“Bring where?” Matthew interrupted from the doorway.
Katrina spun around.
“Take Sam downstairs,” André said, handing the baby to her.
Katrina slipped out of the room.
“Where are you going?” Matthew asked.
“When I’m given the go-ahead to walk again, we’re moving into her family’s house,” André said.
Matthew raised his eyebrows.
“Katrina doesn’t feel safe here and they’ve got that fancy security system.”
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Matthew began.
“Dad, I’m going with my wife and son.”
“How are you going to afford a house like that?”
“Kat’s got the money her folks left her.”
“You are only seventeen,” Matthew said.
“I will be just fine,” André said. “Besides, you and Mom aren’t that far from our house.”
“You are still in high school.”
“I am aware of that. So is Katrina.”
Matthew sighed and looked at André. “I could just say no.”
André let out a slight laugh. “You know you can’t stop me.”
Matthew took a seat on the edge of the bed. “I can’t stop you,” he agreed. “But I can try to talk the two of you out of it. We now have around-the-clock protection.”
“It’s not enough,” André said. “Kat doesn’t feel safe here. They got to us once...” He trailed off.
“And being at her house will?” Matthew asked. “You’re kidding yourself there, son.”
André shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s what she wants.”
“What about you?”
“I want to be wherever she is and I want her to feel safe again.”
Matthew nodded slowly. “But if I hear you two are skipping school...”
“I want to graduate and so does Kat.”
“This is going to kill your mother.”
“I know,” André said and twisted his wedding band. “I haven’t seen her much lately.”
“She’s been spending a lot of time with the therapist. She isn’t doing so well with what happened.”
“I can wipe out the memory,” André offered.
Matthew shook his head and sighed. “She’s the only reason you’re not in jail right now, André. If you take away the memory of what happened, they will lock you up and throw away the key.”
“So she suffers for me,” André said.
“Yes,” Matthew replied. “You would do the same for your son.”
André glanced at the empty crib and nodded. He would do more than suffer; he would gladly lay down his life for Sam.
“That’s how we feel about you,” Matthew said.
“Why? I brought all this on you. Why would you be willing to die for me?”
Matthew thought about how to explain it to André. “Just because you don’t have our DNA doesn’t mean we love you any less than if we had given birth to you.”
“But I’ve only been here for a little over six years.”
“Sam’s only been here for a little over two months.”
“That’s different.”
“No, it’s not.” He walked over and put his hand on André’s head. “You’re my little boy.” He smiled and messed up André’s hair.
“Cut the crap,” André said, knocking Matthew’s hand away and laughing.
“I hope Sam grows up to be just like you,” Matthew said, laying the parental curse on his son.
“That’s just what I need.” André grinned. “Another pig-headed, competitive son of a bitch who thinks he knows everything.”
Matthew chuckled as he walked out. “You’re not a son of a bitch,” he said over his shoulder. “I’ll talk to your mother,” he added as he disappeared around the corner.
21
May 2255
“Dad?”
Matthew turned to see the man André had become. Standing at a little over six-five with a hard, powerful build, he still seemed impossibly young to Matthew. He was very different from the skinny, scared boy he found twenty-two years ago. Only two things remained constant over the years: his eyes were just as blue as the first time they met and he had never looked at another girl the way he looked at Katrina in all his years on Earth.
“What’s wrong?” Matthew asked.
“We’re going to lose a lot of good people,” André replied, his eyes distant. “You might be one of them.”
“No way, kiddo.” Matthew laughed. “I’m indestructible, remember?”
“Yeah,” André said. A troubled smile found his lips.
“Don’t worry, André; I know how to take care of myself,” Matthew said as they walked out of the auditorium. He stopped and faced his son. “If anything does happen to me, you are the next in line for command.”
“But—”
Matthew cut him off. “I don’t want to hear it. We’ve discussed this plenty of times.”
“But that was theoretical,” André said. “This is real.”
“Damn straight it’s real and I expect you to live up to my expectations,” Matthew snapped. He turned on his heel and continued walking.
André watched his father, frustrated for a moment. He wasn’t ready to step in and lead this fight. He wanted his own revenge on a very personal, very private level. He sighed and caught up with Matthew again. “We can’t fight them in the domes,” he said, reverting back to the strategic planning. “It’s too dangerous for the civilians.”
“I was thinking about that,” Matthew said.
“Washington DC?” André asked, reading his father’s mind.
“Yes. The team is used to the training grounds we built out there and if we can get the Zyclonians on the ground outside the domes, there may be opportunity to overtake them while they acclimate to the lack of oxygen.” He looked at André. “I’m betting they’ll come after us first considering we’re their biggest threat,” he said and opened the door to his office.
“They’ll go wherever I go,” André snapped. “The emperor still wants me dead.” He glanced at his father.
Matthew sighed and flipped on the monitors, watching the warriors hone their skills. Collectively, they held the power to wipe out mankind if they so desired, but their call was to protect the United States and that was what each and every one of them was thinking about as they exercised their abilities, training for imminent danger.
Life-size mannequins evaporated into dust. Water bottles boiled and exploded. Brick blocks levitated and burst into flames until they became cinder and microscopic grains. Sharp objects hurled across the room at targets with frightening accuracy. Each task executed with precision and without the touch of a human hand.
“Pack your gear and report to the transport station,” Matthew said, his voice booming over the loud speakers. The arena cleared quickly and he turned toward André.
“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Matthew said, staring at André and trying to read what was just behind the iron curtain in his mind.
André closed his eyes and turned his back on Matthew. His nod was almost indiscernible, but Matthew caught it along with the sigh.
“What is it?”
André looked back at his father. “The real reason I was exiled.”
Matthew narrowed his eyes, digging in André’s mind but he still came up empty. “You’ve been lying all these years?”
“No, not entirely. As far as the people on Zyclon know, I was exiled because of my blue-eyed mutation and the relation to the lore the emperor manipulated. But it was all bullshit. The emperor exiled me because I have legitimate claim to the throne.”
Irritation snaked through Matthew, burning in the pit of his stomach. “Why would you keep that from me?”
André laughed. “It meant nothing here and it would only serve to muddy the waters. And honestly, I wanted to block out the horrors we endured on the run. After the emperor branded my parents criminals, no one would hel
p us. We were starving and desperate but he didn’t give a damn. To him, I was a threat, even at six, and he coerced the public into believing his warped version of the prophecy just to suit his greed for power. So in essence I didn’t lie; I just didn’t give you all the details.”
André’s vibrant blue eyes shined with anger. “They exiled a six-year-old child.” He took a deep breath. “They sent me into space to die because the emperor was a power-hungry nutcase.” André turned and left the observation area.
Matthew caught up with André, keeping pace and letting the silence fill the space between them, turning over these new facts. It still didn’t change the way he felt about his son; in fact, it only added to his fury toward the Zyclonian emperor.
“And now he’s come to finish the job,” André said.
“I won’t let him,” Matthew said and André met his gaze.
“I’m not sure you can stop him.”
Matthew sent a reassuring smile in André’s direction. “Maybe not alone, but with the team, we’re a pretty powerful force.”
André offered a nod.
“Now get going,” Matthew said and gave André’s shoulder a squeeze. “Just make sure you swing in and say goodbye to your mother before you leave.”
André glanced at Matthew; something in his tone struck a chord. “Sure, I’ll go over with you.”
Matthew shook his head. “I’ve got some things to wrap up here before I head home to pack; besides, you’re going out with the first wave. I’ll be heading up the second group.”
André stopped in his tracks. His instincts tripped on high octane, screaming that this was not right. “Dad.”
Matthew glanced at his son. “You’ll be fine.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” André replied.
Matthew smiled. “I’ll be fine. I know how to take care of myself.”
André nodded, but deep down in the pit of his stomach, he knew this was the last time he would see him alive. His eyes glossed over with tears and he blinked them back, leaving a thin red film over his eyes.
“Cut the crap, André,” Matthew snapped. “I’m going to be just fine.”
André nodded and impulsively hugged his father. “I love you, Dad,” he said, pulling away just as quickly.
“I love you too, son. Now get moving.”
André nodded and took a last look at the man who raised him with more love and honor than even his own parents had given him. “Bye, Dad.”
“Don’t forget to stop in and see your mother,” Matthew called after him. André waved acknowledgment just before he disappeared around the corner, heading toward the parking lot.
22
Matthew sat in his office, looking at the pictures on his desk. He took a deep breath, praying to God they would survive the attack.
He stared at the latest communication from the warship.
Surrender André or face destruction.
“Bullshit,” he said under his breath. He knew better. The Zyclonian army was poised to attack, their intention was to wipe all traces of life from this planet, regardless of whether he handed André over or not.
Cruelty, malice, and hatred echoed in every statement received. Matthew knew there was no alternative, no peaceful solution. Closing his eyes, he ran his hands over his face before refocusing on the communication on his computer. The data being displayed worried him. They were closing in faster than he expected.
Dread wrapped cold hands around his heart. If the Zyclonian soldiers are as strong as André is... He shook his head, clearing the negative thoughts. If they didn’t prevail, the human race would be extinguished.
He put the paperwork on his desk and walked into the outer office, where his secretary sat filing her nails.
“Emma, I’m heading out.” He stopped by the side of her desk. “You’ve been a wonderful secretary.”
Emma looked up at him. “Sir, please don’t talk to me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re never going to see me again.”
“I just...” Matthew trailed off.
“I know, Commander,” Emma said. “It has been a pleasure working for you all these years.” She smiled, stood and gave him a quick hug before she scuttled away.
Matthew walked out of his office with his head held high, saluting the staff members who stopped to pay their respects. He stepped outside the building and slid into his hovercraft. He took a moment to stare at the building he had worked his entire career in before shifting the craft in gear and heading home.
Parking outside his house, he inhaled and exhaled slowly, glancing around the neighborhood before he stepped onto the driveway. The door to the house opened and his grandson stepped out to greet him. Fifteen-year-old Samuel Matthew Robbins was the spitting image of his father, right down to the piercing blue eyes, with one exception: his sun-bleached blonde hair.
“Hi Papa,” Sam said. “Mom’s inside with Nana.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder.
“Your mother’s here?” Matthew raised his eyebrows. He thought Katrina went with André and the first wave of soldiers.
Sam nodded. “Dad wanted Mom to go with you.”
Matthew ruffled his grandson’s hair as he walked into the house. “I’m glad you’re here.” His grandson always reminded him that what seemed impossible was actually achievable.
Katrina and Linda sat in the living room; they stood as Matthew entered.
“Sir.” Katrina saluted.
Matthew glanced at her. “You don’t have to salute me in our house, Kat.”
Katrina nodded. “Sorry, Dad. Habit.”
Matthew glanced at Sam.
“Dad told me what’s going on,” Sam said.
Matthew nodded. “You need to stay with your grandmother.”
“But—”
“Your father doesn’t want you to get hurt, Sam,” Katrina answered.
“I am not bringing you with us,” Matthew said.
“But—” Sam began.
“No buts.” Matthew put his hand up in the air. “I’m in command and you are too young.”
Sam tilted his head in disgust. “Too young?” He sighed and looked between his grandfather and his mother. “You know I’m stronger than all of you combined, right?”
Matthew bit the inside of his lower lip and sent a glare at his grandson. “I don’t care. I’m not walking you into battle at your age, Sam.”
Sam’s lips pressed together, frustration outlining his eyes to the point a single laser red line encircled his iris, but he nodded in obedience and flopped down on the couch.
“How long do you have before you have to leave?” Linda asked Matthew.
Matthew looked at his watch. “Not very long,” he said and their eyes met. Matthew would have liked nothing better than to sweep her off her feet and take her to their bedroom, but he didn’t have time for that right now.
“Come on, Sam, let’s give your grandparent’s a minute,” Katrina said and led her son out of the room, leaving Matthew and Linda alone.
Matthew put out his hand and Linda came to him without hesitation. He held her, afraid to let go. “Linda, you have no idea how much I love you,” he whispered and kissed her forehead.
Linda lifted her gaze to his. “I do, Matt, and I don’t have to be psychic to know how you feel. I see it in your eyes every time you look at me.”
He kissed her gently. “I have to go,” he said, taking her face in with his eyes, before unwrapping his arms from around her and heading upstairs to change into his battle uniform.
She followed and sat on the edge of the bed, tears shining and leaking from the corners of her eyes, streaking her make-up. “I love you, Matthew,” she whispered.
Matthew nodded and looked back at her from the bedroom door. “I’ll see you later, honey.” He smiled and closed the door behind him. Slowly, he descended the stairs. As much as he wanted to stay with his wife, he couldn’t. He was the Commander of the United States Armed Forces and did
n’t have the luxury of holding onto those he loved while doomsday descended.
23
“Kat, you coming?” Matthew called.
“Yep,” she answered, trotting out onto the steps.
Sam followed. “Be careful, Mom,” he said and gave her a hug, something not normal for the fifteen-year-old; usually he treated her like a leper. “I love you,” he said and pulled away.
Katrina smiled and ruffled his hair. “I love you too.”
Matthew drove the craft away, his glance drifting to the house. Katrina could feel his heavy heart.
“It’s going to be all right, Dad,” Katrina said, putting her hand on his.
“I hope you’re right, Kat,” he said, glancing in her direction.
“We’re a pretty sharp unit, thanks to André,” she said.
He stared out the window, doubts lacing his thoughts; even as he tried to justify their strength, he knew. He knew they didn’t have a prayer against an army of Andrés.
Katrina swallowed and stared out the window, his thoughts a constant assault on her conscious, chipping away at hope like a pickax breaking through a glacier wall. “They sent another message?”
Matthew nodded. “Surrender André or die.”
“Was it from the son of a bitch who exiled him?”
“I don’t know,” Matthew admitted. “I haven’t told André about the last message.”
“Why?”
“They want us to hand him over and I can’t do that.” He shook his head. “If he knew...”
“He would give himself up for the rest of us,” Katrina finished the sentence.
Matthew nodded. “And they would kill us all anyway.”
“And then there’s Sam,” Katrina said, looking out the window, sighing. “He would never stand by and watch his father be taken away.”
Matthew glanced at Katrina. “Precisely. Sam’s powers leave all of ours in the dust, including André’s, and I’d hate to see what hell that would unleash.”
“Do you think he could stop this?” Katrina glanced back at Matthew.
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