“The barriers should be ready in a day or two.” Dr. Ford thinks for a moment. “If I can get a few handy men we should be able to surround the camp by an extra five hundred feet within four or five days.”
“We’ll need more room then that. I’ll have to speak to some of the countries that offer to take refugees.” The captain says. “We’re going to need the space. Our first priority is to ensure the safety of everyone.”
“Will they agree?” Lucas asks.
“These things are destroying our planet from the inside out. If they don’t help us succeed we’re all doomed. They won’t have a choice.” Captain Jennings tells us.
“After Dr. Harris rests up he’s welcome to join me in my lab.” Dr. Ford invites.
“Certainly,” Dr. Harris agrees. “It’s the least I can do.”
“We can use the help.” Captain Jennings says. “I’ll get on the horn now. You two get some rest.” He looks to Lucas and me. “We’ll need you in top form tomorrow.”
“Captain, once we have the defenses set and the people evacuate how will we stop the hives?” Lucas asks.
They all slowly look at me. “There’s only one way I can think of.” The captain says.
Lucas doesn’t look happy about this news. I quickly change the subject. “Dr. Harris, you said your family was sent to one of Carch’s camps. Do you know which one?” The last camp we save is on my mind.
“Sadly, no.” Dr. Harris answers.
“We have some survivors here from a couple of the camps. Let me bring up the logs and we’ll sort through them.” Captain Jennings offers and for the first time since his arrival Dr. Harris looks hopeful.
“If they’re not here, we’ll find them—I promise.” It’s a hard promise to keep but I fully intend to.
“Thanks, Kat. You truly are extraordinary.”
I don’t know how to respond to that. I make my excuses and Lucas follows me out the door.
“I’m going to get cleaned up.” He tells me. “Do you want me to stop by after?”
I steal a quick kiss. “Yeah. I’m going to grab B and check on Brie and Xavier. Plus I want to see if Jared wants to help out in the lab. Just let yourself in when you’re ready. I may be in the shower for a while.” Seriously—I have dirt on top of dirt on top of things I don’t want to know about.
“Okay. I’ll see you soon.”
Jared happily agrees to help out in the lab and rushes to tell Dr. Ford. My idea stems from the fact that Jared is smart, trustworthy and gets along well with Dr. Ford. I also figure having him there will get him, Brie and Xavier in the loop more. I can tell that Brie wishes she can be more a part of everything.
Brie and Xavier are great. I promise to stop back in the morning to hold him since I’m too filthy to do so now. He looks a bit less breakable now.
B and I go outside before we go back upstairs. It’s a little early but I really just want to relax the rest of the evening (if possible.)
I let myself in and B settles in his favorite spot on the couch. My clothes are so filthy that they keep their form when I discard them on the bathroom floor. I wash my hair three times before the water runs clear.
I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel when a knock sound on the door. “I’m here!” Lucas calls. “You want pizza again or this family-size mac’n’cheese?”
I tug a comb through my hair. “Mac’n’cheese, please!” The unintentional rhyme makes me smile.
I decide to blow dry my hair but give up half way through. It’s not my body that tires but my mind receives too much information to deal with today. I leave my hair down to finish drying and step out of the bathroom.
Lucas shuts the oven. “Okay, I just put it in…” His voice trails off as his eyes sweep over me.
I blush and realize the towel I have on doesn’t cover much. I don’t think to bring a change of clothes into the bathroom. This is the most skin Lucas has ever seen from me and that includes our shirtless hotel room incident. “Sorry, I’ll go grab some clothes.”
He doesn’t reply and instead takes a step closer. The look in his eyes is pure desire. It has a strange effect on me. A warm feeling pulls inside me. I can’t move my eyes away from his and find myself moving closer.
I know I should stop. That I’m playing with fire. I have no experience with any of this. Only this feeling that insists I need to kiss Lucas right now.
He doesn’t advance like I do and the air becomes thicker with each step I take. I stop in front of him. I can see his restraint. He doesn’t want to push me. It’s my undoing.
Part of me screams it’s too soon but that’s only the fear talking. My desire outweighs it. Lucas has been my stability for a long time now. I wrap my arms around him and kiss him deeply.
His arms wrap around me as soon as our lips touch. By the end of our kiss my towel hangs precariously. “Kat, you don’t have to do this.” Lucas says.
“Lucas…” I suck it up and let it all out. “I think I do. I love you, Lucas.”
The look on his face is unmistakable bliss. “I love you too, Kat. I think I always have.”
I kiss him again and he wraps my legs around his waist. My towel falls and he pauses once more. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
He smiles broadly and carries me upstairs.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Somewhere below us the over timer beeps away. Lucas graciously gets up to retrieve it from the oven. I admire the view while he throws on his jeans. I’m not talking about the window either.
I stretch and feel very content. I know I swear off sex after Brie has Xavier but maybe that’s a little irrational. We’re safe about it. Lucas moves slowly and adeptly. He’s soothing and focuses only on me. I never thought that a connection can be this deep or this comforting.
Lucas climbs back next to me. “It needs to cool off for a while.” He nudges his arm under my head and I snuggle into him. “Are you okay?”
It only hurts for a second and it’s well worth it. “I’m a little more than okay.” I grin
He looks proud and rightly so. “You want to watch a movie while we eat?”
I pout slightly as he pulls his shirt on. “Yeah, that works.”
“What’s the matter?” Lucas asks with concern. “You said you’re okay!”
I shake my head. “I like you better without the shirt.”
He takes it off to throw it on the bed beside me and grins. “I can say the same about you but then we’ll never eat.” He goes down the stairs slightly. “Get some clothes on and meet me down here, Evil Temptress!”
We cuddle on the couch late into the night until Lucas begins to gently snore and I guide him upstairs half-asleep. He’s still mostly asleep as we fall in bed. I take a moment to admire him before I shut off the lights and climb in next to him.
I don’t know if it’s from the overload of information yesterday (or other new activities) but I sleep for a few hours. It’s the most restful sleep I have in some time. It may help that Lucas wraps himself around me all night.
B whines next to me. If I don’t let him out soon I’ll regret it. I pull on my pants and a hoodie. He’s quick about it and I make a pot of coffee when I return. It sputters as Lucas comes down the stairs.
“Good morning,” He gives me a quick kiss and studies me closely. “You still okay?”
“I’m still better than okay.”
“Good.” He grabs mugs. “I have a feeling we’re going to be heading out to those camps soon.”
“I figure as much. It’s better to get it done soon anyway.” I fill the two mugs and hand Lucas one. “If the conditions are like the last place they may not have much time—even without the hives getting close.”
“Yeah, no one should have to live like that.” He agrees. “You should throw some stuff together in case we have to go today.”
“Good idea.”
“Then I have to stop by my room so I can change and stuff.”
“I still like you bett
er shirtless.” I tease.
“Ditto but I think everyone else may like it too much also. You keep it on.”
I laugh. “It’s a shame we can’t stay in all day.”
Lucas pulls me close. “When all of this is over I’m going to take you somewhere and keep you locked up for a week straight.”
We finish our coffee and leave before the temptation to stay in all day wins.
Trial
Is it silly that I feel different? I don’t know if it’s how everyone feels after their first time. I don’t have the typical first time though. Mine’s incredible.
Lucas somehow manages to fix me in ways I don’t even know I need. It’s more than just a newfound confidence. I feel feminine for the first time ever. It’s liberating and strengthens our new connection.
We visit the lab first. It’s an unspoken policy to leave Brie and Xavier alone in the morning. The poor girl is up half the night so it’s only fair to grant her the time handicap. The lab is a safe bet pretty much anytime. Now that Dr. Harris is in the mix it’s practically open twenty-four-seven.
Dr. Harris works in one corner of the lab. He tinkers with the underground poles. Dr. Ford makes adjustments with miniscule tools on a thin bracelet. He wears magnification glasses over his glasses and makes quite a sight when he looks up.
“Good morning!” Dr. Ford says brightly. His project must be going well. “I was just going to try and give this a zap, but since you’re here why don’t you do the honors?” He motions towards the bracelet.
“That was fast, doc!” Lucas says.
I delicately touch the cool metal. It’s much stronger than it looks and doesn’t give under my touch.
“With Dr. Harris here helping with the adaptions to the poles I’m able to focus on this.” Dr. Ford says rather quickly. “It’s actually turns out to be easier to work with the full circuit. We don’t get the pulse element like we do with the poles but we don’t want that. It can be harmful to the wearer. Here we have a low constant stream. It’s enough to keep away the infection while being safe for the user.”
I glance over and notice a large lineup of empty Styrofoam cups on the next table. “Hey doc? Have you been here all night?”
“Not all night.” Dr. Ford says guiltily. “Only most of it. If this works I’ll go take a nap.”
“Alright, alright.” I surrender. “How much zap are we talking, doc?”
“Start small,” he answers. “We will know when it kicks on.”
I insist that Lucas and the two doctors stay behind me. I gently grip the thin metal again and rub it between my thumb and forefinger. Very gently I allow a current to flow out. It’s no more than a minute until the metal glows a shocking white and settles into a dull glow. Dr. Ford lets out a whoop before he high fives Dr. Harris.
“It works!” I grin. “You rock as usual doc!”
Dr. Ford stops jumping up and down. The caffeine is really messing with him. “It’s on, but we won’t know if it works until we test it out.”
Both doctors look at Lucas and me expectantly. Crap and double crap.
“Let me guess,” I say wryly. “You want me to take a subject somewhere?”
“I’ll take a nap if you do!” Dr. Ford bargains. We both know I’ll do it anyway.
“Now we just need a subject…” Dr. Ford eyes Lucas.
“No!” I say a little too quickly.
“Aw, c’mon!” Lucas says. “It’s not like you can’t fix it if anything happens.”
I shake my head. “Where are we even going to find the infection?”
“We have a few of Carch’s weapons.” Dr. Ford says.
“You want to shoot my boyfriend with one of those things?” I squeak.
“We’ll turn it down first.” Dr. Ford says. I lose Lucas after I call him my boyfriend. He looks happy though.
“I promise that it’ll be completely controlled.” Dr. Harris pipes in. He does look more restful than Dr. Ford.
All three give me their most imploring looks. My resolve falters. “Fine—but if he gets hurt you’re all in trouble.”
Dr. Ford grins and hits a tiny clasp on the bracelet. It expands to fit over Lucas’ hand. Dr. Ford hits the trigger again and it sets in place. Here we go...
We follow the path to our traditional test ground outside the camp. Lucas holds my hand and tries to cheer me up. I don’t hide my displeasure. They don’t play fair.
I insist that Dr. Harris sets the weapon to its lowest setting. I use the excuse that he designs the weapon to avoid hurting Dr. Ford’s feelings. It’s half true. The other half is that Dr. Ford is kind of loopy right now.
Lucas stands in the spot Dr. Ford designates and stretches. I frown. Sometimes I really don’t understand men.
“Are you ready Lucas?” Dr. Harris calls.
“Yes sir!” Lucas calls back. He holds both thumbs up.
For the first time since I’ve known him I almost want to smack him. Doesn’t he realize how dangerous this is?
Next thing I know Dr. Harris lets out a small blast. It’s much lighter than any I’ve seen in action. I tense as it hits Lucas. We all wait expectantly and nothing happens.
Dr. Ford looks eager but remains cautious. “One more time Lucas?”
Lucas shrugs because the last one doesn’t hurt him. “Go for it!”
Dr. Harris lets it rip again and still nothing.
“Turn it up a notch!” Lucas calls to Dr. Harris. Really?!
Dr. Harris and Doctor Ford look at me for confirmation. I wave my hands in a ‘whatever’ gesture. God forbid I have to see their puppy faces again this morning.
I give them three more tests before I call it. The last blast knocks Lucas onto his ass and he’s still not infected. The ground below him begins to glisten slightly and playtime’s over.
As soon as Lucas is next to the doctors I move closer to the shimmer. The stream that courses from my fingertips weaves around it. Once my energy completely surrounds it I grasp my fist tight and squelch it out.
Dr. Harris has never seen one of my demonstrations before and reacts the typical way. While he recovers I turn to Dr. Ford. “I think we can declare it a success. Now you just need to make a few billion.” I’m only half joking.
“Luckily most of the other places we’re working with can follow this design. They already utilize the weapon designs we gave them.” Dr. Ford says.
We begin the walk back. “Don’t forget to make Xavier one.” I remind him. There’s no way he’s going to take a nap. I look to Dr. Harris. “Make him sleep tonight please.”
“I will.” Dr. Harris promises.
Dr. Ford pouts a little. “At least let me show Jared what to do first.”
“Fine doc.” Lucas says. “How do I get this off?”
Dr. Ford laughs. “I’ll show you but you can keep that one. I’ve got more.”
Dr. Ford eventually gives in and goes to rest but not before he has me zap some more bracelets. Jared follows the instructions and amazes me when he successfully creates another and another after that. The third and fourth he recreates warm my heart. The third is small—baby size. The fourth is a collar which he adjusts to fit comfortably around B’s neck. He shows me how to adjust it. We both know how fast B can have a growth spurt.
Captain Jennings visits for an update. He’s exceedingly happy to hear that the bracelets are a success before he steals Lucas and me.
“We have three countries willing to assist with the evacuation and accept refugees: Canada, Mexico and if the need arises—Australia. A few others in Europe offer to help in a few weeks if we still need it. They’re still trying to hold their boundaries and rebuild. It’s nice of them to offer at all when we consider the cause of their situation.” Captain Jennings tells us.
Europe gets hit hard. The infection rides the fluidity of the water right across the Atlantic. We got them a decent warning, but we’re still the cause of this whole disaster.
“How long will it be until we move out to look for survivors?
” Lucas asks.
Captain Jennings leans back. “That’s where you two come in. We can do this piece by piece or in one fell swoop. Both will achieve the same result. I don’t want to send you on another sabbatical if we can help it.”
Lucas waits for my cue. Much as it’s nice to be home, responsibility comes first. “Which is really the most effective captain?” I ask.
He makes a face. Not too many people call him out like I do. That’s why we get along so well. “The sabbatical, of course.”
Lucas gives my hand an encouraging squeeze. He’ll do whatever I want because he believes I’ll make the choice that’s best for everyone. “The sabbatical it is then. We need all the edge we can get.” My mind drifts back to our time with nice people before a few days in a cave. “May I request one place we can begin?”
We get a lot of people out the first couple of weeks. General West orders everyone to come to the camp for their safety and many comply. Some we seek out and others we stumble upon. We fit everyone with bracelets. A few stay but most fly away to Mexico and Canada—bringing crates of bracelets and poles with them.
Jared is kicking butt in the lab. Recently Mason begins to join him. They’ve been close for a while so it doesn’t surprise me. It’s nice to see the two young men learn from the two doctors.
Lucas and I join the others for retrieval missions while the Captain finalizes the last of the locations we’ll hit on a two week mission. We leave in three days. The logistics of it blow my mind. The captain has to plan every pick up zone and even then they’re all subject to change. Nothing ever goes along with your plan in the field.
Today the guys and I are going to check out a camp that’s only in rumors. With the horrible communications networks these days sometimes a rumor is all we’ve got. We have the same crew as our nuclear mission without the techs. We already know how to rely on each other.
Shocked (Electric Series) Page 16
