Activated

chapter 16

The door to the holding room opened, and a guard entered. “Heal programmer Beika of northwest and fire programmer Melancho of northeast are hereby released. 



Beika stood. “What about them?” She pointed at Marceau and Soji. 



“The Selati and futuretell programmer Marceau are to remain for further questioning.” 



“What? No!” Beika said. 



Soji took up Beika’s hand. “No worry, Master Beika. Go.”



Beika sniffled but nodded. She walked up to the guard. “If they ever lay a hand on Soji or Marceau, I swear that I…” 



A hand held her back at the shoulder. “Beika. Shut up.” 



“But, Lan!” 



Lan looked back as he kept his grip on Beika’s shoulder. “Soji. Stop blaming yourself.” 



Soji’s mouth rounded. Then he closed it and smiled. “Yes, Master Lan.” He bowed to him. 


#

“Well, well! Since when have you been a couple?” her brother sneered at Marceau and the Selati holding her hand. 



Marceau tossed her head. She was not going down to his level. She was in enough trouble without her brother rubbing it in. She wished someone else would do the interrogation, even if Claude listened. She headed straight for the interrogation room, Soji beside him. But she let go as they reached the door. She sat at the table by herself. Soji was pushed in and dropped into a chair away from her. 



In front of them sat the head of the defense committee, futuretell programmer Charles. She gulped. Her brother went straight to the highest-ranked official. She bowed to him as her knees shook and her hands grew moist. Still, at least it was not her brother. She could maintain her composure with this elder. 



Futuretell Charles spoke. “Futuretell Claude claims that you have previous connections with a Selati, that you did not follow protocol regarding contact with any person from Selatan. What say you?” 



“Your honor can read my timelines at any moment,” she said. 



“You are aware that if proven, your programming license will be revoked, that you might be charged with conspiracy against this government?” 



“Yes, your honor.” 



“Why did you do it, then, futuretell Marceau?” 



Marceau kept her eyes on her lap. Truth be told, she did not know why she let Beika take Soji along, why she did not say no, why she did not turn Soji in at the gates the first time, why she did not have Soji arrested after that. She remembered how he held her hand in the dark woods, but she was not sure if that was the reason. She did not understand why she was concerned about him, only in the sense that protocol was breached. Soji himself did not worry her. Maybe he did, but it was the trance codes, not him. She did not understand why. 



“Futuretell Marceau?” the committee head repeated. 



She looked up. She had to give some sort of answer. “The Selati in question has shown mercy to me and to two other Pendika. I request for clemency.” 



“Please explain.” 



“Your honor, I request that you read my timelines. I am afraid I might not be able to relate the events to you properly.” She was also concerned that any words she used might be twisted by her brother to his advantage. It was better that the timelines speak for themselves.