فصل 21

Chapter 21: Simple Things

We piled our bags in the corner of the loft and laid out some quilts and pillows; then Ostin, Jack, and I climbed back down and went over to the main house to get something to eat. The only one in the kitchen was a woman stirring a pot. She was tall with long silver hair.

“I’m going to go find the girls,” Jack said, walking back out.

The kitchen was small for so many people, and most of the counters were covered with food.

“It smells good in here,” Ostin said.

“It’s garlic,” the woman said, smiling. “Garlic always smells good. Except on your breath.” “Is that for lunch?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “It’s dinner. I’m making Italian. This is my Bolognese sauce. I’m also making meatballs and spaghetti. The chairman asked for something special since we’re having a celebratory dinner tonight,” she said.

“What are we celebrating?” I asked.

She looked at me with an amused smile, then said, “You, of course.” She put a lid on a pot, then stepped away from the stove. “My name is Lois. I’m the cook. If you need anything, just let me know.” “Where are you from?” Ostin asked.

“I live in town,” she said. “In Orderville, just a few miles north. But I was born near here in Kanab. It’s about twenty miles from here. It’s where we do most of our shopping.” She gestured to the food. “We’re having sandwiches and chili for lunch. Help yourself.” There was a sandwich bar with roast beef, sliced turkey, pastrami, and salami, and chicken salad with grapes and walnuts in it. There were all kinds of vegetables—tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cucumbers, jalapeños—and at least four kinds of spreads.

On the next counter there were plastic bowls filled with coleslaw and potato salad, and a cooler filled with ice and drinks—soda, juices, and bottled water.

Ostin and I grabbed paper plates and made sandwiches, then sat down at the table to eat. Jack, Abi, Nichelle, Taylor, and McKenna walked into the kitchen about five minutes after we’d started eating.

“Not waiting for us?” Taylor said.

“Sorry,” I said with a full mouth. “I didn’t know if you were coming.” “Of course I was coming,” she said. “There’s food, isn’t there?” Lois introduced herself, then handed them all plates. They made sandwiches, got bowls of chili, and then came over and joined us.

“I think my mom must have made this potato salad,” Ostin said. “It’s definitely her recipe.” “As a matter of fact, it is,” Lois said. “So is the chili. How is it?” “It’s good,” Jack said. “But it’s not very hot.” “I’m sorry,” Lois said. “I forgot to turn the heat back up. I can warm it up if you like.” “No worries,” McKenna said. “I’ll take care of it.” She put her hand above Jack’s bowl, and her hand began to turn bright red. Lois stared in amazement. It took less than ten seconds before the chili was bubbling. Almost habitually, Ostin handed her a bottle of water.

“Thank you,” McKenna said. She quickly downed half the bottle.

“That was amazing,” Lois said. “I was told that you kids had special abilities.” “You have no idea,” Nichelle said.

Jack took back his bowl of chili. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure,” McKenna replied.

Taylor had made herself a chicken salad sandwich that looked really good.

“How is it?” I asked.

“Beats swamp eel,” she said.

“My shoe beats swamp eel,” Jack said.

“How’re your rooms?” I asked.

“It’s just one big room,” Taylor said.

“. . . and one bathroom,” McKenna added. “That’s not going to work for twelve women.” “There are two bathrooms and showers in here,” Lois said, smiling. “You’re welcome to use them anytime.” “Thank you,” McKenna said.

Zeus and Tessa walked into the room. “Hey, guys,” Zeus said. “After you eat, we’ll take you on a tour of the ranch. We’ve got ATVs.” “I think you should walk,” Lois said. “It’s much nicer. There’s a nice path down to the pond.” “There’s a pond?” McKenna asked.

“It’s more like a small lake. You can swim if you like. There’s also a canoe. It’s just down at the end of the dirt road behind the bunkhouses.” “Just watch out for rattlesnakes,” Tessa said.

“Rattlesnakes?” Ostin said, looking suddenly afraid.

“We found one yesterday,” Tessa said. “It was huge, like five feet long.” “A Mojave Green,” Zeus said. “Pretty wicked.” “What’s a Mojave Green?” I asked. I turned to Ostin, who now looked even more terrified. The only things that scared Ostin more than an empty refrigerator were sharks and snakes.

“It’s bad news,” Ostin said. “Only the most venomous rattlesnake in the world. Not only does it have the usual venomous proteins, but it’s venom also contains a presynaptic neurotoxin. Think cobra, man. Be very afraid.” “You don’t need to be afraid, just cautious,” Lois said. “No one here has ever been bitten, but we have antivenom just in case. Just respect them and keep your distance. And don’t play with them.” “Who would be dumb enough to play with a rattlesnake?” Taylor asked.

“You’d be surprised,” Lois replied.

“What did you do with the snake you saw?” Ostin asked.

“Fried it,” Zeus said. “I’m much faster than any snake.” “I’m sticking with you or Michael,” Ostin said.

“What’s the matter with me?” McKenna asked. “Or don’t you like being protected by a girl?” Ostin seemed stumped. “I just . . . I should be protecting you.” “We protect one another,” McKenna said. “In whatever way we can.” Ostin nodded. “That’s intelligent,” he said.

After lunch, Taylor and I walked out the back of the house down a small, stone-set walkway past an outdoor pizza oven piled high with cut wood. I took Taylor’s hand, and we walked about a hundred yards down a tree-lined clay trail, over two cattle guards, to the pond. The pond was about three acres in size. Its water was bright blue, and there were ducks floating in it. One edge was covered in sunflowers and cattails. There was a boat dock on the south end, and on the east side a large platform hung out over the water. Tied to the dock was a long, green canoe with two oars inside.

“Want to go for a boat ride?” I asked.

Taylor smiled. “Sure.”

We walked down onto the narrow floating dock, which rocked slightly beneath our weight. I held the canoe steady while Taylor climbed into the front and balanced herself. Then I untied the rope from the dock’s cleat and climbed into the back of the canoe. The canoe rocked a lot, and I nearly tipped us over trying to get to my seat.

We paddled to the middle of the pond, the canoe gliding easily over the water. There was a light breeze, and the ducks took flight as we approached them.

Taylor laid down her oar, then carefully slid back toward me until I could hold her.

“I could live like this for the rest of my life.” “Like what?” I asked.

“A pioneer life. Simple. I mean, I know it’s physically hard, but the challenges are different. Milking cows, planting, harvesting . . . you know, simple.” “Simple is good,” I said.

“The world has gotten so complex. I sometimes wonder if all these labor-saving devices actually just make our lives more difficult. You know what I mean?” “Yes.”

“It’s not like all these gadgets and appliances have slowed people down or anything. It just means they have to do more. The whole world just keeps trying to go faster and faster.” She sighed. “Except for here. Nature is never in a hurry. You can’t make a flower bloom faster. They don’t read magazines to make themselves prettier; they just know they are.” I looked at her and smiled. “How do you know flowers think they’re pretty?” She smiled. “I can tell.”

For a moment we were both quiet, listening to the soft, whistling breeze and the rhythmic tin squeak of an aged windmill. A dragonfly buzzed by above our heads, chased by another. Taylor looked up at me. “Why do you think Hatch does what he does? With all his money, he could live anywhere, do anything. Instead he makes himself and everyone else miserable.” “I don’t think people like Hatch can find joy in simple things anymore. All that matters is power.” “I don’t get that. I mean, what’s power? Let’s say he’s suddenly the king of the world. What is he going to do with it that he can’t do now? Is his food going to taste better? Is the weather going to be nicer? Will love feel better? I just don’t understand that mentality.” “I think deep inside, people like Hatch are afraid. So they try to control everything. If they can control everything, nothing can hurt them. At least that’s what they think.” “But he’s in much more danger than if he just enjoyed life. Kings are never safe. There’s always someone who wants their throne.” I nodded. “He’s in much more danger,” I said. “Just like we are.” “It’s not fair. We’re not after power. Why should we have to change our lives just because he does?” “So he doesn’t take away our lives,” I said. “But you’re right, it’s not fair.” We were both quiet again. Then Taylor asked, “Did your mom say anything about my parents?” “Not yet,” I said.

“I wonder if my mom’s told my dad yet.” She shook her head. “How would she even begin? My dad’s so skeptical about everything. He doesn’t even believe that man really landed on the moon. I’m not sure that he’d believe her if she told him about me, you, or the Elgen. He’ll probably just think she’s crazy.” “Well, he’s going to have to believe her sometime.” “I just hope they’re safe,” she said.

We stayed out on the water for another half hour, until the wind pushed us into the cattails on the far side of the pond. Then we paddled back to the dock, and Taylor climbed out first. I secured the boat to the cleat, then climbed onto the dock. Taylor started laughing.

“What?” I said.

“I just had the meanest thought. I almost rebooted you as you were climbing out.” “I would have fallen in.”

She grinned. “Exactly.”

“You have a mean streak,” I said.

“Everyone does,” she replied, laughing. “Some just hide it better than others.” After the pond we walked several miles around the grounds, climbing over barbwire fences and stepping over cow pies. There were entire fields of lavender and peppermint. Along one fence was a hedge of raspberry bushes laden with berries, which we stopped and picked. They were plump and sweet.

As we crossed the middle of a pasture, several cows started walking toward us. After what Ostin had told us about cows killing people, it made me a little nervous until I remembered the bull in Peru that I had brought down. I could take down one of these cows, I thought. Bring it on. Fortunately for them, they never attacked.

On the west side of the ranch, about fifty yards from the horse stables, we came across a dozen white boxes about five feet high. As we got closer, we could hear the buzz coming from them.

“What are those?” Taylor asked.

“They look like beehives,” I said.

Taylor squealed as she swatted at a bee. “Okay, I’m not going any closer.” “I want to check them out,” I said.

“They’ll sting you.”

“No they won’t.” I increased my electricity until I could feel all the hairs on my arms stand up. A bee flew near me, and there was a light blue snap of electricity.

“You’re a bug zapper,” Taylor said.

“More and more each day.” I looked at her. “Want some honeycomb?” “Yes. But you better not. They’ll swarm you.” I walked closer to the hives. “They can’t hurt me.” “But you might end up killing them all.”

I stopped. “You’re right. That wouldn’t be good.” “Wait,” she said. “I wonder if I could reboot them.” I was curious. “Try,” I said.

She bowed her head, and I walked up to the closest box. A few of the bees ran into me, but I don’t think that they were trying to sting me. I think they were just confused.

I lifted the top off the box. There were trays inside covered with wax and bees. It took effort, but I pulled one of the trays out, then broke off a piece of honeycomb about half the size of my hand. Fresh, golden honey dripped down my fingers. A few bees tried to sting me, but they basically disintegrated before they could land on me.

I shut the hive back up, then walked over and handed the honeycomb to Taylor. “Try it.” “Thank you,” she said. “That was really weird.” “What?”

“You know how, when I get into someone’s mind, their thoughts become part of me? It’s like . . . I could understand them.” “You could read the bees’ minds?”

“Sort of. I just . . .” She looked at me. “I could feel what drove them and their concerns.” “Bees have concerns?”

“Yes, they do, especially when you take their honey. But it’s not individual. It’s like they’re all part of the same mind, and I could read their collective mind.” She looked at me and smiled. “That makes me the queen bee.” “Yes, you are,” I said.

She tasted a piece of honeycomb. “This is amazing.” She handed me a piece. I put it into my mouth and chewed.

“That is like the best honey I’ve ever tasted.” “It’s perfect,” Taylor said. “It’s been a perfect day.” * * *

The sun was setting, lighting the plateaus to the east in bright golden-pink hues. As we finished off the honey, we heard the clanging of the dinner bell.

“Must be dinnertime,” I said. I took Taylor’s hand, and we walked back to the house. As we were walking up the dirt road, we ran into Gervaso, who was walking toward us. “I’ve been looking for you,” he said.

“What’s up?”

“I was just making sure you were coming to dinner. There’s going to be a meeting afterward. It’s very important.” “We’ll be there,” I said.

The kitchen was crowded, as people walked past the front counter dishing food onto their plates. Lois and both of Ostin’s parents were serving from the kitchen. My mother was pouring drinks—lemonade, sweet tea, and water. Joel was next to her, helping.

“Do you need any help?” I asked my mother.

“No, we’re good. How was your day?”

“It was nice,” Taylor said. “We went canoeing.” “And we got some honey,” I added.

My mother cocked her head. “How did you get honey?” “From the hives.”

“Yes, I know where it is, but how did you get it?” “We have superpowers,” I said.

She smiled. “Of course you do. Would you like some lemonade?” “Love some,” Taylor said.

“Should we wait for you?” I asked.

“No, go ahead and eat.”

Lois had prepared spaghetti in Bolognese sauce with meatballs, garlic bread, green salad, and a vegetable soup.

We loaded up our plates, then went out back to the patio, where there were six long picnic tables. There were about forty of us in all. Taylor and I sat at the middle table with Zeus and Tessa. They had gone hiking and found some Anasazi ruins, including a large piece of a painted clay pot.

A few minutes after everyone had been served, Ostin’s parents came around to all of the tables with a tray of German chocolate cake and homemade vanilla ice cream, which they scooped out of a round metal canister. The sun had fallen by then, and the back patio was lit by large flood lamps on the back of the house that were swarmed by bugs.

After we ate, Ostin and McKenna came around carrying a large white plastic bucket and a garbage bag. They scraped the leftover scraps off our plates into the bucket, then put the plates into the garbage bag.

“How’d you end up with this job?” I asked.

“Ostin’s mom and dad are on kitchen duty tonight,” McKenna said. “So we volunteered.” “What’s the bucket for?” Taylor asked.

“They put all the leftover food in it. It’s pig slop.” “It looks gross.”

“It looks like the inside of your stomach,” Ostin said. “Except it’s not chewed and soaked in hydrochloric acid, which is, by the way, the same stuff found in some toilet-bowl cleaners.” “That’s not making it more appetizing,” Taylor said.

“Then just think of it as unprocessed bacon,” Ostin said.

The chairman walked outside. “I hope you’re all enjoying your celebratory dinner,” he said. “I’d again like to welcome our guests of honor. But even more I’d like to congratulate them on their recent success rescuing Jade Dragon. It was a risky mission, to put it lightly. But, once again, they succeeded.” Everyone applauded.

“Now, if you’re done eating, we’d like to invite you to come inside for a debriefing with the council of twelve.” Except for the staff, everyone, including my mom and Ostin’s parents, went inside to the main room, an open space with a tall, stone-hearth fireplace at one end. Taylor and I sat down next to my mother. The chairman had a microphone.

“Welcome,” he said. “As I said before, we are so grateful for the safe return of the Electroclan. We can’t thank them enough for their heroism. The entire world could never adequately repay them for what they’ve done.” He looked around. “Unfortunately, the world is blind to their own danger and has no idea what these young people have accomplished on their behalf, so our thanks will have to suffice.

“We would also like to welcome the newest member of the Electroclan, Nichelle. Would you mind standing so everyone can see you?” Nichelle shyly stood. She looked both embarrassed and honored.

“We are so glad to have you with us. Thank you for your valor.” “You’re welcome,” she said, quickly sitting back down.

He turned back to us. “We have received reports from Ben, our Asian agent, as to what happened in Taiwan. The Electroclan performed bravely and brilliantly. They also barely escaped with their lives. I’m pleased to report that their efforts were successful and they rescued Jade Dragon. Had they not, we are certain that the Elgen would have broken her by now and would already have begun their work rebuilding the MEI and creating a new race of electric children. We are very fortunate that this isn’t the case.

“So that takes us to where we are now. Yes, we have lost our primary facility, but that’s all. Our sources tell us that the Elgen now believe that we have been destroyed, which is precisely what we hoped for. But there’s more. Two important events have occurred, or are about to occur, that are of great concern to us right now.

“First, the Elgen are preparing to move ahead with their original plan of overthrowing the island of Tuvalu. They have acquired two new ships, both with battle capabilities. At this point, there is nothing we can do to stop them.

“The second event may, in the long run, be even more consequential. Every despot has a weakness. Hatch’s is hubris.” “What’s hubris?” I whispered to Ostin.

“Ego,” he said.

“Hatch sees any Elgen failure as an act of defiance against him, and he responds accordingly.

“After the Electroclan rescued Jade Dragon, Hatch decided to punish his top man, sentencing his senior EGG Welch to the rat bowl as an example to the rest of his force. Welch was being kept locked up in the brig of the Faraday, but somehow, while the Elgen were still docked in Taiwan, he managed to escape. We assume that he’s still somewhere on the island. The Elgen are hunting him as we speak.

“What’s most important about this twist is that we have reason to believe that his escape was facilitated by Hatch’s own youths, in particular, Hatch’s chosen, Quentin. If this is true, there’s a major fracture in the Elgen hierarchy. And that’s exactly what we’ve been hoping for. A house divided against itself must fall. If Welch and the Elgen electric youths combine forces, they might be able to defeat Hatch and take control of the Elgen.

“This might be the opportunity we’ve been waiting for. Up until now we’ve been like sailors in a sinking ship, running from one hole in the boat to the next, when what we really need to do is stop the person making the holes. If Hatch’s youths have turned on him, we have a chance to take Hatch down.” “So what do we do?” Gervaso asked.

“First, we need to find Welch,” he replied. “We need to find him before the Elgen do. Rather than risk another escape, Hatch has commanded them to shoot him on sight.” “How can we help?” I asked.

“Right now you can’t. Ben has organized a search. He knows Taiwan’s underground and streets. We’re confident that he’ll find him. Other than that, it’s Hatch’s move. So right now we do what’s most difficult of all. We wait.” “Wait for what?” Jack asked.

“For Hatch to screw up.”