Unison (The Spheral) Read Free Page A

study physics. The Overseer assigned him as head janitor at the Science University as a warning to all of those in the service class who dared to challenge their positions.”
    “What happened to him?”
    Master Theodore took my bow and inspected it. “He left Unity and tried to make a life for himself on the outside—but he didn’t get far. A pack of wild dogs tore him apart. Unity Forces knew it was him only because of the ID marker in his implant.”
    “He couldn’t have been that smart. I never would’ve run past the beacons.”
    “I know how bright you are, but you can be as insolent.” Master Theodore handed back my bow. “You must master your abilities before you can use them effectively. And then you must use them with prudence. You might one day be called upon to save Unity.”
    “Unity doesn’t need saving. We have no enemies.”
    My mentors looked at each other again. It infuriated me that they thought their unspoken communication would go unnoticed. “If you have something to say, tell me now!”
    Master Franklin looked at me as he had after I yelled at him for giving away my pass.
    “Master Franklin, are you—”
    “Our enemy can’t be seen,” he said. “It’s no different from the enemy of the first generation of Unitians that came to live inside the dome.”
    “What are they? An army of ghosts?” I laughed.
    “You’re not that far off,” he said.
    I laughed again and stopped when Master Franklin glared at me. He knew just the right expression to get me to close my mouth and stand at complete attention.
    “The Sacred Oath is the enemy of which I speak. Like a ghost, it can’t be seen, but its presence is always felt. It rules us through our complacency and blind loyalty. It never gives up until we surrender to it, and most of us do. You must never surrender. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Master Franklin.”
    “This must be absolutely clear to you, Damon. Don’t allow your impatience to govern your fate. If you tell the Chosen about your visions, we will no longer be able to protect you.”
    Master Franklin’s warning scared me enough to make me cry.
    He placed his hand on my shoulder and softened his voice. “All this might seem unfair now, but when you grow up, you’ll come to agree with me.”
    I left not fully understanding what Master Franklin told me, but seeing the potential for a janitorial assignment was enough to make me censor myself when I met with the Chosen. It was a wise decision; the ten highest-ranking purple sleeves unanimously ruled in my favor, and I was formally admitted to the master’s apprentice school.

    Master Franklin died in the middle of my third year at my new school. I lost more than a mentor. He made me feel more than the output of my genetic profile by welcoming my curiosity and encouraging me to ask questions. His replacement, who looked like a rat with his narrowly placed eyes and thin pointy nose, treated me as though I didn’t belong in his class. He always made sure to remind me of my previous status whenever I didn’t perform as demanded. I privately referred to him as the replacement. The replacement never earned a title or name because he lacked the honor of Master Franklin. I learned this when I raised my hand to ask a question, and the replacement pretended not to see me. After being ignored through most of his proselytizing over the implant that saved us from ruin, I could take it no more and interrupted him. “How do we know the scourge still exists if the implants are always receiving the curative frequency?”
    “We don’t speak out in class, Apprentice Damon. We wait until we’re called on.”
    “You never call on me.”
    “If I answer your question, would you postpone your curiosity until you complete this level?”
    “And until I get into University.” I smiled and crossed my arms.
    “Really?” He laughed. “Your future schoolmasters will be forever indebted to me.” The replacement picked up a pointer and directed it