The second Ron entered the meeting room his chip activated. There was a quiet song going on, everyone singing a few lines here and there. John stiffened when he entered the room, then quietly cursed.

“Are we going to sing the entire time?

“These are the worst kind of meetings.

“We’re here to discuss possible war crimes

“If we keep singing I’m planning on leaving,” John sang, true to whatever feelings his chip produced.

“Cheer up, my friend. If we’re singing now,

“It obviously means an interesting chat

“So get ready, lift up your brow,

“It sounds like someone found a rat.”

John gave a shrug before the quiet song moved to the other S.E.A. officials. Ron scanned the room and could almost feel the heaviness of the information. The quiet yet serious tone of the song gave the impression that someone meant business. John and Ron took their seats. Ron assumed there would be no agenda at this meeting. They hadn’t had an agenda for the past few meetings now.

Walt sat down next to John.

“Any word?” Ron sang.

“None. A lot of hush hush.

“I don’t like it,” Walt sang.

“This whole meeting’s absurd,” John finished.

President Arnold himself walked in. His presence alone made the already quiet room grow still. There were the last strokes of a song before it ended. The room was uncomfortably quiet with no song to sing. Being a Junior Official, Ron had his final interview with President Arnold and had seen him a few times, but there was always a sense of awe whenever he was around him. Clearly, other officials thought the same. Though it made the feeling in his gut intensify. President Arnold being here could not be a good thing.

“Let’s make this quick, I’m a very busy man,” President Arnold said. “Joseph, your email told me it would be to my advantage that I be here at this meeting.”

Mr. McCarthy stood. “I did, sir. I have some information on the Germains. Specifically Madeline Germain. But they haven’t arrived. Are they running late?”

President Arnold frowned as he looked around, then checked his cell phone. “They are always prompt.”

“If they aren’t here in five minutes, I’d request we get the agents together to start looking for them. Mrs. Germain might have escaped,” Mr. McCarthy said.

President Arnold raised an eyebrow. “You really think it’s that serious?”

“Yes, sir. Yes I do,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Ron exchanged a glance with John before John stretched out on his seat and folded his arms. “I hate meetings.”

The door opened, and the Germains walked in. Mrs. Germain looked livid, and Mr. Germain looked as though he was in the process of putting on his professional face.

“We’re not done yet,” Mrs. Germain said.

“We’ll talk after the meeting,” Mr. Germain said, quiet, clipped, and somehow professional.

It did nothing to douse the anger in Mrs. Germain’s eyes.

“Ah, here they are,” Mr. McCarthy said.

Mr. Germain glanced at Mr. McCarthy before his eyes settled on President Arnold. “President Arnold, sir. It’s an honor to have you join us at this meeting. Forgive our tardiness, it won’t happen again.

The air of suspicion hung heavy in the air. Ron half expected Mr. McCarthy to reveal a dead body.

“Let’s get this meeting started,” Mr. Germain said. “President Arnold, would you like to conduct it?”

President Arnold folded his arms. “I came because Joseph said it would be worth my while. All of us are here because he requested it.”

Mr. Germain turned suspicious eyes on Mr. McCarthy. “Alright, Joseph. You better have something good.”

Mr. McCarthy, who was clearly relishing the attention he received from President Arnold, stood up and smiled. He pulled out a manila folder and passed it over to Mr. Germain. Mr. Germain opened the folder, holding what looked to be pictures. Mr. Germain froze, his face unreadable for a good five seconds before anger threatened to burn whatever pictures were inside. Music filled the room and Ron braced himself for the revelation. Mr. Germain opened his mouth to sing, but closed it again, the anger building. The song began, but no one sang. Ron glanced over at Walt, knowing this couldn’t be good.

“I think it’s time for the junior officials to leave,” Mr. Germain said as the song began to quietly fade away. Again, Ron glanced from John to Walt, but neither one of them seemed interested in leaving.

President Arnold took one of the pictures. His face immediately screwed up in anger as he faced Mrs. Germain.

“Madeline, explain yourself,” President Arnold said.

Mrs. Germain, who looked neither worried or scared, simply gave him a smirk. “Really, sir? You’d like to explain myself here?”

President Arnold sputtered. Ron’s eyebrows shot up. He’d never seen President Arnold look flustered before. Again, music filled the room. President Arnold took the time to calm himself as the music died down. When the last notes faded, President Arnold opened his eyes, staring at Mrs. Germain like he hadn’t needed to use the time to steady himself. “You’re under arrest. Immediately. You are stripped of your position and rank, and you will never see the inside of the S.E.A. building again.”

“These have to be faked,” Mr. Germain said, still staring daggers at whatever pictures he was looking at. “We certainly can’t convict her without verifying these pictures haven’t been faked.”

“They’re not,” Mrs. Germain said, folding her arms and leaning against the wall. “I did it, Ambrose. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. The S.E.A. is lying. To all of you.” Mr. Germain took a step toward his wife, but President Arnold, still in control of his emotions, held out a hand to stop him. “You’re out chasing mad scientists when you don’t realize you’ve become them yourselves.” Mrs. Germain stood a little straighter and faced President Arnold. “After all the lies I told for you! After what you did to my daughter? After you completely wiped her memories to turn her into a hobo!”

The room was stilled. Ron glanced at John, confused. What was Mrs. Germain talking about? President Arnold began laughing. Mr. McCarthy looked like he was about ready to tackle Mrs. Germain, only waiting for President Arnold to give his permission.

“Seriously, Madeline? Are you listening to yourself? Do you honestly think we’d do something like that?” President Arnold asked.

“Ridiculous,” Mr. McCarthy said. “Clearly the underground got to her and has started brainwashing her. It is a warning to us all. Even the strongest among us can fall.”

Mrs. Germain’s smirk faltered for just a moment. She looked at Mr. Germain, who had been staring at the pictures the entire time before he stuffed them back in the folder, giving his wife a glare. “Murphy’s law, Madeline.” Mr. Germain’s voice was dangerous. He was on the brink of screaming, but was barely managing to contain himself. “You let them get to you. All the protection and safety President Arnold gave us, and you threw it away!” He took an angry breath, closing his eyes like he hated the sight of her. “You would honestly believe anything the underground would tell you! They took your weakness and exploited it.”

Mrs. Germain glared at her husband. “So you believe being a mom is a weakness too?”

Mr. Germain grabbed Mrs. Germain’s wrists, the daggers in his eyes moving from the pictures to the actual person in front of him. “Come with me. You must stop spreading the lies the underground told you.”

Mrs. Germain tried to pull her wrist back from Mr. Germain’s grasp, but he only tightened his grip. Ron winced. This felt too private to be watching.

“Don’t lie for him anymore Ambrose. He doesn’t deserve our respect. He’s trying to make you tear down my character, and you’re doing it like the loyal idiot you are.”

“You are not fit for your job. We will have our medical professionals scan your brain to make sure you weren’t hurt too much when the mad scientists brainwashed you.” President Arnold gave Mr. Germain some handcuffs. He was already dragging her toward the door.

Mrs. Germain’s eyes fell on President Arnold, who was glaring at her. “You made yourself a powerful enemy. The underground wants to stop you and Josef, and I say let them.”

“You’re only powerful because I made you that way,” President Arnold said quietly, glaring at Mrs. Germain as Mr. Germain handcuffed her. “Without me, you are nothing.”

Once again music filled the room, but at this point, no one bothered. Mr. Germain’s chest heaved. Ron made a mental note to stay as far away from Mr. Germain today as possible. “You’ve been taken by the mad scientists, and nothing you say can be believed. You need our people to help you come to your senses.”

Mrs. Germain’s mouth twitched in a smile. “Like Tom Edison needed help?”

President Arnold hissed at the name, and Ron frowned. He’d never heard of Tom Edison. Who was this person that created such a reaction in President Arnold?

Mrs. Germain smirked at President Arnold as Mr. Germain grabbed her and led her out of the room. It was deeply unsettling. Ron found he couldn’t look at her. How did she stumble on these mad scientists? Was it gradual, or all at once? Nothing she said made sense, and what she said deeply disturbed him. She couldn’t possibly believe the underground. They were nothing but mad scientists, willing to do anything to get President Arnold out of power and reign like they had in the old days.

“Sir, if I may suggest, we shouldn’t leave Mr. Germain on his own. He always had his wife as his partner, but now Madeline has been corrupted. Might I suggest I partner with Ambrose to make sure he stays in line?” Mr. McCarthy asked.

“Of course, Joseph. That’s a fine idea. I’ll talk to Ambrose about it once he’s done,” President Arnold said.

Once he’s done. There was a strange finality to that. Once Mr. Germain is done putting his wife in prison. Ron stared ahead, knowing the power dynamic of the S.E.A. had shifted.

“You’re all excused,” President Arnold said.

Despite the movement of the Officials and Junior Officials, there was also a silence. Ron, for one, did not know how to react to what he just saw. He simply knew there was no denying it happened. Mrs. Germain had been corrupted, and if she could, anyone could.

***

Abe knew his steps were getting slower. He knew the heat of the day was affecting him differently. His vision was beginning to swim in front of him. He was desperate to find the clearing now. It had been days since he had food, his stomach was constantly growling, and he assumed the nausea was from his stomach trying to eat itself.

His feet felt trapped in cement blocks. Every movement forward was an effort. He tried to keep his mind off hunger, but when his mind wasn’t on that, it turned to how much of a horrible failure he was.

His stomach began to pulse, and Abe fell to his knees from the pain of it. He cradled his stomach, staring at the ground, before he began coughing. His nose became inches from the ground when he threw up a yellow, waxy bile. It spilled from his mouth and spread out on the hard, pine needle covered ground. Abe shook, breathing deeply. Could a person vomit from not eating? Or was it something he drank?

***

Marie heard a noise that made her wonder if she was dreaming it or if it was something else. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but there was something there. She knew she was dreaming, but not quite ready to wake up from her nap.

“Alice?” It was Harriet. Harriet usually did the supply runs to the underground.

Alice gave a sniff, and Marie opened her eyes. It dawned on her that Alice was crying quietly. Alice rubbed her cheeks with her hand.

“Yes? What is it Harriet?” Alice asked.

Harriet glanced at Marie who was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Harriet turned back to Alice. “Are you okay?”

“Fine, I’m fine. Just checking on Marie. Things are looking good. You’re looking great, Marie. The nap you took didn’t seem to have any negative impact on your body.”

Harriet sat down on the edge of the bed, folding her arms and giving Alice a look. “All you have to say is you don’t want to talk about it. But don’t pretend I didn’t hear you crying in here.”

Alice gave a shaky breath, then pressed her palm gently against her eye to keep the tears at bay. “Macbeth, Harriet, you realize you’re the worst person to complain about life, right?”

Harriet gave a laugh. “Yes, I had a horrible childhood, but I find it helps me have more empathy for others. What’s going on?”

Alice lowered her hand. “I haven’t seen my parents in years. They left for the clearing soon after we joined the underground. I hated to be apart from them, but it made sense in the beginning for them to go and for me to stay. But it’s been four years. I haven’t seen them in four very long years. And now I’m about to. Maybe. Maybe Josef got to them. Maybe Charles is wrong and Josef has complete control of the clearing. But maybe Charles is right and I’ll see them soon. I just…” Alice let out a sigh. “There are so many emotions to process, and I’ve been bottling them all up until I could come here for this.” She lifted the chip blocker for them to see. “It’s a lot. And I’m just so worn out.”

Harriet nodded. “Yeah, Alice, it is a lot to process. I didn’t even think about what the communication from the clearing would mean for you. Thanks for telling me.”

Alice turned back to the notes, tapping a finger against the laptop as she studied them. “At least Marie is making amazing progress.” Alice gave Marie a smile before she unhooked the IV. “You won’t even need this tonight.”

Harriet stood up. “I better get back. Can’t stay for too long.” Harriet wrapped Alice in a tight hug. “Whatever happens with your parents, you’ll get through it with everyone’s help. It’s what we joined the underground for.”

Alice returned the hug, a small but genuine smile on her face.