Independent Study (The Testing 2)

“I am.”

I turn, and a shiver travels down my spine. Standing in the doorway, wearing a severely cut blood-red dress, is the United Commonwealth president, Anneline Collindar.

Chapter 14

“I APOLO

GIZE FOR making you wait, Malencia.” President Collindar takes a seat opposite me and crosses one leg over the other. “Being a United Commonwealth leader means your time is never your own.”

“I’m sure your father would agree with that,” Dr. Barnes says. “Don’t you think, Cia?”

Hearing Dr. Barnes mention my father steals my breath.

President Collindar speaks before I can wonder what the reference means. “I know that Jedidiah has other things he needs to attend to, as do I, so I’ll make this quick. I was intrigued when we met during your Induction. Of all the students who came into the Debate Chamber, you were the only one who recited the request without error and the only female who made the attempt for her team. Taking that kind of risk in public is often more difficult for women than men. I’m not sure why.” Her smile says she has never found it to be a problem. “My interest was further piqued when you mentioned your home colony. Debate Chamber etiquette is not as well known as it used to be, especially outside the Tosu City boundaries. After discussing your Testing results and academic achievements with Dr. Barnes and Professor Holt, I asked that you be assigned to intern in my office. As president, my loyalties are to all United Commonwealth citizens, but it is rare that I get the opportunity to pass beyond the borders of Tosu City and talk to colony citizens. The times that I do meet with colony residents, they are too nervous or intimidated by my office to speak frankly. But a girl like you, Malencia—” She uncrosses her legs and leans forward. “Cia. A girl who is willing to risk embarrassment and possible failure by taking control of the Debate Chamber floor will be more likely to tell me what I need to know. Don’t you agree?”

“You want me to tell you about Five Lakes Colony?”

“If you think I need to know about it, yes.” She smiles.

“I hope you’ll have her do more than tell you about Five Lakes Colony,” Dr. Barnes says smoothly.

The president’s smile widens. “My office has never been included in the University internship program. Dr. Barnes and Professor Holt expressed some concern about the lack of a set curriculum, but I persuaded them of the educational value that comes with working alongside the staff of the president of the United Commonwealth.”

Dr. Barnes stiffens. “Remember, Cia, that like your fellow first years, you will have to keep up with the classwork assigned by your University professors. Just because you work in the president’s office doesn’t mean you will get special consideration.”

President Collindar lets out a light laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Cia has plenty of time to complete all her assignments. How would it look if the president’s intern flunked out of school?”

Suddenly I realize that the tension I feel in the skimmer isn’t just coming from me. No. The angry flush under Dr. Barnes’s gray beard and the challenging gleam in President Collindar’s eyes speak of something greater than an internship assignment. A power struggle that I don’t understand, but one in which I have become unwittingly involved.

President Collindar looks at her watch. “It’s getting late. We’d better get going if Cia is going to have time to tour the presidential office. I’d offer to let you ride with us, Jedidiah, but I’m sure you have business you need to attend to here on campus.”

The dismissal is cutting, despite the cordial tone. It’s clear from Dr. Barnes’s stiff movements as he exits the skimmer that he has felt the slight. The passenger door swings closed, and a loud hum fills the compartment as the skimmer’s engine is engaged. I look around the cabin and spot a small round lens in the back right corner. Whoever is operating the skimmer must have a screen in the front that displays what is happening back here.

The president sees the direction of my gaze and nods at the camera. “Sometimes, if you aren’t certain of the outcome of a meeting, it is best to have another pair of eyes watching. You never know when you might need a hand.”

The skimmer lifts off the ground and moves forward. From the window, I watch the campus fade into the distance and feel a sense of relief even as I brace myself for whatever challenge comes next.

President Collindar leans back against the gray cushions. I try my best to sit still as my mind whirls. I have been assigned to intern with President Collindar. The most influential person in the United Commonwealth Government—who, from the looks of things, does not get along with Dr. Barnes. Michal implied Symon’s plan to end The Testing peacefully requires the support of President Collindar. I will be keeping my eyes and ears open.

After several minutes of silence, the president turns and looks at me. Not sure what to say, I ask, “Are we going to the Central Government Building?”

“Not today. When I was elected president, I moved my private office to a building a few blocks away. I find it is easier to think in a space that isn’t quite so chaotic.”

“I didn’t know that.” In fact, I remember our guide showing us the entrance to the president’s office when we toured the Central Government Building during orientation.

President Collindar smiles. “We don’t advertise. You’d be amazed how many people can’t make a decision without asking my opinion if they think I’m right down the hall. Now that they have to walk a few blocks, they can handle the little problems. The big ones . . .” She sighs. “Well, those are the ones the citizens of the United Commonwealth expect me to deal with. Today, you’ll meet some of the people you’ll be working with. But before we arrive, I’d like to stress that I am dedicated to the entire country. I believe in the mission the survivors of the Seven Stages of War embarked on when they founded the United Commonwealth Government. Not everyone does. And those who do often have different visions as to how that mission should be carried out. As you might have guessed, Dr. Barnes and I don’t see eye to eye on a great many things. Because of that, I often find that I am not as well informed about the University programs as I would like. I’m hoping you can remedy that situation.”

“I don’t understand.”

President Collindar leans back. “Don’t you?” Her eyes search my face. “The students who attend the University are the next great hope of this country. It disturbs me when I hear that many of those students fail to make it to graduation.”

She waits for me to speak. Words bubble inside me. I want to explain what I know of The Testing. Expose the brutality Dr. Barnes and his team have advocated. Condemn the process that has been allowed to flourish in the center of a city that was created to represent hope. This is the moment I have been waiting for. That the rebels have been waiting for. Yet, instinct stills my tongue. President Collindar is the most powerful person in this country. If she wants information about The Testing and the University, why hasn’t she received it before now? I shift in my seat. Surely, if the president demanded answers, someone would be compelled to give them. Too many people are involved in The Testing for them all to remain silent. If it is answers she seeks, why is she posing her questions to a first-year University girl instead of to those who have not had their memories removed by The Testing? There is something more at work here. Something I need to understand better before I risk my future and the future of the rebellion.

When I don’t answer, President Collindar sighs. “I don’t expect you to trust me. Not yet. But I hope that by working with my staff, you will realize that I have the best interests of this country at heart. If there is something more about the University program that I should know, I hope you’ll feel comfortable enough to share that information.” She glances out the window as the skimmer begins to slow. “We’re here.”

The door opens. President Collindar walks to the doorway, takes someone’s hand, and gracefully exits. I follow behind and take the hand held out to help me. When my feet hit the ground and I start to thank the person, the words lodge in my throat. Standing in a purple United Commonwealth uniform with a pleasant but impersonal smile on his face is Michal Gallen.

Michal is here. I try to feign interest in the building in front of me as he releases my hand, but I cannot stop the p