Embedded

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If you had told me my thoughts would betray me before my mouth would. I wouldn't have believed it.

We huddled up there in the bunker. Ten of us. Deep inside layered compartments of steel and metal. Hands placed on the metal table before us. The AC hummed in the background, the lights above flickering occasionally.

The air was thick with silence and hushed breaths. Nobody moved, nobody shook. Everyone looked tense, fingers twitching, nerves frayed. We closed our eyes and listened to each other's thoughts.

We were rebels, fighting the oppressions of the government. Hiding in the dark. Trained not to leave the camp except on days we attacked together. Trained to communicate with our thoughts using a neural link. We feared the government might have a mole or plant a bug and overhear us, our plans, and strategies if we were to communicate verbally.

So we developed a neural link. A small chip, planted behind the ear, that connects our minds and is only used by the rebel executives. Where we share our plans during our meetings using our minds. We trained ourselves in the act of concentrating and knowing when to switch from one person's channel to another. Or even to the general channel. Everyone gets to hear the other's thoughts. Wordless but clear.

It wasn't easy, nor was it rocket science.

*“Remember: no spoken words. If there’s a spy among us who has planted a bug here. With this means of communication, the government wouldn't get to know our plans. If you're linked, give the nod,” Jalen, leader of the rebels, spoke through his mind.

Everyone gave a nod.

I tried to stay calm. Taking in air to my lungs occasionally. I was sweating, my heart beating in my chest. The neural link, hanging at the back of my mind with different channels open. Trying to concentrate on each channel so as not to communicate through the wrong one. I’d trained for this for months. I'd mastered how to link up, how to speak through my thoughts, and how to shut myself off if needed. But that day, something felt different.

My mind was jolting. It was louder than it used to be. I'd noticed earlier and tried to keep it quiet. Yet, something didn't feel right.

I shut my eyes and tried to focus. The meeting was in full swing. Ideas were flying from one end to the other. I tried to connect to the right channel to talk but my mind was flying. I stayed quiet. But I had no time. It was now or never. My job as a rebel was done.

I gave it one last shot

“Agent Rachel to Central Command. Target confirmed. Agent embedded. Requesting extraction—36 hours.” My thoughts screamed through the link. Slipping out loud before I could hold them in. Alas, it wasn't through the right channel. But in the general channel.

Everyone went quiet. Slowly, they all turned towards me as all eyes landed on me.

They had heard everything I said. Loud and clear. My hands began shaking, and at the same time, I thought of my next move. I knew already that it would be tough talking my way out of it. I thought of running, but the door was too far away. I would be caught before I could get to the door.

My jaw dropped. “I... I didn’t” I stammered in fear.

Lira, my best friend in the rebel group, asked before I could finish. “Agent?” She was sitting next to me.

Jalen quickly pushed his chair back from the table. I was expecting him to explode with anger, but instead, he was slow and deliberate. His voice was calm but cold. “What was that?!. Who are you communicating to?”

“Come on guys, you have to listen to me,” I mumbled each word. “It's nobody.”

"Nobody? But you're confirming targets and requesting an extraction." Luke, the second in command spoke

"Are you working with the government? Speak!" Another member launched at me but was held back by Jalen.

Jalen stepped closer. The flickering lights cast brief shadows on his face. "You better speak, before I let them get the words out of you." He asked nicely. I could see his eyes. It told me all I needed to know. He was enraged but somehow holding back because of our love which has grown with time.

I let my face fall. Not out of fear but of shame and disappointment. The only man I had come to love now looked at me like I was the devil.

“I’m a spy working with Central Command,” I said, quieter now. “They told me you guys were dangerous. That you were building weapons. That you’d kill civilians. My mission was to get you arrested.

The bunker felt tighter suddenly. Like the walls had shifted in closer. I could barely breathe.

“You’re a spy, the mole we've been searching for!.” Lira yelled in disbelief. She was backing away from me now, her expression twisting into something I couldn’t read. “All up in our heads this whole time.”

"You're being too soft on her!" Luke screamed angrily.

Jalen shot him a dead look. Then he turned to me.

"Are you blind to what's going on out there? To what the government is doing to our people?" Jalen asked, punching his fist at the table, so close to me. He was disappointed at me, at himself, for falling so cheaply to an enemy. He was shaking with rage.

“They lied to me. They said you guys were building weapons. But I got here and you weren’t who they said you were,” I continued. My voice cracked. I was almost in tears. “You were kind. You teach people to build stuff they could earn a living with. You create jobs for the people anonymously and thwart the government's secrets and evil. All this just to create a better life for the masses.” I stopped and swallowed the lump in my throat.

I let my mind drift to the last time we were on a mission. I had seen Jalen help an old widow whose house was about to be demolished by the government for owing tax.

"Yet you sold us out." Another member said.

"I'm sorry. I had no choice. I was in too deep. I wish I could correct it."

Just then a voice echoed in the neural link.

“Agent 417. The mind link seems to be compromised. Hold your position. Extraction team en route.” It was my handler. I guess he was still listening.

"How are they able to do that? To communicate to you through their minds. We created this link for us alone." Luke asked, confused.

"I sold one of the neural links to them and created a hidden channel where I can communicate with them secretly., I explained.

Jalen ignored me. He paced the room, thinking.
“Can we use it?” he asked.

“What?”

“We can channel back to them, send them something. Like a lie or a trick. Make them think you’re still with them. That you've eliminated me while the rest ran.”

I hesitated. My mind was still trembling. But I nodded.

“I can try,” I replied, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Then I channeled back to Central Command using the neural link.

“Target eliminated. Other rebels escaped. Mission complete.”

Then we waited for their reply. Hoping that they'll buy the lie

“Confirmed. Return to base for debriefing. Terminate neural link.”

The signal cut immediately. Then silence filled my mind.

I opened my eyes. “They believed it,” I said, voice barely above a whisper.

Jalen turned to me. "Now, you spy for us." He turned to Luke. "Lock her up and await my next command."

As Luke grabbed me, I tried to look Jalen in the eye. To plead for forgiveness. But he wasn't that man I used to love anymore.

Now I work for the rebels as their spy. This time, my mission was simple: get Intels for the rebels about the government's next dirty secret or plan.

Apart from that. I had other missions to gain the rebels' trust again. Especially Jalen and Lira's trust.