Seed Savers-Unbroken: Seed Savers, #5

By Sandra Smith

IMAGINE A FUTURE WHERE GROWING FOOD IS A CRIME

Although kidnapped by GRIM in an effort to strike back at her father--escaped former leader of the Seed Savers Movement--Lily quickly escapes with the help of sometime friend Rose. The girls camp out in Forest Park while plans are made for a safe rendezvous. Meanwhile, Jason and Monroe join up with the questionable group Radicle, using their Monitor skills to hack into suppressed information in an effort to topple an overreaching government. Tension rises amid massive protests as Independence Day approaches. Will lost freedoms such as food rights and an open media be reclaimed? Don't miss the explosive final installment of Seed Savers!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Flying Books House
• Release date: Jun 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781943345151

Sandra Smith

Sandra Smith grew up on a farm with a tremendously large garden. She maintains that if you can’t taste the soil on a carrot, it’s not fresh enough.  Today, Sandra lives in the city with her husband, cats, and backyard hens. She grows a small, urban garden every summer. When she's not gardening or turning tomatoes into spaghetti sauce, Sandra often writes poetry or novels inspired by her garden. She is the author of the popular series, Seed Savers.  Sandra enjoys visiting schools and gardening events to talk about Seed Savers and food in general. Find out more about Sandra by visiting SeedSaversSeries.com or look for her on Twitter at @AuthorSSmith.

Book preview

1

Destination Oracle

Monroe dropped the cigarette to the pavement, grinding it slowly into smithereens with his heel. He sighed impatiently as he glanced toward the men's room. Checking the time on his wristMonitor, he strode to the toilet and pounded on the door.

You sick? What's takin' so long? The man in black paused, listening intently. You talkin' to someone?

Gimme another minute, Jason growled from behind the door. You know how it is. And no, I'm not talking to anyone. Who would I be talking to? There was a sound of toilet paper being unfurled followed by a flush. Monroe Cassidy turned and walked toward the car.

When Jason finally returned, Monroe was sitting behind the wheel drumming his fingers. He turned toward the teen. Really, Jason? Do you have any idea what time it is?

Jason's eyes shot to the dashboard. Six thirty. They'd been stopped forty minutes. He started to protest—they had taken other lengthy breaks during the trip. Monroe stopped him.

Don't bother. That's not the point. I told you I was taking you to meet important people in Radicle. Man, I don’t want to be late. Now we’ll have to make up for lost time. Don't even talk to me. Cassidy put the car in gear and sped out of the plug-in station.

Jason welcomed the ensuing silent treatment; he needed time to figure out his escape. This Radicle group, it wasn't what he’d signed up for. Anyway he didn't think it was.

He had told Clare he was coming to Portland. Told her not to worry, he would find Headquarters without implicating her. If it bothered her they could meet somewhere else and figure out what to do next. Clare had appeared rattled, said she needed time to think, that she was late to meet someone. That’s when Cassidy had banged on the door. So the plan to meet Clare was left unhinged, half done. Clare had been saying something about a stone house in Forest Park when he'd hung up too quickly.

The bigger issue now, the more immediate problem, was not how to find Clare once in Portland, but how to elude Cassidy, especially now that Cassidy was hell-bent on driving straight through to wherever it was they were going.

Outside the scenery remained static. Dry, rocky. Big big sky. Small trees and very little green—even the green seeming to Jason the wrong shade. They appeared to be driving south, south, only south. Jason wondered if Radicle was transmitting from Mexico. His secret hopes that he and Cassidy were going to California disappeared with the setting sun. After an hour of silence, Jason offered to drive.

No, thanks. I'm fine, Cassidy answered curtly.

We stopping to eat?

No. No more stops.

But—

No more stops. Cassidy leaned back and grabbed an empty Juice bottle from behind Jason's seat. You gotta go, use this.

Jason started to laugh before he realized Monroe was serious. He slapped the bottle away. I don't gotta go, he said.

They drove three hours without stopping. There would be no escape. Jason turned toward the door and took out his communicator. He tapped out a brief message to Clare. Complications. Will not make it as planned. Sorry. He pressed send and slipped the device back into his pocket.

IT WAS TOO HOT. CASSIDY walked quickly, but Jason had no trouble keeping up. Why didn't we just park closer? Jason asked. As soon as he said it, he knew there would be no answer. They’d arrived late last night and parked at a defunct strip mall. The two had slept almost ‘til noon, waking only when their solar cooler stopped working. Cassidy would be in no mood to answer whiny questions.

After traipsing through 38C degrees for entirely too long, Cassidy stopped and entered a three story building. There were no signs or other identifying markers. Jason followed him up the narrow stairs. They exited the staircase at the second floor and walked down the hall. Cassidy stopped at a door and knocked once. Jason heard movement on the other side, then a tapping on the door. A definite rhythm. The chrysalis is broken, answered Cassidy. The door opened and the men shuffled in.

A blond man bending over a table with his back to them spoke. You’re late.

Cassidy ground his teeth and stared at Jason. Sorry. Car trouble.

The man stood and turned—a boy really—not much older than Jason, though taller than either he or Monroe. His light hair was cropped close, sticking straight up, a halo of peach fuzz perhaps meant to intimidate but garnering the opposite effect. He grinned and his blue eyes made Jason’s apprehension dissipate. Yeah, who cares, the young man said. I was afraid something mighta happened is all. The Feds are after us. After us, after Gardener. No way they can win that way. Chasing so many different ‘enemies.’ Fools. Toolbags. He laughed.

Jason breathed a sigh of relief. This guy didn’t seem so bad. Not like the crazies he’d seen on the Monitor. Jason glanced at Monroe, whose face remained as stern and severe as Washington on Mount Rushmore.

I’m Amos, by the way. The blond man shook hands first with Monroe, then Jason. Welcome aboard.

2

Lily Meets Malinda

H i there, Lily. My name is Malinda.

I studied the tall, pretty woman with dark hair as I struggled against the chair, my hands bound behind me. A gag was pulled across my mouth to keep me from hollering. My face contorted in anger as I tried to speak, asking what she had done with Rose. This woman did not scare me.

Malinda laughed. Oh, you’re a live one, you are. Believe me, hon, we’ll take the rag out of your mouth once you calm down. She paused, I have a low tolerance for screams and loud yelling.

I stopped struggling and became quiet. The gag made me thirsty and my shoulders were starting to ache.

That’s better, Malinda said.

These two people—there was another person in the room, a man whose appearance matched the woman’s like bookends: tall, handsome, in top physical shape, manicured and finely dressed—were not the ones who had snatched Rose and me from the park. Those guys were thugs. The lady called the man Mur. He was standing about a meter away, waiting it appeared, to do the woman’s bidding.

Promise to be good? Malinda asked.

I didn’t want to promise any such thing, but I desperately wanted to understand what was happening. What I remembered from hours earlier in the park was this: Rose and I were about to hike around while we waited for Clare, who was running late, when we were nabbed. We hadn’t been in the meadow long. Just long enough for Natalie and Dante to scamper down to the hollow tree. I remembered seeing Rose’s eyes grow large, followed by a scream.

Someone had grabbed me and covered my eyes with a cloth. I bit the hand over my mouth and strained to get loose . . . heard men’s voices discussing what to do with the other one, asking if there were more . . . it was so surreal. That old bit about everything happening in slow motion, yet all at once. I had been afraid but was also frantically thinking of how to escape.

My captors had been too strong. After biting and fighting I went limp, trying for dead weight. That’s when I thought to slide off my BFF ring and leave it in the dirt. Maybe Clare would find it and realize we’d been taken. Maybe these guys wouldn’t get away with us.

But it hadn’t worked. We’d been tossed like sacks of garbage into the back of an ATV and sped through the park. I could hear Rose quietly crying. I started yelling help from under the tarp they’d thrown over us. Rose joined me. One of our captors growled at us to shut up and then turned on loud music to drown out our cries. I endeavored to free myself but was all tangled up. Some kind of bands kept me trapped. When we hit smooth pavement I knew it was too late. We were out of the park.

THIS PLACE WHERE THE men had taken us had not been far. I didn’t know what had happened to Rose.

The woman—Malinda—nodded toward the man. He stepped forward and loosened the twisted bandana, letting it fall from my mouth. Malinda raised her finger to her lips, reminding me not to yell.

Where’s Rose? I asked through gritted teeth.

She laughed. How sweet. All worried about Rose. Then she grew serious, a change so quick in temperament it was scary. "Rose is fine. You’re the one everybody wants. Or should I say, your father?"

It was like I’d been punched, or like the time I fell from the top of the Big Toy at the playground: the wind was knocked right out of me. Of course! How stupid. Clare was right. Clare was always right. I’d gone and endangered the entire leadership of Seed Savers: Rose!

Malinda started laughing again. Oh, please. Don’t look so shocked. What did you think this was about? She could barely contain herself. Oh Murdoch, how precious is this? The kid didn’t even realize why she was grabbed.

I just sat there, dumb and deflated. Malinda had turned and walked out of the room with Murdoch trailing behind.

She returned a few moments later with a glass of wine woven between her fingers and a cup of water for me. Here, she offered. You could probably use this.

Gee thanks, I said, sarcasm oozing through every syllable. If only my hands weren’t tied behind my back.

Oh, sorry.

I could tell she wasn’t.

She sat down across from me and and held the cup of water to my lips. I drank it greedily.

Rose is a little ticked off, Malinda said when I’d finished guzzling the water. She didn’t know about it. She saw something cross my face at this new information and grew alert. I probably shouldn’t have told you that.

I blinked back at her, determined not to show any more emotion.

Anyhow, she said, after a long sip of wine, Mur and I have finished our task. Nelson will be here soon to take the both of you off our hands. I cannot wait to leave this god-forsaken place and get back to D.C. She leaned in close, Unless you want to make things easier for all of us by telling me where your father is? She arched one of her too-perfect eyebrows.

I sat up straight, my arms still tied behind my back. Do you think you might untie me? I asked, ignoring her question.

She turned toward the door. Murrie, get in here and untie Lily. There are plenty of security cams. She’s not going anywhere.

Murdoch hurried back into the room and cut the bands that bound me.

May I stand?

Of course.

I stood and shook my shoulders out. You still haven’t told me where Rose is, I said.

You still haven’t told me where your father is.

How would I know? Do you think the leader of Seed Savers is kept track of by his daughter?

You know what I mean. He’s gotta be here. You might as well tell me now. GRIM aims to put an end to the Movement once and for all.

Don’t be stupid. The Movement is on fire. And there are submovements. Even if you had my dad, even if you had the leaders, you couldn’t stop what’s happening now. I was shocked at my boldness. And by the looks of the two grownups in the room, my accuracy as well. The way Malinda looked away, the glance at Murdoch. I’d struck a nerve.

Malinda stood. Whatever. Trinia wants James Gardener, Trinia gets James Gardener. I don’t give a rat’s ass. I’m done here. She left the room.

Murdoch looked at me. Stay there, he said dumbly.

Like I was going somewhere.

3

Council

I t’s obvious I have to turn myself in. For the second day in a row, James Gardener sat at the large, round table surrounded by Seed Savers leaders. The men and women listened with grim faces.

Fortunately, the vote was unanimous to accept JALIL, Gardener said. And now that I have new information on JALIL’s identity—there was a stirring among the others—I have no reservations. JALIL is, in fact, uniquely suited to lead Seed Savers. What Frank said at yesterday’s meeting is true: it was JALIL who brought Seed Savers back after the crackdown, leading you while I sat in jail in Cuba.

What new information?

Gardener bit his lip, pausing before answering. I know who JALIL is, but for the sake of my daughter it is best kept secret.

The members exchanged surprised glances.

You all must keep doing what you’ve been doing. I’m ready to return to prison if that’s what it takes to save Lily.

James, do you really think you should give in to kidnappers? Victoria asked.

He laughed a small, tired laugh and leaned away from the table. When it’s the government asking you to turn yourself in, I’m not sure it qualifies as giving in to kidnappers. You saw this morning’s big News story. Americans only know I’m a fugitive. They don’t know about Lily. We all know who is behind this—

Murmurs of Trinia Nelson rustled through the room like a snake slithering through dry leaves.

—she’ll think she has won, weakened Seed Savers by taking me out again. James sat up tall, his eyes steely, his voice steady. But she will be wrong. JALIL is the real leader. And Lily will be safe.

Millie spoke. Where did you get the info on JALIL, if I may ask?

Like I said, I can’t say any more about it. But trust me, we are putting Seed Savers in good hands. Where they, we, have been for the past twelve years.

Millie’s face conveyed her dissatisfaction at his answer, but she said nothing more.

THE MEMBERS VOTED QUICKLY. Despite the fateful trust James had bestowed to Trinia Nelson all those years ago resulting in his long imprisonment and the current state of affairs, the other leaders respected James Gardener. There had been discussion about alternatives after he left the room, but in the end they agreed to allow him to resign and turn himself in. Trevor pointed out that Gardener’s mind was made up and no matter how they voted, James would likely do it anyway. It seemed better to show an official sign of support.

Trevor was sent to summon James back to the meeting room.

When will you turn yourself in? Victoria asked when Gardener reentered. Have you a course of action?

James’ blank face betrayed him. I’m sorry, I—I only found out about Lily slightly before the rest of you. I’m afraid I haven’t thought about how I would give myself up exactly.

It needs careful planning, Victoria said. If GRIM is behind this, and it sounds like they are based on the other children’s testimony, they’ll be crawling all over Portland in search of Headquarters. We need intel on what they know, or on what they think they know. Did they know Lily was with you? How did they find her? James, how soon will you hand yourself over? We need to think carefully about this. When, where, how. Don’t think they’ll stop once they have you. They’ll want to rout the Movement again while they’re at it.

James grimaced.

I understand how all you can think about is your daughter. But if it’s Trinia, Lily will be fine even if you delay a few days. Victoria paused. You must consider this: What if it isn’t Trinia? We need to hear directly from your daughter’s captors rather than assume the News bulletins ordering you to turn yourself in are related to her abduction. Before you do anything rash.

James eyes flashed. "No way I’m waiting around. How do you suppose someone would get in touch with me, anyway? This is Trinia. GRIM is still in control, although just barely. They are speaking to me with the News bulletins. They don’t want the country to know the government has resorted to kidnapping. No one else has reason to take Lily."

The room was silent. A faucet could be heard dripping down the hall.

Victoria spoke. James. If you are certain it’s Trinia, then wait. She won’t hurt Lily. Meanwhile, we can learn more. You shouldn’t be in a hurry to walk right back into prison. Give it a little time.

James clenched and unclenched his hands.

Let some of our people ask around. Clare James gave a pretty good description of the men she saw. We can check with the park.

Gardener blew air out his nostrils and stared coldly at Victoria. So the vote wasn’t really a yes vote after all?

Victoria smiled a crooked smile. It was. Sort of a ‘Yes, we support your decision, now let’s talk further about the implementation’ vote.

Oh, Victoria, he said, you always did know how to handle me.

Not always, she said.

WHAT ARE THEY DISCUSSING? Clare asked Arturo, whose drawn features were beginning to wear on her. She had grown accustomed to the pleasant, smiling Arturo.

Mr. Gardener want to go, you know, to the people who take Lily.

Go to them?

Mmm, change for her.

Oh, turn himself in, in exchange for Lily.

Yes.

He can’t do that! He’s the leader of Seed Savers. Lily wouldn’t want that.

Arturo stared so coldly at Clare that a shiver dashed down her spine. Maybe Lily is afraid. Of course her father should do that. I will do if they want me.

Clare averted her eyes momentarily but then focused back on Arturo. Look, Arturo—she spoke with pauses between each phrase to make sure he understood—I saw these guys. It’s GRIM. Back in the beginning, at home, we often saw men watching us. We weren’t as afraid as we should have been, it’s true. But they won’t hurt Lily. And Lily was never afraid of them. Think about Lily. The Lily you know. Do you really believe she is afraid or that she would want her dad back in prison?

Arturo scowled and turned away. Then he turned back and said, Mr. Gardener will go to them. Unless group say no. He nodded politely and left