The Lethal Agent (The Extraction Files Book 2) (43 page)

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SEPTEMBER 18, 2232

“I can’t convince you to stay?”

Vince shook his head. “Just tell me where you’re setting up the new facility. I’m sure you’ll need help getting started.”

“Well, that’s the thing, Vince. If the bugs are really gone, if they pose no further threat, then we don’t have need of a facility. Masry will give us something small to make sure there isn’t a flare up, but CPI is done.”

“So what are you going to do now?”

“I have a few things in mind,” he admitted. “I think you should stay. They’ll need your help and Dr. Perkins—”

“Wants nothing to do with me, and rightfully so. I told you, she’s smart. She’s smart enough to know I’m not good for her.” Vince hung his head.

Silas recognized a resolve in him that wouldn’t waver. Vince had never been the sort to do anything halfway. If he had made up his mind, there was nothing else to do.

“I’m headed back to Earth on the shuttle tomorrow afternoon. They set up a temporary terminal out of Charleston. We’ll start there. I’ll send you specs when I have everything ready.”

“Thanks.” Vince headed out. He nearly hit Dasia as he passed through the door.

“Hey Dasia.” Silas smiled. He never would have thought Dasia to be the one to figure it out and save them all. But she had. And Silas had scarcely been more proud of anyone.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Yeah, come on in.” Silas offered her one of the chairs in front of Filmore’s desk. Thankfully, Filmore had slithered off to be with Abby, so he could at least talk to Dasia alone. “I’ve been talking with all the agents. New York is gone. CPI is gone. Without a bug threat, there’s no reason to institute the program again. So we have a few options. I can guess what you’d like, but I want to hear it from you.”

“What are my options?”

“We can find you a position somewhere. You can pick whatever class you want. I know with all the clean-up efforts, there will plenty of need for someone like you.”

“What else?”

“You can come back with me. I’ll be setting up a small office in Boston. We’ll canvas for bugs. It’ll be small scale, but you’ll have all the amenities of CPI. Masry’s guaranteed that if you want it.”

“Okay.”

“There’s a third option. You could go home.”

“To Monarch?”

Silas nodded.

“How? I have a record. You told my parents I went to a prison nation.”

Silas stroked his chin. “I have clearance to modify any files. If you want to go home, I can make it happen.”

Dasia rubbed her shoulder with a hand. “Could you have done that before?”

“I could have, yes.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I wanted you. CPI needed new, high-caliber recruits. I know that doesn’t sound fair, but I won’t pretend to regret it. We needed you, and you’ve proved me right. But now, as compensation for your role, I’ll send you back.”

“Do I have some time to think about it?”

“Of course. I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon, so if you can let me know by then.” Silas cursed himself. He should never have offered to let her go home. He needed her in Boston.

But it was only fair to her, after everything she’d done.

The door spun open and let Maggie in.

Dasia walked over, kissed her on the cheek. She whispered something in Maggie’s ear and left without another word.

It hurt just to see her. The puffiness that lingered in her cheeks. The broken hand still wrapped. “Maggie, I just want to say how incredibly sorry—”

“Don’t.” She shook her head forcefully, as if she could fling the words away entirely.

Silas wouldn’t be quieted. “I’m sorry I failed you. It was my decision to send them, and I couldn’t recall the termination. I know there’s nothing I can say that will—”

“Just stop,” she shouted. Her eyes were wide, panicked, before she regained her calm. “I don’t want to talk about it. What’d you say to Dasia?”

“Nothing, I need to talk to you about—”

“What’d you say to her?” Maggie asked with arms crossed.

“The same thing I’m going to say to you. Sit down.” Silas sank against the desk, but wasn’t all that surprised when she didn’t move. It was completely fair if she hated him forever.

“I’m fine.”

“We’re back to this?”

“Until you tell me what you said to upset her, then yes. I’m fine over here.”

“I just asked her what she wanted to do. CPI is gone. I offered her a position and told her she could go home.”

“What’d she say?” Maggie looked visibly worried.

“She said she’d think about it.”

“What did Theo say?”

“Guess.”

Maggie nodded. “What about Osip?”

“I haven’t asked him yet.”

“He gets the same offer?”

Silas nodded. “Your options are the same. I can send you to any position you like. I can offer you a position in a new facility. Or you can go home.”

“Home?”

“The Root. Atlanta. Wherever you want.”

“New York is gone.”

Silas looked up, sure he’d misunderstood her.

Maggie uncrossed her arms and jogged to the scanner. Dasia stood on the other side of the doors until Maggie pulled her in.

They stood with hands clasped together. “Tell him. Where do you want to go?” Maggie prompted her.

Dasia looked between Maggie and Silas.

“It’s okay. Tell him what you want.”

Dasia swallowed and said, “I want to go back to CPI. I want to live with Mable and Osip and work under you. But New York is gone, so that’s not an option. I’d like to work with you in Boston, but I won’t go without Mable and Osip.”

Maggie looked up and said, “I guess that’s it then. We’re going to Boston.”

“Both of you?”

“All four of us. Will you bring Knox, too? And Ramona?”

“And Jane?” Dasia asked.

Silas felt the tears in his eyes. He tried to blink them away. When still they threatened, he pressed his thumb and forefinger against his eyelids, trying to physically hold them back.

“What’s wrong?” Maggie asked. He could hear her close to him, only feet away.

Silas shook his head. He couldn’t begin to form the words.

“Are you crying?” she asked.

“Shut up.” He pulled his hand away and blinked rapidly, sure that it was useless.

“Holy shit. You’re crying. God, you’re a baby.”

“Fuck you.”

Maggie’s lips turned into a wide smile. “I have a condition.”

“What?”

“If you want us to go to Boston, I have a condition. Okay, two conditions.”

“No. You don’t get to make demands. You already agreed.”

Maggie shrugged. “Fine. Suit yourself.”

Silas rolled his eyes and laughed. What had he gotten himself into? She would never be easy. She would never listen. She would always be a massive pain in his ass.

“You can have whatever you want.
Within reason
,” he said with a finger pointed for emphasis.

“What do you mean? I’m always reasonable.” She batted her eyes innocently. Then, hand in hand, the two left Silas alone. In the privacy of Filmore’s office, Silas let the truth of it sink in.

He’d done it. He’d been the wrong guy from the start, a Craftsman, an alcoholic, a terrible judge of character. But for those kids, that little rag-tag bunch, he’d managed to put them together and solve one of the greatest pandemics of their time. And he’d made a family out of them. He’d made a family for all of them.

It was all he’d ever wanted.

SHUTTLE DOCK CHS-165, CHARLESTON, NORTH AMERICA

SEPTEMBER 29, 2232

Dasia stood tall in the high-heel shoes Mable had picked out for her. Most of her toes felt like they were breaking, but she had her instructions: under no circumstances could she take them off until after.

She didn’t see why the shoes were such a big deal. It wasn’t like anyone could really see them. Her pants were wide-legged and stretched nearly to the floor. Without the shoes, they would have been dragging. On top, she wore a tight, white tank with an asymmetrical green sweater hanging off her shoulder.

Dasia felt ridiculous. Nearly every person who passed her stared. She tucked back a strand of hair that had fallen from the intricate design. Gold chandelier earrings clanked every time she moved.

It was all worth it when she saw his face.

Osip was hard to spot in the crowd that emerged from the shuttle tube. When finally they thinned enough, she could see the way his mouth dropped, the way his steps slowed as he took in the sight of her. He collected himself and ran. He didn’t slow until he reached her, slamming into her and lifting her off the ground.

“What are you trying to do to me?” he fussed as he set her down. “Do you know how long the ride to Boston is? You’re going to sit next to me looking like that for seven hours?”

Dasia laughed. “Eight and a half,” she corrected.

“Lord Almighty. You’re trying to kill me. It’s official. I knew you two were up to something.” Osip wrapped an arm around her waist and squeezed her against him.

“Do you have any bags?”

Osip shook his head. “No way, firefly. I’ve got everything I need right here.” He spun her around and looked her up and down. “You know, I hate to admit it, but I’ve got to give that girl props. Remind me to thank her when we get back.”

Dasia leaned her head back and laughed. “I don’t think you’ll need to. She’s already taking full credit.”

“Somehow I’m not surprised. You two have fun on your lunar vacation?”

“Yeah. Come on. Let’s get a pod. I’ll tell you about it on the way.” Dasia slipped her fingers between his and squeezed.

“What’s the rush? Trying to get me back home, eh?”

“She’s planning some secret party. I have strict instructions not to be late.”

“I know better than to piss you girls off. Let’s go.” Osip lunged forward with vigor. Dasia tried to keep up but failed miserably thanks to the shoes and her unbridled laughter.