Chapter 23


Less than a day had passed since the Aegean Colony had been liberated. While the scars of battle were still plentiful, things were slowly returning to normal...at least as normal as life got as an Exile. Hayley had been called to the medical center in New Rome after taking some time to get some sleep, and found Dr. Savan, Alicia and Max waiting for her, along with Dawn Kang, the former New Athens admin who’d also helped develop the SCIE program, and was perhaps the utmost expert on it. As Hayley entered the facility, she could see by the looks on the faces of Savan and Max that whatever they had to say was perhaps not good news.

"Ms. Komit, we thought this would be something you would want to know," said Savan, looking at Hayley with a rather grim expression. "Tell her, Dr. Kang."

Kang looked into the Exile’s expressionless, black facial cover, seeing her own dour expression in its highly glossy surface. "As I was telling Dr. Savan and your friends...and please understand, it’s not as though we didn’t try, there were just variables we couldn’t account for and..."

"Doctor...just get to the point," Savan demanded.

Kang lowered her eyes in a shameful manner. "We’d never actually successfully removed the suit from an Exile. Because we never actually manufactured a device that could do it successfully. We had begun development of one, but it proved too unpredictable. The few tests we did of it had...unexpected results. The first attempt not only atomized the suit, but...dissolved the subject’s skin as well, killing them in the process. Subsequent testing proved just as haphazard, with similar results. In one case, we completely vaporized the subject."

"So...you’re saying there’s no way to remove the suits?"

"No...not at this time. Our research was halted. Perhaps if it started up again, we could find a way, but Heissler ordered us to discontinue testing. The general feeling was that nobody would ever complete their sentences anyway, so it was a futile venture."

"So all the people that are going to want to remove the suits...we can’t help them?" Hayley shot at the doctor angrily. "They have to stay as Exiles now. And anyone else who wants to be an Exile...we have to tell them they can never go back."

"I’m sorry...as I said, with more research and testing..."

Hayley glared at Savan. "Is this true?"

The raven-haired doctor nodded sympathetically. "I’m afraid it seems that way. I never realized that the technology had never been perfected. I assumed it’d just never been used."

"Alicia?" she turned toward her friend.

She shook her head. "People aren’t going to take this well. Guardian has been keeping me up to date on the general feelings of the Exile population. While there’s a significant portion who wish to remain as Exiles, there is a large segment of the population that want to be un-Exiled. When word of this gets out, there’s going to be a lot of anger and resentment."

"What can we do?" Hayley asked.

Alicia breathed a sigh, her chest expanding and contracting noticeably. "We have to tell them the truth. Then, we’ll just have to deal with the fallout. Most of the Exile population has disarmed, but there are still a few out there with weapons, and there are many firearms unaccounted for. It could get violent."

Hayley shook her head. "I can’t believe we’ve come this far just for this to happen. We’re finally on our way to a utopia, and now what...we could be looking at another uprising?"

"I don’t know. Maybe. I’m still in the middle of negotiations with the Federation...if things get ugly, we’ll lose any face we have at the bargaining table. The Federation will just tell us that we can’t even control our own people, and might use it as leverage to take New Rome away from us."

Hayley turned to Savan. "Is there any possibility you can get it to work?"

"I’m sure we could eventually. But time is the problem. It may take weeks...it may take years. At the very least you can tell the other Exiles that we are working on it. It might assuage some of their feelings."

"I have an idea," Max spoke up at last, drawing the attention of the others in the room. "I think what the people will want is justice, more than anything. It might help to ease the tensions of they saw the people most responsible for putting them in their situation placed in that same situation."

Dr. Kang stared at Max through horror filled eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I think what he’s saying," Dr. Savan jumped in. "Makes absolutely perfect sense. Right now the Exiles are likely feeling that actual justice has not been dealt. They will want someone to answer for their endless days of misery. And I believe putting those that put them there into Exile themselves would do well in that regard."

Alicia bobbed her head in a nod. "I think that’s a fine idea. And I know exactly who we’ll start with."

Days later the entire Exile population was brought to attention as Alicia made her announcement. Throughout the New Rome arcology, Exiles froze in place, listening to the words in their head while simultaneously watching images being broadcast into their eyes from the medical facility. Before them was Alicia Heissler, her name appearing below her image. "My fellow Exiles," Alicia began, sounding very official-like Hayley thought, as she watched her friend deliver the message. "Tonight, we have a cause to celebrate. For those of us who have been fighting the oppression of the Aegean Republic since before the SCIE program was introduced, today is a day of days. Not only have we seen the end of the Aegean Republic but the beginning of a brand new society, the likes of which has never been seen. A truly utopian society where every individual governs himself as he or she sees fit, where decisions are made collectively and for the best interest of society as a whole, and where we are free to decide our own destiny.

"I won’t lie to you. We have tough days ahead of us. Many of you will want to return to your former lives. Many have already expressed this through the Guardian network. Some have even begun to question when you will be able to be rid yourselves of the Exile suits completely and return to human society. Well, I’m afraid it won’t be right away."

Alicia could almost sense the feelings of despondence and anger through the network, as if feelings could actually be transmitted through them. She instinctively held her hands up in a calming fashion. "I understand this will anger some of you. For those of you who desire to remain in Exile, do not be under any false assumptions, as this affects you also. Since we cannot yet safely remove the Exile suit, you may find yourselves among disillusioned and angry individuals who may seek to injure you. Some may even seek to injure themselves. I ask you...I beg of you, do not succumb to these temptations. Work is proceeding even as we speak on a method to safely remove the Exile suit. As soon as we are sure the procedure is safe, we will administer it to anyone and everyone who seeks release from Exile."

Alicia breathed a light sigh. "Some of you I know are angry because you may feel that while you suffer, those who were responsible for putting you into Exile are being given a free pass. My friends, I assure you this is not true. In the past twenty four hours, we have rounded up approximately fifty-five individuals whom we have determined to be part of the upper echelons of Republic staff, including government and medical personnel, DIS agents included, who assisted in the development, maintenance and enforcement of the SCIE program. At the top of that list are the following individuals and their positions...

"Lita Ross, New Rome administrator. Sergei Tereshkova, New Constantinople Administrator and Director of DIS. Dawn Kang, New Athens Administrator and architect of the SCIE program."

The image being show to the Exiles shifted. Each of them watched in silence as the three administrators underwent the various stages of Exile preparation at that very moment. A number of Exiles tended to them, prepping each of them simultaneously. The images were graphic, showing every stage as candidly as possible.

The women cried out and sobbed, pleading for them to stop as the plumbing tubes were shoved into their bodies and sealed in with the smooth, padded end. Lita Ross, who had a reputation as being almost as ruthless as Aldrich Heissler, screamed as administrative punishment was administered via her implant when she refused to step on the laminating platform. The Exiles finally got her up, enforced the compliance protocol and activated the machine. The clear, liquid-like plastic stretched up over her body, forming a seamless seal on the top of her hairless scalp. The clear membrane clung tightly to the body like a second skin. After she was removed, Dawn Kang was stood up on the platform. She put up no resistance, merely moaning loudly as the membrane was pulled over her body like a sack. Tereshkova made no sound and complied with every command, as if to maintain some degree of dignity throughout the whole indignant process. The image followed the three as they moved into an adjoining chamber and had the padding placed onto their feet and their heads tightly encased within the helmets. As the two halves of the helmet were positioned on either side of Dawn Kang’s face, she began to plead again, her words coming out is almost incoherent mumbles.

"Don’t do this please...oh God, oh God...please, I can’t stand small spaces...please no! Kill me! Just KILL ME!! God...NOO!!!" Her screams were abruptly silenced as the two halves of the helmet snapped together.

With their helmets and padding secured, the three were placed on the final platform, each occupying a circle on the platform’s surface. Simultaneously, they were submitted to the final stage of the Exile conversion process- the oil-black layer of latex-like material stretched over their bodies, forming to them like a second skin. When it was over, three new Exiles stepped off the platforms and were led away. The image finally shifted back to Alicia.

"And finally, the individual at the very top of our list, the one utmost responsible for the oppression and human rights violations that have plagued the Aegean Colony for nearly twenty years. Supreme Chancellor Aldrich Heissler."

The scene switched back to the processing facility where the once feared Supreme Chancellor was being tended to by a pair of Exiles. His pale, emaciated naked form was a stark contrast to the stern, broad, towering figure most were used to seeing depicted in the many statues and images found throughout the Republic. He underwent the preparation phase with no resistance, no complaint, and appearing without a shred of regret on his face. The Exiles tending to him installed his plumbing, his visual receptors and placed him into the laminate chamber with little difficulty. As the prepared to install his helmet, the image closed in on his face. He stared at the source of the recorder, his eyes hollow, devoid of any emotion. The Exiles pushed the two sections of the helmet together, the locking mechanism snapping loudly.

Soon, Heissler to stood in the final section of the processing facility so many Exiles had stood in before him, final justice finally about to be administered. As the black liquid latex-like solution was pulled over his body sealing him into his new prison, Exiles throughout the New Rome arcology raised their voices in cheer. With so many voices raised in unison, even the Exile’s helmets could not fully contain the sound and a whispering, almost haunting sigh-like hiss echoed throughout the heart of the arcology. After a moment, Alicia continued speaking. "Guardian is re-instituting the Warden protocol for these new Exiles. Each will spend no less than a year in the same conditions we were all forced to endure during our time in exile. This is their rehabilitation. If after a year they are prepared to integrate with our society, they will be welcome. If by then we have perfected the means in which to remove the Exile suit, and they choose to return to human society, they will be free to do so, as will any of you who wish it.

"In closing, I would like to say this my friends. We have all experienced something few others will ever experience. Self-confined incarceration was designed as a means in which to solve the over burdened prison system a decade ago. Instead, what it did was create a whole new culture...a new breed of humanity. Thanks to our friends in the New Liberty colony and the Federation, we now have the opportunity to form our own society with our own values independent of any other government. While I feel it is in our best interest to maintain strong relations with our neighbors, we must also prove that we are an independent and self-reliant people. The Guardian system is there to look after all of your needs, and as elected by you, I will continue to speak on behalf of the Exile population. But just remember, we are all in this together. Have patience. Have faith. Thank you."

As the transmission ceased and the Exile population was once again free to do as they pleased, Alicia waited for the inevitable backlash from her announcement. She was expecting Guardian to notify her of uprising activity almost immediately. Instead, its only message to her was that people were calmly going about their business. There would be no violence. No acts of aggression against other Exiles. No rioting. No uprising. While there were still certainly those of the Exile population frustrated with the fact that they would not yet be freed from their prison, most understood and accepted Alicia’s explanation. Most were just satisfied that justice had been served at long last, and their suffering to that point and continuing suffering was answered for.

The majority of Exiles however, those who sought to remain Exiles and bring forth a new age, were content. Hayley was among them. As she was about to leave the New Rome medical facility, she was abruptly halted as a bronze-skinned woman was ushered inside, escorted by a pair of Exiles. It was Doctor Savan, her naked form and normally long flowing black hair cut just above her jaw-line confounding the young woman.

"Hello Ms. Komit," Savan said with a smile.

"Dr. Savan? What’s going on?"

"It’s my turn," the Doctor replied with a nod, appearing in no way regretful or scornful.

"Your turn...?" Hayley winced. "You’re being processed? But, I thought everything you did to help liberate the Exile population..."

"I’m doing it by choice," she said, smiling and putting a hand on Hayley’s shoulder. "I spent years working on the SCIE program. A single act of redemption I feel didn’t justify my being given a free pass. Besides, this new Exile society is something I want to be a part of, consider in a way I did help build it."

"But your expertise. You’re the only one who knows enough anything about the removal system. Won’t they need you if they want to perfect the technology?"

"My knowledge will be shared through Guardian. Everything I know, I will allow it to assimilate. With any luck, that information plus Guardian’s own vast knowledge will enable the Exiles to build a fully functional removal system. As for me, I believe I’ve deserved my time in Exile."

"Doctor..."

"It’s Teresa."

"Teresa," Hayley repeated, shaking her head. "You don’t have to do this. I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I shouldn’t have been bitter. What you did for me, now that I think about it...I should have been thanking you. I’m sorry."

"Don’t be. Don’t ever be sorry to me," she frowned, lowering her eyes. "What I did...what I was a part of...I will always be ashamed of. My only hope is that through living as you were forced to, I will have repented in some small way."

Hayley dipped her encased head, pausing for a moment as she tried to think of something to say to her. Something to encourage her or console her wounded soul. She couldn’t though. In a way, she agreed with what Savan was doing, and appreciated that she was voluntarily doing it. "Is there anything I can do before you go through?"

"It would mean a lot to me if...if you’d stay with me through the process," Teresa Savan wore smiled sheepishly. "I have to admit...I’m nervous. I’ve seen in done thousands of times yet...I’m afraid."

Hayley wished Savan could see her face, so she could see the smile. It wasn’t that she wanted to see the woman get her comeuppance, far from it in fact. She was simply happy that she could be with the woman who helped to liberate her on the first steps of her journey into a whole new world. She agreed and remained with Savan throughout the entire prep phase. She felt a little odd being on the other side of the examination table, actually seeing the process happen first hand, to the woman who’d seen it done to her. Perhaps there was a poetic justice to all of it.

When the part came to apply the helmet after the protective laminate had been placed on, she could see the fear in the woman’s eyes. It was the same kind of fear Hayley like had felt when her helmet had first been applied. She held onto Savan’s hand tightly, feeling her squeeze back as the helmet locked into position with a snap. It was the last time she’d see that face staring back at her.

When the full Exile conversion process had been completed, Hayley personally escorted her outside of the arcology. The two walked just beyond the shantytown, now in the process of being dismantled, before coming to a stop as the sun set to the west.

"Hayley," Savan turned to her, her voice coming through the small palm-sized DPAD she wore around her neck. "I know you’re still not linked to the Guardian network. But when you are again, it would mean a lot to me if you’d come and see me."

"I will Teresa."

The two shared a warm embrace before Savan turned her back to the arcologies and headed off down the long road south. Hayley stood there and watched as the woman she’d hated for so many months, but now felt a sisterly bond, the kind she felt with all of her fellow Exiles, she couldn’t help but feel saddened. But she knew they’d meet again, someday.