by Ford, Lizzy
Several soldiers—two in grays and three in black uniforms—approached the bonfire, speaking with the men gathered in a group on one side. Lana’s eyes settled on them, and she found herself tensing. She’d seen what the PMF did to feds; if not for Brady, she’d be raped and dead by now. She knew nothing of the military regulars aside from the very few she’d met.
And Brady, who had been in both worlds.
Her gaze dropped to her plate, and she stared at the runny beans and floating rice. She’d tried not to think of him while traveling. She didn’t want to admit he was dead. She didn’t want to think about losing the man who made her feel something so strong for the first time in her life.
“I need to cross the river,” she told Kelli.
The woman glanced up from her plate, surprise on her features.
“I have … family in Colorado,” Lana said. It wasn’t completely untrue; Mr. Tim was in Colorado.
“A few people have tried. No one has come back,” Kelli said slowly.
Because they’re dead, Lana guessed. There were likely some nasty security features on the other side of the Mississippi left over from the East-West Civil War. Lana’s access was limited to the eastern part of the country. She could see nothing in her micro beyond the River.
“Hey, Kelli.” Two soldiers—one in black and one in gray—approached. The one in gray spoke.
“Hi, Leo,” Kelli said with a smile. “Anything on patrols tonight?”
Lana studied the soldiers. They were well armed and their uniforms pressed and clean.
“Nothing. It’s a good thing. Found a few more refugees just south of here. You have room in the warehouse?”
“We do. We had another refugee wander into the town today,” Kelli said, motioning to Lana.
Lana braced herself as the two looked her over carefully.
“Welcome,” the man in black said at last. “She looks healthy.”
“Seems that way. We didn’t test her for radiation yet,” Kelli added. “The equipment isn’t working again.”
“We can send someone to fix it,” the soldier in gray said.
“I didn’t expect to see you working together,” Lana said, unable to help her curiosity.
“Still our country,” the PMF soldier said. “We’re just trying to keep the people safe for now.”
“You have a common goal,” Lana said thoughtfully. “Interesting.”
“We’re all there is here in the States,” the military regular said. “The rest of the military is overseas. Domestic protection fell to PMF. For once, someone in the chain of command had some common sense.”
“Only time in history,” the PMF solider said with a snort. “Kelli, you checked her profile?”
“She’s clean,” Kelli confirmed. “Sorry, Lana. We welcome everyone with open arms but are cautious nonetheless. We’ve thrown a few in the prison we created and sent a few more home with these guys. No idea what happens to them then.”
“Better you don’t know,” the PMF soldier said with a smile. “Nice to meet you, Lana.”
“Thanks,” she managed.
“How’re the kids?” the other solider asked Kelli.
“Very well, thanks,” Kelli said with a warm smile. “The radiation treatments we found in the feds’ storage facility worked. Thanks again to your docs for showing us how to use them.”
“I’m just happy they’re all right. Lots of others aren’t. We’ve gotta finish our rounds.”
“Hellos to the others.”
The two soldiers moved away, greeting the next group of people before sitting down to talk.
“Your kids are sick?” Lana asked.
“They got a dose of radiation poisoning. We got here about five weeks ago from Georgia. My husband and I got separated. He came with the kids and I came alone. Thank god we all survived!” Kelli said. “But the kids were pretty messed up. Someone found the supplies and all the drugs. It’s what keeps the hospital functioning, so we can treat everyone who comes this way. My kids are recovering.”
Lana said nothing, dismayed. She’d never thought to open the supply points for the general public. Suddenly, she felt guilty for using the emerops depots for herself like a typical member of the elite.
“So, who do you lock up?” she asked.
“Who else?” Kelli said with a laugh. “Feds! They got us into this mess. Rumor has it they’re trying to revive the East-West War. No love lost between us and them in any case.”
“I don’t blame you.” Lana turned her attention to her plate. She placed it on the ground and watched Jack wolf down the rest. “They’re all selfish bastards.”
“That they are. Though I’m grateful they stashed stuff here, where it was found and my kids could get treated. So many other lives have been lost that might’ve been saved.” Kelli’s gaze grew haunted, and Lana couldn’t imagine what she’d seen during her journey from Georgia to the small town of Randolph.
“I think I need some sleep,” Lana said, feeling ill. “Is it all right if I retire to my room?”
“Of course. I’ll come get you in the morning, so we can assess your skills. Everyone here has a role to support our little community. But we’ll worry about it tomorrow,” Kelli said.
“I’d be happy to help any way I can.”
Kelli smiled again. Lana walked back to the town and to the storefront that was her temporary home. She retreated to her room and turned up the lantern overhead to hide the light of her micro. Jack stretched out on the floor, content after his dinner, while she stared at the screen of her micro. With a deep breath, she released the locks on all the emerops facilities east of the Mississippi.
The token seemed too small to make up for not thinking of it sooner. It did little to fill the emptiness within her. Lana tucked the micro away. Distraught, she lay down on the bed and stared at the flame in the lantern.
Her thoughts went to Brady again. She took deep breaths to keep from crying. The loss of him and all the other lives made her feel like the worst person on the planet. She missed her Guardian.
Chapter Fourteen
LANA’S CONDO-COMMUNITY WAS pulverized. The eerie hulls of burnt-out cars up the road had been creepy even to Brady. The remains of Lana’s home was more what he was used to: debris surrounding a dirt crater large enough to swallow the whole community. They’d circled it twice, but the blast had scorched dirt, trees, and any traces of Lana over a hundred meters in every direction beyond the crater.
The sun sat low on the horizon, and the morning air was still and filled with the scent of fire and death. Brady scanned the surrounding forest again, trying to figure out which way Lana had gone.
“You’re certain not the road?” Dan asked. “She’s not one for roughing it.”
“But she’s smart,” Elise countered. “And she knows Greenie is after her.”
And that she holds the keys to the world’s survival in her hands, Brady added silently. He hadn’t told them about the Horsemen. Elise needed no other motivation than her friend was in trouble, and Brady hadn’t yet digested how such tiny devices could collapse the countries of the world.
“Four deer paths,” Brady said. “Two of which lead towards known emerops facilities about two to three days out. We know she was headed west, towards Colorado.”
“So did she take the northern route or the southern?” Elise pondered. “Southern.”
“Why southern?” Dan asked.
“Because I would’ve taken the northern. I don’t know, Danny,” Elise said in irritation. “None of us can think like this fed. But if we stand here talking, we’re not gonna find her.”
Brady hid a smile. He’d begun to like Elise even more since spending time with her. She still gave him the look that said she thought he was a lesser being because of his status, but she’d refused to sleep until they found her friend.
“You two team up to take the northern route,” Brady decided. “I’ll take the southern.”
Elise started off before he’d finished
. Dan winked at him and followed. Brady started around the crater towards the southern route. None of them had spoken again about what to do if Lana wasn’t alive. They were going to find her either way, though he wanted nothing more than to see her well.
Even if she hated him for what he was. He still recalled the look she’d given him before they left in the ill-fated helo. She’d turned from the sweet, open Angel who kept him company on dark nights to a stranger who wanted nothing to do with him. He hadn’t expected the sudden loss to hurt like it did. He’d regretted taking her to his bed initially but now wished he’d taken up her offer to become his companion, even if only for the few nights they had together. It was better than one night.
Brady pushed her from his mind, focusing on the deer path leading away from the condo community into the forest. He looked for signs anyone had walked through the brush and branches, pausing at intervals to squat and look at his surroundings from a different angle.
“Any luck?” Tim’s voice interrupted his concentration.
“No, Tim,” Brady said dryly. “While I’m searching the ground for footprints, you think you can find her using the technological powerhouse you’re sitting on?”
“We’ve tried. She’s off the radar. I created this monster that can hack into our systems and make herself disappear.”
“That you did,” Brady agreed. “You did good, Tim.”
“Until a few weeks ago, I would’ve agreed. Can you move any faster?”
“We can find no trace of her yet. I can’t forget your deadline. It’s all I think about.”
“Brady,” Tim said, considering. “Did anything … happen between you two?”
Brady’s jaw clenched. How did he tell his closest friend and benefactor he’d had a one night stand with his daughter?
“Interesting,” Tim said. “Don’t answer. I don’t want to have to despise you. I guess this will work out after all.”
“What will?”
“If you … when you find her, I’m assigning you as her personal protection and sending you both somewhere safe.”
“My place is on the battlefield.”
“You can manage battles from a distance,” Tim replied.
“I haven’t exactly done the best job keeping her safe. You sure you want me in that role?” Brady asked.
“Absolutely.”
“You’re the boss. I gotta go,” Brady said and touched his net to close it. For reasons he couldn’t explain, Tim’s assignment irritated him. Brady belonged in the field with his men, and life after they found Lana was not going to get easier. The entire East Coast had to be purged and redeveloped.
He tried to tell himself this was why he was agitated. But it was the raw thrill at the idea of having her in his bed every night that lit his blood afire. He recalled one of their conversations from before their paths crossed, where he’d promised to marry her. He’d meant it as a joke only, something to make her feel better and take her mind off of the chaos around her.
Only now, he couldn’t help thinking she was the only woman he’d ever met he would even consider taking such an oath to. It was part of the reason why he’d turned her down as a companion. He had too much respect for her and Tim to make her a mistress when he almost felt compelled to make her something more.
Brady brooded then dismissed everything to focus on his surroundings. A couple of hours later, Dan’s voice came across his net.
“We got something.”
“What?” Brady asked, alarmed by the grimness of Dan’s voice.
“A body.” Dan added quickly, “Not Lana’s.”
Brady almost sighed in relief.
“A little old woman. Elise said she was Lana’s neighbor. I guess she tried to escape and didn’t get far. She’s dressed in grays—your grays.”
“I gave Lana a set before we left the commo site,” Brady said. His heart quickened at the first sign of proof that Lana might be alive. “Any sign they were traveling together?”
“Not likely. The body hasn’t been dead long. It looks like she was living out here, not traveling.”
“No sign of Lana?”
“None. Still not sure if she came this route.”
“Keep looking.” Brady’s attention shifted again to the forest.
He searched for another hour, finding no sign of human travelers on the trail. Frustrated, he sent Dan a rally call and returned to the crater. Elise was pacing and Dan calm.
“This isn’t working,” Brady said. “We’ve got two and a half days. She had ten. We’re looking at this all wrong.”
“We have no way of knowing where she went or how far,” Dan pointed out.
“Let’s assume she ran into no trouble and traveled all ten days with four-hour breaks every day,” Brady said. “How far could she get?”
Elise whipped out her micro and focused on the calculation. Brady tapped his foot, frustrated they’d wasted half a day without finding any trace of her.
“It depends on the route. But,” Elise paused, studying the results, before continuing. “She’s somewhere in this box.” She showed him the micro, which displayed a forty-kilometer stretch along the Mississippi that was twenty kilometers deep.
“That’s eight hundred square kilometers,” Brady said. “And you’re excluding the area on the other side of the Mississippi.”
“She can’t cross the river. The Mississippi is locked down with everything the feds have.”
“Oh dear god,” Dan said with a snort. “You can give a fed a micro …” He took it from Elise.
Brady waited impatiently as his friend manipulated the data.
“There. Forty square-kilometer area. There are three cities along the Mississippi. I recommend we start there,” Dan said. “I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt that she made it all the way to the river.”
Brady looked over the newest results then called for a helo to airlift them. Half an hour later, the chopper descended near the crater. Brady and his team climbed in and were lifted up. Laser fire chased them across the sky, and he gripped the edge of the open bay tightly, not wanting another fall from the sky.
When they were too high for lasers to reach them, he sat and pulled out his medic bag. He felt the impact of the past few hours much more than he preferred. He shot himself up with the drugs he’d brought with him, leaning his head back against the back of the seat as they traveled.
The helo left them at Texarkana, the southernmost point on their map, before missile fire from the other side of the river erupted. Brady watched the helo lift off then turned to the abandoned city. The missile fire stopped when the helo retreated.
“The emerops facility is …” Elise frowned and trailed off. “It says it’s at the edge of the city and open.”
“Open? As in, she’s here?” Dan asked.
“No. Open as in … well, they’re all open. It must’ve happened overnight. I checked them yesterday.”
“Some glitch maybe?”
“I can’t tell.”
“Where is it?” Brady asked, gazing at the empty highway system on one side of them and the city on the other.
“About three kilometers. Follow me,” Elise said and started forward.
They jogged to the emerops facility. Brady identified it long before they arrived. It had been raided, and looters left a trail of supplies leading out of it. He poked his head into the facility but saw nothing aside from scattered supplies.
Something rustled in the back, and Brady drew a knife, entering. He followed the sounds and peered through one shelf into the aisle on the other side. A youth was stuffing a bag full of medical supplies.
“Brady!” Dan called.
The boy froze then bolted. Brady cursed and darted around the shelf, sprinting after the kid. The youth turned a corner, and Brady followed then stopped. The youth had dropped into a dark hole in the floor of the facility.
“Here, Dan!” he called and knelt. He peered into the hole. The entrance under the facility was hastily dug but the tunn
el running beneath the facility had thick metal walls and concrete floors and was lit by battery-operated lanterns. “There’s a tunnel under here.”
“Underground railroad,” Dan said.
“The what?” Elise asked.
“It’s how people like us get away from people like you. It’s a series of bunkers connected by tunnels, set up by the PMF to protect the people during the East-West War.”
“Ours ran under the major cities. People have expanded them since then,” Brady added.
“Let’s see where it goes,” Dan said.
“This is why the city looks abandoned,” Elise mused. “It’s gotta be huge to contain all those people.”
“A lot of them are,” Brady agreed. He shifted and lowered himself feet first into the hole. “It runs parallel to the river.”
Dan dropped beside him, followed by Elise and the other members of their team. Emergency fracture-snaps lay to Brady’s right. He picked one up then looked down the tunnel.
“The kid went this way,” he said.
“You really want to follow?” Elise asked. “What if the entire city is down there? They’re not going to welcome us with open arms, and I don’t have much ammo.”
“Live a little, Elise,” Dan said with a smile. “This is what we call fun. Right, Brady?”
“Right,” Brady agreed and started down the tunnel.
They walked for two hours without running into any tunnels branching off from the main one.
“We’re about to walk under the next town,” Elise said with a glance at her micro.
“Is there an emerops facility here?” Brady asked. The tunnel widened, and his pace slowed as he saw another tunnel intersect it.
“No. Next town.”
“What is this?” Dan murmured.
