The Variables

“Dad?” Lucy said in a soft voice, while the video a

A flicker of worry passed over her father’s face and then he smiled a half-smile.

“Kiddo, the Islands will be great. They’re the best future we could ever offer you.”

“You don’t believe that,” Lucy whispered, feeling suddenly emotional.

“Yes. I do,” he replied in a firm whisper. “I really do. Your mother and I have always, since you were born, only wanted the best for you. And this is the best.” Then he turned back to the presentation, dropping his arms.

Lucy looked to Grant, pleading, but he nodded back toward the video, and so she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. The woman droned on about the other Islands. Lucy barely processed their names; her head went fuzzy.

“Neighboring the hub of Kymberlin, you will find St. Brenden, the cultural hub of our island fleet...”

“This is strange,” Grant whispered. “Like really strange. I feel like I’m being sold a timeshare. Did your parents ever do that?” Lucy shook her head. “Man, my mom dragged me to four of those meetings, just for theater tickets or promises of a free di

“That’s not going to happen—”

“Shhh,” someone shushed them from a few chairs down.

Reprimanded, Lucy refocused on the screen.

“...our specialized history and culture team will work diligently to rescue artifacts that we feel should be archived for the future.” The video showed pictures of great pieces of art and libraries full of books. “St. Brenden will be a place of cultural relevance and excitement. Journey here at any time to walk along the halls lined with artwork from the greats.”

Paulina was the Island of agriculture. Aeacus housed animals, moved there surreptitiously before the Release, as well as the military. And there were four others, each with a central area and then long enclosed walkways above the water co

“Why not Cancun?” Grant joked.

Cass ruffled Grant’s hair and leaned closer. “Science, my dear,” she replied and then she looked to Scott for affirmation. “And access.” She winked.

The video ended and there was a smattering of applause. Claude stepped forward to the microphone and bowed his head slightly. “They are an achievement. They are amazing. And so, with that, we welcome you home.” He slipped backward to the edge of the stage and stood firm and straight.

Huck took the stage. He cleared his throat and looked out among the people he had recruited, those whose lives he was responsible for. He started to speak, but his voice broke, and so he bowed his head and lifted his hand to implicate he needed a moment to compose himself, and when his eyes rose to look out over the crowd, they shone with triumph.

“When we have left this place...this refuge in times of great war...when we sit and look out at the world and know that the generations that follow will reap the rewards of our sacrifice, then we can rest. Then we can look around and say, this is good. This is what we needed. This is the world we deserve.”

There was a delay, but then the Center started clapping, and throughout the seating area, people began to rise. One by one they stood to their feet, saluting Huck with a standing ovation. Scott rose to Lucy’s right and then the man sitting next to him, but Lucy could not bring herself to join them. Maxine rose next, pulling Harper to her feet, still cuddling Teddy against her chest, his long legs dangling. Lucy crossed her arms and looked across the way to the group of dissenters from before; they too refused to stand—the effect was obvious: they were clearly survivors divided.

After soaking in his praise, Huck motioned for the crowd to sit, and as they settled back into their seats, he directed their attention to the screen.

“Each of you, in family units, will be told of your Island placement today. Thank you.”

Behind Huck, the name Kymberlin popped up in bright letters and then there was a scroll of names, like the credits of a film. Halfway through, Lucy spotted their name “The King Family” and she squeezed Grant’s hand. Then she saw “The Salvant Family” and she reached back and clasped Cass’s hand, too. She did feel a twinge of excitement at the possibility of exploring this new place with her friends. She recognized the dichotomy of her emotions.

“The Island of science, industry, and government, very exciting,” Lucy said to Grant, but she still felt compelled to smile at the thought of them breathing fresh air, having opportunities to travel, shop, and wander. And each time she found herself dreaming about the luxury, she tried to pull herself out of it, remind herself that it was not real. Not really.

“I was kinda hoping to live at the one with the zoo,” Grant complained.

“With the military?”

“But the zoo.” He looked at her and winked.

They watched as the other Islands were mentioned and families and groups were designated to specific places. Conversations started and stalled as people waited and discovered their names: friends lamenting separation, others celebrating with joyous hugs of relief. The names moved quickly and people began to stir.

The slide show ended and some people stood to leave. But others began to call out, confused. Lucy saw as Hunter, together with his family, shouted toward the stage. She watched Hunter’s father point to the screen with agitation and concern. Then Huck stepped forward and calmed the masses by asking for them to settle down.

“As Gordy mentioned,” Huck began, “there is a ninth Island yet-to-be-made. It’s in the final stages, but it’s unready for occupants. We would house you at the other Islands until it was time, but so much of our sustainable lifestyle rests in the comfort of knowing we won’t be pushed beyond our limits. We know how hard it is to wait. So, if your name appears on this next list, the list for Copia, then to supplement for the extra hardship, we will be asking for your input as we complete your housing. We want you to experience the ultimate luxury. Copia will be our crowning achievement.”

The anger subsided and a few people crossed their arms and shook their heads, but most seemed pacified.

Huck smiled.

“Yes, you deserve it. Please don’t think your utmost help has gone u

The slide popped on and the names rolled.

Then Lucy put a hand over her mouth and she stared dumbfounded.

There, on the screen, was Grant’s name. Grant Trotter.

But it was her father who was unable to hide his disbelief, “No!” he said audibly and then he looked to Grant and then to Lucy and then back to the stage. “That’s not right. How could that be right?”

“Copia?” Grant asked. He looked at Lucy and tried to hide his own shock and doubt. “The luxury island? Well, that can’t be too bad.”

“Can you fix it, dad? Will Huck fix it?” Lucy asked. She made eye contact with Cass, who had gone quiet and pensive. “It shouldn’t be a hard switch. Grant could stay with us, until...”

“Maybe I can request a zoo,” Grant offered weakly and he smiled, but his eyebrows were lifted with concern. “My own little zoo right off my penthouse suite.”