Persistence of Vision by Liesel K. Hill

Author:Liesel K. Hill [Hill, Liesel K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: FICTION/Dystopian/Science, Fiction/Adventure
Publisher: Tate Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21: The Question of Memories

Maggie stood on the mountainside just outside the cargo bay entrance to the compound, letting the cold wind blow her hair back over her shoulders. Marcus and David were arguing behind her.

“But you may need me, Marcus,” David said. “Karl said it: I’m a wealth of information. If you get into a tight spot, I may be the only hope of getting you out again.”

Marcus was shaking his head. “We’ve been over this, David. You’ve only been with us a few days. We don’t trust you yet. Maybe it’s harsh, but there it is. If you want to prove your loyalty, stay here and lay low. Let us do this mission. We can all get better acquainted when we return.”

“But I—”

“No, David. This discussion is over. It’s not like it was my decision alone. The team has decided.”

The rest of the team remained silent with heads lowered. It was true that they had come to a unanimous decision to leave David behind—there was too much potential for him to double cross them when they were behind enemy lines. It felt like a personal argument, so everyone was staying out of it and letting Marcus take the lead.

Doc stepped forward. “What he says is true, David. You must understand our reasoning. Try not to take it personally.”

“I do understand your reasoning, and I’m not taking it personally. I know you don’t trust me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I ought to be going with…you. If anything goes wrong, if you’re detected or captured, I may be your only hope. I know how these people think, how they run things. Can…you afford to leave me behind?”

Doc gave David a sympathetic smile. “We are confident that our team is well-rounded and can deal with any contingency that arises.”

David opened his mouth, but Doc put up a hand.

“Please. Your argument is sound. It is true that you might be a great asset to us, but you could also be a major liability. We’ve decided we will go as a team and nothing more.”

“But you aren’t well rounded. Deceiver is still vacant…the team is vulnerable.”

Doc cocked his head to the side. “Do you have the Deception ability, David?”

“I…no, but—”

“Then what difference does it make?”

For the first time in half an hour, David seemed to be out of arguments, but he looked deeply frustrated.

“David”—Doc put a hand on his shoulder—“you have given us more information than we’ve had in”—he waved a hand around—“in Marcus’s lifetime. If this mission works the way we hope it will, we will owe our success almost exclusively to you. Be content with that.”

David didn’t answer. He didn’t look content, but he didn’t argue again.

“Now.” Doc turned to the team. “We should be on our way by morning. The vehicles are being loaded up. It won’t be a difficult journey, but it will be a long one, so I suggest everyone stretch their legs for as long as possible before we leave. Perhaps go through a mental checklist one more time and make sure you have everything.

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