Fire Defender

by Rodney Hartman

  Cynthia nodded her head. She’d worked a couple of missions with various colors before. They were not ones to be trifled with. “Understood. Mick and I will get on it first thing tomorrow. I’ll need one of the other teams to—”

  The colonel waved a hand dismissively as he returned his gaze to the Covington map. “Take what you need. Don’t bother me with details.”

  Cynthia didn’t move.

  Colonel Harrison turned away from the computer screen, frowning. “Is there something bothering you, Captain?”

  Cynthia waved a hand at the jam-packed tables of equipment and personnel in the room. “It just seems like a lot of resources to locate two old women. We didn’t have this much gear when we took out the Alliance’s office in Tokyo last year.”

  “Are you questioning my methods, Captain?”

  “Not at all, sir. It’s just that I get the feeling there’s a lot more involved than a simple M4 surveillance mission. If I’m to do my job properly, I need to know our real mission.”

  Colonel Harrison stared at her for a dozen heartbeats, his face hard and unreadable.

  Cynthia didn’t flinch. Rank didn’t impress her all that much.

  Finally, the tension in the colonel’s face muscles visibly relaxed and he said, “Come with me, Captain.” He walked to a door in the kitchen marked ‘KEEP OUT.’

  Cynthia knew the door led to a bathroom-sized pantry that had been empty earlier that day. One of the first teams brought to the house by Mick had met a black delivery van and taken some crates covered by blankets into the room and put up the sign.

  “Go on in,” said Colonel Harrison pointing at the door.

  Uncomfortable with someone being behind her but knowing she had no choice, Cynthia shrugged in feigned indifference and opened the door to step inside. A high-pitched chittering greeted her as the light from the kitchen lit up the inside of the small room. On the pantry’s shelves were six wire cages that resembled medium-sized dog kennels. Each cage held a foot-high creature with leathery wings. The small creatures had arms and legs along with a narrow, almost human face and two horns protruding from their foreheads. Their leathery skin varied in color from orange-brown to a dark purple.

  “Imps,” Cynthia said stepping into the room.

  Colonel Harrison followed her inside and flipped on the light switch before shutting the door behind him. “That’s right. Imps. I’ve never worked with them before. I was told you have.”

  “Yes, sir. I was assigned two imps during the Tokyo raid against the Alliance. They’re, uh, not that easy to control.”

  “So I’ve been told Captain. That’s why I requested your assignment to the team.”

  Cynthia stared at one of the imps, seeing the same intelligent look in its eyes she remembered from Tokyo. She felt other eyes looking at her from the left but turned to face the colonel.

  “Uh, you requested me, sir?” said Cynthia. “I thought—”

  “I don’t care what you thought, Captain,” snapped Harrison. “I don’t like you. I’ve read reports of some of your past missions. You go off on your own without waiting for orders and stir up trouble for your leaders. Well, those days are over Captain. As long as you’re assigned to this team, you’ll follow my orders and only my orders. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “The only reason you’re here is because I was told you’re good with imps. You’ll take charge of these and use them in your surveillance as necessary. Keep them out of trouble.”

  Cynthia waited. The man had yet to tell her what their true mission was, but the presence of the imps confirmed it was no mere M4 level surveillance mission. She decided to take a risk. Pointing at the cages, she said, “If I’m to use these assets effectively, I’ll need to know our true mission.”

  The colonel glared at her, the muscles in his face tensed.

  Cynthia didn’t glare back, but she didn’t avert her gaze either.

  After several seconds, the man’s face relaxed. “You’re impertinent, Captain. One day that impertinence may cost you. As it so happens, this is an M6 level mission. We have reason to believe either the Myiata Johnson you located or her sister, Mamie, are in possession of the Ring Defender.”

  Cynthia was shocked. She’d worked for the Council long enough to know the Ring Defender was the big prize. If I was the one to capture it, there’s no telling how high I could go in the organization. I might even be able to finagle it into an assignment as a member of the Council itself.

  “I see your mind churning, Captain, and you can forget it. Our orders are to confirm if this Myiata has the Ring Defender. We are also to locate her sister if she’s in town. You’ll take no action to acquire the Ring Defender on your own. That’s a direct order. Is that clear?”

  “Uh, yes, sir,” Cynthia said as plans on how she could use the imps to take possession of the Ring Defender and deliver it to the Council rose in her mind.

  The colonel poked her in the shoulder with two stiffened fingers. The poke irritated her, but she did her best to keep any sign of emotion off her face.

  “No, I don’t think it’s clear. Well, let me put it this way, Captain. The colors have given strict orders that no one on the team will attempt to acquire the Ring Defender before they arrive on pain of what I was told would be a horrible death. You know what that means.”

  Cynthia didn’t know exactly, but she didn’t want to find out either. She nodded her head. “Understood, Colonel. Mick and I will take no action to acquire the Ring Defender. I’m told the imps can see the rings. I’ll try to get one close without scaring the old lady off. I’ll see what I can dig up on her sister starting tomorrow. Is there anything else…sir?”

  The colonel glanced at the nearest cage before looking back at her. “Yes, keep those things under control.” He turned towards the door before spinning back around. “Oh yes, and one more thing. The colors sent word that the Fire Ring may be getting ready to activate. It’s on the west coast somewhere. They’re concerned that if the Ring Defender is here, it may leave and attempt to make contact with the Fire Ring. I assured Mr. Gray we would not allow that to happen. As it is, I’m confident we’ll have the ring in our possession and be long gone before the Fire Ring activates. Nevertheless, keep your eyes open just in case the old lady tries to leave town.”

  “Yes, sir,” Cynthia said half-tempted to salute just to irritate the man. She nodded instead.

  Harrison frowned before turning and exiting the pantry. She followed, leaving the colonel peering at a computer screen in the kitchen as she sought out Mick and whatever sleeping arrangements he’d gotten for her. Once she found him, she lay on her military-style cot for over an hour thinking about her new mission.

  I can’t go against direct orders. The penalty for that is death. But I swear I’ll use this mission to get my promotion somehow. I’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity in front of me. I’m not going to waste it.

  Chapter 9 – First Contact

  _______________________________________

  At four-thirty Wednesday afternoon, a black motorcycle wove its way through the well-kept streets and past the manicured lawns of Gray Gables subdivision. With a final turn, Tess downshifted and pulled into a street with a cul-de-sac at the end. Only two homes occupied the cul-de-sac. One was a massive, four-story structure with wrought-iron gates and stone pillars topped with lions. A tall hedge separated the mansion from a modest two-story white farmhouse.

  Turning onto the farm’s gravel drive, Tess drove beside a mud-splattered brown truck with more rust spots than paint. She smiled behind her helmet’s visor. Alec wasn’t kidding. What a piece of junk. Shutting off her engine, she took a moment to survey the property. The house and barn looked freshly painted. Their white contrasted well with the mountain range beyond. Newly cut pastureland surrounded a large pond behind the barn.

  Poor my ass, Tess thought. The land alone is worth a pretty penny unless I miss my guess.

  A movement from the direction
of the hedge drew Tess’s attention. She recognized the mass of unruly blond hair coming through an opening in the shrubbery as Alec’s friend Scott. Reaching behind her, Tess grabbed the extra helmet strapped to the back of the cycle and held it in her right hand, ready to swing or throw as the situation warranted.

  The young man obviously noticed her defensive posture because he raised both hands in a stopping motion. “Whoa. I’m not looking for trouble.” He made a half-hearted attempt at a smile before finishing stepping through the hedge. Lowering his hands, he walked closer and then came to a stop several paces away. “Alec told me you might be stopping by, so when I heard you drive up, I…uh…”

  Keeping a tight grip on the helmet, Tess said, “You what? You thought you’d try pissing me off again.”

  This time Scott gave a more genuine grin. “No way. I may be an idiot, but I’m not completely stupid.” He looked at the ground and then back at her. “Look, I’m sorry. I was a jerk last night. My dad and I’d had it out earlier. I raided his liquor cabinet before going to Jack’s. I was drunk. Uh, no, I mean I was, but that’s no excuse. All I can say is I’m sorry. Believe me, it’ll never happen again.” He rubbed his wrist. “Once was enough.”

  Tess remained silent. She’d learned long ago that words were easy to say. Actions were what counted in her book. She was far from ready to take the big guy’s apology at face value.

  The noise of an engine drew both Scott and her attention. She noticed a dull-green tractor dragging a large mower, making its way past the pond in the direction of the house.

  Scott looked back at her. “Well, anyway, I came to apologize, and I did. You can either believe me or not.”

  Tess placed the spare helmet back in its place and removed her own. That was as close to an acceptance as she was willing to make at the present.

  After a few seconds of silence, Scott turned and walked back to the opening in the hedge. Before slipping through, he spun around. “Alec’s one of the good ones. He’s not like me, so give him a break. I don’t think he’s used to dealing with tough California biker chicks.”

  “And you are?” Tess said fighting back a temptation to smile.

  The boy broke into a grin. “Not hardly. By the way, I was just joking about the California biker chick thing.”

  “I know,” Tess said allowing herself a glimmer of a smile. “So was I. Just so you know, I lived in Texas before moving here.”

  Scott nodded his head and disappeared through the hedge.

  A moment later, Alec drove up and parked the tractor on the opposite side of the truck. Shutting the engine down, he looked over and waved. “I’m glad you came,” he said. “Grandma’s excited to have another mouth to feed. I’ve got a feeling she’s hoping for some new topics of conversation.”

  Tess eyed the boy. Deciding he was sincere, she laughed. “I seriously doubt anything I’d have to say would interest your grandmother.”

  Grinning, Alec got off the tractor and walked around the truck before stopping a couple of paces from her. “You don’t know Grandma. From what I’ve been told, she was a little wild in her younger days.”

  Tess eyed the boy. “You mean like me?”

  Alec glanced at the ground for a couple of seconds. When he looked back at her, his cheeks were pink. “Uh, I didn’t say that.” He forced a grin. “You’ve got to admit though, your clothing doesn’t exactly scream, ‘I live in Covington.’”

  Tess looked down at her pants, then laughed in spite of herself. “No, I guess not. It’s not exactly where I pictured myself living. Most of my life’s been spent in Texas, around the border, until I transferred here to complete high school. The last few months have been a little culture shock.”

  Alec nodded his head. “I’ll bet. I came to live with Grandma when I was six. Why’d you pick good old Covington, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  Shrugging her shoulders, Tess looked at him for a couple of seconds, unsure how much she wanted to share. Something in the way he looked her in the eyes made her think he was asking for more than casual curiosity reasons. The hell with it, she thought. What have I got to lose?

  “Dad and I moved around a lot when I was young,” she admitted. “I had good grades in school, but I guess the lack of stability hurt me when I applied for scholarships. One of my teachers in Texas knew Mr. Jenkins here in Covington. My teacher said she thought I had a shot for a full-ride scholarship Mr. Jenkins told her about that was sponsored by ex-students of his science class. My dad and I picked up stakes and moved here a couple of weeks before school started.” She looked at Alec trying to read his face. His soft brown eyes drew her in. “And that’s more than I’ve shared with anyone in a long time. Not sure why I blurted it out now.”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Alec said, “Sometimes it just helps to talk.” After an awkward silence, he walked around her motorcycle. “Nice bike.”

  “My pride and joy,” Tess admitted smiling at the compliment. “You ride?”

  “Dirt bikes, but nothing this size. Scott’s got a couple of four-wheelers we used to ride out in the pasture growing up, but it’s been awhile.”

  Making a snap decision, Tess tossed the extra helmet to Alec and patted the seat behind her. “Hop on. I’ll take you for a spin.” She looked at the house. “If you think we’ve got time. I wouldn’t want to irritate your grandmother.” She thought the boy looked hesitant. Prodding him a little, she said, “Assuming the big, tough football player isn’t scared.”

  Shoving the helmet on his head, Alec mounted the bike behind her. Tess noticed his hands remain at his side. Hitting the electric start, she revved the engine a couple of times before shifting into first gear. “Hold on.”

  “I don’t need to—”

  Tess revved the engine again as she popped the clutch, doing a one-eighty. Gravel went flying. She felt two hands grab at her waist and hold on tight. As soon as she hit the pavement of the cul-de-sac, she shifted gears, revved the engine, and released the clutch, sending the front tire two feet off the ground. The hands around her waist tightened even more.

  “Hey! This is a residential area. Slow it down.”

  Laughing, Tess yelled over her shoulder, “This is slow. Wait ’til I get you out on the main highway.”

  Ten minutes later, Tess pulled back into the farm’s gravel drive and parked beside the rusty truck.

  Alec didn’t even wait for the engine to shut off before dismounting. “Very funny. Wait until it rains. I’ll take you out mudding on the back of one of Scott’s four-wheelers. We’ll see how funny you think it is then.”

  Tess laughed. He looks cute when he’s mad, she decided. She had a sudden desire for it to rain soon.

  After a couple of seconds, Alec broke into a grin and laughed. He pointed at the side door of the farmhouse. “May as well go meet Grandma before supper. Then we can finish laying out the project. You said you had to be at Big Jack’s by six, right?”

  Nodding her head, Tess followed Alec up the stairs to the wrap-around porch and into the side door of the house. They entered into a small room with a shelf built into the wall at knee level. When Alec removed his boots and placed them on the shelf, she did the same.

  Sniffing the air, Tess picked up the unmistakable odor of pot roast. Her mouth automatically watered. I can’t even remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal that didn’t involve a microwave, she thought.

  When they entered the kitchen, Tess noticed a spry, older woman with white hair placing silverware next to three plates on a table made out of age-darkened planks. Bench seats on two sides looked large enough to hold six each. Solid-looking captain’s chairs were at each end. The extra-large kitchen was more than adequate to hold the table and then some.

  The old woman looked up and gave Tess a smile. “Are you kids about done playing? I’ll have supper ready in another twenty minutes or so.”

  Alec flashed a grin to Tess before looking back at his grandmother. “Grandma, this is Tess. She and I are doing a science projec
t together. Tess, this is the one and only Myiata Johnson. Don’t believe half the things she tells you about me. They’d probably be true, but I’ve got to keep my rep up.”

  Nodding at the woman, Tess waved her hand to encompass the kitchen. “Big place, Mrs. Johnson. Looks like you could feed an army at that table.”

  “Very near,” smiled the old woman. “The farm’s been in the Johnson family for nigh on a hundred years. Alec’s grandfather used to say that when he was a kid, his dad sometimes had a dozen migrant workers on hand during the busy season. It’s just Alec and me now, though.” She gave Tess a wink. “He doesn’t bring his girlfriends over too often. In fact, you’re the first. I think my grandson’s scared I might embarrass him.”

  “Grandma,” said Alec already sounding embarrassed and turning pink. “She’s not my girlfriend. I told you we were working on a project together. That’s all.”

  “Well, you don’t have to get so defensive about it,” Tess said noticing an even bigger smile on Alec’s grandmother as the boy’s face turned redder. “I’m sure Mrs. Johnson—”

  “Grandma,” said Alec’s grandmother. “Call me Grandma. Everybody does. Whenever someone says Mrs. Johnson, I look around to see if my mother-in-law is in the room.”

  Taking an immediate liking to the old woman, Tess said, “All right, Grandma. I hope I’m not being pushy, but I’ve got to be at work before long. Would you mind if Alec and I started on our project?”

  “Not at all, dear. You two go into the front room. I’ll call you when supper’s ready.”

  Tess followed Alec into a comfortable living room at the front of the home. A set of stairs just past the kitchen doorway led up. Alec motioned at a small, worn couch opposite the room’s large bay windows. A coffee table in front of the couch was covered with Mr. Jenkins’s project specs, a laptop, and half a dozen books from the library. When the boy sat down in the center of the couch in front of the laptop, Tess momentarily looked at a nearby chair, tempted to pull it on the opposite side of the table.