Edge of Liberty (Book Two of Whisper Independence)

By T.J. Patterson

EDGE of LIBERTY
A sci-fi/dystopian and frightening analogy of the goals, methods, and results of the Guardians’ government, as they continue to amass a dependent population and take away citizens’ freedoms one by one.

The Luxurs are unable to protect Adora from her own personal devastation after an encounter with the Guardians. Zane's unthinkable agreement with them leaves humans on Vitory vulnerable, as the Guardians continue to capture unsuspecting humans for their experiments. Adora detests that her situation affects all those she loves, and she sets out and risks her life, vowing to never be a victim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: T.J. Patterson
• Release date: Feb 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311037763

T.J. Patterson

T.J. Patterson is the author of the sci-fi dystopian trilogy, which includes Whisper Independence, Edge of Liberty (Book Two of Whisper Independence), and Embers of Freedom (Book Three of the Whisper Independence Trilogy). These novels combine her interests in philosophy and politics, as well as a passion for home improvement projects.All 3 books in the Whisper Independence trilogy are available for sale at your favorite retailers.Readers can contact me via email at [e-mail] or visit my website at WordPress.Whisper Independence:“....thus truly begins the fantastic story that is, “Whisper Independence;”“Once the mystery is unfurled, the action begins and doesn’t slow down until the very end of the story;”“I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, owing to the wonderful writing, exciting storyline, and realistic characters;”“....took my apprehensions and brought them to light in a mysterious and terrifying manner” (Jennifer Boyce,official OnlineBookClub.org review: Whisper Independence by T.J. Patterson).Edge of Liberty (Book Two of Whisper Independence):“....the author has come up with something out-of-the-box in this series...”“It is a well written, engrossing novel which deserves a 4 out of 4 stars rating.” (Ananya92, official OnlineBookClub.org review: Edge of Liberty by T.J. Patterson).Embers of Freedom (Book Three of the Whisper Independence Trilogy):“....an engrossing plot...”“I loved the depth of the characters.”“....keeps readers enthralled. I recommend this to all science fiction lovers.”“....great read! I have to rate it 4 out of 4 stars.” (Kelebogile Mbangi, official OnlineBookClub.org review: Embers of Freedom by T.J. Patterson).

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Edge of Liberty

(Book Two of Whisper Independence)

By T.J. Patterson

Copyright 2015 T.J. Patterson

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Party of Two

Chapter 2: Holding Pattern

Chapter 3: Suspicion

Chapter 4: Surveillance

Chapter 5: Celebration

Chapter 6: Denial

Chapter 7: Free Will

Chapter 8: Dark of Night

Chapter 9: Appeal

Chapter 10: Secrets

Chapter 11: Dead End

Chapter 12: Procedure

Chapter 13: Found

Chapter 14: Wrath

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Chapter 1: Party of Two

Adora was barely awake when an armed guard materialized out of nothingness before her and stood towering above her. Through her fog-laden eyes, she could see his glowing light brown eyes watching over her. He was tall, and his casual jacket and pants belied the seriousness of the situation, as he held a rigid posture and his face was stern, if not expressionless. As he leaned in towards her, his figure blocked the light coming in through the window, and Adora felt a shadow being cast across her body. She shivered as memories of the events of the past few days and weeks streamed back into her awareness. No one had ever sufficiently explained to her how it was possible to know the difference between a dream and reality. She knew. As sure and as real as the Humien who stood before her now, she just knew that everything she had experienced had all been real.

Miss Jensen, I trust you are well-rested, the part-human, part-alien guard said. I hope I didn't frighten you, given everything you've been through.

Zane? Adora asked. She glanced around her bedroom.

Mr. Hawkins will return soon. He had an urgent meeting.

That's strange. He must've heard from the colleagues at the university, she said.

She was relieved to be freed from her captors, yet she was anxious. So much had happened, she couldn't even wrap her head around it all. She could hardly believe it was possible.

I need to see him.

The guard said, You aren't afraid though.

Adora said, Until recently, it would be terrifying to see a strange man in one's apartment, let alone an alien. After what I’ve been through with the Guardians, let’s just say I’m relieved to see your particular kind of Humien. You’re a Luxur.

Adora knew that only a Luxur with Futurescence can materialize, so she knew this man was safe. Futurescence was the same feature that enabled such Luxurs to avoid being destroyed. Along with their immortality, they could appear suddenly and could also dematerialize as their bodies seemed to disintegrate, leaving behind what Adora herself could only guess was a cloud of residual, visible molecules. No other Humiens from the planet of Luxur possessed such a quality, including the Guardians and even the traditional Luxurs, who were also without Futurescence. The Guardians could transform back to their previous alien forms similar to way in which Luxurs like Zane could transform, but their similarities ended there.

Yes.

She said, Whereas the Guardians prefer to control their citizens by making the people dependent on them.

Zane and the other Luxurs believed in liberty, just as she did. Before Adora had been captured by the Guardians, she only experienced an occasional, fleeting question of whether she took her liberty for granted. Back home and safe in her apartment now, she had regained her physical freedom, but she was no longer naïve enough to believe as she once had. Adora had only recently begun to comprehend the many ways one could lose one’s freedom.

I apologize, the guard said. My name is Sebastian. Sebastian Lawren. I work at the university with Zane. Well, usually. For now, I'm your bodyguard during the times when Zane can't be here. You're going to be seeing a bit of me for a while, until the so-called Guardians are in check, which we hope is soon.

Glad to meet you, Sebastian. She paused. You're one of the few Luxurs who--.

Who has Futurescence? Ah, yes. No wonder you weren't afraid. The materialization gives it away.

She said, As it is, I'm more annoyed than frightened.

Sebastian said, Zane told me you would say something like that. In any case, you need the best possible protection from your former captors at the moment. We Luxurs can't take any chances until we know that Aldon has ordered all of the Guardians in the larger party of the Central Bureau that you are off-limits, shall we say?

I noticed your weapons, she said as she looked towards the gun and knife slung across his tall frame. She lifted her eyes to his and noticed his too-serious expression.

They're for your benefit, not mine, he said.

She knew that Luxurs with Futurescence couldn't be killed. It was a side effect of the genetic engineering that they developed in order to transform from aliens to human form.

Right, she said. A Luxur of your kind won't be needing weapons for self-defense.

Sebastian said, I see you are somewhat aware of the triad of side effects that accompany Futurescence for Humiens like Zane and myself.

Adora said, The third of which means you also can't lie.

It's true. He smiled. Unlike the Guardians, who don't have such residuals from their genetic engineering methodology. Of course, they abuse their ability to lie. But then, such a government that wants to control its citizens wouldn't know the use of honesty.

Adora said, And where their deception leaves off, their genetic engineering picks up.

You are lucky to have been released unharmed, Miss Jensen. Otherwise, you'd be just another test subject, or worse, he said.

She said, I'm not sure how lucky. I was a pawn in Aldon's game. I'm the reason Zane made the deal with Aldon to provide him with Futurescence, in exchange for my safety. The last thing you Luxurs wanted was for a Guardian to receive Futurescence. I bear responsibility for putting you all in that position, not to mention the risk to the other humans here on Vitory.

Sebastian said, Yes, the humans are our top priority, and we came very close to jeopardizing the stability of the population. As it is, you are still one of the few humans who know about the existence of Humiens on this planet, and we mean to keep it that way. And fortunately, Aldon will only be receiving the Futurescence Gap, rather than the premium version.

Adora said, Even with such a built-in weakness in that version of Futurescence, Aldon would have to violate his end of the agreement before a Luxur who has Futurescence could rightfully destroy him. Aldon and the other Guardians can do a lot of damage in the meantime. They're mass-producing dependent citizens, both experimentally and through breeding.

Sebastian said, It's disastrous, to be sure. But again, we were fortunate that Zane was able to bargain for only Aldon to receive Futurescence, rather than Aldon and his four associates.

Adora turned and glanced at her bathroom door. She wanted to take a shower in the worst way, but she wasn't going to do so with a Humien--or any strange man--in her apartment, even if he was trustworthy. On second thought, Adora noted to herself that there was nothing in Futurescence that precluded Luxurs from committing evil acts, only that they had to be truthful. He would have killed her by now if he had wanted to. She could forgive herself for having such rambling thoughts, after all she'd been through. Sebastian looked towards the bathroom door but said nothing. Adora decided she would wait to shower until Zane returned. Where was he, and who was he meeting? He already met with his colleagues to discuss the procedure to give Futurescence to the Guardians' leader, Aldon. Could they have reneged on their decision to grant Futurescence to Aldon? Surely not, since such a Luxur cannot go back on his word.

Sebastian said, Just a heads up. Zane wants more than guards in-place to protect you. He curses himself for not thinking of having a guard at the university library. I guess you could say that now you have portable protection.

Adora frowned.

Sebastian said, Zane explained to me how important your independence and freedom are to you. I know you co-own a remodeling business with your brother, you have lived on your own for several years, and you refused to let him protect you in the beginning. He warned me that you wouldn't be happy to know that you are being guarded when he is away. I understand that having me here infringes on the very thing we aim to preserve. It is ironic. He gave her a helpless smile.

Adora said, Not long ago, I thought freedom simply meant being able to do what I wanted. When Zane Hawkins came along, I feared losing my freedom to his constant protection. Even being captured by the Guardians was only just one more kind of loss of freedom. But it's so much more than that. It had been nagging me for so long, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Perhaps the most terrifying is the thought of losing one's liberty at the hands of government, like the people on Earth. I'm sorry. I'm rambling.

Not at all. I happen to agree, Sebastian said.

Before she could say anything, Sebastian turned to walk away.

I'll leave you to your shower, Miss Jensen, Sebastian said. But perhaps you'd like to rest some more instead?

How long did I sleep?

Twelve hours. That oughta do it, huh? He winked and then dematerialized from her bedroom.

It's Adora! she called out to him, as she opened her closet door to select the day's clothing.

She walked to her dresser and reached inside the top drawer for her underclothes, and she caught her reflection in the mirror. A section of her long, honey-brown hair cascaded down on one shoulder, and her aqua eyes stared back at her. Considering the harrowing experience of having been captured by the Guardians, she had slept well that night. The color was back in her cheeks again, now that she was up and around again after having been restrained to the hospital bed in the Guardians' facility. Adora's mind flooded with images from the day before. She reached for her throat, remembering how she awakened in the facility after the breathing tube was removed. She remembered believing that Zane had betrayed her, until he used his eyes to reveal the truth to her during his battle with Quinn. She remembered the hospital afterwards.

Zane would be home soon.

You can do better than that, she said, her full lips pouting at her reflection.

***

Our confirmation rate is approaching seventy percent, announced Reed to the other Guardian associates. His straight, sandy hair was parted in the center to reveal the pale skin of his face.

Vega examined her manicured fingernails and then smoothed her white-blond hair.

She said, I'm glad to know that Aldon's orders are reaching the numbers. His meeting with the other members of the Central Bureau was timely, indeed.

Quinn said, "Our communication technology is keeping us well-connected with the remote regions. However, in this case, it's absolutely critical that Aldon's orders reach local sectors, otherwise it will be all for naught. His yellow-blond hair contrasted with his tanned and weathered face.

Reed said, Most of the locals have confirmed receipt of the communications that Adora Jensen is no longer a target and quite the opposite, is off limits, for now. We're just waiting for the last few to trickle in.

Vega said, But if just one of them stumbles across Adora without having received Aldon's latest orders, our plans will be destroyed.

Reed said, Don't worry, Vega. I expect by the time I reach my desk, we'll have one hundred percent, or at least all the locals will have responded. Zane Hawkins made an agreement to provide Aldon with Futurescence, in exchange for release of Adora Jensen, unharmed. Aldon gave the word, and Adora was freed. In minutes, we will have kept the final part of our end of the bargain, and the Luxurs will have to keep theirs.

Quinn said, The order regarding the woman is temporary, I assure you.

Vega said, Our timing will have to be precise, Quinn. Otherwise, it won't work, and we'll all be destroyed.

Reed said, It is crucial that the Luxurs know that we have made the good faith effort to remove Miss Jensen from our crosshairs.

Quinn said, Just making sure it's understood. It's not over.

Reed said, Yes, yes. So, you see. Aldon's leadership has brought us to this point. We are so close.

Quinn said, Don't forget, he betrayed us.

Reed said, Yes. His choice to leave us out of the agreement with Dr. Hawkins was a setback for us. But we must keep a level head and not be too reactive. Remember, Aldon has promised to help us after he gets Futurescence. Even as we speak, the Luxurs are preparing the methodology for Aldon's procedure.

Vega said, I'll get Carney up-to-date on the confirmations. Where is he, anyway?

Reed said, Thanks, Vega. He's with his protégés, at present.

Quinn said, That kid is getting into his mentoring role, especially now that he found out about Futurescence. I think he's onboard with us.

Vega said, Plus he's young and energetic. I think he'll be a big asset to us.

Reed said, Yes. Now, let's go visit with our newest patient.

***

Stephen messaged Adora to tell her he was in the neighborhood. She tapped her phone to exit the message. It was then that she remembered that her phone had been in the hands of the Guardians. When they captured her and put her in a car, the white-blond woman, Vega, had ordered her to hand the phone over to her. The Guardians searched her phone and even used it to summon Zane to the facility where they were keeping her. Zane returned the phone to her after the rescue. She felt sickened to know that the Guardians had access to her contacts, but the only people that were in danger were her parents, her brother, Stephen, and, by association, his fiancée, Sabrina. Aldon made a deal with Zane's that Adora and her family were off limits to the Guardians, in exchange for Aldon's Futurescence, and Zane's colleagues had already taken care of safeguarding her family in the interim.

In the kitchen she found a cloth and ran the tap water until it was hot, and then she squeezed some liquid soap onto the cloth and wrung out the excess water. She scrubbed her cell phone, followed with another wet section of the cloth to rinse off the soap residue and then patted the phone dry with a towel when the doorbell buzzed.

She walked into the living room and was about to open the front door for Stephen. Just then, Sebastian stepped in front of her and opened the door himself.

Who're you? Stephen asked.

Oh, this is Sebastian, Adora said as she peeked her head around Sebastian's large frame. He's a Luxur. He's sort of a bodyguard for now. Sebastian, this is my brother, Stephen. Sebastian moved over to let Stephen inside.

Stephen was standing there biting his lip, but when he saw Adora, his usual grin appeared. He stood just a little taller than she was, and his buzz-cut, light brown hair matched his eyes. He bent down slightly to hug her.

Addie. You look so much better than you did last night.

It was that bad, huh? I was just about to take a shower. I'm waiting for Zane to come back to relieve Sebastian.

Stephen surmised, So, Sebastian will be staying with you until everything's set with Aldon. That's a relief to me.

Adora said, It will be a relief when I can have my alone time back. Until then, I'm going to pull my hair out.

Stephen said, You need alone time like other people need oxygen. Are you sure you're not an alien?

Adora laughed.

She said, I do my best thinking, planning, and working alone.

He said, Poor Sebastian. When you give him the slip, he'll have to answer to Zane.

Hush, Stephen!

Do I smell coffee? Stephen asked.

Mmm, I think you do. Sebastian must've brewed it. He may be okay after all. It better be decaf. Must have some immediately. she said.

They walked into the kitchen and poured some coffee into cups.

She hadn't had coffee for days when the self-proclaimed Guardians had her captive in their facility. She shuddered and then she wrapped her hands around her cup and savored the first sip. She was thankful for such a normal activity.

Adora said, So, how's Sabrina doing with everything she just learned about the Guardians?

She's pretty shocked about it all. I'm supposed to tell you for her--Jeez! I'm supposed to tell you to hang onto your 'mesmerizing protector.' Ugh! Stephen balked.

Adora asked, Do I sense jealousy?

Jealous of perfection? To hear Sabrina talk, he's without a flaw.

Adora said, He's not perfect. He has flaws. When I first met him, he didn't make a good first impression. He was angry--

Because you scalded his arm!

Well, that's not it. It didn't even hurt him. He was angry because I almost revealed to the public what he was.

Stephen said, But you didn't even know it yourself.

No, not yet. Then later, he got upset when I mentioned anything about my independence or self-reliance.

He was compelled to protect you from the Guardians and their experiments.

Adora said, And--and he was mysterious. He left me wondering just who he was, with his eyes and his ability to heal instantly--I knew he was different, but I could never have imagined--

That he was an alien, Stephen said.

There! See? He's not perfect. That would be a pretty big flaw in some people's view.

Stephen said, You win.

Adora refilled their coffee cups.

Stephen stirred the creamer in his coffee, clanking the spoon against the sides of the cup over and over, staring into the swirling liquid.

Adora said, Hello? Stephen?

He said, Oh. I was just thinking. I'm not one to think about words and language that much. I feel stupid even talking about it. But now I realize I've been throwing around words like 'freedom' and 'independence,' and yet taking them for granted. When the Guardians captured you, I thought about freedom in the obvious way, but I guess there are different kinds. I guess you could lose your freedom if someone imprisoned you, or even killed you, but you could also lose it if someone told you how to live, or what to buy, or even how much of your wages you should give to the Guardians' government, and where that money would go.

Adora said, And it won't stop there.

He said, But freedom isn't just about doing whatever you want. It's about taking individual responsibility for what you do, and accepting the consequences. I just can't believe I never thought about it this way before. You grow up hearing words like 'liberty' all your life, and then one day, you just understand. You just get it.

Adora nodded. She had never heard Stephen talk like this before.

Stephen asked, Do you think the Guardians just believe they know what's best for people and that people need to be saved from themselves?

Adora asked, No. Even if it were the true reason, it would be a dictatorship. I think the Guardians know what's best for themselves. They keep their jobs on Earth and are paid well, but nothing ever really changes for the low income people. The only thing that brings these people up is when they can work for a living. Yet too many are fooled into thinking the Guardians will take care of them. Worse yet, they begin to believe that the Guardians should take care of them. Even if this could work for a while, it can't last.

Stephen said, It's like taking care of pets. If you only have a few to take care of, you can do it well. But there's a limit, and with enough pets, soon enough the level of care deteriorates, and all of the animals end up suffering.

Adora said, You really have been thinking this through.

Stephen said, It's a wonder the taxpayers keep working and paying taxes, instead of throwing their hands up and saying, 'Why try?' Why don't they just quit their jobs and sign up for government assistance?

Adora said, If everyone did that, we'd be in big trouble. I guess it's like asking why doesn't everybody just steal whatever they want? I think the answer is, there have to be people who are honest and respect private property if society is ever going to have a chance, and those people will need to teach that to their children for future generations.

Stephen looked at his cell phone.

He said, I can't stay long, Addie. But I wanted to let you know I can keep things going at work until you're ready. As co-owner, I think I’m up for the job.

Yes, I need a day or two of normalcy. Adora was eager to get back to work again, but she wondered if that would happen. Suddenly, her thoughts went to the reality of everything that had happened to her recently.

What's wrong? Stephen asked.

Adora looked up.

Oh, it's nothing, she said.

You looked far away there for a minute..

Things were more complicated than she had ever dreamed. She wasn't ready to talk about it all just yet.

She said, For one thing, I can imagine Sebastian following me around all day, from the coffee shop to the home improvement store to the job site.

It's better than being strapped to that assembly-line hospital bed where the Guardians had you!

Don't remind me! Adora frowned.

It's not over yet, is it? Stephen asked.

Adora said, Until Aldon's associates relay the message to the entire network of Guardians, I could still be in danger. In fact, you, Sabrina, and our parents could still be in danger.

Stephen asked, "There's one thing I am still confused about. I know the Guardians want to create a dependent population from humans here on Vitory, but why do they want to use Indies? Why not the less independent people here instead? Wouldn't it be easier to start with people who weren't as strong and self-sufficient as