Rebels & Lies (Rebels & Lies Trilogy Book 1)

by Cotton, Brian

  “Mr. Paxton,” Roberson called from the stage, “what can I do for you today?”

  “Where are the others?” Paxton asked.

  “They are attending to other matters.”

  “Fair enough. I’m sure you heard the news by now.”

  “What news do you speak of?” Roberson chewed on his bottom lip before speaking again. “The news where you shot up an apartment or the news of you losing your dealer?”

  Sarcasm, Paxton thought, just great.

  “The news of Joe Young being arrested.” Paxton replied.

  “I knew that, I was being facetious.”

  “Sir, I…”

  “Hold it.” Roberson said. He took off his glasses and wiped the lenses with a white cloth. “You’ve become reckless, Mr. Paxton. Our patience with you and that crew of yours is growing thin. How’s the new guy coming along?”

  “Just fine,” Paxton replied. “Sir, we need to talk about finding a new dealer.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

  “Sir…”

  “You’ve just cost us a valuable asset in this war, one that will not be easily replaced…if at all.”

  “I’m sure there are others…”

  “You’re not listening,” Roberson cut in, slamming his fist on the table. “We can’t do anything for you right now. No quick fixes this time, I’m afraid.”

  “What are we supposed to do, then?” Paxton demanded.

  “Have you considered laying low for a while, until we can find you someone else?”

  “Sir, laying low is not what I do. You know that.”

  “Far too well, I’m afraid. You lost Boler, our contact within the USR. Now, within a matter of days, you lose Young, too? That is unacceptable, soldier.”

  “You see what’s going on out there, don’t you?” Paxton pleaded. “And, you expect me just to tell my people to lay low? Don’t worry about it for a while?”

  “That’s not what I’m saying at all,” Roberson replied. “We are in a guerilla war here, son, and because of that, we must choose our battles with wisdom. That is something you have failed to do since…well, since almost minute one. How much weaponry do you have at the moment?”

  “We’ve got enough to get us by, for the moment, anyway. But, we are going to need another supplier.”

  “Good, you can sit on that while we try to work something out. Anything else?”

  “No, sir.”

  Paxton saluted Roberson; even though that was one of the last things he wanted to do at the moment. He did not get a salute back. The old veteran turned his back on Roberson and walked for the doors. What a waste of precious time. He would never understand Roberson. Did the politician not realize that they were at war? Sure, Roberson was pretty good at throwing the word around, but he didn’t understand the costs. He never fought in an actual battle like Paxton and so many others in this new war did. In war, you did what was necessary to win. You cleaned up the mess after you won.

  “Mr. Paxton,” Roberson called out. “I didn’t dismiss you, yet.”

  Roberson cleared his throat. When Paxton turned, his boss motioned with his right hand for him to return to the podium. Paxton obeyed the gesture. What next?

  “Have you talked with your tech guy, lately?” Roberson asked.

  “Yes,” Paxton replied. “He said that you guys sent him something. He’s been trying to hack in ever since. Why?”

  “Well, that item we sent might have larger implications that we originally anticipated. Has he had any success?”

  “No, sir, he’s trying his best.”

  “We might have a way to get the information we need.”

  “Really?” Paxton asked, his curiosity now piqued.

  “Yes, but it is going to require your team to infiltrate a USR precinct in order to get it. After hours, of course. You’ll have to download it straight from one of their hard drives.”

  Paxton folded his arms across his chest. “You’re joking, right?”

  “Afraid not. But, you can do it, it is possible. Staffing is light after hours; budget concerns. Infiltrate the building. Download the files. It’s the only way. Mr. Clarke is good, but I’m afraid this is beyond his skill, its serious business. Can I count on you?”

  “Why is this so serious?”

  “We think it might have something to do with the water supply, but we can’t know for sure until you download those files. Again, can I count on you?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good,” Roberson said. “And, please, for all that is good and just don’t make a big scene out of this. You’ve been on the TV far too much recently.”

  “We’ll try not to, sir. Am I dismissed?”

  “Yes, you are. Good hunting.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  The two old men saluted each other. Paxton lowered his arm then turned for the door. On his way out, he could hear Roberson standing up from his chair and walking out. Krys was outside the door when Paxton opened it, eagerly awaiting his presence. She was chewing at the end of her hair.

  “That’s a filthy habit.” Paxton said.

  “Look who’s talking,” Krys replied. “What’s the word?”

  “We’ve got to fend for ourselves as far as weapons are concerned.”

  Krys sighed. “That’s good news.”

  “It gets even better,” Paxton said. He grabbed at her shoulder. “You have to infiltrate a USR building tonight.”

  ***

  Paxton applied the brake on the USR van inside the Precinct 28 parking garage. He left the engine running just in case. The van would not be much of a disguise if an Agent came snooping around, asking too many questions, but it would do for now. He didn’t expect Krys to be in there very long in any case. The 28 was chosen because of the multiple escape routes available to Paxton should they need one.

  Since this particular mission dealt with computers, Clarke insisted on joining them this time. Once again, Paxton played the role of heart breaker. He explained that Krys was very good at infiltration. All she would have to do once inside was turn over control to Clarke. He could do that from the safety of the safe house.

  Kaspar sat at the back of the van, his mask off, it rested on his shaking knee. He did not like this mission one bit. Sending Krys into a USR building, no matter how lightly guarded, all by herself? Did they want her dead? He watched as Krys threw on her mask, eager to get out there, to get on with what Kaspar hoped would not be a suicide mission. Why not send everyone in? He cared nothing for Paxton’s explanation that it would draw too much attention. His only care, at the present moment, was for Krys’s safety.

  “Robert,” Paxton said into his mouth piece, “we’re in position.”

  “All right, John,” Clarke said through the ear piece. “Just give me a few more seconds.”

  “Move your ass.”

  Back at the safe house, Clarke typed away at a lightening pace. He clicked his mouse around at several items. He reached the 28’s security system and his typing resumed. He reached over for a handkerchief and wiped away the beads of sweat that began to form on his forehead. Clarke then managed to fully hack into the security system after what felt like forever. He clicked around on each of the security monitors and sent each of them looping pictures of empty hallways and corridors. Clarke made the real images available to him on the second of his three monitors.

  “Good to go.” Clarke said.

  “What’s security like outside the building?” Paxton asked.

  “Alarm systems are offline. I’ve unlocked the electronic locks on all the side doors. Come on, John, you know me better than that.”

  “Good work,” Paxton said. “Keep Krys informed.”

  “Will do.”

  “Krys,” Paxton said. He turned to face her covered face. “You’re on.”

  “Yes, sir.” Krys replied.

  Krys moved back to the double doors and swung them open. She pulled out her silenced P99 to inspect it. As she did, she felt someone grab
her by the arm. She turned and looked to Kaspar through her tinted lenses.

  “You be careful,” Kaspar said.

  “Don’t worry about me,” Krys said. She moved her arm from Kaspar’s grasp. “I’ll be fine.”

  Krys shut the double doors behind her. She took a deep breath then moved with a quick yet quiet pace out of the parking garage. She arrived at the target building. With her back pressed against the cool concrete, she moved sideways and turned the corner. Around the corner there was a side door that led to the main offices. One of those offices was for the archives.

  “Robby,” Krys whispered into the mouthpiece under her mask.

  “Hold on a sec,” Clarke replied.

  Clarke scanned the security monitors on his second computer screen. He saw two guards patrolling at the moment, but none of them were in position to catch Krys enter the building. There was one, however, who held a submachine gun posted in front of the door.

  “You’ve got one bogey,” Clarke’s voice said. “He’s posted right in front of that door.”

  “Copy.” Krys replied.

  Krys started to grow anxious when Clarke didn’t say another word for a moment. She started to scan the area with her eyes, awaiting a guard that was unseen to him to take her out. Her hands began to shake a bit with the increase in her heart rate. She kept her silenced pistol below her waist, gripped with both gloved hands, her right index finger rested on the trigger.

  She couldn’t take the silence any longer. “Robby?”

  “He’s still there.” Clarke said.

  Clarke kept his focus on the guard in front of the door. He tried to keep track of all the other feeds, but his main priority right now was that door. The guard stood with barely any movement. The only movement he made was to put his hand in front of his mouth while he yawned. That was good: he was tired from boredom.

  Back in the van, Kaspar’s nerves started to get the better of him. He pleaded one final time for Paxton to let them all go in, but his request was ignored. So he sat back, hands gripped to his PSD, listening with intent to his ear piece.

  Come on, Kaspar thought to himself. Move, you son of a bitch.

  Clarke watched as the guard looked to his left then to his right. The guard then moved down the hallway. Clarke was about to give the order for Krys to move in, but he paused. The guard looked back over his shoulder one last time. Clarke tapped at his lips with his fingers while he watched. He waited. The guard turned and opened a door. It shut behind him. No time to wait any longer. It was now or never…

  “Clear.” Clarke said.

  Krys slid the silver door handle down and walked through the door. She entered the lobby with her gun drawn. She did a quick sweep from left to right then headed for the archives. Her feet made little sound under a quick but steady pace. She pressed her back against the end of the wall, the men’s restroom located to her immediate left. Around the corner was the hallway which led to the archives. She needed to reach the last door to the left. She moved her covered head around the corner to get a good look at the hall. Nobody was posted there.

  “Get moving!” Clarke shouted. “Your bogey is coming out of the restroom!”

  The door creaked open. The guard walked out, looked to his left and his right and saw nobody. He moved back to his post in front of the door, yawning as he did.

  Krys’s heart rate picked up as she moved down the hallway. She caught a brief glimpse of the guard when he walked out. She was lucky to be alive and she knew it. Her pace quickened as a result. With her silenced pistol at her waist, she kept her eyes peeled and ears glued to the ear piece. She reached the last door to the left. It read “ARCHIVES” in bold, black letters against the glass. Krys reached for the door handle. When she was inside, she made sure the door was shut as little sound as possible.

  After a brief sigh of relief, Krys moved to the main computer in the back of the room. She wheeled the chair back, took a seat, and then moved the mouse. The USR insignia overtook the computer screen.

  “Okay,” Krys said. “I’m in.”

  “Good,” Clarke replied. “Now, do exactly what I say.”

  “I’m all ears. Just keep your eyes on those bogies.”

  Clarke began to bark out instructions. After following his orders, Krys could see the mouse pointer move on its own. She always wondered how Clarke pulled off what was like magic to her. How he could remote link his computer to another one miles away like it was just another day at the office. She spun the chair around with her pistol in both hands, pointed at the door, ready to fire if anybody had the misfortune of walking in.

  “Krys,” Clarke said. “You need to stay focused.”

  “I’m focused on that door. You just stay focused on getting that Intel.”

  Clarke typed away at the third computer, the one remote linked to the archives. He kept looking over to the middle monitor, to ensure that no one would catch Krys by surprise. He looked around at all the files. It took him a few seconds, but he found the one he was looking for. He double clicked on it. What he saw caused his eyes to grow wide.

  “Umm, John?” Clarke said.

  “What is it?” Paxton demanded.

  “This is pretty major, just like The Committee said.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, it’s,” Clarke looked over to the middle monitor. “Oh, shit, Krys!”

  Krys jumped for her seat, her gun still aimed at the door.

  “What?” Krys demanded.

  “You’ve got two bogeys moving in your direction. Take that memory stick I gave you and stick it in one of USB ports. We need to download this. I have no time right now.”

  Krys pulled out the memory stick from the pouch next to her right breast. She scanned the computer for a USB port. She found it, stuck the memory stick in, and then ran to the left side of the room. She hid herself underneath one of the computer stations. She held her pistol up next to her cheek and waited.

  0.4…3.9…8.2…

  The doors flew open and the two guards entered the room. She could hear the sound of their feet walking against the tile floor. They were also conversing with one another. Krys could not make out what they were talking about nor did she care. She focused her mind. She had to be ready to kill these two men if circumstances called for it. Krys kept a firm grip on her pistol. She hoped that she wouldn’t have to use it.

  “Just shut up,” one of the guards said. “Go get that roster sheet off the printer for the boss.”

  Clarke’s voice was clear and steady over the ear piece. “You cannot let them see that download. They will know there’s an intruder. They will raise the alarm and you’ll never make it out of there. Take them out, now.”

  ***

  “What do we do?” Kaspar demanded from the back of the van. His grip tightened on his PSD as he started to make his way toward the back.

  “We wait,” Paxton replied. “We can’t just go storm in there now, it’ll raise the alarms. Krys is fine. She’ll make it out of this.”

  “What if she doesn’t?” Kaspar pleaded. “We have to go in there right now!”

  “No!” Kilbourne shouted. “We all feel the same as you. Storming that building will not only get yourself killed…but her as well. She has to make her own way out of this.”

  Kaspar sat back down. “Fine. But if things start to look bad, I’m going in there after her.”

  ***

  Precision would be the name of Krys’s new game. She breathed heavy underneath the cubicle. Her hands damp under her gloves. She had to take the both of them out at the same time. If not, if her aim was slightly off, they would raise the alarm…

  “Krysta!” Clarke shouted. “He’s almost there, you have to…”

  Krys popped up from her hiding spot. She eyed her two enemies who stopped in their tracks, alarmed at the sight of the intruder. The guard close to the computer tried to draw his gun. He took a bullet to the throat instead and dropped to the ground. Krys moved her pistol with a calculated fury towards the
second guard. He was already darting towards the alarm. Three trigger pulls later and he had three bullets in his back.

  “The download is almost complete,” Clarke said. “Get that memory stick and get the hell out of there.”

  The blood from the guard’s throat was still fresh on the screen when Krys arrived to the computer. She holstered the P99. Her eyes became transfixed on the screen. She gave the memory stick nervous taps as she watched the download progress.

  82.8…93.4…99.2…100

  She yanked the memory stick out so hard she almost ripped the end of it out. She replaced the stick back in the pouch on her flak jacket. Clarke informed her that the coast was clear in the hall, but she would have to do something about the guard by the side door. Krys thanked him for the good news then treaded past the dead bodies back out into the hallway.

  Once again her back was pressed against the wall. She sidestepped her way to the end. A diversion would be necessary to get that guard moved from his post. Inside one of the pouches of the flak jacket rested spare magazines for the pistol. She took hold of one and tossed it down the hall.

  “The fuck was that?” the guard posted at the door called out.

  The guard shouldered his submachine gun and walked towards the hall. When he reached it, Krys could see the end of the gun. She grabbed at it and yanked it from the surprised guard’s hands. The gun crashed to the ground. Krys spun and aimed her pistol. The guard did a chopping motion. The force of the chop caused Krys to drop the weapon.

  He grabbed Krys by the throat and back peddled her towards the wall. When she hit the wall, Krys could feel her head become light. In desperation, she kneed the guard hard to the groin. He backed off and released his grip. He composed himself with almost inhuman quickness and threw a punch. Krys ducked and his fist met the wall. The guard breathed heavy in pain. Krys pulled out her combat knife. She thrust the sharp, pointed end into the guard’s gut.

  The intruder ran for her pistol, picked it, and then sprinted towards the side door.

  “Robby?” Krys said.

  “You’re clear to the garage, but hurry.”

  Krys ran as hard as her legs could take her. She flung the door open then made a break for the garage. Once inside, she grabbed both door handles and the doors flew open. She entered the van and took a seat on the bench.