At least he'd managed not to puke after their connections. It wasn't much to be proud of. But it was something.
Trevor rested his hands on the crater and focused on moving the molecules back into the correct positions. The metal of the ship was usually extremely adaptable, able to shift from solid to near liquid with minimal energy use, allowing for both strength and flexibility. But the molecules of the metal had been coded with a block that made manipulating them almost impossible for any being not connected to the consciousness.
Trevor strained to push all extraneous thoughts out of his head. Thoughts of Michael. Of his parents. Of the nearness of DuPris. Only the molecules, he ordered himself. If he was going to get past the block, it would take every neuron of his human brain.
Slowly the molecules came into focus. He could see them vibrating, see that the metal was in reality billions of separate entities. Trevor began to trace one of the molecules with his mind, searching for anything that felt off, anything that could tell him exactly how the block was coded. He examined the individual atoms and the bonds of positive and negative attraction that bound them together.
Everything appeared normal. So he moved on to the next molecule, scanning the atoms, their protons, electrons, neutrons, and quarks. Normal. On to the next. Normal. And the next. Normal.
Trevor felt frustration begin to build inside him. It could take the rest of his life just to examine the molecules in this one small bashed-in section of the ship.
He clamped down on the emotion-hard. He could allow no distractions. If his attention wavered even for a flicker, he could miss the code. He returned to his examination. Normal. Normal. Normal. Normal.
A dull ache started up behind his eyes. Trevor ignored it. Normal. Normal. Normal. Normal. Normal.
The ache sharpened into a knife of pain, stabbing him in the same spot again and again. Trevor risked a quick glance at DuPris. The leader had his attention on the ship. You don't stop until he stops, Trevor told himself.
The pain moved deeper into his head, but Trevor continued his work. Normal. Normal. Normal. Normal. He gritted his teeth to keep from crying out. Normal. Normal. Normal.
"Take a break if you need one," DuPris called. Trevor shot another glance at him and saw that he was lying on the floor.
Trevors fingers trembled as he pulled them off the metal. He lowered himself to the ground and stretched out on his back, the pain dulling almost immediately.
"Couldn't we use the power of the fully charged Stone of Midnight for this job?" he asked.
DuPris didn't answer, and Trevor's blood immediately ran cold with fear. He turned his head to look at the leader. The cold expression in his green eyes made it clear that suggestions from Trevor were not going to be tolerated. Trevor forced himself to continue to meet DuPris's gaze. He didn't want the leader to sense any weakness in him.
"When the second Stone is charged and the ship is repaired, you will return home, bringing the Stone with you," DuPris announced.
I've failed, Trevor thought. He's seen my emotions go out of control when we connect, and he has decided he wants-
"You will select a squadron of soldiers from members of the Kindred," DuPris continued.
Trevor blinked, and relief flooded through him. DuPris still planned to give him a role in the rebellion. He hoped his near giddy happiness didn't show on his face.
"The squadron will escort you to the consortium chamber where the third Stone of Midnight is kept," DuPris continued, turning his head to stare up at the cracked and dusty ceiling of the warehouse. "You will instruct the freedom fighters to kill anyone who tries to stop you. You must make sure your squadron is big enough and well armed enough that no matter what the losses, the squadron will be able to get you inside the chamber."
"That's a suicide mission," Trevor burst out before he could censor himself. DuPris's plan would involve thousands of deaths. "Couldn't there be a… a more covert-"
"You will follow orders. So will those you command," DuPris answered, voice harsh.
Trevor's mouth snapped shut as his heart dropped. Why couldn't he seem to keep his idiot thoughts unspoken? He pushed himself to his feet.
"Yes, Leader," he said firmly, looking DuPris in the eye. He moved back into position in front of the ship, even though the pain in his head had returned full force the moment he stood up. He placed his hands on the metal, wanting to show DuPris that he was more than eager, more than willing-
To lead thousands to their deaths. The thought screamed through Trevor's head unbidden.
If that's what it takes, he told himself. If that is the sacrifice that is necessary, then it will be done.
Behind him, DuPris began to whistle. He paused for a moment. "Join me," he called to Trevor.
Trevor didn't turn around. He kept his eyes on the ship. "I don't know that song," he answered.
"Theme to the Andy Griffith Show," DuPris answered. "One of the best theme songs, second only perhaps to the one for Gilligan's Island." He began to whistle again.
Trevor swallowed hard. Less than a minute ago DuPris was planning the deaths of thousands of the Kindred, and now…
Now he was whistling?
What kind of being was-
Trevor forced the thought away before he could complete it.
Liz heard her papa's steps slow in front of her door. She smiled as they continued on. He hadn't checked on her. He was really trying to show her that he trusted her, that he knew she wasn't Rosa and he didn't have to be afraid she would die from an overdose the way her sister had.
She rolled onto her side and straightened the rumpled covers. She'd been having a good dream before the sound of the footsteps woke her up. What was it? Something about her and Maria at the community swimming pool? Not quite that.
It wasn't an Adam dream-that's all Liz knew for sure. She also had to admit that she was a little disappointed that it hadn't been an Adam dream.
Every once in a while Adam slipped into her dream orb and created something wonderful for her. Those little encounters with Adam, away from the group, away from real life, were magic.
Liz gazed at the phone on her bedside table. She could just call Adam up and invite him into her dream. She'd never done that before, but she could.
Except that would be encouraging Adam to hope that there could be something more between them. She knew he wanted that. She could see it on his face every time he looked at her.
"And I don't want that," she whispered, needing to hear the words aloud.
Except if she didn't want that, why was she lying there thinking about Adam in the middle of the night? Liz reached for the phone, then hesitated, hand frozen in midair.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to spend a little time with Adam, she thought. It's fun. Fun is good. Hardly anything is fun anymore. It didn't have to be some big deal. It didn't have to be leading somewhere. And if she kept things light and friendly, Adam wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Liz snatched up the phone and dialed, hoping Michael wouldn't be the one who answered. She smiled as she heard Adam's voice say, "Hello."
"It's Liz," she told him. "Do you want to come out and play? I mean, do you want to meet up on the dream plane for a while?"
There was a moment of silence, and Liz's palms started to sweat. "We don't have to," she added quickly.
"No. No! I want to. Definitely," Adam exclaimed. "Just go to sleep, and I'll be there." He hung up without saying good-bye.
Liz hung up the phone and settled back down into her pillows, searching for the most comfortable position. It didn't take too long before she began to feel the drifty, floaty, almost asleep sensations.