Only Human (Themis Files #3)(68)
—Well. Oh, that’s right, you still can’t do the l’s.
—I hope it is not bad for me to say you are my friend.
—Thank you, Enatast. I also think of you as a friend.
—Then you must understand that what I am about to say, I say as a representative of Etyakt and not your friend.
—What is going on, Enatast?
—Where is Eva?
—I don’t know. Just tell me why you’re here.
—She is wanted for acts of terror.
—The bombings in Osk?
—There have been more bombings in four regions. She was seen near one in Eskyaks.
—This must be a mistake, Enatast. Eva wouldn’t—She’s never even left this town, let alone the region!
—I have seen the images, Vincent. She was there.
—It doesn’t make any sense. Eva can’t even make soup. Do you think she knows how to make a bomb? Where would she get it? Why?
—This morning, every region received a message from a group caying itself Eposk Yetskots, Hand of Yetskots. They say they put the bomb. They have made demands. More represent … ation for part-Ekt.
—What does that have to do with my daughter? Why is her face on every wall in the city?
—We did not send that image, the Hand of Yetskots did.
—Esant? The dagger?
—Maybe they want to make her a … symboy.
—A symbol of what? She’s … We’re all alone here. There’re her, me, and Rose.
—What happened to Terra was a bad thing, Vincent. Many many Terrans dead who did nothing to the Ekt. It scared those with non-Ekt ancestors. It united them. They have been divided for many, many times. Some are from pyanets that make war with another. Your Terra has everyone’s sympathy. You are victims of a great injustice by the Ekt and, in their mind, want the same thing they want. Eva is young and … epust, and she is Terran. She is a perfect face for an uprising.
—Eket eyet akt?
—We do not know who they are for sure. We have known for many months of a movement in many regions. Your daughter has been meeting with suspect members of the movement.
—She works at the soup kitchen, Enatast! She knows lots of people who are unhappy with the way things work. I know these people! They protest, they march. They don’t blow up buildings!
—They are organized, and they are everywhere. There are some in Osk who agree with them. Even in the Guard, they say. They have the means to commit those crimes.
—I’m sure there’s an explanation, Enatast. Let’s go find her. Let’s all go find her, so she can tell us.
—I am sorry, Vincent. I am very sorry. The security forces are searching everywhere. They find her.
—What will happen to her?
—I do not know, Vincent. I am honest when I say I do not.
—I have to f—
—Do not say it to me, Vincent. Do not say anything to me you do not want the security to know.
—I understand. Thanks.
—Good yuck, Vincent.
FILE NO. 2196 (CONTINUED)
MISSION LOG—WARRANT OFFICER EVA REYES AND LT. BARBARA BALL, U.S. MARINE CORPS, MECHA DIVISION
Location: Aboard Lapetus. Seoul, South Korea
—Eva, this is … a bit awkward. Would you rather I turn my comms off?
—No, it’s OK. I don’t have anything to hide.
What are you saying, Vincent? I might have gotten arrested for something I didn’t do, I might have been put on trial, found guilty, maybe, and executed. That’s a lot of maybes, don’t you think? You don’t know that any of it would have happened. Did it ever occur to you to just, I don’t know, ask me? You could have talked to me, you know?
[Lapetus, this is Central. Copy?]
Hold on, Vincent.
[Lapetus, this is Central. Copy?]
Barbara, are you gonna answer that?
—Copy, Central. Lieutenant Ball here.
[We can still see Themis on satellite.]
That’s right, Central. We’re … having a little chat.
[Lapetus, your orders are to get Themis out of there by any means necessary. Are we clear?]
Crystal, Central. You gave us some discretion on this one. For now we’re having a chat. We’ll let you know how it goes. Copy?
…
Central, do you copy?
[Copy that, Lapetus. We’ll try it your way.]
All yours, Eva.
—I’m surprised they didn’t order us to attack.
—I think they’re worried we’d lose. I am, anyway.
—Oh, we wouldn’t lose now. I don’t think Themis can move.
—What?
—I think she’s used up all her energy. If I’m right, she’s dead as a doorknob.
—I hate to bring this up, your dad being in there and all, but shouldn’t we kick their ass while we can?
—We probably should. I wouldn’t mind punching him in the face right about now.
—Then why don’t we?
—Because I can’t move my arms. Lapetus is just as dead as they are.
—How long until we can move again?
—Five, ten minutes if we’re lucky.
<Eva, are you there?>
Yes, “Dad.” I’m here. I’m in yokits North Korea with an explosive chip in my brain, being shot at by MiG 29s.