* * *
Austin banged on Rick’s door, trying his best to convey his sense of feigned urgency.
“Good, God, what?” Rick said. “Come in!”
Austin pushed the door open, and the resulting whoosh of air blew papers off of Rick’s desk. “Oops, sorry,” Austin said. “I’ve got news–about the Antis.”
“Okay. Spit it out.” Rick twirled his finger in a hurry-it-up motion.
Austin eyed the bank of charging radios and inched over. “They’re meeting again. Tonight. North of town, up in Shoreline,” Austin said.
“Is that so?” Rick paused. “Why? Why now? They must be running scared if they’re meeting all the way out there. Do you know where at, specifically?”
“Yeah,” Austin said. He ran his hands through his hair and paced—then stopped—in front of the radios. “At the old city government building, City Hall.”
“Good. Very good. What time?”
“At 5 pm…or 1700 hours.” Austin wasn’t sure if he was supposed to be using civilian time or military time.
“Well,” Rick said. “We should be there to greet them. Don’t you think?”
“Uh, yeah.” Austin moved his hands to his back pockets, running his finger over the flasher.
“This will be the final meeting of the Anti-Movement. I’ve tried to send a message,” Rick said. “I thought it was clear. Not clear enough, I guess. They’ll get this one. I guarantee it.”
Austin gulped and eased the flasher out from his pocket. “From the sounds of it, I think I’ll sit this one out.”
“What’s that? Oh, no—you’re definitely going. You’ll be riding with me.”
Austin’s mind raced. What in the hell am I supposed to do now? “It might be better, Chancellor, if I stayed behind. I’m not really trained for this sort of thing. I’d probably just be in the way.” Austin pushed the flasher's button, arms folded behind his back. He rotated back and forth, fanning the radio bank with the flasher's invisible ray, acting as if he were stretching his back.
“Well, heaven forbid you’re in the way, Austin, But you are going. Be back here no later than 1600 hours.”
Austin didn’t know what to do so he did the only thing he could think of to stay alive for a little while longer. “Yes, Sir. I’ll see you then.” His heart beat wildly in his chest, he turned to leave and stole a look at the radios. Their charging lights no longer flashed.
Austin considered his future as he walked back to find Terry.
* * *
Austin took the long way to give himself a little extra time to think. He found Terry at home, taking a final inventory of his gear.
“I’ve got some good news, and I've got some bad news,” Austin said. He stood there wringing his hands, a pained expression on his face.
“Uh oh. What is it?” Terry said.
“The good news is: I zapped the radios,” Austin said, handing the flasher to Terry.
“That's great news. What's the bad news?”
“The bad news is...I’m not going to be able to go with you guys.”
“What’re you talking about?” Terry said. “Of course, you’re coming.”
“No, man. I can’t. Rick wants me to go with him tonight…to the meeting.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to stand him up then. You’ve already got plans.”
“Yeah…. I thought about that…. I don’t think that’s going to work, though.” Austin said. More hand wringing. “If I don’t show up…then he’ll know. He’ll know something’s up.”
“Tough shit if he does,” Terry said. “Have you thought about what happens when you guys get there, and nobody’s there? What do think he’s gonna do to you at that point?”
“It’s all I’ve been thinking about. The thing is, if I don’t go, then none of us gets out.”
“Austin. You can’t do this. He’ll kill you.”
Austin faked a smile. “It’s a risk, but it doesn’t have to happen that way. As long as I can convince him that you guys lied to me, then nothing changes...he still thinks we’re on the same team. You need this diversion or there’s no point.”
“We don’t need it. It would be nice, but we don’t need it. I can’t let you do this.”
“I, um…I appreciate it, I do. But it’s not up to you this time. I’ve made my decision. It’s my bed, and I’m going to lie in it.”
“I could talk to the others. We can come up with a new plan…. Or we could wait, we could—”
“No,” Austin said. “It’s already in motion. It happens tonight.”
Terry wished there was something he could say. Something he could say or do to fix this mess. Austin’s mind was made up, and he was right. They did need his sacrifice. He prayed it wouldn’t cost Austin his life.
“Thank you,” Terry said, at last. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Austin said. “Besides, who’s to say I don’t figure my own way out of here in a little while?”
“I’ll bet you will.” Terry said the words and he smiled, but both men knew it was a lie.
“Tell the others goodbye for me,” Austin said. “And, Terry…. Good luck.”
The sun's light faded, and Duncan was the first to arrive, followed by Terry, Kat, and the kids. They’d all agreed to travel separately to avoid drawing attention to themselves.
The wind whipped, and the air held the threat of snow flurries. The Suburban was parked four miles outside of town, still in the garage where they’d found it. It was packed to the gills, leaving just enough room for its passengers.
“Austin’s not going to make it,” Terry said. He set his bag down and looked to Duncan.
“What? Why not? What do you mean?”
Terry removed his cap and stroked his hair back. “When he gave Rick the story–it sounds like he believed it and all–but he said he wanted Austin to go with. Austin tried to get out of it, but if he didn’t go, then they would’ve known something was up. He didn’t have much choice.”
“Oh no,” Duncan said. “Is he going to be okay, do you think?”
“I…I don’t know,” Terry had to admit. “I hope so.”
“Wow,” Duncan said.
“The silver lining in all of this is he was able to zap the radios.”
Just then, Vince arrived, just slightly ahead of dark fall and Alisia and Diane. “What’s going on?”
“Hey, Vince,” Terry said.
“Hey. I kinda heard you guys talkin’. What happened?”
“It’s Austin. He’s not going to make it after all.”
Vince tried not to smile for Terry’s benefit alone. “Is…everything okay?”
“He’s going to be staying behind. Rick made him go with the raiding party.”
Recognition dawned on Vince’s face. “Oh shit.”
“Yeah…. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was determined to do what he needs to do to help us get out. He sacrificed himself for us. ”
“Wow,” Vince said. “Maybe I was wrong about him….”
“Where’s Alisia?” Duncan asked. “She should be here by now.”
“She’ll be here,” Terry replied. “Kat, do you want to get the kids all situated in the car?”
* * *
Rick and his group arrived at the abandoned city government building just after 1700 hours. They left the truck behind and walked the last block and a half.
“I hope they enjoy their little meeting,” Rick said. “And I sure hope they talk about everything they need to talk about. When they’re done, let ‘em come out and be put to rest. Let the entire Anti-Movement be put to rest.”
Austin faked a smile. A trickle of sweat escaped his hairline though it was cold outside. He willed himself to settle down, to cool off. Sweat glands, don’t betray me now.
“Nice work, Austin,” Rick said. “This is almost over.” He noticed apprehension on Austin’s face. “I know this is hard. But you’ve done the right thing, here. This group, those people in there—they’re putt
ing all of our lives in jeopardy. We only survive if we have order.”
“You’re right, Sir. And I’ll be fine. I will.” Austin was relieved that Rick had interpreted his visible “nerves” for something other than what they were.
* * *
“Alisia, there you are!” Terry said. She was about thirty minutes late.
“Sorry, I’m sorry. Guess Who, had second thoughts. I practically had to drag her here.”
“Oh, geez. Well, you’re here now. Let’s get going. Rick’s going to be finding out we’re not in Shoreline any minute now.” Terry took their bags and loaded them into the Suburban. “Hello, Diane. Nice to see you again.” Diane only harrumphed. “As far as I know, they haven’t got working radios…. We should still be good.”
“Where's Austin—the flasher?” Alisia asked.
“I've got the flasher right here,” Terry said, handing it to Alisia, “but Austin...he's not going to make it. Rick forced him to go along to Shoreline.”
“Oh no,” Alisia said. “I wondered if that might happen, but hoped it wouldn't. He...was able to take care of the radios, though?”
Terry nodded. “We had better get our chips flashed and get going.”
Alisia killed everyone's chip, and they were on their way.
It was dark now, but they drove with no headlights for several miles.
“That ought to be far enough,” Duncan said, looking over to Terry and he turned on the headlights, illuminating the ruins of an apocalyptic world.
It was eerie driving through a dead city at night. No lights. No people. No night clubs or bars. No nothing. Just dead machinery.
It didn’t take long to get to the first roadblock. A scattering of cars and broken glass, a downed telephone pole and a rolled-over bus.
“Good thing we’ve got a winch,” Duncan said.
“Yeah, I’ll hook it up,” Terry said, already reaching for the door handle. “You wanna give me a hand, Vince?”
“You know it.”
When Terry and Vince exited, Diane began to complain. “This is a big mistake. We should have never left.” She shook her head and released a dramatic sigh. The same routine Alisia had grown up with and grown to hate.
“Now, Mom,” Alisia said. “It’s just a little setback. We’ll be moving again before you know it.”
Another deep sigh. “I’m only here because of you, you know. I would rather still be safe in Seattle.”
“It’s New Seattle, Mom, remember? And it’s not safe…. That’s why we’re leaving.” Now Alisia sighed and looked out the window into the darkness.
Thirty minutes later, Terry and Vince had cleared the path forward, and the weary group traveled on. It was a laborious affair. They cleared the road in front of them, then re-blocked it behind them.
Terry wondered what was happening back in Seattle. Were they coming for them? Or did they even care? And Austin…. What about Austin? Terry prayed, not for the first time of late, that Austin was still alive.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Shouldn’t they be out by now?” Rick asked. “Don’t these little meetings of theirs usually last about an hour?”
“Yeah, usually about that,” Austin said and then shrugged his shoulders. He wanted this to be over with. The last couple of hours had been an exercise in mental torture and self-restraint. Everything in him screamed to run, but he was guaranteed death if he did so. He wondered if that might not be better. Get shot in the back as he ran away instead of whatever else Rick might devise, given the time to think on it.
“We need to go in,” Rick said. “No survivors.” They assembled like SWAT and advanced. Rick took up the rear. “C’mon, Austin. Stay with me.”
Austin followed, his hands in his pockets, holding the small pair of nippers he’d brought. If things were looking bad, if it looked like he was going to be discovered, he’d decided to try and cut the fuel line on the truck. Make sure the bastards had to walk back to Seattle. He owed his friends that much.
The trouble was deciding when and if that fine line had been crossed. When and if he’d been made. When and if there was still time for one more clandestine mission. Austin didn’t know yet, and he didn’t want to die today if it could be avoided, so he followed Rick in.
Seven men with automatic rifles led; Rick and Austin behind.
“Where are they?” Rick whispered.
“I’m not sure,” Austin said. “They just said here…at this building.”
Rick pointed to the closed doors on either side of them in the hall, directing his men. They swung them open quickly but quietly.
“Clear.”
Rick flicked a glance at Austin, shaking his head.
Oh shit. Does he know? No…. He doesn’t know anything. Hold it together.
“I am beginning to wonder if anyone is here, Austin,” Rick said. He yelled ahead to the soldiers. “Sweep the building! Now!”
Rick's angry eyes turned to Austin, and he was left speechless—again. Seemed to be a rather persistent problem lately. Like every goddamn day. Like every goddamn time he was around Rick. He tried anyway. “I…uh, I don’t know. They said they were meeting here. Told me to be here…at 5.” Or 1700 hours…or whatever.
“You wouldn’t bullshit me. Would you, Austin?” Rick arched his brow and stared intently into Austin’s eyes.
“No, Sir. No way.” Austin held his composure as best he could though inside was a massive, boiling, full-on panic. No brakes. He guessed Rick bought his act because he turned and walked away, joining in the search of the empty building.
Austin helped.
* * *
The New Patriot Guard cleared the Shoreline City Hall. There was no one there; there was no sign anyone had been there since the salvage crew had been, more than a month earlier. Many of the solar panels at Command had come from this very building. They'd had some kind of green initiative program with a huge bank of solar panels at the City Hall. Not anymore, but they did. That was a Godsend.
“They’ve played us for fools,” Rick said.
“Do you think they might’ve tried to escape while we were out here, Sir?” Trevor asked. Trevor was Rick’s new Second.
“Impossible,” Rick said. “That’s what the chips are for. Well…one of the things they’re for.” He ran his hand along his scalp. “Austin, did anything seem off to you? Anything at all?”
“No. No, I don’t think so. I’m honestly surprised they weren’t here. I wonder if maybe it just got canceled, and I didn’t hear about it.”
Rick scoffed. “Would they really cancel a meeting ten miles out of town, that you had to walk or bike to, without telling you? That doesn’t make any sense. Unless…unless they figured out you were a mole.”
“I guess I don’t know for sure,” Austin said. He hoped Rick would drop his intense gaze soon. He felt like he was cracking up. He felt his face wanting to twitch but refused to let it. Finally, Rick looked away, out the window.
“Something's up. No one's here and the radios suddenly go on the fritz?” He looked to Austin again, his eyes boring a hole through Austin's skull.
“I...don't know, sir,” Austin said, straining to maintain his fragile grasp on composure.
“I guess we’ll figure it out when we get back to town. First order of business: locate Terry, Vince, and Duncan. Am I forgetting anyone, Austin?”
“No, I think that’s all that’s left now,” he lied.
* * *
Several roadblocks and several hours later, everyone was ready to call it a night. Even without Austin, the Suburban was crowded. Too crowded. Diane’s complaining only made it worse.
To their credit, the kids were little troopers. No whining. No complaints. Happy campers. Jonathan, especially. This was the greatest adventure of his life and so far; he relished every moment.
“We’ll be stopping soon,” Kat said. “We can get out and stretch our legs and set up camp for the night.” She was a little worried about the temperature, though. It had to be just barel
y above freezing.
“Okay, Mom,” Jonathan said. Tabitha was already asleep. Jonathan tried to gently push her off of him, as his arm was going to sleep and beginning to get painful. It was no use. Tabby was out.
“Why don’t you and the kids sleep in the car?” Terry offered. “Might be a little warmer…. Diane, you too.” They didn’t argue. We can lay the front seats back and whoever wants to sleep on the benches can.”
Vince and Duncan set up the tent the rest of them would be sharing tonight while Terry and Alisia helped the others settle in. They had three tents, but better to sleep in the same tent and share warmth.
It was cold that night and an hour after everyone else was sleeping, Alisia snuggled up to Terry. He didn’t mind it. At all.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “I just can’t get warm.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “It’s just fine.”
Vince and Duncan snored lightly beside them.
“Alisia?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
“So am I,” she said, and they drifted off to sleep.
* * *
By the time Rick and his troop arrived back in town, the Antis were already long gone. They’d slipped away unnoticed, nearly two hours earlier.
“Any explosions while we were away?” Rick asked the man left behind at Command.
“Sir?” He was puzzled.
“Anything funny happen while I was gone? Escape attempts, exploding chips, that sort of thing.”
“Oh. No, Sir. Everything’s been quiet...but...some chips did go offline awhile back.”
“What? When?” Rick barked. “Why was that not the first thing you told me when I walked in?”
“Maybe two hours ago, Sir,” the man said. “I...didn't think too much of it. Sometimes they do that, then they always come back online.”
“Your job is not to think!” Rick said. “Your job is to report!”
The man shrunk behind his desk. “Yes, Chancellor.”
Solaris Mortem: The New Patriots Page 16
