Chapter 2 (3/4)

FALLON

Not long after our return did I receive word of the Council Meeting. I put away the last of my supplies, sparing the bag of Funyuns. People were parting around me, going about their business. We all have jobs to do, people are taking care of business, as they should.

 

I nodded as oncoming Company member made contact with me, Alžbeta, she was Slovakian, 15 and a half. A pretty girl with flat black hair and angled brown eyes. I nodded curtly, yielding a stern expression as she nodded vigorously with wide eyes and stared down at the concrete. I passed a group of young boys just beyond the doors to the Deliberation Building. 5 of them were speaking avidly about the newest game they had generated. The sixth member sat with his back against the bricks, spectating without any real interest. His name was Henrik, a 7 year old from Iceland. He had a head of white blond curls, pale skin and blue eyes that stood out dark and large on his cherub face.

 

I pursed my lips at his bored face and squatted next to him, resting my elbows on my knees and squinting at the scene. “Whit are we gawking at?” I whispered in his direction.

 

Henrik glanced at me, slight grin sinking his dimples into his cheeks, “Hi Fallon”, he turned his attention back to the game, “There is a bet for who will win. 6 dollars and 27 cents in the pot.” His little intonation made the I’s of his words high and flat. I pursed my lips again at his actions, I don’t mind a little gambling every now and again but this is the third time this month. That money is basically worthless now, the slips of paper piled up and resembling a small rainbow with the varying currency. I hummed in response and watched them play.

 

“It is not a good jackpot, if you ask me”, Henrik chimed after a beat, tilting his head first at the game, then at me with a lopsided smug grin. I chuckled silently, hiding a smile as I leant over and pressed a kiss to his temple. I slipped my hand into the back pocket of my pants, retrieving a spare 20 New Zealand Dollars from the run and dropping it to the pile before ruffling his unruly curls. His face brightened as he stared upwards at my gingerly retreating figure. “Who is it on?”

 

I turned and looked at the bairn, “I don’ care. Dealers choice.”

 

Henrik blushed, the blood rush transforming his pale face into a tomato and his hair looking brighter by the moment. He turned to the cash and I tossed the bag of Funyuns at him before striding away to the Conference room. I could hear his sounds of delight and the jealousy groans of the other boys.

 

I pushed open the conference doors, and wrinkled my nose slightly at the antiseptic smell. The huge room was white from top to bottom, a huge domed ceiling reverberated when noise was made and under lit glass tiles made up the floor, forcing a loud echo every  time a step was taken. The walls appeared to seamlessly fade into both the ceiling and the floor, that same blinding white painted and illuminated on every crevasse and  wall. It felt like I was walking in a clean, fresh mind. One that hadn’t been contaminated by what the company has affectionately begun calling the Nuclear Revolution. I hate it.  I spend enough time in my own mind as it is, and it’s tainted with much darker hues. Even despite that, I hate this room. But what can I say? I didn’t design it.

 

I stepped in, footsteps reverberating dully, and maneuvered my way around the stark black circular table and chairs before taking my seat at the back middle. I propped one foot against a leg of the table. Unprofessional yes, but I couldn’t muster enough energy to care about the disgusted look that Agnes directed at me. Marco, who was leaning his elbows on the table, hid his head behind fisted hands and turned his disbelieving chuckle and smile with an ‘of course you would’ nod.

 

Agnes stood from her place at the opposite side of the table, “Glad you cou’d join us, Fallon. We were waitin’ on you.” She shuffled all her papers into a neat pile, I squinted at the not-so-well-hidden leer on her lips.

 

With a stony expression, I glanced at her up and down before snapping, “Don’t be cheeky.”

 

My tone was even, but the point was still made, as she was taken aback and had to take a moment to recompose herself. I swallowed my triumphant smirk, Marco didn’t, although he did attempt to smother his laugh at least. “Right, roll ca’.”

 

I stood, fingers brushing down the list as I called them out. They chimed in the order from my right and around.  

 

“Security”

 

“Da”, Dominika chimed, every ounce of interest from her voice was gone. She’s just as done with this meeting as I am, it was blatant on her well-made and highly trained face. Dominika hit the genetic jackpot in terms of incomparable beauty. Glistening honey glow tan, platinum blond hair that reached down her mid spine. Blue eyes so pale they were nearly white, accompanied by one of the fiercest glares I’d ever encountered. And a pixie like facial structure with filler full lips. She was tall, taller than myself; standing at a very muscular 5’8”.

 

“Medical”

 

“I’m here”, Celest said with a sweet but impatient tone, always the rushing doctor. Daintily pointed nose pointed up as she smiled, plumper upper lip stretching in her closed mouth smile. She had on sky blue scrubs, and the blueberry neckline of them directed attention to her crème blonde locks, it was clipped in a bun against the back of her head, loosely curved strands hung down from hard work and framed her creamy beige face. Her clip had the flag of France displayed for everyone to see that held up her hair.

 

“Base Health”

 

“I am present”, Owen’s deep rumble nearly vibrated the floor beneath our feet. He had sharply defined Ugandan features, most of which were hidden because of his dark skin. He had a narrow nose, and a square jawline spotted with scruff. It made him appear cold and almost burly, but he had kind eyes of an amber color. They stood out distinctly as his best feature, and the only thing that kept the poor sixteen year old from seeming absolutely intimidating.

 

“Youth Leader”

 

“Yesa- I am here Fallon”, Sixteen year old Bianca was in charge of the toddlers and infants. She had help from elderly advisers chosen with us. She was the classic Italian beauty, the olive tan skin was a dead giveaway. She had a fresh face and small refined nose, and her young features almost gave the impression of naivety. They would’ve fooled me if I hadn’t been there to watch her world fall apart when we left our families. Upon her answer to my beckon, I noticed that the short cabernet brown ponytail she kept that hair in was in disarray, most likely from wrangling children all day long.

 

“Transportation”

 

“Here”, Trevor answered nervously, the wean turned 15 shortly before being voted into the council. After that time he was still like an anxious bairn sitting at the adult table. The shy American had walnut brown hair flat brown eyes that fit well atop his toasted tan skin.

 

“Tactics”

 

Agnes jumped up as she’d been waiting patiently for her turn, “Present and on time.” She spoke with a voice of sickly sweet venom. She leveled an overconfident smirk with me as she sat back down, crossing her legs and resting with poise and a straight back. She had the classic unkempt auburn orange hair of many Irishwomen, as well as a perky nose tip and lightly flared nostrils. Agnes also heavy dusting of freckles and a pair of pastel green irises. The very same upturned ones she was now staring up at me with.

 

“Base Power”

 

“I’m here”, the words rolled off the Brits tongue like water off a ducks back. Oliver sent me a respectful, dazzling smile, but behind the glasses, under those African features and below those chocolate eyes, I could see the snake waiting. Oliver is a slippery guy, calculated and precise, always. He has the calmest composition I’ve ever seen, it was eerie.

 

“Stealth”

 

Von stood up immediately, “Present”, he sat back down, full attention on my figure. Von was one of the few who fought for his spot here, he fought harder than anyone else in Germany, at just 15 years. He was also fiercely loyal, which was a valuable trait to have in a person on your side. He had dirty blond hair cropped on the sides and longer on top, just enough to sit to one side and acne spotting all over his pasty face. Von also had bushy eyebrows a shade darker that hung over and cast shadows over his small eyes. He also had a long crooked nose from it being broken a time or two before.

 

“Relations ‘n’ Communication”

 

“I’m here Fallon!” Amaya piped up cheerfully from three seats to my left. She had long curly espresso black tresses and wide pink lips with set smile lines from the her constant grinning. She had big round monolid brown eyes and a peachy completion. It was the reason that her rosy cheeks were always so prominent.

 

“Sustenance”

 

Lok grunted happily with a wide grin and pleased nod. I have always admired Lok for his voluntary silence, he was a nice guy and his smile always reached his eyes. At least when his shaggy black mop on top of his head wasn’t falling in front of them. The name Lok meant happiness in Chinese, and it could not have been better chosen.

 

“Central Intelligence”

 

“You know I’m here, Mi Reina”, Marco winked and clicked, body facing me. His accent was prominent in his words, but not necessarily in his speech patterns. He had this habit flicking his tongue over his lips and he did that cautious grin that meant he was trying to test my patience, his lips parted slightly and he was pushing his teeth against each other. Most of the group laughed, Agnes had an expression like she had been sucking on lemons. Intense expression remaining mostly unchanged, my traits softened, one corner of my lips up ticked for a moment before smoothing back into a straight line. I was quick about regaining my composure, but Marco must’ve seen it because his smile widened. He always notices, that’s why he’s head of Central Intelligence.

 

I shook my head to conceal a laugh, “A’m no queen, n’ you know it.” The council laughed again.

I turned to look at him, he was born in the city of Los Mochis, so his skin was tanned from the hot Mexico sun, and he kept his black hair clean shaven the way he has since he was but a little wean. He kept his facial hair shaved down to stubble around his upper lip and chin, and  just down along his jawbones.

 

His hooded eyes were so dark they were almost black, I remember it was unsettling when we had first met, now they remind me of the shadows we used to hide in. He had a defined jawline, especially when he would get all worked up and his jaw would tense. He had smile lines too, because the corners of his eyes would crinkle when his lips would split into a grin.

 

“Now that th’ formalities are over n; done wi’. Who called this tae order?”, my eyes hardened as I looked around the room. The entire base knew that there was a supply run scheduled for today, so it was illogical for them to have called a meeting so soon afterwards.

 

Agnes stood, chin up and hands grasped so tightly behind her back like she was ready to burst. “I was told about a tip by one of the scouts.”

 

With a sigh I sat back down, back facing Marco, pinching the bridge of my nose gently. “And ye didn’t just take it up with Central Intelligence why?” I heard him scoff slightly over my shoulder, he didn’t want to deal with her either.

 

Agnes looked around the room, clearly at a loss, “Cause this tip should be taken care of by the Council, we should all know abou’ it.”

 

I dropped my hand and made to respond when Oliver stood with a gracious bow, “Excuse me, Fallon. I instructed her to take it straight to you and the rest of us. This is possibly very vital information.”

 

I waved my hand to tell them that it was enough convincing, “Okay, okay. Then whit’s the speirins?”

 

“I’m sorry, what?” Trevor injected quizzically, leaning over the table with his brows knit together in confusion.

 

Before I could even open my trap to answer, Marco decreed, “Information.” I sighed because I knew he was rearing up for a lecture, I cut him off, “Aye, so, whit is it?”

 

Oliver sat back down and smirked when he noticed Marco glaring into the side of my head. After a tense moment of waiting, Agnes blurted out, “There’s another camp.”

 

The air of the room chilled a few degrees after her words, and whatever emotions left on my face were gone. All occupants quieted themselves, several drew back from the table itself as though it might burn them. The last time we had received any outside contact was the final shipment of supplies, 16 months after we were stationed here in the former country of New Zealand. We’d made call after call after call to get ahold of them. But there were no answers, ever. It had been unbelievably frustrating, and near devastating for the younger kids like Trevor who were just barely grasping that we were alone.

 

After the initial shock faded away, the others began to discuss what could only have been described as a best case scenario. I tuned them out, most of what they were discussing was nonsense. I thought back to when we had lost contact with the government, the next day our previous Leader, the Company member from Egypt. Fukanya went out with three other people the next night on the very first supply run, two came back. I remember how she told me that her mother would call her by her middle name, Oni, which meant Wanted. Now I know how just accurate it was. The room was silent and tense for what felt like hours.

 

A feather light touch on my shoulder and breath on the side of my face jumpstarted my nerves. Marco was just behind me, hand on my shoulder and well masked concern on his very nearby face. It took me a moment before comprehending that he had been speaking to me. “I was thinkin’”, I stated noiselessly, turning away and straightening my spine slightly. Marco breathed a laugh, “I know, I asked if you were good?” I waved him off and we turned back to the overexcited debacle. The last thing said was Amaya asking what they should do now.

 

Calmly I announced, “We do nothing.”

 

Once again the entire room silenced with what appeared as shock as they looked at me. “What?” The Irishwoman’s eyes looked ready to fall out of her skull. She shrieked, “What on God’s green Earth do you mean we ain’t doin’ anythin’?”

 

I fixed her with a glower and she visibly flinched, “We are not goin’ tae do anythin’.”

 

“That’s rubbish!”

 

“Why not?” Trevor came to her defense, nearly shouting, befuddlement evident on his face.

 

“Because”, I replied sharply, “We dinnae know who these fowk are. Or if they're even fowk at all. For all we know, this is a community o’ Nukies. If this is a group o’ civilians, we dinnae know if their poisoned. How much Radiation they've been exposed tae. We have tae keep our distance, surveil them ‘til we know every last detail.”

 

Most of the council visibly deflated, Agnes seemed ashamed at how she had gotten so far ahead of herself that she failed to see the reality of the situation. I hadn’t broken eye contact with Trevor, he had fear in in eyes, and shaking hands from his fright. “Understood?”

 

Various members nodded and replied, the American gulped and nodded his head. I took a deep breath and glanced around the spectators around the table. “Von, put a few scouts on surveillance. Get me th' information. Blether tae me when ye hae something.” He nods curtly, writing a few notes on a card and looking back at for further instruction. “Dominika”, I addressed abruptly, she stood at attention, much like Von had.

 

“Yes, Miss.”

 

“Raise boundary security. Put us at code yellow, we need tae keep vigilant 'n' prepared but not necessarily on high alert. N’ keep it quiet. ”

 

“It will be done before night fall.” I nodded to her as a dismissal, she sat down and waited impatiently for the closing statements.

 

I scanned the room again, there were faces of exhaustion, worry, excitement. “If there is nothin’ else?” The group shook their heads to say they had nothing to contribute. “Keep me in th’ loop. This meetin’ dismissed.”

 

The group rose collectively and made for the exit, I noticed Trevor lingering by the door, staring at his hands.

 

I studied him for a moment, head tilted in memorization. I perked up slightly with intrigue when Marco draped his arm around his shoulders and spoke in his ear with a friendly face. Trevor nodded with pink tinged ea