Awakening Book One of the Trust Series

chapter 11



“Declan, for the tenth time, I said no.” Jonathan McPherson rubbed his eyes wearily. “We don’t have new Actuals change mentors midway through training.”

Declan glared at his father. “But an exception must be made in this case. It’s not like it has never happened before.”

His father rolled his eyes, clasping his hands together before placing them down on the desk in front of him. “Declan, you were the exception. Lionel was the only one who had the proper capacity to train you.”

Declan returned his father’s exasperated expression. “I can tell now, Father, that she is just like me. An exception needs to be made. You know as well as I that the Trust is weakening significantly. We are not the power that we used to be. Actuals are defecting all of the time and the Cine Tofa is not adhering to the recruiting treaty that we had established. They are locating Potentials on our land and taking them for their own. That alone should be enough for us to break the treaty and fight; yet, here we sit and renegotiate and renegotiate.”

“There is still hope that we can come to some sort of peaceful conclusion, Declan. You sound like you are ready for a war.”

He shook his head. “No, I am not saying that I want to resort to war. But with each passing day, the hope for peace between our two groups appears slimmer and slimmer. Those that have the ability need to be trained to my level. There is a war brewing, and I’ll be damned if we all perish because we are going to stick to a few antiquated training methods that the Trust has established over the decades. I will not stand by and watch my people get destroyed.”

Declan had been surprised when he looked up during the party and saw Caitlyn Young staring at him. All the rumors about her were quite amazing. From what he had heard from his father and other random Council members, she learned exceptionally fast and the potential for her abilities were impressive. He had also heard that she was unparalleled in her ambition to learn and was quite stubborn. Declan’s father had laughed when he heard Declan mention that in passing at the party. Jonathan stated that brilliant Actuals must all have that stubborn streak in them, arching his eyebrows very highly at Declan. Declan had then huffed back that he was not stubborn, just determined. He had not been able to prevent his scowl from deepening when his dad laughed even harder.

For a week since the Gala, Declan had been mulling over the idea of taking over Caitlyn Young’s training. He had weighed the pros and cons, but decided there was too much at risk for him not to pursue this.

Jonathan shook his head and grinned. “Declan, I knew the moment you laid eyes on Caitlyn, you would want to take her on as a project.”

Declan crossed his arms. “And what is wrong with that?”

The Councilman smirked at him. “Nothing. Nothing. But only you could take a beautiful woman like her and think only about training and what she would mean to the Trust. I sometimes think I really should have encouraged Lionel to train you differently.”

“So are you saying yes or no?”

His father stood up. “I am not saying either at the moment. I am asking you to humor me and give me the reasons that you want to take over the training. Garrett has been a wonderful mentor and it is a grave insult to take the mentoring away from him. She will easily pass the Threshold already from what I’ve gathered.”

Declan couldn’t help but glower at his father slightly. He did not want to admit it, but his father was right for wanting more information, better reasons.

“Caitlyn’s capacity to learn from Garrett is limited. While Garrett is obviously an asset to the Trust with his capacity to perform Projectile Telepathy, and he is above average with his other skills, her potential is far greater than that. From what I know of Garrett Stevens, he is very laid back when it comes to methods of learning.”

“What is wrong with that Declan?”

He paced by the door. “Nothing in most cases. But with someone of her drive, it is only holding her back. She needs to be challenged; she needs to have someone who is at the level she strives to be at.”

“But she is only one Actual. I do not think that she would make a significant impact if things were to go badly between our two organizations.”

“No, you are right. Just like you or I would not have a significant impact alone. But collectively, we will. I think that the way we will grow as a people is to make new Actuals open their minds. Within the next few years, there will be a population explosion. Inevitably, there are going to be native Actuals who have no training, no guidance, and they will cause havoc in the world.”

“Your point, Declan. You are veering off your argument.” Declan knew his father was well aware of the arguments but wanted to hear how Declan presented them.

“I believe that when the explosion does occur, these natives will not have the limitations that we do with our talents. They won’t be taught that there are limitations, and as a result, they will take our talents to new levels, or even discover abilities that we never knew existed. We are limited because we made ourselves that way. How will we fight against that? Sure we have experience on our side, but that will only take us so far because of the sheer numbers involved.”

Declan paused, meeting his father’s eyes. “If I can take someone who is strong, and show what they could be just by opening their mind and adding a more rigorous and abstract training, I could perhaps change the mind of the council. If I can convince the Council that this is the product of a revised training method, we may be able to save the Trust, not only from the war with the Cine Tofa, but also from the Inception.”

“And you think this girl is the key?”

“I think that she has the most potential to make a lasting impression on the Council and have them realize what an arsenal we could have on our hands if we just change our archaic ways.”

Jonathan leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling. “If I go to the Council and get their approval, and that is a big if, I cannot guarantee that the Tribunal will agree. While I may head the Council and have significant pull, with the Descendants, I am no more special over any of them and it will be based purely on the strength of your argument.”

A broad smile graced Declan’s face. “But you will ask the Council.”

“I’ll need reports on how the training is progressing, and then we can develop a plan for an innovative training revamp.”

Declan walked over and embraced his father tightly. “Thank you, Dad. You will not regret this.”

His father returned his smile. “You will still have your other duties, Declan. Don’t forget that. Lucky for you, as of late where things are getting more hostile, I need Garrett’s special skills, and the sooner we proceed, the better.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve not forgotten my role.”

His father and he talked about various training techniques, what worked for the both of them when they were learning, and what did not. Declan outlined his plan for the future, large training camps that could hold the influx of potentials that were on the precipice. He hoped that they were not too late in their planning.

The latest theory was when the Inception happened, it would happen quickly. There would be mass confusion and panic among the world’s population. There would be people who believed that this “disease” was a pandemic, while religious zealots would claim that the world was coming to an end.

The Trust had been preparing by strategically placing Actuals in various positions of power. They had placed their people in positions not only politically, but within groups such as the World Health Organization, in hopes to help stem off the fear that ensued with the public.

Declan hoped that when the new evolution of the human race, these people in power would be influential in making the training facilities safe havens. Heavy military presence would also be needed he feared for protection, as the Trust would not have the resources available. But they could not count on that.

Trust Corporation would also be exposed for what it truly was, a front for the Actuals. Declan was not sure yet if the corporations business aspect would actually survive the media onslaught it was sure to endure.

Declan hated the fact that so many questions were left up in the air, so many unknown factors that he could not account for. But he knew that if he could convince the Council that a radical revamping of the training methods and facilities were needed, the Trust might have a chance of survival. Declan just prayed it was not too late.