by P. T. Hylton
“It’s not just the protestors, though. It’s the politicians, too. Fleming, Stearns, all of them. Trying to prove how smart they are and how wrong their opponents are, instead of solving problems.”
Wesley shook his head sadly. “I know, right? The medics told me Fleming’s trial is scheduled for tomorrow.”
Alex slapped a hand on the table. “That’s exactly what I’m saying! The ship is going down! Is this really the priority right now? How about we save the ship, then figure out who’s guilty and who’s innocent?”
Firefly stared at her blankly as he drained his mug.
“What, you disagree?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Of course, saving the ship is the most important thing. But the Council betrayed the people’s will, and they shot up a meeting of Fleming’s followers. They threw the man behind bars, just for disagreeing with them.”
“That’s just politics, man,” Drew said. “It’s always been that way and always will.”
“No, that’s way beyond petty politics.” Firefly’s voice was getting louder now, filling with passion. “Yeah, we gotta fix the ship, but we can’t let them sweep this betrayal under the rug, either. And, I’ll tell you, there are plenty of people in this city that’ll make sure what they’ve done isn’t forgotten.”
Wesley looked a little uncomfortable at the political discussion. Alex laughed. “Relax, Wesley, if you can’t fight about religion and politics with your friends, who can you fight about them with?”
“Fight vampires by days, philosophize by night,” Drew said. “It’s the GMT way.”
Wesley leaned forward and looked at Firefly, a thin smile on his face. “Well, in that case, I hope Fleming and all his whiny followers take a walk off the west end of the cornfield and don’t stop until they hit the surface.”
Drew, Firefly, and Alex stared at each other in shocked silence for a long moment. Then all three burst out in a wild fit of laughter.
“Where did that come from?” Alex wheezed between laughs.
Drew clapped Wesley on the back. “You’re all right, kid. Welcome to the team.”
37
The next morning, Alex stopped by CB’s quarters to see how he was doing. His arm was encased in a cast that started at the shoulder and went all the way down to the wrist. He looked decidedly less pale than the last time Alex had seen him, but he was no less feisty.
“My arm was broken in two places, and they wanted to do surgery. I told them to set it and put me in something mobile, so I’d still be able to lead my team in the field. They insisted on putting me in this monstrosity.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re all right.”
“Thanks.” He gestured toward a chair next to him. “You want to stay and watch the trial?”
She’d been planning on heading over to Drew’s and watching it with the team, but CB looked like he could use the company. “Sure thing, Captain.”
She sat down and looked at the monitor, which was currently displaying a shot of the courtroom. The City Council was filing in, one seat on their bench conspicuously empty. “The Council appointed this judge, right?”
“Yes,” CB said. “If they find him guilty, his supporters will certainly take issue with the question of impartiality.”
They watched in silence for a moment, then CB said, “Listen, Alex, Director Bowen is poring through the information you brought back right now. We’ll have our target for the next mission within the next couple days. With this cast, I’d be a liability down there. I’ll be staying behind.”
“I think that’s the right move, sir. No offense.”
He nodded, but the pain of missing their most crucial mission was clear on his face. “I want you to lead the team.”
It was so surprising, so outside of the realm of what she’d expected him to say, that she simply had no response.
“I saw the way you were with Wesley yesterday. And the way you took charge when I got hurt. It has to be you, Alex.”
She thought about that for a moment. Other than Wesley, she was the most junior member of the team. On the other hand, who else would it be? Drew wouldn’t want the leadership role even if it were offered. Firefly? No way, he’d tell the team to wait in the ship while he blew up whatever building they were supposed to be infiltrating. Owl? She was a great pilot and had a level head, but she was more interested in interacting with machines than people.
As much as Alex hated to admit it, CB was right. It had to be her. And she was surprised to find that she wanted it this way, too.
“Thank you, Captain. I won’t let you down.”
“You’d better not.” He gestured toward the TV. “It’s starting.”
The trial lasted less than an hour. Councilman Stearns opened the proceedings by reading the charge against Fleming. He was accused of treason against New Haven. He’d have a chance to defend himself, and witnesses would be called both for and against him. Then the judge would make his decision.
Director Bowen was the first witness. She told the story of the fire in Engineering and how, in her opinion, it had been arson. She also relayed the damage done to the reactor and how all of New Haven was put in imminent danger because of the fire.
Captain Kurtz was the next witness. He detailed the investigation of the fire and how the badges had determined that it was, indeed, arson. He then told the story of Fleming’s arrest and said the man had incited violence among his followers rather than coming along quietly.
At Fleming’s request, two of his followers also took the stand. They both recounted the story of Fleming’s arrest and told how General Craig had started shooting. They made a special point to detail how the general had attempted to shoot Fleming after the fight had calmed down.
Fleming also called Sarah’s doctor to the stand. He testified about the extent of her injuries and told the court she was still clinging to life. It looked like she would survive, but her path to recovery would be neither easy, nor assured.
When all the witnesses had been called, Councilman Stearns spoke.
“Daniel Fleming has only been on the Council six months, but in that time, we’ve seen him quickly become radicalized on the issue of Resettlement. He made a point of arguing for it in every meeting, and he wouldn’t be swayed by logic, tradition, or the very real threat of vampires. It became clear he was willing to push for Resettlement by any means necessary.
“When the Council decided to deny the people’s request for Resettlement, Councilman Fleming absolutely lost his mind. Rather than stay and fight for his beliefs, he stormed out of the Council chambers, and he never returned. Days later, the fire happened, giving Councilman Fleming exactly what he wanted. It was nothing more and nothing less than an attempt to force Resettlement.
“We don’t have video evidence of Fleming or his followers starting the fire. We don’t have his fingerprints at the scene. But what we do have is logic. Fleming wanted us to return to the surface so badly that he abandoned his elected position when things didn’t go his way. If he was willing to do that, what else would he be willing to do? I think we all know the answer.”
It was then Fleming’s turn to speak.
“Once again, the Council is attempting to place their thumbs on the scales of justice. They’ve provided no evidence that I had anything to do with this crime. All their witnesses testified to was that the fire was arson. Perhaps the fire was started by someone attempting to frame me. Perhaps it was an accident. I don’t know. But I can tell you that I had nothing to do with this. I didn’t start the fire. I didn’t order anyone to start the fire.” He turned toward the judge. “I know that you were appointed by the Council and that you’re an old friend of Councilman Stearns, but I ask that you put that aside and rule impartially. There is no evidence against me. Any ruling against me would be based purely on conjecture. I don’t think our ancestors wanted New Haven to be the kind of place that held government-led witch hunts. I hope you agree.”
Alex turned to CB while Fleming walked to his sea
t. “Think the judge will find him guilty?”
“I don’t know. But it’s going to be bad either way. I’m going to put the team on lockdown in the hangar, so they’re ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
The judge deliberated for less than thirty minutes before returning with a verdict. Daniel Fleming was guilty of treason.
The riots started in earnest less than an hour later.
Two hours after the verdict, the team got notice to meet in the briefing room. CB, Alex, and the rest the team were already in the hangar, as were Brian and the general, but they had to wait for Director Bowen and Councilman Stearns to make their way through the tumult in the city.
As they waited, Firefly made his feelings on the court ruling clear. “You’ve got a judge Stearns appointed himself. The Council doesn’t present any real evidence. And yet they find him guilty? Why even have a trial?”
“Firefly, let’s keep politics out of the briefing room,” CB said.
“It’s not politics, Captain. It’s a police state. And we’re working for them!”
“I made myself clear, Lieutenant. Any more talk about that in here and you’ll be sitting this mission out.”
Firefly was fuming, but he didn’t say anything else on the matter.
Director Bowen and Councilman Stearns entered together. Bowen greeted the team and then went straight for the projector. A moment later, it displayed a picture of a mountain.
“This is NORAD,” she said. “North American Aerospace Defense Command. It monitored for and protected against aerial attacks against the United States and its allies. It was equipped with the most modern technology available at the time of the infestation, and it’s built into the side of a mountain. I believe this is our best chance of finding the parts we need.”
“Chance?” General Craig said. “I thought the whole point of getting the NSA intel was so we’d know for sure.”
“I know they had the equipment at one time. But there’s always a chance it’s been destroyed by vampires. I believe our odds are extremely good, though. This place is well fortified and relatively remote. Reason dictates it would have been one of the last strongholds of humanity.”
“So, we run it like the Texas mission?” Alex asked. “Find the reactor control panel, dismantle it, and bring back the parts?”
“Mostly,” Jessica said. “However, I believe it will be important for you to have someone who can sort through the parts and find the ones we actually need. It would be easy to leave something important behind. That’s why I’m going with you.”
CB and Alex exchanged a look. CB cleared his throat. “Uh, Director Bowen, while we certainly appreciate—”
“General Craig and Councilman Stearns have already approved my request. This isn’t up for discussion, Captain. I know reactors better than anyone aboard New Haven, and the stakes are too high for me not to accompany you.”
“All right, then,” CB said. He didn’t look happy.
“It’ll take Horace and his team until tomorrow morning to get us close enough. Stay nearby. We’ll leave as soon as we get word we’re in position.”
38
Alex led Director Bowen to R&D to get her outfitted for the mission. It felt like déjà vu; she’d taken Wesley on this same trip only a few days prior.
“Director Bowen, I’m going to recommend you carry a gun on this mission.” Alex held up a hand to cut off the objection that she assumed was coming. “I’m not saying it has to be an assault rifle or anything, but you should carry a pistol, just in case.”
Director Bowen’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? If I’m going to the surface, I’m taking the biggest gun I can carry.”
“Oh. Okay, then.”
“I have fired a gun before, Alex. I was a badge for five years before Engineering lured me away from the streets. By the way, if we’re going to be risking our lives together on the surface, you’d better call me Jessica.”
Alex looked at the older woman with new respect. This lady was full of surprises. “Sure thing, Jessica.” The name felt strange coming from her lips.
They spent the next hour with Brian and his crew. First, they had Jessica fitted for the uniform. The woman was taller than Alex and broader than Owl, so they couldn’t use any of their spares. Thankfully, Brian pulled out a silver mail suit that had belonged to a woman who’d been on the team ten years ago. The thing was a bit musty, but it was in perfect condition. Once they had that, it was easy to locate the deceased GMTer’s other clothing too. They were a perfect fit.
Despite Jessica’s insistence that she was no stranger to weaponry, Alex made her spend time on the range with a pistol and a rifle. She’d be carrying both, and Alex wanted her to at least get a feel for the weapons. Protecting Jessica during the mission would be one of the team’s primary objectives. If everything went well, the Director of Engineering wouldn’t have to fire a single shot. But things rarely went well lately, so, better safe than sorry.
They left R&D, Jessica still aglow from the shooting range. Alex was concerned the woman might like guns a little too much. Between her and Firefly, they’d be lucky if this NORAD place was still standing by the time they were finished.
Alex advised Jessica to go to bed as early as possible. The woman would probably have trouble sleeping, but even resting in bed would do her good.
After saying her goodbyes, Alex decided to go for a walk. She left the Ground Mission Team headquarters and walked the surrounding area. This neighborhood was mostly GMT support staff. The single ones, like Alex, stayed in small apartments just outside headquarters, but the married staff was allowed larger residences. Drew and his wife lived two streets over.
There wasn’t enough support staff to fill the whole neighborhood, but most of the other residences were filled with other government employees. Badges, elected officials, and Engineering personnel all called this area home.
All in all, these weren’t the type of people likely to engage in riots. The neighborhood had not been spared. It was quiet now—the rioters must have moved on to other locations—but the damage was done. Trash and broken glass were everywhere, and many of the walls sported fresh graffiti calling for the Council's replacement in less than polite terms.
Alex sighed as she walked. Everything had changed so quickly. Only a few weeks ago, this place had been a virtual paradise. There were certainly problems—bar fights, domestic disputes, theft—but a New Haven badge was more likely to spend their shift writing tickets for loitering than they were dealing with serious issues. In spite of their nearly strife-free existence, the people had wanted change. And Alex had been among them, her voice raised just as loud as any of theirs. She’d even been willing to go against her team to help Fleming. It all seemed so silly now.
It wasn’t that people shouldn’t strive for change, it was just the lack of perspective. The rest of humanity had been violently wiped from the face of the Earth, and here they sat, living their lives in a city in the clouds.
Now their entire existence was in jeopardy. And still the people held trials and argued about the results.
All that buzzed around the front of her mind as she walked, but something else, something raw and painful, lingered beneath. Simmons was gone. He was gone forever, and she hadn’t even begun the grieving process. There hadn’t been time, and it didn’t look like there would be anytime soon.
The pain she felt at his loss was like a gaping wound, always present and roaring with pain at the slightest provocation. Somehow, she’d have to push past it to do this one last job. Then she’d be able to take the time she needed.
She walked home slowly, meandering through the streets. Sleep would not come easily, and she was in no rush to get back to her bed.
The next morning, Alex headed down to the hangar, full of nervous energy before her first mission as the team’s leader. She’d slept fitfully, and what sleep she had gotten was filled with nightmares of teammates dying under her watch. She’d woken with one thought fully formed in her mind
: today, she needed to lead her team into the most secure facility on the surface of the Earth, protect Director Bowen, and bring back the equipment necessary to save humanity.
No pressure.
Jessica was already in the locker room, fully dressed in her silver mail and fatigues when Alex arrived.
“Morning, Director Bowen.”
“Jessica,” the director reminded her.
“Right. You sleep okay?”
Jessica smiled. “Like a baby.” She looked like she had, too.
Firefly moseyed in and nodded a greeting. “I hear that you’re in charge of this shindig, Alex.”
“Looks that way,” she said.
“You gonna let me blow something up? I’m in a blow-something-up kinda mood.”
“Must be a weekday,” Alex said.
The team gathered in the hangar outside the away ship ten minutes later. CB was waiting for them, his arm in its ridiculous cast. “Can I get everybody together for a minute?” He stuck his head in the open cargo door of the away ship. “That means you too, Owl.”
They all stood in front of CB. It was Alex, Firefly, Drew, Wesley, Owl, and Jessica. It struck Alex that this team was quite different from the one that she had headed down to Texas with only a few days before.
“I wish like hell I was going with you,” CB said. “I guess you probably know that, but it’s worth saying anyway. I talked to each of you one on one, but I’ll repeat it for the group. Alex is one hundred percent in charge down there. Listen to her like you listen to me. What she says goes. You hear?”
“Yes, sir,” came the reply.
Alex felt her cheeks grow red. She suddenly felt like the kid who’d been put in charge while the teacher left the room. If she wasn’t able to lead the team without a stern talk from CB first, she wasn’t much of a leader, was she?
“You’ll be following Director Bowen—Jessica—into the facility. She has a detailed map and can get you in and out without our usual wandering around. As you saw yesterday, this place is built into the side of a mountain. Owl’s a little concerned about finding a place to set the ship down. If all goes well, the landing and departure will be the toughest parts of the mission. Any questions?”
