by M. R. Forbes
“Not so tough after all,” Hayden said, with a wide grin. “Is that fear I smell?”
“He is secure,” Max said. “But the cage will not remain charged forever. We shouldn’t linger here.”
Hayden’s thoughts turned back to Natalia. “He said my wife was dead or dying. Do you think—”
“He was lying,” Isaac said. “He was after your fear. I’m sure she’s fine.”
Hayden nodded. He wanted to believe it, but his instincts told him she wasn’t fine.
“Let’s get out of here,” he said. “I’m ready to go home.”
Chapter 58
As much as he wanted to, Hayden couldn’t go home right away.
Capturing Shurrath was one thing. Returning him to the Axon with Max was something else.
While Natalia had destroyed the khoron and subsequently most of the guards they had bypassed in reaching the Relyeh ancient, there was still the matter of getting out of the underground facility, finding transportation and returning not to Sanisco, but to the vault beneath the Pilgrim. Fortunately, the trife Shurrath had gathered for his defense were back under the control of their queen, and the queen saw little reason to keep her minions in the underground. By the time Hayden, Isaac and Max passed back through the torn out windshield of the APC and emerged from the back ramp, the demons were already gone.
There were no cars, no motorcycles, no horses and no other means of faster travel waiting anywhere outside the tunnels or within close proximity to the complex, forcing the trio to make their way back north on foot. They took turns carrying Shurrath in his cage, remaining mostly silent as they jogged along the barren road, the knowledge that they couldn’t hold him indefinitely always in the back of their minds.
It took hours to get back to Rose, even at a pace that left Hayden winded and tired by the time they arrived. The sun was setting, and evidence of Shurrath’s defeat was plainly visible around them. Beyond the bodies of infected followers that lay scattered throughout the more populated area of the city, the entire place seemed to be under revolt, with scattered gunfire and general lawlessness leading to a rise in violence that never would have happened if Shurrath were still free. It was a negative side effect of what they had done, and Hayden vowed to return to bring order back to the area as soon as he could.
Hayden, Isaac, and Max managed to make their way around the worst of the fighting, sticking to the shadows and avoiding confrontation. They didn’t make it out completely clean, running into a group of bandits who had the same idea to raid the militia’s motor pool for whatever they could get running. A quick shootout had left Hayden and the others in charge of the pool, and after a short delay while Isaac repaired a faulty radiator hose, they pulled out of the garage and into the streets of Rose in the cab of a semi truck. The huge vehicle was modded with armor plates on the sides and front, a crow’s nest behind the cab, and a big grill on the front, perfect for bashing through pretty much anything.
They drove it north through the night, willing to risk the potential for a trife assault in exchange for speed. Hayden was desperate to get home, desperate to prove to himself that Isaac was right and Shurrath was full of shit when he said Natalia was dead.
He wasn’t sure how he would react if the Relyeh ancient had been honest. He couldn’t imagine his life without Natalia, especially after all they had been through. The years and the birth of their daughter had only brought them that much closer. It wasn’t something he wanted to lose.
But if he did lose her, he was determined to keep going, to raise Hallia the way Nat would have wanted and to see the UWT continue to grow and flourish. For as much as he would mourn her, he also wanted to honor her memory and do things the way she would have wanted them done.
Morning was coming again by the time they rolled up the dirt road to the destroyed entrance to the Pilgrim’s hangar. Isaac waited in the truck while Hayden and Max headed inside, making their way down the lift shaft to the floor of the hangar, and then along the bottom of the Pilgrim’s bow to the vault, bringing their adventure full circle. Fortunately, everything was exactly as they had left it a few days earlier.
Hayden stood in the vault with Max. He grabbed the front of the Skin and pulled, separating the suit from itself and pulling it down off his shoulders. His other clothes rested beside him, illuminated by the glow of Shurrath’s cage.
“I do not currently require the Skin,” Max said. “You may retain it for a while.”
Hayden smiled. “I appreciate the gesture, Max, but hopefully I won’t be needing it anymore. Shurrath is imprisoned, and all the khoron are neutralized.”
“Confirmation. I hope that will be the case. When Grace recommended his survival, it was with the intention of keeping the other ancients clear of the planet. With the death of so many infected, it’s unclear to me how long they will wait before making advances of their own.”
“It better be long enough for you to get back.” Hayden finished stripping out of the Skin. He grabbed the clothes he had taken in Rose and pulled them on. A simple white button-down shirt beneath a black vest, patched blue jeans and leather boots. He slipped his gun belt around his waist. “How long do you think it will take?”
“Estimation. Not long. Perhaps I will return before you’ve reached Sanisco. Hahaha. Haha.”
“Through this portal?”
“Unlikely. The gate you described in Dugway is more appropriate. Regardless, I will seek you out, Sheriff.”
Hayden held out the rubbery, limp Skin. “You wanted this thing. It’s all yours.”
“Appreciation.” Max accepted the Skin. “Changing shells is an unpleasant process. You may not desire to observe it.”
Hayden nodded and turned around. Having the head of Shurrath’s host practically melt onto him was enough unpleasantness to last a while. He leaned against the wall of the vault and closed his eyes until Max informed him he was done.
When Hayden opened his eyes again, Cyrus’ body was on the ground, bloody and slightly deflated. Max was a black, featureless humanoid standing in front of him, suddenly so much more alien and frightening.
“It has been a long time,” Max said. The projection of Cyrus replaced the Skin. “We have accomplished much together, Sheriff Duke.” He put out his hand. “I am grateful to call you friend.”
Hayden accepted Max’s hand, shaking it. “I’m putting a lot of faith in you, Max. Don’t let me down.”
“Affirmation. Affection. Pozz that. Hahaha. Haha.”
Hayden walked to the portal with Max. The Intellect placed Shurrath in front of it, holding the cage with one hand and touching the edge of the portal with the other. Energy flowed between the nodule and Max and into the portal. Shurrath shrieked and writhed in the cage, the activity apparently causing him pain.
Good.
The stone surface of the portal changed, fading into pitch black darkness and then shifting to a scene of tranquility. A silver walkway cut through a luscious, vibrant field of brightly colored vegetation toward a massive crystalline tower in the distance.
“That’s the Axon homeworld?” Hayden asked, in awe.
“Affirmation. The Axon Council convenes in the tower. They will be surprised to see me. Hahaha. Haha.”
“Where is everybody?” There were no Axon in the garden, organic or otherwise.
“The gardens have been empty since the Relyeh arrived. It appears tranquil, Sheriff. But appearances are deceiving. The fight against the Hunger is not yours alone. Neither are the casualties.”
“Pozz,” Hayden replied. “Which is why you’re going to convince the council to help us out. We’re all stronger together.”
“Agreement. It is not my decision to make, but I will do all I can. You have done a great service to the Axon, and have earned their assistance.” Max picked up the cage. “Any last words for Shurrath, Sheriff?”
“Yeah.” Hayden leaned down to smile at the small Relyeh. Shurrath backed away from his face. “Enjoy your imprisonment. And if you’re still c
onnected to the Collective, tell your brothers and sisters that if Natalia has been hurt in any way they’re going to pay.”
Shurrath screeched in reply, but he couldn’t enter Hayden’s head through the cage.
“Until we meet again, Sheriff,” Max said. Then he stepped through the portal, coming out on the silver lane on a planet who-knew-how-many light years away. He waved as the garden faded to black. Then the portal shut down completely.
Hayden stared at the stone for a few seconds. He wanted to trust Max, but he wasn’t convinced he would ever see the Intellect again.
At least Shurrath was gone.
Hayden made his way back out of the vault, through the hangar, up the shaft and out to where Isaac was waiting with the semi.
“It’s done?” Isaac asked.
“Pozz,” Hayden replied. “How do you feel?”
“Numb. Now that this is over.” He paused. “I’m dying, Hayden. The brain tumor is real.”
Hayden smiled. “You aren’t going to die, Ike. We aren’t savages, and I’ve got pull with some people who can help. I was never all that worried about that.”
“You weren’t?”
“Nope. Why would I have gone to Tijuana to save you if I thought you were a dead man walking?”
“I thought that was to keep me away from Shurrath.”
“I could have shot you if that was my only motive.”
Isaac laughed. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t shoot me. What do you say we get back to Sanisco so you can be with your wife? I have an idea of how you must feel.”
“I know you do. You’re a good man, Ike. I appreciate everything you did for my family and me.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“Bullshit. Every little bit helps.”
“You’re welcome, Sheriff. And thank you for helping me get closure for my own loss. It won’t bring my family back, but it helps to know I did what Amanda always asked me to do. And that I got to see Jason’s murderer put behind bars. Just not the bars I was expecting.”
“You’re welcome too. You want me to drive?”
“No. I’ve got it.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Chapter 59
“Nat,” Hayden said softly. Gently. He held Natalia’s hand in his, the same way he had twelve hours a day, every day for the last week. “Nat, today’s the day. Time to wake up.”
Of course, he had said that every day too. It was always time to wake up. Always time for her to come back to the land of the living to rejoin him, Hallia, and Ginny as they began the hard work of rebuilding what Shurrath had destroyed.
He looked to the door of the room when it opened. Doctor Hess came in first, with the Centurion liaison trailing close behind.
Special Officer Erica Rodriguez was a lithe bundle of muscle with a chiseled face, high cheekbones, large eyes and a thick head of dark hair that flowed around the high-collared white blouse and dark jacket of the Centurion Space Force formal uniform. She was a clone and a former grunt, and tougher than nails. He knew she felt more comfortable in tac gear and in the middle of a firefight than in her skirt.
Even so, her face paled when she saw Hayden and Natalia. Hess had told her what to expect, but it was different to be there in person.
“Oh, Hayden,” Rico said softly as he released Natalia’s hand and stood up. Tears were forming in her eyes, which threatened to make Hayden’s equally moist. He was mostly able to keep it together as long as everyone around him did the same. “I’m so sorry.”
“Rico,” Hayden said, embracing her. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too, Sheriff. I wish the circumstances were better.”
“We don’t get to choose.” He let her go and backed up a step. “You want to chat in private?” He expected her to have news about his run-in with Gillick.
“That’s probably for the best.”
“Doctor, will you excuse us?” Hayden said, asking Hess to leave.
Hess glanced at Rico and checked Natalia’s vitals one last time. “I need to come back in ten minutes to give her another injection.”
“It won’t take that long,” Rico said.
Hess nodded and left the room.
“So…” Hayden said, sighing out the word. He sat back down next to Natalia, taking her hand again.
“So, General Haeri is working overtime to smooth things out for you back on Proxima,” Rico said.
“Why would he do a thing like that?”
“Come on, Hayden. You know who and what Haeri is. Hell, you know more about the Trust than most of the people who are in the Trust.”
“They were trying to weaponize Axon neural disruption tech. And not for use against trife. What the hell is with that?”
“I’m learning a lot about politics now that I’m your envoy,” Rico replied. “One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes you need to give a direction that isn’t always in line with what you’re looking for, but produces the same result.”
“What does that mean?”
“In this case, Gillick thought she was making a weapon. Haeri said they’re looking for a defensive weapon.”
“Funny, because the Trust denied knowing anything about the Axon before this.”
“Of course they did. There are two histories on Proxima, Hayden. The truth, and the one the people who know the truth want the rest of the people to believe.”
Hayden laughed. “Sounds all too familiar.”
“Exactly. You can’t escape the bullshit. You just need to play the game.”
“And you believe Haeri?”
“No. But I believe he’s trying to do what’s best for Proxima, and humankind in general. He could have shut this program down because of what you did. He also could have sent a kill team to wipe you off the face of the planet. But he let me come back instead. He gave me a chance to talk to you. What happened to the Intellect you released, by the way? I’m happy to know it didn’t kill you.”
“How much does Haeri know about the Hunger?”
“I’ve never heard the word used that way before. I don’t know. What’s the Hunger?”
“It’s a long story, but the short version is that they’re the aliens that sent the trife, and they’re a bigger threat than the Axon.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it’s not. Anyway, we captured one of their…aristocrats? I sent him with the Intellect in question back to the Axon with the idea of brokering an alliance.”
“What?” Rico said. “An alliance?”
“That’s right.”
“And you didn’t talk to me first?”
“When would I have had time to talk to you? I was on the clock.”
“Hayden, Proxima Command won’t be happy to hear you’re making deals with the enemy.”
“Hold on. How did the Axon suddenly become the enemy? They’re fighting the Hunger, just like we are.”
“It doesn’t matter. They’ve probably killed more humans than they have trife. Have you already forgotten what the last one who got loose on Earth did?”
“No, I haven’t. But Max is different.”
“It has a name?”
“Why not? Look, we’re on the same side. I think Max and I are the only ones who have realized it. Here’s to hoping he can change that.”
Rico rubbed at her forehead. “Shit, Hayden. If I had known you were going to hit me with this bit of news, I would have requested General Haeri accompany me. I don’t suppose there’s any way I can get you to come back to Proxima with me?”
“With Natalia like this? Not a chance.”
“This is big, Sheriff. Bigger than Stacker.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
Hayden squeezed Natalia’s hand.
For the first time in too long, she squeezed it back.
Chapter 60
“Sergeant Isaac Pine, this is Centurion Special Officer Rico Rodriguez,” Hayden said, introducing the pair.
“Sergeant Pine,” Rico said, offering
her hand.
Isaac took it in kind. “A pleasure, Special Officer Rodriguez,” he said.
“Sheriff Duke has told me a little bit of your history,” Rico said. “I have to say I’m more than a little intrigued.”
“So am I,” Isaac said. “To learn more about Proxima, I mean.”
“Ike’s agreed to my idea,” Hayden said. “For obvious reasons.”
“The tumor,” Rico said. “Don’t worry, Ike. We can fix you up good as new. Maybe even better.”
“In exchange, Isaac will debrief General Haeri on everything that happened here,” Hayden said. “Hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement on what to do...when Max returns.” He stopped himself from saying ‘if’ at the last second. He didn’t need to leave Haeri questioning his agreement with the Intellect. “The alliance I proposed wasn’t limited to the survivors on Earth. You know I don’t agree with the way Proxima Command has handled things, but the Hunger is a threat to all of us.”
“Understood,” Rico said. “And I agree. I’ll do my best to get the general on the same page.”
“I know you will.”
“I wish you could stay longer,” Natalia said from her place beside Hayden. She was sitting in a wheelchair, her body still too weak for her to stand for more than a couple of minutes at a time. “We didn’t have much time to catch up.”
“We didn’t have any time to catch up,” Rico replied. “But I’m sure I’ll be back ahead of schedule. Two to three weeks at most, if I had to guess.”
“I’ll be walking again by then,” Natalia said defiantly.
Rico smiled. “I’m sure you will.”
She leaned over to hug Natalia before embracing Hayden. “I’ll do everything I can to keep things in your favor, Sheriff.”
“Pozz,” Hayden replied. “Thank you, Rico.”
Isaac walked over to Hayden, putting out his hand. Hayden took it and shook it firmly. “It was an honor, Ike.”
“The honor was mine,” Isaac replied, shifting Jason’s backpack on his shoulder. “I’ll get this little head issue cleared up, and I’ll be back to help you fight the good fight. It’s what Amanda would have wanted. And what I want.”
