The MIMS. Mass interrupter of memory selection, invented during the Japanese revolution of 2056. Created to modify the memories of the Japanese citizens, it was used to make them believe what the government wanted them to believe. It made the population docile, easily manipulated and compliant. Basically, it was a mind wash machine.

It worked like a Gift amplification device, built specifically for one woman: Akiko Abhuraya. A part of the Japanese Elite, Akiko was known all over the world for her unique Gift. She was able to manipulate the memories of anyone she chose. It was almost like a form of hypnotism, using a series of beats and sounds she could mimic with her voice, too low for any ear to pick up on. MIMS could be programmed to send out Akiko's frequencies anywhere in the country, but the range could be programed to cover a much larger area.

The Americans took the machine with them when the council was created back in '68, and Akiko had supposedly been imprisoned in an Elite compound. The council of the time vowed to make sure that what happened in Japan would never happen again, but it looks like they went back on their word. According to this, the President used MIMS three years ago, which means that I was one of the affected. 

White-hot fury pulses through my veins.

That man decided to tamper with my head. Mess with my memories. And the memories of countless others. It says here only a few Elite were able to keep theirs intact. Why would he let only a few people keep their memories, and erase everyone else's? 

I look at the picture of Khan in the old news article, which I'm guessing never saw the light of day. I wonder what happened to the person that wrote it, obviously someone who's memory hadn't been tampered with. Khan is smiling as he stands high above a giant crowd, like a King waving at his loyal subjects. Like a dictator making sure everyone is cheering.  Maybe Khan let them keep their memories because he wanted to remind those with power that there is only one man in charge, that no one can take his crown. I'm also willing to bet Christian was one of the few who didn't suffer the consequences of the MIMS. It would explain why he was so mad when I tried to talk to him about Khan.

"Riots started three months later. The few that kept their memories had not agreed with the President's decision and tried to start a war against him."

Oh, The Protests of White Mark Hill. I remember that movement. I was out when one of the more violent attacks was taking place. I could see the smoke from the smoothie shack, where Cassie and I had been enjoying our first afternoon of summer vacation. I was cleaning the blender, too focused on my task to notice what was going on, until Cassie called me over to the window. She sounded concerned, so I dropped my sponge and stood next to her at the front of the shack, watching as a black column of smoke rose into the sky. The story was that some rogue Elites had set fire to Khan's house, and it could be seen from towns away, the flickering light of the orange flames like a beacon in the night. Luckily, the President and his daughter hadn't been home. I remember my confusion, everyone's confusion, when we heard it on the news. Now I know why we were all so surprised. None of us remembered the reason behind the protest.

"Some say he now fears the Elite, and that he will use MIMS again, but it is highly unlikely, as the machine stopped working right after Khan last used it."

I feel the breath I had been holding in rush out of me as I read those words. At least he won't be using it again any time soon. But the fear of Elites wasn't something I had expected. Fear, strong fear, can make people do desperate things. They make bad decisions, but would the President's fear push him this far?

"Well, that's intense," mumbles Kalen, brushing his hair out if his eyes. " How is it we knew none of this?"

I tilt my head, worrying my bottom lip until my tongue is hit with the coppery taste of blood. Why is all this information being kept a secret? Don't we have a right to know what's going on in our own country? I mean, if we are expected to keep it safe, then we need to know everything about it and its potential threats, be those inside or outside of the country. If it means keeping our people safe, it doesn't matter if the President is the one who posed a threat, we would need to take him out either way. It wouldn't be the first time a countries' leader was overthrown because of their antics. Just look at what happened to Spain in 2048, when their president was literally kicked out of the country after selling weapons that were used against his own people.

"Your guess is as good as mine," I say, coming back to our present situation. "But I think I know who can help us."

Kalen looks at me, eyes alight with curiosity. I take the discarded history book and the journal and hide them in the nearest bookshelf, nestling them in a corner. Hopefully they will still be here when we get back.

"I think Christian has some explaining to do," I say, turning to my friend.

"Christian?" He asks, staring at me in shock, but even as he says it I can see the cogs start turning in his head. He gets up, as desperate as I am to get more answers. Heat radiates off his skin in waves, his excitement getting the better of him.

"Come on then." He exclaims, signaling me to follow him with a wave of his arm. I listen without complaint and we make our way out of the library, only to bump right into Mara.

"Hey watch where you're... Oh, Kalen, Bri, what are you two doing here?" She quirks her eyebrows at us, scanning the room for a sign of anyone else that may be present.

Kalen huffs, wanting to get to Christian, so he answers with a simple "Research" and starts walking off. Mara rolls her eyes, but then seems to notice me standing there, and a mischievous smile stretches across her lips.

"So... Research?" She looks at me suggestively, and I quickly shake my head as I choke on my words. She laughs.

"Oh Bri. Getting some quality alone time are we?" She wiggles her eyebrows, and I groan, hiding my face behind my hands.

"You guys always think the worst of me," I whine. "We were just trying to figure out more stuff about you know who, before anyone else gets hurt. We have a pretty solid lead."

At that her eyebrows shoot upwards, mouth forming the shape of an "o"

"Who is it? And how did you find out?" She asks, whisper-yelling. There is no one in the hall so I don't know why she bothers, but I answer in the same manner, keeping my voice low.

"Christian gave me this journal, the one I had at lunch." She nods, remembering. "Well, it gave me a clue about my Gift. And using that as a lead we traced all of the visions and signs I've been having to... President Khan."

I brace myself, prepared to be bombarded with questions, but instead Mara just nods enthusiastically.

"That actually kind of makes sense," She says "Nobody on the board trusts him, my father has voiced his opinions about him more than once, and they are far from flattering."

Even more evidence that points towards Khan. I'm feeling more confident by the minute. I must say, even our brief video conference with the man had made the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. He was just a very peculiar man.

"So, you going to go talk to Christian now?" She asks.

I nod.

"Do you want to come with us?"

She smiles. "Uh, does a chicken have lips?"

I pause, thinking it over. "So...no?"

"Sorry, old-world expression that my Nana used to use. Yes I'm going to come!" She laughs.

But chickens don't have lips...

She starts walking away, so I scramble to follow her.

"Where is Cassie?" I ask. She said she would be at the training rooms with Mara and Jayson the last time we talked to her. Mara laughs, looking at me with a strange expression.

"She saw Kira practicing her karate with Daniel and went to watch. When she was done she was waiting for her with a water bottle and lots of compliments."

She laughs, and I do the same. It's been quite a while since Cassie's had a crush on someone, she just never found anyone worth her while. I guess Kira had finally fit Cassie's long list of expectations.

"Yep, that's Cassie," I say fondly, remembering when she had come out in the sixth grade and declared her undying love for Ashley Summers.

Sadly, Ashley didn't share her feelings, but Cassie didn't let it get her down and they stayed friends until Ashley left for Australia the next year. She was probably Cassie's first real crush, and she was a decent person. I liked her, and it was hard for Cass when she left. I'm glad she's moved on. I only talked to Kira a couple times, but she seemed nice enough. She's a Physical, her Gift is a combination of agility and speed. She is also, I have to admit, very pretty. Her Asian features make her stand out, with her short and glossy black hair and pretty doe eyes, and lips that naturally look like the color of cherries. She is extremely smart, always speaking up during lectures and impressing the mentors, as well as being able to make the class laugh with her wicked sense of humor. Cassie sure knows how to pick them.

We make it to Christian's office and find Kalen leaning against the wall near his door, arms crossed as he stares at the floor. Once he hears us, he directs his attention in our direction, and a frown appears on his face. He pushes off the wall and towers over me.

"Where were you?"

I put my hands up in mock surrender and point to Mara.

"She wanted to come. You could have started talking to him without us."

He laughs, frown disappearing as his eyes go comically wide. "And risk his wrath being directed solely on me? No thanks."

Together the three of us stand in front of the door, debating whether we should knock or not.

"Are you sure about this?" Mumbles Mara, playing with the hem of her long-sleeved shirt.

"Not really," I sigh "but we don't have another choice."

"All right. Then let's just tell our director that the president, his boss, is responsible for killing one of his trainees and countless others. Great, just peachy." But she doesn't stop me when finally build up the courage to knock, not even when I step inside, door creaking open, seemingly unlocked.

"Maybe he's at a meeting?" Says Kalen, walking in to find what I have. And empty room. But then we hear voices coming from the door that leads to Christians library, and we inch closer.

"I don't care! We need to end this now! Before.... but sir I don't understand, I..." a sigh "Yes sir."

Sir.

Christian only calls one person that. Talk about bad timing. We aren't fast enough when we hear footsteps coming towards us, and when Christian opens the door he finds three very guilty looking teenagers staring at him, one already halfway to the door. I grab Mara's hand and pull her back.

He pockets the TekPad in a flash, concern written all over his features. He must think we overheard his conversation, but we only just walked in! So I'm quick to reassure him before he decides to throw us out.

"We just came to find you and saw your door was opened. We have something important we need to share."