The only one who hadn’t worried about feelings was Maisie, who had informed the room that overall nutrition levels were rising to acceptable levels and had given a descriptive definition of a tomato. “Red, round, grows on a vine, and comes in many varieties.”
For the first time in a very long time, my stomach felt full and satisfied. I also felt happy, which was a new emotion for me, especially coupled with food. I had never equated sustenance with joy.
It would take some getting used to.
“I don’t know,” I said, adjusting my helmet and flipping down my visor. It was raining a little harder now. “Running them out of town was the first thought that popped into my mind. But we’re going to have to think of something else. We can’t just head into town looking for Tandor’s residence. That would prove deadly. We have to find a way to draw them out and keep them out until we can launch a counterattack that will work in our favor. Or sneak in. One of the two.”
“Are you talking about creating a distraction?” he asked.
“Possibly.” I kicked a rock on the ground, and it scuttled toward a large puddle, dropping in with a plopping sound. I was trying not to be frustrated, but protecting what we’d just found was incredibly important, and we had to go about this the right way, or we’d endanger everything. “The problem is, once they figure out it’s a distraction, they’ll come looking for the source, and Walt and the remaining scientists could be penalized. We can’t let that happen. Things are much too valuable to risk without a solid plan.”
Case ran a hand over his face.
We both knew how high the stakes were and that we had serious obstacles to conquer before we could get back to the city. Then, once we were there, we would have to make sure the unrest in the government and Port Station calmed down before we transported Walt and the other scientists—and any tribespeople who hadn’t been assimilated into the militia—back.
That was, if they chose to accompany us. It would ultimately be their choice.
It would be a huge operation involving multiple crafts, and it would likely not escape the notice of the militia north of here. But we couldn’t worry about that right now. We had no idea if that militia was even connected to the militia down here. We wouldn’t know until we spoke to someone here who was more in the know than Walt, and doing so would expose us.
Thinking about all the logistics was making my head ache. But I was committed. I’d do whatever it took.
Case brushed past me, moving around the side of the dome. I followed.
He turned abruptly, and I stopped just before I plowed into his back. “I believe Walt when he told us they’re not all bad,” Case said. The outskirt had firsthand experience with the power-hungry militia and, subsequently, their deaths. This couldn’t be easy for him. “But that doesn’t mean people won’t be killed.” I’d just been thinking the same thing. “The only option I can see is we figure out who’s a threat and who’s not. We eliminate the threats and make a deal with those remaining. It’s the only way to achieve our goals.”
“That could work,” I replied. “But in order to do that, we have to isolate a few and get them to talk.”
“Walt has to know at least some names and possible locations of those he would deem good,” Case said. “You pay attention to that stuff when your life is constantly on the line. That’s a start.”
“He says he makes slurry for them,” I said. “He said the militia makes the tribespeople pick it up. They must have a schedule. How long can a bucket of slurry last? I’m thinking a week, tops. Let’s head back in, ask him when the next delivery is, and we wait.” It would delay getting back to the city, but I could see no other choice.
“We should also check out the dome next door,” Case said, his body language agitated as he shifted back and forth. We were both on edge. “If Walt’s residence is that expansive, the next one should be equally as big. Who knows what that Ronston guy left in there?”
“Agreed.” I ran a hand along the smooth surface of Walt’s dome. The dirt had to have been mixed with concrete, or another material that hardened to stone. “I wish we could get a message to Bender, Lockland, and Darby. Finding all this is going to change the scope of our mission and our lives going forward. It’s a game changer, and it would be a benefit to have them down here. With more power, overcoming this militia wouldn’t be difficult at all.”
“The militia likely has radio frequency set up, but nothing that would travel that far,” Case said.
“I know,” I said. “It’s wishful thinking.” I glanced over Case’s shoulder at the rolling dunes. “If we’re planning to stay here for at least a few days, we’re going to need supplies. I’ll head back to Seven and get our packs. You go inside and talk to Walt about the slurry pickup schedule. When I return, we can decide what to do.” I didn’t wait for a response. We both needed to think on our own. We’d been tossing things back and forth for at least fifteen minutes.
I headed toward the sea, up and over rolling dunes.
After trudging across four small hills, I spotted Seven. She was easy to spot, because the reflective cloth had blown completely away, nowhere to be seen, at least from here. “Damn,” I muttered. I’d have to find a better way to secure it. After I found the cloth. I hoped it hadn’t blown too close to the sea.
When I was approximately thirty meters from the craft, I detected movement out of the corner of my eye. I dropped instantly, my palms splayed in front of me in the scrub to hold my balance, my back and head low.
Unlucky for me, there weren’t a lot of places to go undetected out here.
I lifted my head and squinted.
Down on the beach, a pair of figures walked in the sand, occasionally bending over to pick something up as they moved unsuspectingly toward Seven. “Shit,” I said. It seemed they hadn’t spotted the craft yet, judging by their casual movements. She was parked over a short incline.
It was possible they would pass without seeing her, but not probable.
Not even five minutes later, the reflective cloth I hadn’t been able to spot caught a gust of wind and flew up over the hill like a gigantic, highly visible parachute. You’d have to be blind not to see it.
I watched their body movements as they caught sight of it. They glanced at each other before hurrying toward the cloth, which had dipped down behind another incline and out of my sight.
Capturing people to question this soon hadn’t been the plan, but it was now.
There was no other choice. Once they reached the craft, they’d radio for help, if they didn’t decide to do it sooner.
The most logical option would be to wait for them to approach the craft and take them by surprise. But in order to do that, I had to get closer without being seen.
I took my chances while they were distracted by the cloth, which had billowed back into view. Staying as low as possible, I rushed toward Seven and took cover beside her, crouching by the passenger door, my hands braced against her metal sides, my head ducked beneath the windows.
Thankfully, my utility bag was secured at my waist. I unzipped it and withdrew a pair of macro-glasses. I popped my visor and secured them over my eyes.
I brought my head up a little over the hood. The lenses made it seem like the two people were right in front of me. A man and a woman—no, a boy and a girl, early twenties, if that. Even though they were both helmeted, it was clear they were young, which was a bonus. They were still distracted trying to get the cloth under control. Both were armed and wore green uniforms typical of a militia. Uniforms helped separate people by rank and affiliation. It also helped someone like me know who I was dealing with. Thanks, uniforms.
Seven was bulky enough to give me ample cover. I just had to make sure they didn’t spot me before I was ready. They would definitely come this way, weapons drawn, to investigate where the cloth had come from. That was what I would do.
Holding the advantage once they arrived was important. Inside my utility bag I had some nano-carbon cubes, which I used t
o power my Gem. They would do nicely as a distraction.
As the pair came closer, I calculated the best time to make my move. I saw the moment they noticed Seven. The boy grabbed the girl by the arm, gesturing frantically. Not exactly subtle.
They plowed ahead, rushing faster. The boy had the cloth wadded up under his arm. Their movements betrayed their youth even more. Someone seasoned would’ve found cover and investigated from a distance.
I slid to the back of the craft, peeking through Seven’s rear window, my head so low only my eyes were above the line. They both had their weapons out, as expected. As they maneuvered closer, I got a better look. The girl’s arm was steadier than the boy’s, and he kept giving her furtive glances.
She was in charge.
I would focus my attention, and my Gem, on her. Once they were within five meters, I flicked my wrist, sending a few nano-carbon cubes flying over the top of Seven. There was only a one-in-five chance that all the cubes would explode. The ground wasn’t that firm, and the cubes needed a jolt of force to explode.
I’d sent six, hoping that at least one would cooperate.
A moment later, two small explosions, nothing more than cracks in the air, were followed by small blinks of light.
They were enough.
The pair turned toward the threat, weapons up.
I leaped out, my Gem in one hand, my taser in the other. “Stay right there and don’t turn toward me if you want to live.” I issued the warning in my sternest tone, hoping they would comply.
As predicted, the boy did as I asked, but the girl began to pivot.
I depressed the trigger of my Gem lightly, letting up immediately, sending a short blast at the ground a meter from her feet. It made her jump. “Don’t move,” I reiterated. This time, she stayed still. I edged closer. “If you try anything”—I came around in front of them, my Gem barrel aimed at neck level on the boy—“I hit him first, understand?” I had her attention now.
She gave me a look like she wanted to sever my head from my shoulders and present it to me on a titanium tray. A slow nod followed.
“Get on your knees and put your weapons down,” I ordered. When they didn’t comply quickly enough, I let another blast fly, this one in front of the boy. He visibly blanched, dropping the reflective cloth and his weapon, which was a tired-looking Blaster. The girl had an ample-looking laser. After a moment, she tossed it in front of her.
Moving forward, I kicked the weapons away as carefully as I could. Guns in our world were always unstable. “Place your hands on your heads.” I didn’t want them to reach for anything in their pockets. The girl rolled her eyes at me. “What?” I scoffed. “You don’t think I know you’re carrying more weapons? You’re militia, aren’t you? Your uniforms say you are.”
“Yes, we’re militia,” she spat. “You think you’re tough shit for getting us, but you’re gonna be real sorry when the others find you.” She spoke with a slight pidgin accent, but not enough to have a problem understanding her.
“I’m sure I’m gonna be real sorry,” I retorted. “That is, if your people can get to me before I get to them.” I circled behind them, holstering my guns, drawing out one of the two cuffs I had in my jacket pocket. I clasped the girl’s hands behind her back first and secured them, then the boy’s. The cuff was made of thin, flexible wire coated in pliable aluminum. Once the nodes were connected, a continuous current of electricity flowed through them, generated by a small chemical reaction. As long as the current stayed intact, it was grounded. If either of them tried to break their restraints, they would be electrocuted. “You know what these are, don’t you? They’re electro-cuffs, e-cuffs for short.” I directed my commentary between them. “Don’t try to take them off. If you do, you’ll fry.” Frying was a bit extreme, as these weren’t military grade, but they didn’t have to know that.
If they broke the connection, the worst that would happen was they’d be knocked out for a minute or two. That would be enough time for me to get them back under control.
“Please don’t hurt us,” the boy pleaded.
“I’m not planning on it,” I said, heading back to stand in front of them. “If you cooperate by answering my questions, you’ll survive, no problem.” I hadn’t planned on admitting as much so soon, but lying to these two kids seemed counterproductive. If the militia had arrived five or six years ago, these two would’ve been young teenagers, probably original tribespeople. They’d had no choice but to join the militia.
I couldn’t necessarily blame them for their actions. At least not yet.
The girl spat on the ground as I patted them both down, looking for additional weapons and a communication device and not finding any. “They’re going to find us, and when they do, you’re gonna die real slow.”
I crouched next to her. “Why don’t you have any other defenses or tech on you—”
“What’s going on?” Case called as he shot over the hill and spotted us. His weapon was drawn. “I heard blasts.”
I stood, facing him, hands on my hips. “Those were nano-carbon cubes,” I said matter-of-factly. “I needed a distraction. I found these two walking along the beach. I waited for them to approach before I set off the charges. They’re admitted militia, and as far as I can tell after a cursory search, they don’t have any other weapons or a tech phone on them, which I’m thinking is a little unusual. The girl’s in charge. My guess is they were on patrol. We might have gone without notice, but the reflective cloth got loose.” I walked behind the girl and searched one more time to be sure I hadn’t missed anything.
She thrust backward, showing her irritation. It was clear she hadn’t encountered much trouble before, or she wouldn’t have been so gutsy.
“They’re going to cut you real bad,” she declared as I finished up.
“So you’ve been telling me.” I withdrew a small square box from a lower pocket in her pants. It was small and thin, no more than three centimeters thick, made out of some kind of shiny metal I wasn’t familiar with.
“Don’t go and touch that!” she yelled. “You’ll be sorry.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
I lifted the lid.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Scattered inside the box was a pile of chipped, white fragments I couldn’t identify. “What are these?” I asked. The girl was tight-lipped, livid that I was messing with her stuff. I held it out to Case. “Do you know what these are?”
He took a look and shrugged. “No, but Walt will. Bring them inside. Somebody’s going to miss these two soon, and it’s better if we’re not out in the open when they do.” He holstered his gun and took the boy by the arm, hauling him up, grabbing the reflective cloth with his other hand.
I did the same with the girl after I put the box in my utility bag. She continued to buck me. I had no choice but to curb her behavior before it got out of control. She had to understand who was in charge. And, spoiler, it wasn’t her. My fingers tightened on her forearm as we walked. “I get that you’re tough,” I murmured. “I am, too. And in a world dominated by men, a woman has to be ten times tougher than any man to be taken seriously. But you’re not going to win this battle. Not cooperating is only going to make things worse.”
“You don’t know anything, slippy,” she sneered.
Slippy must be a derogatory term, one I’d never heard before. I didn’t mind being called slippy.
I jostled her over a particularly bumpy patch of ground, and when she began to fall, I yanked her back up, pressing her tightly against my chest, forcing her head back uncomfortably. This was the kind of language she knew, and unlucky for her, I was well versed in it. “You’re going to cooperate one way or another,” I purred in her ear. “If you don’t, I drug you. And once your body is lifeless, we can do anything we like to it. Do you hear me? Drop the attitude.” She began to struggle in earnest, so I tried another tactic. “Okay, if you prefer, we can torture your friend instead.” She stilled immediately. The boy was her weakness, and she cared nothi
ng for herself. Her history had to be riddled with abuse, and I felt like an asshole for playing on that and wished this could go another way. But our agenda now was too damn important, and she had to believe we were capable of doing something awful—at least until we received the information we needed. Letting up on the pressure, I said, “If you cooperate, I give you my word that nothing happens to the boy. You step out of line, he gets a dagger in the thigh, and that’s just the beginning.” I released my tight hold on her, and she stumbled forward, my hand still gripped around her arm.
She straightened and began to walk without protest.
At the dome, Case ushered us inside without preamble. He went first, then the boy, then the girl, then me. Walt stood slowly as we entered. Daze came forward, eyes alert and curious, darting back and forth as he tried to deduce what had happened.
Before any of us could speak, Maisie declared, “I detect six humans within five meters. Heart rate on new female elevated. Hydration required. Nutrition inadequate.”
The girl scowled, and I chuckled. “At least I’m not the only one. Maisie clearly has an affinity for women.”
Maisie said, “Females have superior brain recall and immune systems. They can create new life—”
“That’s enough, Maisie. But thanks for the lesson,” I said as I turned to Walt. “I found these two walking by the sea. I had no choice but to take them once they discovered our craft. Case and I are going to question them and figure out who the sympathizers are in the tribe. Do they look familiar?”
While we waited for an answer, Case forced them both to sit, their hands still bound behind their backs. The girl spoke before Walt could respond. “I’ve heard of you, old man,” she said. “They protect you real good. You give us food sometimes.”
Walt turned to me. “I’ve never seen these two before.” His bushy eyebrows went up. “But if they think I feed them only sometimes, rather than all the time, they are not in the know. The militia has a strict ranking system. They must be at the bottom.”
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