by J Gaines
Finally, he stopped at one of the closed doors and peered through the small, square reinforced glass panel; then he knocked on it, using the barrel of his gun. There was the sound of an electronic lock opening and the door swung inwards to reveal three other guards. Russ nodded in Amias’s direction. “He’s here to talk to the prisoner.”
The guard nodded back. “This way.”
Amias followed but Russ remained, watching him as the door closed. Amias was led through a small room with two desks and chairs pushed underneath them. A line of TV screens showed numerous parts of the building he was in. The guards walked to a door at the other end of the room and he followed them dutifully. One of them swiped a black plastic pass over a panel by the door to unlock it. As Amias waited patiently he noticed Russ on one of the screens, walking slowly back up the corridor to his designated position. He watched for a few moments before his attention was drawn to another of the screens. It showed a small cell with a bed and toilet in it. There were books strewn across the floor and he saw Max with his back to a large reinforced glass window. There was another noise and the door opened. The guards stepped aside for him to enter and he walked in.
Max was seated cross-legged on the floor with his back to him. The glass ran in one large piece from ceiling to floor, forming two rooms that were split by a thick wall. In front of the glass were two chairs that faced the cells. The door made the same electronic locking noise as it closed behind Amias, but Max made no attempt to turn around, or even acknowledge his entry. Amias watched him for a few moments. He was wearing different clothes to the ones he’d worn when Amias had captured him: a loose grey t-shirt and blue tracksuit bottoms. Amias could see the muscles in his back and wide shoulders; they twitched as he turned a page of the book he was reading.
“Finally made your way down to see me?” he asked without turning around to face Amias.
“I’m sorry it’s been so long. There’s been a lot going on,” Amias replied.
“Yes. Your meeting on what to do about Kaden?” He laughed, his deep voice reverberating around the small cell. Amias hesitated for a moment, shocked that he knew of the meeting. Max laughed again, picking up on Amias’s delayed response. “Don’t worry, it’s not that hard to find out what’s happening around here. Not when you’re paying attention.” He tapped the side of his head with two fingers and continued to look at his book, turning another page.
“Should I be impressed?” Amias asked.
Max ignored his question and raised one of his hands. “What brings you to see me in my palace, Amias? Or do I really need to ask.”
“Why did you join him, Max? You’re helping to murder your own kind.”
He laughed again. “Straight to the point! I like that.” He paused and then sighed. “The altéré have been murdering each other for years, as you’ve probably found out by now. I’d much rather be on the strongest side than be the poor guy who has a sword driven through his heart… or somewhere worse.”
“Kaden is insane, you must know that? How long before he decides he wants to be the only person in the world with our abilities?”
Max turned another page of his book and then raised his head. “Why are you here? I know it’s not to try and show me the error of my ways and turn me against Kaden. Let’s be honest with each other.” He put his book down and got painfully to his feet, finally turning so Amias could see his face. It was heavily bruised, and his lip was cut. One of his eyes was slightly closed from a swelling that bulged from under his eyebrow. Amias winced and Max smiled. “Is it hard to look at my face, Amias?”
He shook his head. “You were the one who decided to run… and then fight.”
Max nodded. “True, but would it have made any difference? You wanted to hurt me. You talk about Kaden being insane, but how’s your state of mind? It must be hard knowing the man who killed your brother and friends is still alive, and murdering more innocents. And there’s not a thing you can do to stop him. Have you come here to try and find out where Kaden is?”
Amias nodded and Max laughed. “What you don’t understand is that it wouldn’t do you any good if I told you. You’d run off and try and find him on your own, in some heroic gesture that spares your pathetic followers. But when you find him, when you finally have him in front of you, he’ll kill you. Just like everyone else who’s stood against him.”
Amias held Max’s stare. “Not everyone.”
Max laughed loudly. “Is that what you and your people are hanging onto? That because you managed to delay your death at his hands, that you’re somehow the one chosen to stop him?” He placed his finger on the glass. “The only reason you’re not dead is because your brother took the blade meant for you through his chest. How many more brothers do you have left?”
“If that’s my destiny, then so be it,” Amias replied.
“I actually admire your courage, I really do. But I see something else as well, something I see in Kaden. You called him insane, but you threw us off the top floor of a multi-storey carpark. And now you’re talking about going to face him alone, which you know can only end in your death. Let me give you some advice, and I hope you take it. Get as far away from Kaden as you can and keep going. He’s coming for you, for all of you. This place won’t be able to keep him out. He’ll kill all of us, me included.”
“You?”
“Because I’ve failed him. He doesn’t take failure well from his captains. You think you’re keeping me here.” He laughed again. “I wouldn’t leave if you opened the doors and let me walk out.”
Amias watched as he walked to his bed and lay down. “If that’s the case, then help me. With our strength combined we’d have a chance together.”
Max was silent for a few moments. “I can see what Kaden saw in you. You’re brave and you’re strong, but you don’t have any chance against him, even with my help.”
“Then tell me where he is.”
Max paused again. “No. Now leave.”
Amias waited a few moments before turning and walking towards the door.
“You’re not what I expected,” said Max. “It’s a shame these are the circumstances in which we’re brought together. If you see Kaden, give him my regards.”
Amias turned and their eyes met for a moment before he knocked on the door and it made the now familiar unlocking noise before swinging open.
*
As John briefed them on the mission, Amias looked around him at the team that he’d assembled. John had told them he felt a “skeleton crew” was the best option for this mission and he’d chosen those he felt were the best equipped, both physically and mentally. For a moment Amias had feared he wouldn’t be selected for the mission at all, but finally his name was called, and he joined the five others at the front of the room. He turned and looked at the people next to him; Lucas and Sophia had also been chosen and the other teams sat silently in front of them. John then dismissed the others, waiting until the last one left the room before turning to a blackboard and picking up a small piece of chalk. He wrote “ANDRE” in capital letters.
“As you know, this is our target. From what we understand he’s been responsible for almost eighty percent of the kills Kaden has ordered,” he looked at Amias, “including Reuben.” Lucas raised his hand and John turned to him. “You don’t need to raise your hand. What’s your question?”
“Where did we get this intel?” Lucas sounded unperturbed.
“I’m sorry, I can’t share that with you this time.”
Lucas frowned. “With all due respect, sir, I’d feel better going into this if I knew the information was reliable–”
John raised his voice slightly. “You can take my word for it, it’s reliable. Do you think I’d send you in there if it wasn’t?”
“Where is there?” asked Amias.
“We believe there’s an exchange taking place at a warehouse in Bermondsey, near
the Docklands. It’s weapons, and a very large shipment, which is why Kaden has sent Andre to oversee it. We believe Kaden will be sending a large force with Andre and they’ll be heavily armed.”
“If that’s the case, then why are you only sending six of us?” Sophia asked anxiously.
John stroked his beard and looked at her. “Because, one, they don’t know we know, and two, they won’t be expecting us to be stupid enough to send anyone, even if we do.”
Amias smiled grimly. “But we are stupid enough, right?”
“Maybe. But that’s why there are only six of you. This mission will purely be based on opportunity. You’re to get as close as possible and provide surveillance only. If possible, pursue Andre and find out where he’s taking the shipment. I’m afraid it’s too good an opportunity to ignore. I’ll understand if any of you want to step down and be replaced. I wanted to go myself, but the council have voted against it.”
“The council?” Amias questioned.
“Now that we’ve agreed to align our resources and people, it’s been agreed that a council is required. They’ll be involved in all decisions from now on.”
Amias’s eyes flashed angrily. “And yet none of their teams are here to join us on the mission?”
“They wanted their people on it, but I wanted my people to take care of this one. Trust will need to be earned and it’s too dangerous to send men and women in who aren’t familiar with each other. Also, I thought some of you might have personal reasons for wanting to see Andre in the cell next to Max.” He turned to Amias. “Use the anger and feelings of revenge you have inside of you and make this mission a success. Am I understood?” The team nodded in unison and Amias felt John’s eyes linger on him for a few moments. “Right, now let me take you through the details.”
John handed out maps of the area and then drew the buildings surrounding the warehouse on the blackboard. They were to leave their van a mile away from the warehouse and approach on foot. Their intel had told them the meeting was taking place at midnight. Once they’d reached the vicinity of the warehouse they were to enter the building across the road and, if possible, gain access to the warehouse. Apparently the weapons were already being held at the warehouse, so there was only a small window of time that Andre and Kaden’s men would be there. As soon as they’d loaded the weapons into their vehicles, they’d be on the road and gone. John placed the chalk on the table and turned to them. “Are there any questions?”
They were all silent except for Amias. “Just one from me.”
John nodded. “Go ahead.”
“Why are we still using blackboards when we have Google street maps?”
John’s serious scowl turned into a smile and his grey eyes twinkled. “Because I like blackboards, and I still haven’t learned how to operate one of those tablet things. Now get out of here and get yourselves ready. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes at the loading bay.”
The others made their way out of the room, but John grasped Amias’s arm and pulled him aside, waiting until they were alone. “You’re not leading this team, Amias, but you’re still very much responsible for their safety, as they are for yours. The council wasn’t sure you should be allowed to attend this mission after they heard about what happened with Max. I told them you should go, and you were needed. Please don’t let me down.”
Amias’s eyes met John’s. “I won’t.” He wished it were the truth, but he couldn’t be sure.
“I know how you’re feeling, and I know if you see Andre what you’ll want to do to him. But remember, he’s not to be underestimated. He’s killed enough of the altéré for us to know we need to be very careful. Remember your team’s safety comes first.”
Amias gritted his teeth, eager to raise the question he’d been patiently waiting to ask. “And if we’re discovered and attacked by him, if we’re unable to apprehend him, what then?”
“If it’s you or him, or if it’s him or your team, then you know what to do,” replied John.
Amias turned to leave but John grasped his arm again. “Why did you go to see Max?”
Amias hesitated. “I don’t know.”
John stared at him, the doubt painfully obvious in his eyes. “Be careful, Amias.”
Chapter 8
Amias looked around at the other members of his team. They lined the benches of the van, facing each other, and Amias’s eyes flicked over each of their faces in the dim glow from the light fixed into the back of their transport. Rain was falling heavily onto the roof; how far were they from the docks now? Nobody had spoken for over half an hour, but the silence didn’t bother him. He was sure the others were readying themselves for what was to come – but he himself had been ready for the past fourteen months. One member of the team was nervously tapping his leg up and down. John had said this was a surveillance mission, but they all knew there was a serious likelihood it would become something else. Amias’s eyes met Sophia’s and she smiled nervously. He had a sudden urge to protect her and he wished she hadn’t been picked to come. It was easier when there was nobody to care about. She was well-equipped for the mission, and a fight. But against some of Kaden’s best people, or Kaden himself, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
Lucas was sitting opposite him with his eyes closed. His head rocked from side to side; was he asleep? Amias watched him for any sign that this was a show of bravado to impress his new team but if it was, he wasn’t letting it show. He’d given them a pep talk shortly before the van had arrived to collect them, and Amias had given him as much respect as he could muster. As much as he disliked Lucas he couldn’t help but be impressed by his confidence; at the least, he felt he’d ensure they’d complete the surveillance part of their mission. Lucas certainly wouldn’t risk the mission becoming out of his control; this was possibly the reason John had given him the responsibility.
Amias thought about his final conversation with John in the briefing room. The doubt he’d been unable to hide was understandable, but unwelcome. He’d given everything he had to following John’s orders and requests. The one time he’d slightly taken matters into his own hands had been unavoidable. He would never have captured Max otherwise, and someone could have been hurt or killed. He didn’t care what the others thought, but John was different; at the least he felt he deserved his trust. In the last few months he’d been open with John about his feelings and how he was struggling for the control he’d begun to master with Virgil. Initially, John had seemed unconcerned, but recently he’d been watching Amias strangely, and asking him questions about his feelings. Amias had immediately regretted talking about the dreams he’d been having: dreams that haunted him every night. Luckily, he hadn’t told John about the visions and voices he saw and heard when he was awake. He wouldn’t understand. He heard a loud knock from the cab to signal that they were approaching their destination. Some of the team checked their weapons again and Lucas opened his eyes.
“You’ve already checked that three times, Marcus. Relax, we’ll be there soon, and we can get on with things.” Lucas smiled at Marcus who nodded back. “Listen – it’s raining. That doesn’t help things. When we stop, we’ll split into two groups of two and the others will make their way to their positions alone. Sophia, you’re with Marcus. Amias, you’re with me. Anthony and Joe, you’re on your own.”
Amias frowned at him. “Why are we together? Surely it makes more sense for us to go alone?”
“I don’t want to debate it. You’re with me.”
Amias bit his lip and gripped the hilt of his sword that was concealed under his coat. The van stopped and another knock came from the cab. Lucas got up instantly and the others followed; only Amias remained sitting. “The van will be waiting at the agreed pick-up point,” said Lucas. “If we’re split up or we lose contact with each other, make your way back there as quickly as you can. We won’t leave until everyone’s back.” He turned to Amias. “Coming?” Amias nodded and pulled u
p the hood of his sweater. Lucas nodded back at him and opened the back of the van. They all jumped out and found themselves in a quiet road. It was surrounded by three-storey buildings, all of which were dark and looked unused. The rain was falling heavily, and they waited for the go-ahead from Lucas.
“See you at the surveillance point.” He tapped his ear, where he had his radio earpiece. “Remember to stay in radio contact at all times. Good luck.”
Anthony and Joe immediately left the road and walked off in different directions. Sophia and Marcus held back momentarily before grasping each other’s hands, turning and following them. Lucas looked at Amias and smiled. “Let’s go.” They left the road and walked in the opposite direction. They strode along the wet pavement and through the deep puddles at a reasonable pace so as not to draw attention to themselves. They were already soaking wet and Amias looked up at the sheets of rain that were highlighted by the bright street lights. They dashed across a busy road and avoided a group of men entering a pub.
Lucas looked up and pointed into the distance. “Not far now. By the time we get there, Joe and Anthony should have entered the building and we’ll access at the same point, via the road on the opposite side of the building to the warehouse.”
Amias nodded in agreement.
“You’ve been quiet. I hope you’re fully on board with the plan?” asked Lucas.
Amias nodded again and gave a wry smile. “I’m on board.”
“It didn’t seem that way in the van,” replied Lucas.
“I don’t understand why we’re together. We’re two of the most experienced people in the team – surely it makes sense for us to be the two people that go alone and enter the building first. What if they’ve already secured the building in anticipation of an attack?”
“Anthony and Joe are more than capable of dealing with any problems. Why don’t you just say what’s really on your mind? You think I’m babysitting you.”
