The Last Tree Read online

  I nod silently as Thorne turns to take his call. J.D helps me into my seat and makes sure I’m securely fastened before buckling himself. He leans over and repeats Thorne’s question. “Are you going to be okay?”

  I bite my lip to keep it from quivering. There are so few people I truly care about, and I cannot stand the feeling of helplessness washing over me at the thought of Miranda and Fig in danger. I’m certain the look I give J.D. communicates a different answer than the one I gave Thorne.

  “Think about how much trouble Thorne has gone to in order to get you back,” he says softly, squeezing my hand. “Regardless of what you or I think about him, Thorne is persistent and resourceful. The only person I know who is more single-minded in going after what they want is you. I think those bandits are in for a rude surprise.”

  I consider his words and feel better. “You’re right. Even if Thorne only thinks of Fig as a resource, he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back safely.” I take a careful breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm my heart. Absently, I watch the pilot complete his preparations for takeoff. Then I return my gaze to J.D. “Fig is so defenseless. I can’t stand the thought of her being afraid. What must Tamara be going through right now? You know how attached she’s become to those girls. It will devastate her if something bad happens.”

  “Then we need to do whatever we can to help Thorne with this rescue. Do you think Dr. Gallagher knows?”

  “Tamara will have contacted her. Thomaz cares about Miranda too. They’ll both want to be part of the rescue effort.”

  There is little left to say on the journey back to Eden. The chopper returns us to the airstrip, where we board the craft that will take us back to the southern biosphere. Thorne continues to work nonstop, while J.D. and I drift off to sleep in spite of ourselves. We wake up during landing and glance over to see Thorne wrapping up a transmission with HQ.

  “The troops have arrived,” he says shortly. “I know you two want to be part of this, but I need you to trust me to execute this mission. The best way for you to help is to look after your friend.”

  I bristle at the idea of not being in the middle of the action, but then I think about what Tamara must be feeling right now. With a short nod, I indicate agreement.

  As we step onto the tarmac, troops snap to attention near the terminal building. Thorne heads over to them immediately. It takes me a second to spot Tamara in the crowd. Worry for Fig and Miranda has brought back the dark circles beneath her eyes. I notice a slight tremble in her fingers and wonder if she’s even aware of it. I wrap my arms around her, while nearby, J.D. exchanges a few quiet words with Tuck. From the corner of my eye, I see Dr. Gallagher approach Thorne.

  “Is there any new information?” I ask Tamara, stepping back to assess her state of mind. “Is there a ransom demand?”

  “No.” Tamara tugs on her hair nervously. “Can you tell us what Thorne is planning? He must have said something to you.”

  “He’s going to get the girls back, Tamara. He’s activated Fig’s tracking device, and he’s brought in this crack search and rescue team. They’re going to get her back.”

  We take our time walking toward Eden as Tuck catches us up on everything that’s happened since we left. It didn’t take long for the population to adapt to the new underground facilities. There are better workspaces, more privacy for living groups, and cooler temperatures below the surface. With the new water source I’d created, plus the addition of supplies Thorne had flown in, spirits had been high—until this latest blow.

  Entering the dome, Tamara directs us to a central concourse where a set of stairs lead down to the dining hall. The residents of the biosphere have congregated, waiting for Thorne to arrive and eager to learn how the missing girls will be returned to them. It’s clear that both Fig and Miranda have made a big impression on the people here. And Tamara also, I realize. As I take a seat at a table, residents walk by and lay their hands on Tamara’s shoulders or place gentle kisses on the top of her head. For a brief moment, I feel a pang of envy. Eden is a family, and Tamara has become part of it. Looking away, I catch Tuck’s eyes.

  “I haven’t seen Thomaz,” I whisper.

  “Since returnin’ from the tree, he’s been spendin’ most of his time at the orchard. Thorne should include him in whatever he’s plannin’. Thomaz grew up on the desert, and he knows these people. He’d be helpful.”

  “Has he shared any theories with you?”

  “He may have some. If so, he’s keepin’ ’em to himself.”

  At that moment, Thorne enters the hall with the camp manager and Dr. Gallagher. He’s changed out of his traveling clothes and into the official attire of a UTC council member. His executive presence makes an impression on the community. I can see it in their eyes.

  He addresses the room. “First, I want to thank everyone for showing support for the two young people who are missing. We have activated Fig’s tracking device and are aware of her current location. At this time, we are operating under the assumption that both girls are together. Our rescue attempt will focus on an area north of here, in the foothills. Throughout the operation, I’ll be in contact with your camp manager, and she will keep you apprised of our efforts.”

  He turns to leave and motions briskly for me and J.D. to follow him. We hurry to catch up as he heads back above ground.

  “What is it?”

  “I want you with me on this after all. Thomaz thinks your skills may be needed.”

  “Thomaz is coming?”

  “He has a theory. And we have a problem.”

  “What?”

  “Fig’s tracking device has stopped moving.”

  I stop in my tracks. “What does that mean? It means she’s—she’s sleeping or something, right?”

  He halts mid-stride, turns. “She could be sleeping. She could be tied up. We won’t know till we get there.” He glances past us where Tamara and Dr. Gallagher stand framed in the doorway of the hall.

  No words are needed. Their eyes are plea enough. Bring back our girls. Keep them safe. He gives them an abrupt nod, then taps me to get me moving. We exit the dome and head back to the airstrip.

  “You should bring Tuck,” J.D. says to him quietly.

  “Yes,” I pipe up. “Tuck is the best tracker we know. After the sinkhole collapse in Slag, it was Tuck who found me and J.D., even when your teams couldn’t.”

  Thorne sends me a hard look. “You’ll have to tell me the story sometime.”

  I shake my head. “Not going to happen. You already have more than enough advantages on your side. But J.D.’s right. If there’s any tracking to be done, Tuck may be as valuable as Thomaz. He has a sixth sense about finding things.”

  “And people.”

  He makes a quick decision. “Bring your friend,” he tells J.D. “But he stays out of the way unless we need him.” J.D. pivots, dashing back to the hall to collect Tuck.

  Thorne and I continue toward the airstrip.

  “There hasn’t been a ransom request, has there?” I ask.

  “No.”

  “So it’s possible there’s nothing the bandits want from you.”

  “It doesn’t mean I don’t have a negotiating position. As a last resort, we’ll use force.”

  “What do your satellites tell you about her location?”

  “Buried beneath the sand at her coordinates, we can make out the rough layout of an ancient city. It’s not a typical underground complex like what you’ve seen here at Eden, but if the kidnappers have been able to excavate around the original structures, there may be intact walls, rooms—the foundation for an organized living space protected from the elements.”

  As I climb into the desert vehicles that will carry us to Fig, I feel a tremor run up my legs. Thorne registers the movement also. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt this sensation, but I know what it is. And I know it doesn’t bode well.

  23

  A command center is hastily erected near Fig’s assumed location. We’ve
gathered at the entrance to another gorge, one of the multitudes that snake through this territory, gouged into soil and rock by ancient water flows. Heat bakes off the stone in rippled waves. Before long, I’m pacing back and forth, muttering to myself. On the other side of the ridge, the rescue team is infiltrating the underground city.

  Upon arrival, Thorne had ordered the troop’s medic to examine my scratches. I’d completely forgotten about them. The doc cleaned them, then applied a poultice and a new bandage. They throb now, but I’m only vaguely aware of the pain.

  As a crackle of static comes over the speaker, Thorne strides over to take the transmission. I hurry to stand beside him.

  “Scorpion team responding. The underground area is secure. Target is not acquired. Repeat. Target is not acquired.”

  “Did you locate the tracking device?” Thorne demands.

  “Tracking device located, sir. Device has been removed from the target.”

  Seeing the expression on Thorne’s face, I take a step back.

  “Sir?” The team leader’s voice interrupts.

  “Go ahead, officer.”

  “We have sick people here, sir. It appears removing the girl’s tracking device was a ruse to ensure they would be found. Medical attention is required by the residents, sir, but they’re speaking an unfamiliar dialect.”

  “Have your men vacate the premises. I’ll have a medical team brought in to examine your team as well as the occupants of the city.” He turns to Thomaz, hovering a short distance away. “Do you think you’ll be able to converse with the residents?”

  “Yes.” Thomaz steps forward, pulls me toward him. “I’d like to bring Kira and J.D. with me. They won’t arouse the fear and anxiety that your troops will. With Kira’s help, we can begin hydrating people while we’re waiting for the medical staff to arrive.”

  “I’m coming too,” Thorne says brusquely. “No one—and I mean no one—is to interact with the residents until they’ve been examined and we know what’s making them sick. Maintain a safe distance at all times. From now on, everyone wears a surgical mask.” He turns to me, his eyes hard. “No leeway on this, Kira. You and your friends wear the masks. Maintain a minimum distance of four meters from a soldier or a resident of the village. Find a basin to fill that’s close, but not too close. The troops will need access.”

  One of the aides opens a first aid container and begins distributing the surgical masks. Waiting my turn, I motion to Tuck. “As we approach the village, see if you can find any clue indicating which direction Fig and Miranda might have gone.”

  Quickly, we board smaller sand rovers to take us to the underground city. Once we near the entrance, the vehicle stops. Thorne motions for the rest of us to stay put while he and Thomaz go the remainder of the distance on foot. A soldier stands at what appears to be a cleft in the ground. Seeing us, he gestures to someone inside, and we watch as one of the residents emerges. He appears to be a young man, but he’s frail. He moves forward slowly, then stops, waiting for Thomaz and Thorne to approach within a safe distance. Thomaz speaks with him for a while. Even from a distance, I can tell that Thorne is asking the questions and Thomaz is translating. The village resident gestures weakly with his hands. After what seems like forever, the resident nods and withdraws.

  As the two men return to the vehicle, I tug my surgical mask down. “What did he say?”

  Thorne points to my face. “Mask up.”

  I comply.

  Briefly, Thomaz fills us in on the villager’s report. “He insists they never intended to keep Fig and Miranda prisoner. They heard there was water available at Eden and traveled there in order to fill containers from the quarry basin. When they saw the orchard, they lingered to collect a few unpicked dates. When they discovered the two girls, they thought Fig was a magical creature—an angel of mercy sent to rescue them. They took the girls in hopes Fig could take away the sickness debilitating their tribe. When she was unable to help them, she showed them how they could remove her tracking device. She managed to make them understand that someone would come looking for the device. He says the two girls left on their camel shortly afterward, promising to bring medicine. Miranda took a compass with her and food to last them a couple of days. The villagers assumed they returned to Eden.”

  “Do you believe him?” J.D. asks. “Are these the same people who have robbed Eden in the past? Can they be trusted?”

  Thorne answers. “The soldiers have reported finding no items from Eden anywhere on the premises. These people are living simply. They have a small herd of camels nearby that they use for milk and transportation. When they’re unable to find sufficient desert reptiles or insects, they butcher one of the animals and live off the dried meat.” Suddenly, his gaze sharpens on mine. “Where did Tuck go?”

  “I asked him to explore. He may discover which direction the girls have gone.”

  “And you think my soldiers can’t determine that?”

  At that moment, Tuck’s loose-limbed figure can be seen coming over the ridge beside them. He breaks into an easy lope.

  “Did you find anything?” Thorne demands.

  “The girls aren’t headed to Eden,” he says. “They’ve gone to the tree.”

  “Why would they go to the tree?” I ask, trying to make sense of this news.

  “Think about it,” J.D. replies softly. “They promised these people medicine. They’ve heard us referring to the tree of life. They heard Dr. Gallagher’s story about the lemons. If they believe in the healing power of the tree, they may have the idea they can return to these people with the fruit and make them better.”

  I can see this news has disturbed Thomaz. “What’s on your mind?”

  “From here, I seriously doubt Miranda and Fig could reach the tree in one day, Kira. They may decide to continue their journey in the dark. It will not be safe for them to do this.” His voice is tight with worry.

  “The girls are resourceful, Thomaz. Besides, they’ve done the overnight journey by camel with Dr. Gallagher,” I remind him. “I’m not sure I understand your concern.”

  “The area they have to cross is populated with venomous snakes,” he tells me, his face shadowed. “Since her arrival in Eden, Miranda has been warned about the dangers of wandering in the dark. I have no way of knowing if she’s taken those words to heart. As someone who did not grow up seeing snake-bite victims, she may not understand how serious this threat is.”

  I grab Thorne’s arm. “How quickly can we reach the girls?”

  He pulls out his com device. “I’ll contact the guards at the tree. They can start searching for Fig and Miranda. I can also check the location of our nearest drone aircraft. If feasible, a drone can scout the desert between here and the tree.” He pauses. “Kira, I don’t want anyone to leave this area until they’ve been examined by the doctors. We don’t know what we may have been exposed to out here.”

  “Your troops have been exposed. But we haven’t been underground or near any villagers,” I remind him impatiently. “And you made us wait in the rover while you spoke with the villager, and you were nowhere near close enough for contamination. Let us go, Thorne, while you stay and wrap up things here. Command your team. See that these people get the medical treatment they need. But let us take one of the rovers and go after the girls.”

  “The sands are too soft where you’re going, Kira,” says Thomaz. “The rovers can’t manage the terrain. But this tribe here, they have camels.”

  “Then we’ll take camels.” I turn back to Thorne. “With Tuck’s tracking skills—and fast camels—we may be able to overtake them. The girls are timid riders. I don’t see them getting very far very fast.”

  He rubs his hands over his face. “I don’t know, Kira. You may be putting yourselves at unnecessary risk. You heard what Thomaz said about the snakes.”

  “I can go with them,” said Thomaz.

  “No. I need you to translate when the medical team arrives.”

  “Thorne … J.D., Tuck, and me—w
e can do this. Traveling in the desert is what we do. We’ll borrow a com unit so you can stay in contact. I’ll make water when it’s needed. And Tuck can track anyone. We’re all chipped, so you’ll know where we are every minute.”

  “I don’t trust you. I don’t trust you not to remove the chip. I don’t trust you not to take this opportunity to escape.”

  I pause, processing this. He’s got a valid concern. “You are correct to distrust me, Thorne. But my concern for Miranda and Fig trumps everything else. I promise to go after the girls and to stay at the tree until you send assistance.”

  He gazes at me for the longest time, then delivers a hard look toward J.D. and Tuck. His concern for Fig and her importance to him is clearly warring with his need to keep me under close observation. Finally, he gives a quick nod. “I’ll give you a first aid kit to take with you.”

  “I keep one with me.”

  “My kit includes antivenom that works against snake species common to this area.”

  “We’ll take yours,” I agree.

  “Kira, one more thing before you three take off,” Thorne says.

  “What?”

  “Find a basin to fill for these villagers. They’re going to need water immediately.”

  “I’m on it.”

  24

  We’re halfway to the tree when the earthquake hits. Our camel knows it before we do. It’s the middle of the day. We’re risking exposure to the sun in order to make faster time. The three of us wear goggles, plus white robes and headscarves, borrowed from Thomaz, to protect us from the elements.

  Seeing movement in the distance, I swipe my hand across the lens of my goggles.

  “Do you see that?” I ask J.D.

  “What are they?”

  “I think they’re desert foxes. I read about them on the Nets.” Over the last few weeks, I’ve poured through research about the Abjadiyyah Territories, and now I rack my brain trying to sort through random snippets of information I’ve read. “If I remember correctly, they’re nocturnal and can live for years without ever actually consuming water.”