Kingdom Keepers VI(75)

“You’ve been programmed as a DHI,” Philby said, doubting her.

“Two point oh.”

The silence that hung over the room was oppressive. Wayne having the foresight to program someone the Keepers had never met into the newest available system gave weight to the idea that the Keepers were going to be replaced by newer models at some point.

In fact, with Storey’s announcement, that point suddenly seemed much closer than any of the Keepers had believed possible.

“We need you too, Amanda,” Finn said, trying to change the subject while knowing he might be accused of favoritism or teased for his choice. “Because you can push.”

“And you,” Willa said, “because of your freakish strength.”

No one had made a big deal about Finn’s newfound abilities; he’d been glad for that, because even he did not understand them. He didn’t have control of whatever it was; he didn’t want to promise something he couldn’t deliver.

“I don’t know,” he said.

“Finn’s not going.” Philby stood, arms crossed; defiant, anticipating an objection. “And no, Maybeck, not you either.”

He allowed a few seconds for this to sink in. Rage washed through Finn. Philby, taking over as the leader. Again. He wanted so desperately to object, but kept himself in check.

“Finn’s not going because whoever did this just kidnapped ‘him.’ We’re not going to give them the real thing. They also went after you, Maybeck. As good as you are in a fight, you’re going to sit this one out.”

“We’re going for Dillard,” Finn said. Enough was enough. “And I’m in.”

“You are not. Yes, we are going find and rescue Dillard. But I propose the following. First, Charlene is critical to the mission; she saw the two hunters in the woods. Second, Mattie will go with her—she’s a stowaway to begin with; she won’t be missed. If Charlene can identify either of the two people she saw, Mattie may be able to touch them and draw out information about where Dillard is.”

“Mattie doesn’t see the future.” Finn tried to gauge the mood in the room. It seemed like the others were buying into Philby’s plan; he didn’t want to object, be outvoted, and look weak.

“No, but if Dillard, a.k.a. Finn, is mentioned, maybe this guy’ll think something about where Dillard is, and that’s all we’d need.”

“Makes sense,” Willa said.

Finn tensed. He was losing ground. “It’s a bogus plan. The others can be returned and rejoin the ship. Mattie and Dillard can’t. They’re not DHIs.”

“True,” Philby said. “But Wayne can get us around that problem.” He looked directly at Finn, who was steamed to hear of yet another secret conversation.

“Wayne has arranged for money to be left at the front desk. Mattie and Dillard are going to meet us in Mexico. The fishing boat they’ll be on makes the Dream look like a sea slug. Finally, as Finn suggested, Amanda is the third piece. Her ability to push could come in quite handy. Three girls. I hate to sound sexist, but Dillard’s kidnappers are also unlikely to see them as hostiles. That should give the girls at least a few seconds to get the jump on them.”

The lack of even a murmur of discontent shocked Finn. Usually a plan was challenged up and down before acceptance. What did the apparent universal agreement mean?

His resentment of Philby—so recently dormant—built to where he wanted to say something—anything—to make Philby look bad. But he couldn’t think of a thing to say. The urge passed, the fire died; but the coals lingered.

“An all-girl mission,” Charlene said, making no attempt to mask her pride and joy. “I like it.”





CHARLENE’S HAND FLICKERED and disappeared. When she tapped Mattie Weaver on the leg, the girl shrieked, and then faked a sneeze to mollify the surprised taxi driver. What caused Mattie’s shriek was the empty backseat; a moment earlier, there had been two other girls sitting with her. With no technology to project their holograms, Charlene and Amanda had disappeared into DHI shadow a mile away from the ship.

Philby had explained it all—high speed modems, security cameras, laptops equipped with video. Charlene’s focus was not when or how she and Amanda might be visible, but what came next. She was the appointed leader of this trio; it didn’t escape her that this was an all-girl mission, the first in a foreign country. She’d only had one year of Spanish. A boy’s life hung in the balance. Success or failure hung on her, fairly or not.

It made her think of Finn and all the times he’d led the Keepers, all the times he’d carried this kind of pressure so effortlessly. Until Charlene had felt the weight on her shoulders, she’d had no idea how heavy it was. Her admiration of Finn transformed into a jealousy of Amanda, the invisible girl sitting next to her.