall, please, you know the Society is far from perfect. It's-

"Ethan, quiet. Your president is talking."

"I don't give a f-

As Ethan begun his rebuttal, a pair of enforcement agents gagged him, muffling his voice and reducing them to cries. He struggled against the cuffs, trying to break free, the veins in his arms popping out as Kodi noticed him using all his strength, desperately.

"Please don't hurt him! It's me you want!" Kodi cried out, expecting to be gagged, but surprisingly she wasn't.

"Oh, it is, you are who we all want." Marshall turned away from Kodi, his menacing glare changing to a malevolent smirk as he turned to the audience of citizens.

"People of the Society, tonight is a very special occasion. As I have said many times before, the hallmarks of this institution are order, safety, and security. We saw the destruction, the disarray of Earth, and we fight now to make sure that things of that nature never happen again."

He turned towards Kodi again, the glare of her dark brown eyes matching his.

"And here we have a woman who has the audacity to threaten all of this, board our space station without permission, and try to steal our stuff!"

The crowd echoed in boos and outcry. Kodi couldn't believe what she was hearing. They were being swayed by an argument that lacked any background on her story, her struggle, a different side.

"All of you, even the children, were in danger and could have faced a worse fate. And your so called former President not only refused to take care of the problem, but he kept the criminal in his sleeping quarters, doing whatever he wanted with her! He kept her alive and unharmed!"

More boos. Kodi was about to offer a rebuttal when a guard finally reached around and gagged her as well. Only muffled grunts escaped her lips, but to no avail. She merely looked at Ethan with a combination of anger and worry. He looked helpless, angry as well.

"We cannot allow this to continue. I cannot allow this lack of punishment and order to continue. And so, great citizens, I have an idea. We could just leave them as prisoners for the rest of their lives, or kill them, but clearly both of those options have proven unsuccessful. Instead, since this woman cares for Earth so much, and Ethan clearly cares enough about her to keep her alive and well all this time, they can both go."

Go?? Go where? Kodi was confused but Ethan must have figured it out because he struggled against the cuffs more than he had the entire speech, groaning into the gag as he pulled and pulled.

"If these two insist on being together, then fine, I will send both of them to rot back on Earth. We rid ourselves of these pests, and they can return to their planet and die. Everyone wins."