by Aral Bereux
‘So…Commander, am I playing with you tonight, or not?’
His expression changed and only when he grinned did she understand the irony of the language. She rolled her eyes as he nipped at her mind with his own dark and playful thoughts.
‘Am I joining you at the Summit?’ she corrected. The question pushed him into his chair.
‘Yes,’ he sighed. It was his turn to twirl a stray thread. ‘Yes you are, much to my protest. You damn well won your own way again.’
CHAPTER 18
5th May, 2018, 1420 hours.
Central Command, Sector #1
Taris waited at the large double doors leading into the interrogation wing. The main area of Central was abuzz with the last minute preparations for the Summit. Black uniforms crisscrossed everywhere, moving up and down the large grand staircases that overlooked the main area. Two officers bumped into each other as they walked with their heads down in files. He observed the state of affairs while waiting for his new head of security to join him.
The processing had taken time. The induction had taken more effort than he’d anticipated, but eventually, after deliberation and twice the amount of serum used on his half-breeds – and some heavy hands – the experiment became more than that. He’d successfully turned a full-blood into Militia, and what timing to show his accomplishment before the summit. Bastiaan Madison had returned to the Militia under his hand; circumstances were improving, the proverbial tide was turning.
He smiled and glanced over his shoulder at the double doors opening. The newly formed team, with their Lieutenant leading, stepped out in his crisp, black uniform, heavily armed. It was all in place.
Taris approved. His nod was returned from the solid man holding his head high and proud, giving the salute of the New World Order. Taris responded likewise, knowing his men had been briefed.
Lieutenant Madison followed his Commander along the quadrangle, with his men falling closely behind him. Three rows of three formed perfectly; in step, compliant and decisive. He looked comfortable behind his newly acquired sniper, held across his body with his Sig strapped against his thigh, his blade in its holster on the other. He prepared for an attack; mentally analyzing each plausible situation, and its outcome. His commanding officer was protected, but he’d have his men go first. He wasn’t stupid.
Taris surveyed his new wing man over his shoulder. The thoughts coming from him were loud and unobstructed. He gave his renewed cousin another nod. Caden and the Seer would meet with their maker soon. The situation called for a heavy hand to control it, one that was unexpected. Bas was the man for the post.
The patrol squad followed Taris through the security gates. The evening air was cool but pleasant, and a fine layer of mist blanketed them as they approached their transport.
The car doors opened for the seniors. Bas slid in beside Taris, and they waited patiently for the car to drive out. The finally tuned engine purred, and Taris stared through his window. The streets were clean and quiet. Militia operatives and their families walked their children to a corner park, for a last minute play. No curfew – there was none needed. Those living in the prime land of Sector One avoided the risk of dismissal. Everyone behaved.
They arrived at the Gate Four post. Taris lowered the back window, dismissing the sentry with a flippant wave. They saluted in panic. He saluted back and they drove into Sector Two, anticipating the gates at Sector Three would be different.
Bas’s induction revealed that a Corporal Browne played both sides at this gate. Taris would wait for the reaction, knowing it would be subtle, but it’d exist all the same, according to his new Lieutenant.
The detailed description of the young Corporal’s movements between the safe house and Central explained the past failures. It explained a hell of a lot, and as they continued down the neighborhood and Taris watched a mother comfort her child, he thought of the four traitors they had housed in the interrogation wing before leaving.
He felt himself change and worked hard to push it away, to return to the plan at hand. Bas would end the matter before the news reached the safe house. Taris exchanged glances with the man beside him, who once had a reputation that the Devil himself feared.
The car continued its drive along the streets. It still wasn’t a bad Sector to live in, he thought. The street conditions were reasonable; he ensured the dirt was to a minimum. Taris didn’t want Sector One positioned near squalor and it gave the public an incentive to obey.
See, not every Sector is like Sector Eight. Loyalty earned you a spot here. Be loyal, and I’ll repay in kind. His perfect toothed grin widened.
So tell me more about this safe house, Bas. What else do I need to know?
Bas nodded to his whisper. Keeping a low profile, in hindsight of the traitors in their ranks, was imperative to their cause. There’d be more defectors, Taris thought. Bas knew about some, Taris doubted he knew them all. Some would represent the Guild; and there were the independents, trying to cash in on secrets between sides.
‘Driver, what’s your bloodlines?’ Taris asked. He wanted to be sure.
‘I’m a walker, Commander.’
‘Good. Very good,’ Taris said. He leaned in to Bas. Waste him, when we’re done.
Bas nodded.
The tunnels are a good way to attack from the back. They’ll run for the tunnels with the first approach. We can corner them in the west sector. They’ll have nowhere to turn.
‘Nowhere to go, it’s a good vantage point,’ Bas said out loud.
‘We’ll set up a perimeter. You have the troops at your disposal, make sure you use them to your advantage.’
‘Looking forward to it, Commander.’
They approached the Sector Three border patrol gates. Two guards stood in the posting area, discussing events and the paper. One held The Bulletin and shook his head passionately. The young counterpart, a stocky but pretty woman, shook her head in disagreement. The young man who Taris knew as Corporal Browne slapped his hand hard on the counter while holding the paper. Taris saw their argument.
The car braked. The Corporal slapping his hand didn’t speak when Bas eased himself out of the backseat, straightening his uniform. The paper fell heavily onto the counter and Corporal Browne stepped cautiously from the booth to conduct his first procedural check for the shift.
Taris watched from the back seat, waiting and scrutinizing the eyes darting nervously about.
‘Papers, Sir,’ he asked. His trembling hand reached for them.
‘Don’t need papers, Corporal,’ Bas said sharply. His hand hovered over his side arm. ‘You know our agreement.’
Corporal Browne glanced at the stocky girl flicking ideally through her newspaper.
He lowered his voice away from the girl eyeing an article with sudden interest. ‘C’mon, man, putting me in a situation here. What’s with the uniform?’
Taris cocked his head to one side, pleasured with the convicting words. He opened the door, took the rifle beside him and stood tall for the Corporal to see. He rested an arm lazily over the roof of the car. The Corporal’s ignorance of the rifle he tipped between his fingers behind the vehicle, pleased him.
‘Commander, my apologies, had no idea you were with him.’ He stood to attention.
‘At ease, Corporal,’ Taris smirked and perched his sunglasses on top of his head. ‘Just passing through. Lieutenant Madison doesn’t require papers when he’s with me.’
‘Yes, sir!’ the Corporal focused his eyes ahead, with his hands behind his back. They diverted to Bas briefly, subtly. The look Taris had anticipated.
‘Something wrong?’ Taris said.
The Corporal straightened. ‘No, Sir.’
‘It’s like you’ve seen a ghost in our strange little world.’
‘No, Sir. I just thought the Lieutenant was an enemy of ours, Sir.’ A single bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.
‘Lieutenant Madison has been Militia the entire time. It’s his brother we worry about.’
T
aris sensed the officer’s heart rate increasing and smelled the sweat beading on his skin. The drumming of the heart hungered him. The time between feeds had been too long; though he’d never taste the blood of another man, no matter how desperate.
He rested the rifle on the car roof, to mess with his prey’s mind. Every moment passing with the power in his hands, was a moment of pure bliss. He looked down the scope to see a large frightened eye staring back. It was a very, easy shot.
Taris glanced up from the scope, to the stocky female in the booth’s doorway. ‘Turn away youngin’, and make the call for a cleanup team, if you know what’s good for you.’
She’s cute, he thought. Maybe on the way back I’ll stop for some playing if time permits.
‘Go on now darlin’, do as I ask.’
She turned for the radio behind her. It hissed in response to her lips, when the control room affirmed her request.
The Corporal’s face crumpled under her words. Taris watched his chest quicken with its rise and fall of each panicked breath, as he listened to what was ultimately a cleanup crew for the part which ensued his death. The beads of sweat flowed into his shattered expression.
‘The Lieutenant mentioned the word traitor, then he mentioned your name. I didn’t believe him at first. I couldn’t. Do you know how disappointed I am right now, Corporal?’ Taris stated. ‘What do you expect me to tell your dear old mother this evening? She was so proud when you graduated from the academy. Ecstatic, in fact.’ The bolt action of the rifle slid into place.
‘S...S...Sir, I’m...I am not a traitor.’
Taris looked through the scope. ‘Me thinks you are.’
‘Have you got him, Commander?’ Bas stepped to one side and his hand left his Sig in its holster.
‘Yes I have, Lieutenant. Thank you. Might want some distance though. That’s a clean uniform you’re wearing.’
‘Sir, please,’ Corporal Browne begged.
Bas opened the door to slip across the backseat of the car. The soft interior welcomed him with its leather scent as he sat back to skim a copy of The Bulletin.
The young Corporal didn’t feel the bullet lodge between his eyes. The hit was instantaneous, punching a hole into the side of his head. The splayed pieces of meat and bone splashed over the road in wet clumps, before he could utter a cry.
The girl held her mouth to the radio. The cleanup crews were a few minutes away; busy in fifth Sector with another hover drone problem. She didn’t notice the chunk of skull landing inside the doorway; and the skin near the curled up paper, now flipping pages in the wind.
Taris returned to the backseat and Bas retrieved his rifle from his commander’s hands, to clean the barrel of the gun with a readied cloth. He prided himself on his rifles, and hummed a strangely familiar song quietly to himself – a Barry McGuire classic – as he polished the barrel.
Taris savored the red and white chunks sliding down his window. He peered through them, to the girl now watching them leave, neither shocked, nor afraid.
‘She’s a fine specimen that we have there, Lieutenant,’ Taris said.
‘Fine indeed, Sir.’
Bas dragged the rag shining his rifle. He glanced at a stubborn chunk of skin matted with hair, sticking to the window as the car moved on. The rain would wash the mess away, and if not, they’d find some water. They needed to keep a low profile around the safe house while they scoped it out, at least until the attack.
It was the one move they couldn’t afford to screw up.
CHAPTER 19
6th May, 2018, 0400 hours.
The Tunnels, underneath Sector #3
The conversation that had won Julianna her place in the Sector One ambush, returned to him. That meeting was none to pleasant, he thought. He glanced back at the company of men following him along the tunnels. Daniel was ahead of the group – his least concern. It was Julianna he scanned the crowd for. It’s not the outcome he’d requested.
‘Keep up, everyone,’ he called. ‘Thirty minute walk to the site.’
It wasn’t far to walk with the heavy equipment, most stayed in the crowd, but some ambled complacently along.
Julianna walked alone, behind everyone. He’d rather her to the front with him. Caden stopped moving with his squad, watching the group pass while he waited for her to catch up.
I’d rather keep The Seer out of the attack, he had stated during his moment in the meeting. The general was against the suggestion, and though Caden had Isis’s backing, he was certainly quiet on the topic. You don’t have the luxury, Commander, to request such a thing in these times. What came next from the general had bit him hard. Daniel had smiled at the crashing blow to his ego.
He looked over his shoulder. Julianna stared into the dark. He stopped, letting the last of his men pass, to follow Daniel; while Julianna held her position.
I suggest you keep it in your pants from now on, when it comes to relationships with other rebels. Hell, Madison! She saved your ass not too long ago. If you weren’t so busy in her knickers, you’d be the first to admit we need her in this. He couldn’t believe himself when he blurted out it was consensual. Isis was pissed. Really, really pissed.
‘What’s wrong?’ Julianna asked.
‘You tell me,’ Caden said curtly.
‘I’m a better shot from a distance.’
‘Yeah, and who covers you from behind?’ he argued.
Julianna glanced back. He saw the patrol behind her. She gave him a smug grin in return. ‘Got it covered, Commander. I’m okay.’
Caden considered objecting again. He thought better of it. They didn’t need an argument in the crowds. He didn’t need his authority undermined again – not like in the meeting.
She gave him a big doe-eyed expression. It was enough for him to concede.
Frustrating too.
‘Just not too far,’ he said. ‘These tunnels aren’t secured. We’ve no idea what’s been leaked in the last twenty-four hours.’
She nodded. ‘I know.’
If the safe house falls, the Rebellion will be at a disadvantage. I don’t need to tell you that.
Why did he tell her that? His mind was openly rambling. He pulled his thoughts in and felt her bemusement as he closed off to the world.
‘You think the safe house is at risk?’ Julianna whispered.
‘Maybe.’ He watched the patrol behind her, scouting as he scanned past them. ‘We have to assume it is. Anything less is a bonus.’
The dim light reflecting in her eyes made her more beautiful to him. He checked Daniel’s placement. The crowd moved deeper into the dark tunnels with their torches.
‘Stay close to me and watch your back.’
She frowned. He watched her pretty eyes darken to black, before returning to their normal color.
She’s not even aware she’s doing it.
‘I know what I’m doing,’ she snapped.
He startled. It took a moment and her raising the rifle, before he realized she referred to her point position.
Let it go, C Mads.
He nodded his head to her voice in his mind.
‘Commander…Commander!’
The officer calling out to him took his distraction. They both took a deep breath as the voice echoed along the tunnel to betray them. The officer ran, splashing water across her ankles when he stopped. The panic was warranted.
Caden studied the cufflink markings he pinched between his thumb and fingers. The gold button had an M inscribed into its center, the mark of a senior ranking Militia.
‘We’ve been compromised,’ he sighed and studied the cufflink more. ‘We need to move and take cover above ground.’
‘We don’t know if they’re still here,’ Julianna said.
‘Corporal, tell Daniel to move everyone quickly. We need to reach Sector One in fifteen minutes. Quick sprint, go now,’ he said calmly.
He watched the officer splash through the puddles, towards the squad. The rage simmered. Julianna returned his stare when he me
t with her eyes.
‘Don’t you ever undermine my command like that, in front of anyone!’
She lowered the rifle. ‘I wasn’t undermining you. We don’t know if they’re still here. Waiting above ground in S One is suicide. We need to stay in the tunnels as long as we can, for cover.’
The splash of eighty feet in water reached their ears as he stared down at her. She stared back.
Not flinching, not moving. Challenging me on my next move.
‘You shouldn’t be here.’
‘You’re right.’ She said and started following the crowds. ‘You’d prefer me locked away at the family college, going through initiation.’
Damn, and I’d do it myself given half the chance, you insolent bitch!
‘Heard that,’ she flipped a finger up. Not any finger, but the middle one, with the emphasis of her eyes glancing over her shoulder to really hit it home.
Her abilities were beginning to shine. Julianna was slowly accepting them. It was something he secretly wished she’d do with his command.
CHAPTER 20
6th May, 2018, 0700 hours.
Sector #1
‘Speak with your sister, Danny boy. She’s pissing me off.’ Caden squatted over the Sector One map with his senior officer. The middle aged norm studied the map and the locations Caden pointed to, for the group of ten soldiers he was to take in first.
‘I need to know she’ll follow my orders,’ Caden said.
‘She’d follow you into hell and back, Commander. You’re just too blind and busy to see it.’
Caden glanced in Julianna’s direction. She ignored him as she twirled her knife nervously between her fingers. She stood in the corner, away from the crowd, peering through the cracks of a boarded window. They were a block from Central Command. The view from the window offered a clear show of the drones setting their perimeter early; tracking their laser eyes onto all moving objects. Their programmed high-alert status initiated their red beams to cut through the early morning sky.
