He pushed the thought of her from his mind as the footsteps came closer. Another sip of coffee. His left hand brushed the spitter.
“Collins.” Mitchell’s voice sounded from behind his right shoulder.
Rick relaxed and turned to face the general. Sunglasses hid the man’s eyes even though the sun was barely up. As Rick had requested, Mitchell wore civilian clothing, grey pants with a dark blue shirt. The sleeves were properly buttoned. Couldn’t take the military out of him completely, Rick thought.
“Thanks for meeting me here, general,” Rick said.
“I assume you have a reason for this unorthodox place.” Mitchell gestured to take in the surroundings.
“I do,” Rick said. “First I’d like to ask a favor. A friend of mine is concerned about her ward, a young man who was talking about joining the squads. I’d like to find out if he’s done so and where he was assigned. If possible, I’d like him assigned to duties inside the dome.”
A frown creased Mitchell’s face. “That’s quite a favor.”
“Yes it is, sir.”
Silence stretched between them. Rick waited it out. If Mitchell gave him this, maybe, just maybe they could work together. Maybe they’d even be able to save the squads, hell, save the city and find out what was going on with the vampires.
Mitchell’s shoulders drooped. “What’s the name?”
“Michael Montgomery.”
“Just a minute.”
Mitchell turned away but not before Rick saw his throat moving. The general was still connected to his office. Rick slipped his left hand into his pocket and fingered the jammer controls. When Mitchell was finished, Rick could blank the signals to his throat mic. No chance they’d be overheard that way either.
When Mitchell turned back, Rick knew the news was bad from the look on his face. He felt his own jaw clench.
“Montgomery did join the squad and he’s been deployed with the Night Killers. They’ve already left on patrol,” Mitchell said.
Rick relaxed a little. Sami would look after him, at least until they returned from this patrol. “Can you have him transferred to internal dome duties?”
Mitchell cocked his head. “This boy is that important to you?”
“He’s important to a friend of mine.”
“Will you consider my offer of continuing to do some good for the USC?”
“That’s why we’re here, general.”
Mitchell nodded. “Consider it done.” He turned away again, probably to convey the order, Rick guessed. When the general turned back, Rick hit the jammer and severed the communications from Mitchell’s throat mic. The man would never know.
“So let’s talk, captain.”
“I’m…”
“I know.” Mitchell raised a hand to stop Rick from talking. “You aren’t a captain anymore. That action wasn’t my idea. I prefer to handle dissension with discussion.”
Rick kept his expression neutral. This was a huge concession from Mitchell. Interesting, so this was what hope felt like.
“Of course,” continued Mitchell, “I’d never be able to say that if you weren’t jamming my throat mic.”
Surprise flickered onto Rick’s face before he could stop it. Mitchell grinned.
“I’m not a complete idiot, captain. I too would like to talk freely.”
Rick nodded. “Okay. Consider yourself free to talk. Anything said here stays here.”
Mitchell’s lips pursed. Even with the confirmation of no one listening in, he seemed reluctant to continue. Rick would have to coax him.
“I think we’re in agreement that the current USC and Council policy with regards to reducing the squad patrols is wrong,” Rick said.
Mitchell nodded. He looked past Rick to the industrial buildings. Rick thought he was probably surveying the entire dome in his mind.
“I think we can also agree there’s something going on with the vampires,” Rick said. “Something new.”
Mitchell continued to stay silent.
“You weren’t exactly surprised when I told you about Tracy Severin.”
Mitchell sighed. He turned back to Rick. “No, I wasn’t. We’ve had reports of other spotters disappearing and turning up as vampires. More recently, I’ve become concerned with the changing aspects of the vampire attacks. They seem more…”
“Coordinated,” Rick said. “Organized.”
“Yes. We’ve had disturbing reports of attacks that seem strategic in nature. They’ve never been like this before. The vampires were always like animals, savage and unpredictable but still animals. Now they seem to be developing sophisticated attack plans.”
“But the Council doesn’t see it.”
“They don’t want to see it,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t play into their view of the ‘infected hostiles.’ The idea in the Council is that the vampires will die out if we just hole up in our domes and not give them any more potential victims.”
Rick shook his head. “They’ll just attack the domes.”
“The Council thinks the domes are impenetrable.”
“It only takes one,” Rick said.
“I know that and you know that but the Council won’t face it. Ten years is a long time. It’s easier to pretend when you’ve been hiding for that long.”
Rick stared at the dregs of coffee remaining his cup. He snapped the lid onto it and stuffed it back in his pocket.
“So what do you want from me?” he said.
Mitchell didn’t respond right away. He looked back at the buildings again and Rick had the thought that he was considering his options. Was he having second thoughts about coming to Rick? Had the Council’s witch hunt spooked him so badly? Rick waited, itching to say something but knowing it was better to stay silent.
One of Mitchell’s feet tapped the ground. His head bent to study it as if this tapping foot could give him a direction to follow. Finally he took a breath and looked up at Rick.
“I need a liaison with the other cities. Someone who knows the situation, knows how to handle himself outside and how to keep his mouth shut.”
Rick nodded once. “You mean keep his mouth shut with the Council.”
“I mean keep his mouth shut period. This person would travel to other cities and meet with certain people about the vampire situation.”
“In person?” Rick said. “Wouldn’t it be easier to set up a secure channel?”
“Who said it would be secure?” Mitchell removed his sunglasses. The sun was now fully in the sky causing the general to squint at Rick. “There are only a few people involved in this.”
Rick nodded. Now he got it and he wondered briefly if Mitchell had manipulated him into this situation. He certainly wouldn’t be asking if Rick was still part of the USC, still squad leader of the Night Killers. But ousted and disgraced, no one would care what he did or where he went. Or would they?
“I might not be as invisible as you would like,” he said.
“That could be dealt with.” Mitchell slipped the glasses back on his face. The shadows darkened his cheeks.
“I want some assurances,” Rick said. “I want Michael transferred inside the dome. I want the Night Killers to be given the support they need. I don’t want any of them interfered with because of their association with me.”
“You mean Lieutenant Jamspar,” Mitchell said. He smiled at the surprise on Rick’s face. “You think you’re the first squad members to get involved? We don’t encourage it but it can’t be completely stopped. No one else understands what you go through out there.”
“That’s true, general. Can you meet those conditions?”
“I can do my best. I can get Michael Montgomery transferred inside. The other conditions are a little trickier but I will do what I can.”
Rick believed him. Mitchell had always been a straight shooter and overhearing his defense of the squads just underlined the point. Maybe this was a way Rick could keep his hand in, be of help to the squads, to the Night Killers. Even if he couldn’t lead t
hem, he might be able to keep them safe.
“I think we’ve got an agreement, general.”
Mitchell clapped his hands together. “Good. I want you to know this isn’t going to be easy. You won’t have any official standing with the USC. As far as they’re concerned, you resigned voluntarily and aren’t entitled to any protection or assistance. You’ll be working for the Sunstream Consortium and all of your expenses and pay will be funneled through them.”
“Who are the Sunstream Consortium?”
“A few of us who don’t like the way the City Councils are heading. It’s a dummy corporation. I’m on the board along with a few others.”
“If I’m going to work for you, I need a little more information, general.”
Mitchell took another long look at the buildings. “I assume you’re jamming any signals.”
Rick shrugged.
“You got that from Raj Abulah. A terrible shame. That’s one of the things I want stopped.”
“Names, general,” Rick said.
“I can’t give you all of them. Not yet. But I can tell you Colonel Brennan in Portwell and Major Hendricks in Little Chillberry.”
Wider than he’d thought. “What’s your eventual aim with this consortium?”
“Intelligence. Too many reports are getting sanitized, like your report on the turned spotter Severin. Councils are putting short term results ahead of long term survival and we need proof to stop them. With enough evidence, we can force the Councils to reinstate proper security measures or allow the citizens the knowledge to overthrow them.
“They’re even keeping proper intelligence from the USC and that’s where you come in. You’ll be collecting and distributing the raw reports, before they’re censored and entered into the system. We have to know what’s really going on around the country if we’re to figure out what’s going on with the vampires and how to stop them.” Mitchell took off his sunglasses again and squinted at Rick. “What do you think, captain? Are you still interested?”
“Yes I am,” Rick said. “As long as we’re clear on my conditions. Just one other thing. If I find out anything that indicates this is some kind of power play, I’m finished and I’ll report you fast. I’m not interested in helping any coups just for the sake of it.”
Mitchell nodded. “Of course. I’m not interested in that either. I just want to keep my city safe, as are all the others. You’ll get to know them soon enough.”
“Then we do have a deal, general.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ve already got your first assignment. I want you to carry this data bead to Colonel Telson in Albavaille.” Mitchell handed a small capsule to Rick. The data bead clinked inside.
“When do I leave?” Rick said.
“Would now be too soon?”
Rick thought about Sami, how he’d hoped to see her after the day patrol but from the expression on Mitchell’s face, he knew the general wouldn’t be pleased to have Rick stall on the first assignment.
“I can be ready within the hour.”
“Good. I’ll arrange the transportation and passes for you. Meet me at gate 11S. I’ll give you more details then.”
They shook hands and Mitchell hurried away, disappearing into the shadows between the industrial buildings. Rick headed back to his room to pack. A quick change of clothes took up little room in his bag. The rest he filled with weapons and several of Raj’s pet projects. He wore the ear bug and throat mic; even traveling alone, it was better to have the ability to communicate fast if necessary.
As he finished, he noted he had time to check in with Gran. He’d rather leave her a message because he hated goodbyes but he knew she’d want to hear about Michael as soon as possible. He owed her that much. Hoisting the bag on his shoulder, he left his room and headed down into the lower city.
The first wave of people heading from home to work were streaming through the halls, slowing his progress. Shoes and boots clattered against the worn tiles. He caught brief whiffs of soap and the occasional perfume. Someone had money to burn; with air restrictions perfume prices were astronomical. He wondered if Gran still had perfume. Maybe he’d find a way to get her some.
Her door slid open before he could even finish knocking. When she saw him, she grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. The door slid shut behind him.
“Rick, were you able to find out anything for me?” Her wrinkled hands clenched each other, thin fingers writhing.
“He did join the USC, Mae, but he got assigned to the Night Killers. You know Sami will look after him.”
She puffed a breath out fast. “Oh that’s great. She’ll take less care of herself because she’s looking after Michael. When I see that boy next, I’m going to tell him…” She trailed off, turning away from Rick. As she moved deeper into the living room, he noticed she looked more slouched than usual, as if the weight of her worries were becoming too much to bear.
“I’ve arranged for him to be transferred to duties inside the dome when he gets back from this patrol,” Rick said.
Gran turned to him and for the first time in a while a light gleamed in her eye. “He’ll work in the dome?”
“Yes, he will, Mae.”
The smile burst over her face, wrinkling her loose skin along her cheeks and forehead and still she looked twenty years younger. “Oh you are a good boy.” She hurried over and threw her arms around him. Although thin, he felt the muscles in her arms squeeze him. He patted her back.
“I knew you would take care of it for me,” she said. As she pulled back she wiped a tear from her face. “I haven’t been able to talk sense into that boy.”
“It’ll be all right now,” he said.
“Could you maybe get an inside job for Sami?” She cocked her head at him.
“Mae, that isn’t up to me. You know that.”
Her shoulders slumped a bit. “I know. Can’t blame an old woman for trying.” She paused, then touched his arm. “What’s that bag for?”
Dammit, he shouldn’t have brought the bag with him. He should have expected Gran to notice and ask.
“I’ve got a job. I’ll be away for a few days.”
“A job? Doing what?”
“Ah, I’m a courier.” The idea popped into his head.
“Courier? What are you carrying?”
“Information for a company. They want it taken to another branch.”
“Why not just flash it there?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re worried about corporate espionage.”
Gran laughed. “Are you kidding me? After all the crap in the world, they are still playing those silly games?” She shook her head. “Ain’t a surprise how foolish some people still are.”
“As long as they pay me, Mae.”
“As long as they pay and you’re safe,” she said.
“I’m always safe, Mae.” He glanced at his watch. “I have to get going. First job today and I don’t want to be late.”
The smile bloomed on her face again. “You came here before your job to tell me about Michael. That means a lot to me, Rick.”
Her fingers took his hand, her skin cool and soft in his palm. Her skin felt so delicate, like rice paper that would tear if he tightened his grip on her hands. He covered her fingers with his other hand, feeling the thin bones like a tiny bird.
“Of course I’d come to see you, Mae. I know you’d be after me if I didn’t.”
“You bet I would,” she quipped. One hand gripped his shirt and she pulled him down to plant a kiss on his cheek. “You see me after your job and I’ll make you dinner. Goodness knows they probably don’t feed you worth a darn.”
He knew better than to argue. “Yes, Mae.”
He said his goodbyes and headed off through the corridors. Now that the morning shift had started, the halls were empty. He listened to his boots clomp on the tiles. Echoes followed him as he headed for the elevator to the surface. Wait, was that an echo? It sounded like another pair of footsteps, just slightly off his own
. He paused his rhythm, took a faltering step. The echo continued steady, then faltered after him.
Someone was following him.
Or maybe someone was just behind him but if that was the case why did they bother to try to mimic his misstep? He touched his pocket and felt the outline of the stinger through the fabric. He slipped his hand inside and turned the stinger to non-lethal mode. He didn’t want to have to stick around to deal with an antidote.
The elevators sat the end of the corridor at a T junction. Ten elevators serviced this section, with five being turned off during the slow periods like now. As Rick came around the last curve before the junction, he increased his speed. Behind him, his echo hurried to catch up.
Rick reached the elevators first. As usual, five showed out of service but two of them showed as sitting on this floor. Rick pried one of the doors open. After an inch, the automatic mechanism took over and the door slid all the way open. Rick punched the lock button and ducked out behind another corner. The echoing footsteps got louder as his follower arrived. They stopped and Rick imagined the follower caught sight of the open elevator door. Sure enough quieter, more deliberate steps sounded, moving toward the elevator.
Pulling out the stinger, Rick crouched and peered around the corner. A man wearing civilian clothes but with a definitely military haircut and demeanor crept toward the open elevator. Another three steps brought him directly in front of Rick. He raised the stinger and aimed. Another step. He dropped his pack to the floor.
The pack smacked onto the tile. The man spun. Rick fired. The stinger needle caught him in the right pectoral muscle. He gasped for breath and then fell on his face. Rick checked the stinger; yes, it was dialed to temporary debilitate, not fatal. He moved to the man and turned him over.
He didn’t recognize the face. Heavy lids fluttered as he fought against the tranquilizer. His thick lips parted, moving as he tried to speak. Arms and legs were paralyzed, Rick knew, but the cardiovascular system was unaffected. The man would still be able to breath. And speak.
“Why are you following me?” Rick said.
The eyelids fluttered again and half opened. The black iris dilated oddly in his brown eyes, another affect of the drug. Rick tapped the man’s face to get his attention.
The Night Killers Page 19
