“Why now? Where have you been hiding?” Matos asked.
Logan ignored the question, his mind reasoning out the situation like a calculation. “My nanos don’t recognize its signal.”
“How can they react differently?” Avery said.
Logan rubbed his face and Sean laid a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know. Other things have happened. I could almost see lines of communication in the air when I took down the drones.”
Avery glanced at Matos and furrowed her brow.
“It’s true sir,” Ortiz said. “The engineer held out his hand and it dropped.”
Avery blew out a breath and rubbed her eyes. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Where is Haarp?” Logan asked.
Avery shook her head in reply. “If we can’t stop that signal then we’re all dead including your people.”
“I’ll find it,” Matos said and walked back towards the aircraft.
Logan watched him with a feeling their discussion was shining a light where he didn’t want to go. “Our group survived through the idea of one man. We left to find out what happened and find somewhere safe.”
“That’s what we all want. The only way to get it is to fight,” Avery said.
The trees behind Avery shook then Matos emerged, dragging the helpless pilot behind him. The pilot stumbled into the clearing and Matos threw him to the ground.
“Tell them,” Matos barked.
The pilot looked up and around but stayed on the floor. His right eye was swollen and he was opening and closing his jaw with difficulty. “Everyone started to wake up when you escaped. I couldn’t remember anything about the bunker.”
Avery nodded. “What about Cain?”
“She started calling people down to the neuro lab. They weren’t going willingly so she sent out guards. That started a fight and Major Daniels took charge.”
“We go back to the bunker, trace its position and fly there,” Matos said.
Logan looked between Matos and Avery as they stared at each other. He could see an unspoken agreement between them. They wanted to go back even if they didn’t believe him.
“Can you get us back in?”
“I can fly you back but what happens after that,” he said, trailing off.
“If we can get you to Haarp can you do something?” Avery said, looking at Logan.
“Like what?”
“The people who sent the drones want you dead,” Matos said. “So you’re either with us or on your own.”
Logan looked at Sean, Ortiz and the soldiers. They stared back waiting for his decision. They’d been attacked twice and couldn’t go back to the mine until it was safe. If they left without finding out what was going on, he could be leading the miners out into disaster.
Matos leaned forward slightly, eyes intent with a hint of danger. Avery offered him a small nod.
Only he seemed to have a two way connection to Haarp. The hairs on the back of his neck rose and he shivered. Whatever it was. If there was a way to sever the connection, it could save all their lives. The mine was flooding and above ground they’d been attacked by drones and soldiers. His only option was to continue down the rabbit hole and see where it led.
Logan cleared his throat and locked eyes with Avery. “We’re in.”
Chapter 27
Avery ducked below the camouflage net, following the pilot. He walked around a turbine, patting it then dragging his hand along the bodywork.
He pulled opened the passenger door and slid it across, gesturing towards the troop carrying section as he climbed into the cockpit. The hold was surrounded by green plastic seats with individual storage pouches below. Avery pulled open a velcro taped pocket and rooted around inside.
Respirator and vacuum packed chemical suit, puffer bottle, injector kit and gloves. She laid out the contents then packed them away.
Ignoring the other identical pouches, she flipped the catches of a storage box. Built into the rear of the hold, its olive green color matched the interior. Five ammo boxes were stacked along the left side. There were flare guns, a pick, spade and coil of rope.
Tucked into the right hand corner, Avery found a rectangular, green colored case with a red cross stamped on the front. It opened out like a butterfly spreading its wings. There were trays of gauze, dressings, tweezers, forceps, pins, gloves and bandages. Tubes of creams, gels, sprays and saline.
She pulled up her pant leg and unrolled the soiled bandage. Her calf was hot and red, the wound gaped slightly open.
“Looks nasty,” the pilot said.
“It’s nothing,” she replied, wincing as she squirted on antiseptic.
“Can I be honest with you?”
She laughed in response, fixing on gauze then dressing.
“They warned me about Matos,” he whispered.
“Who did?”
“Major Daniels. Said we should shoot on sight. That idiot Deacon wanted to prove himself. The rest were scared.”
“Of Matos?”
“I wasn’t flying out an elite team. Deacon was a rabble rouser but the others were orderlies and store men.”
“They sent you out with reserves?”
“I don’t make the calls, I just fly.”
“I know Daniels. He wouldn’t send out reserves to find us. What aren’t you telling me?”
“I have the feeling he didn’t want us to catch you.”
They returned to the makeshift camp and shared out supplies. The pilot threw bottles of water at each man to catch. It became a game of sorts and there was a collective groan when Sean dropped his bottle.
Ortiz took the med kit, sifting through the contents and calling Rodgers over for treatment.
Under tree cover, the last daylight leaked away leaving behind grey moonlight. Closing her eyes, Avery visualized the bunker layout. She remembered the virtual tour of the facility and the destructive power of its defenses. If they engaged in a firefight outside the entrance, the bunker troops could easily dig in and raise external defenses. They wouldn’t have the fire power to blast their way in or force open the doors. Their only option was to have the doors opened from the inside.
Even if they succeeded in making it through to the first level, the resistance and firepower of the bunker would still be too much for their small group to overcome. Matos had a plan or sorts but it relied on confusing the bunker and the speed of their attack. He hadn’t gone into the full details which was sensible under the circumstances. There didn’t seem much point in explaining a suicide mission before bed.
Despite the hopeless task of assaulting the bunker, there was a glimmer of hope. With this small team, they could strike back against Eximus, even if it was only a ripple on calm water.
She twisted to find a comfortable position, cold air attacking her back. Pulling the sleeping bag tight, she prepared for an unpleasant night of sleep.
The hum of snoring was a comfort. Normally she would throw something at the sleeper. Here in the dark woods, after leaving behind all she knew, the sound connected her to a group. There was a crack of breaking twigs, rustle of leaves and distant hooting. The soldiers on guard must be jumping at every noise after what happened earlier in the day.
A shape rose from the sleeping group, staggering about like a drunkard. Arms raised towards the sky. Standing motionless for a minute and then flopping back to the ground. Avery marked the position, to check on who it was in the morning. She lay back in a trance like state until she drifted off to sleep, clinging to an image of the dream lake.
Matos woke her before dawn, shaking her shoulder until she opened her eyes. Her cold stiff body cracked and popped like the surrounding trees as she stood. He led her through pre-dawn light into the clearing. Ducking below the cam net, they walked around the shuttle and away from the camp.
“Need to brief you, before we discuss anything with the rest,” Matos said.
“Are you worried about Logan’s men?”
“Don’t want to get them all killed but no.
It’s you who’ll be in most danger.”
“Don’t underestimate the men back there. They’re reliable.”
“Logan’s not.”
“Let me take the responsibility,” Avery said, staring into his eyes. “You worry about getting us in.”
She turned towards the sound of approaching footsteps. Logan ducked under the cam net, offering a conciliatory wave. Matos started to move but Avery checked him with a hand. She held his arm, feeling the taut muscle beneath the fabric of his clothes.
“Sorry, I overheard you talking,” Logan said.
Logan seemed more than tired. Dark circles below his eyes and pale skin. Walking stiffly and hair stuck up at odd angles. Avery tossed him a water bottle. “We were about to discuss the plan.”
He caught it and took a sip. “I can go if you’d prefer to be alone?”
Matos ignored the question, turning his back slightly towards him. “We enter the bunker with you as bait. They don’t know we took out the search team. All they may know is the team went off grid for a few hours.”
“They’ll suspect a trap,” Avery replied.
“But they won’t expect you to have a small unit with you. We hit whoever comes out then move into the bunker. We go in fast and hard. Secure level 1 then level 2. Blow the stairs and block off the lower floors.”
“What about others fighting nano control,” Avery said.
“Until we secure the bunker, they’re all enemies.” Matos said.
“When do we go?” Logan asked.
“Every moment we wait, they’ll be stronger,” Matos said.
Avery walked behind the two men back towards the small encampment. Emerging light and cold weather stirred the sleeping men. Bodies rose and began silently packing away sleeping bags and ground sheets.
Ortiz crouched next to a small fire, the last of their water boiling in a large pan. He smiled at Avery and she returned the greeting with a nod. Sunlight filtered through the trees as the group drank cups of runny porridge, supplemented by raisins and biscuits.
The companionable silence of eating was bitten away by tension. Private Rodgers, a young man with dark stubbly hair and an acne spot on his chin, leant back against a tree trunk. A disassembled rifle lay on a green shirt in his lap. He was cleaning the working parts slowly and methodically, eyes flicking around the camp. Logan was in whispered conversation with Sean. They stood apart from the rest of the soldiers. Sean glancing between her and Matos as Logan spoke. Behind her Matos and the pilot discussed fuel and how far they could travel if it all went wrong.
“Can I have everyone’s attention please,” Avery said.
The group immediately focused on her, faces serious and movement frozen. Logan’s group was hers, before the apocalypse and now. They were prepared to walk into a fight with no hesitation.
“We have a plan to get what we all want. Information on where Haarp is located. Take out the Haarp and take out Eximus. Our mission is to attack bunker twenty two and hold it. I repeat our mission is to attack bunker twenty two and hold it.”
Avery scanned the faces, realizing for the first time they weren’t wearing sunglasses. Most had cut their hair and beards. They were returning to drills drummed into them over their army lives.
“This will be a dangerous mission. You’re all aware of what we’re up against. We have to face the threat head on.”
Matos began a commentary on how they would set up the trap using Avery as bait.
“Excuse me.” Logan interrupted.
He glowered but gestured for Logan to speak.
“I’ve been talking over the plan with Sean and there could be a few glitches.”
“Such as?” asked Matos.
“Won’t they just shoot us down? Why would they risk opening the doors?”
“They will think the shuttle is the search party returning. Our comms line is down so we approach the entrance and confirm Colonel Avery is in custody.”
“We need to give them a reason to open the doors,” Avery added.
“It may be possible to hack into the door locking mechanism. Sean is an expert with electrical systems.”
“Think you can do it?” Avery asked.
Sean gave an exaggerated yawn and stretched his hands into the air. “If I could see the system then it’s possible.”
She ignored a mental image of Sean being blown to bits at the door. “That’s our fallback position. If we land and they don’t open the door, then Sean hacks the system.”
“Once inside, we move fast,” Matos said. “Colonel Avery will secure level one with three men. I’ll lead an assault team and head for the command room. I have some experience with control interfaces but I’ll need Logan with me.”
“What then Sir?” Ortiz asked.
“Hold the bunker and track their comms. Find the Haarp location and plan an attack.”
As Matos said the words, Avery twitched at a sting of embarrassment. It was a suicidal plan, extremely short on detail. She continued nodding, trying to appear both confident and encouraging towards the men in front of her.
“So what you’re saying is if plan A fails then there’s twenty five more letters in the alphabet?” Sean asked.
“Damn right.” Matos said.
“Let’s move,” Avery said.
“You heard the Colonel, get moving,” Ortiz said.
The men picked up packs and weapons. Checked their areas of occupation for stray kit then followed Ortiz towards the shuttle. Avery scanned the camp for signs of their presence. She took a moment to watch the shuttle through the trees. Balling a fist and holding it in the other hand.
Chapter 28
“I think I love her,” Sean said, leaning in close to Logan’s ear
Logan watched the forest rapidly disappear behind them. He could hardly comprehend that he was flying towards a military bunker, ready to attack it.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, turning to face Sean.
“She’s an amazing woman. Like an Amazonian. Do you think her and Matos?”
“Don’t let him hear you. He’d probably rip your head off if he heard you talking about them.”
Logan watched Matos in the passenger seat. The guy seemed to reject any attempt at conversation, other than what was necessary to function. But while cautious and distant to them, he was attentive and protective over Avery.
“He’s as touchy as a fresh burn. Mean and moody, I bet that’s her type,” Sean said. His hot sour breath blowing into Logan’s face.
“Think about something else will you.”
“Sorry, bit nervous. I’ve never been on a mission before.”
“Don’t you dare die.”
“I’m the hero of this story. Plucky electrical engineer who retrofits a salt mine. Survives the apocalypse then fights the bad guys. Heroes don’t die.”
Logan elbowed Sean to shut him up and they sat in silence, listening to whispers between the soldiers. Indistinct words but serious compared to Sean’s fantasies. Ortiz was tapping his fist on a palm to emphasize a point.
In the cockpit, Avery and Matos were like statues, staring straight ahead, alert and silent. Occasionally one would say something, but they didn’t engage in a conversation.
This ride was taking them straight into the fight and he was running out of time to figure out Haarp. What was the connection and how might he use it. If he could even get close to use it. The link was tangible, more than a sense of its presence, it lingered on him. Like a hand on his shoulder or whisper in his ear. He chewed on his lip and clenched his fist.
“Eyes on the ground everyone,” Avery said, turning to face them from the cockpit. “I want everyone looking for signs of movement.”
Logan stretched to look down at the ground. In the distance, he could see towns and houses, bridges and roads. Patches of green vegetation dotted with grey black remains and rubbish. From this distance it was like multiplying bacteria.
Logan realized he was holding his breath and breathed out. The ruins w
ere similar to mine tunnels. A pull towards darkness. He sat back and watched Avery in the front seat, bent slightly forward, hands balled into fists.
“Nearly there,” shouted Matos. “Everyone lock and load.”
In the close proximity, Logan winced at the jarring weapon sounds. He lifted his rifle and checked the magazine then chambered a round. Sean was the last to complete the action, watching the others and hesitating.
The shuttle reduced height and Logan‘s stomach knotted, squeezing on the lumpy porridge inside.
Below them an empty airfield spread out. But the pilot passed over it and brought the shuttle down between the airfield and a copse of trees. With a bump they touched down and he powered down the turbines.
“Stay here until I give the command,” Avery said.
This bunker was so close to his old life. He had no idea a bunker was on his doorstep and wouldn’t have thought to look there if his life depended on it. He remembered Caspar’s warning that covert bunker building was on a massive scale.
The pilot and Avery climbed out of the shuttle, doors swinging closed behind them. They walked towards a concrete box that stood camouflaged by trees and surrounding debris. Avery’s hands behind her back, a pair of plasticuffs loosely fitted.
“They have eyes on, when I give the word hit them with everything we have,” Matos said.
The pilot touched the door, knocked and then leant closer. He spoke into a receiver, his arm swinging around for emphasis. Avery glanced back at the shuttle then the pilot pulled her away from the door. They walked to a point between the shuttle and bunker entrance. Stopped and turned to face the door.
Sean was breathing in noisily through his nose and out of his mouth. Every man in the team would likely throw themselves in front of Avery if she was attacked. There was an electric current running between them. He muffled an urge to yawn and crossed his legs at the need for a leak. It was all playing out too slowly. Everyone was ready. Exactly what they were ready for scrambled his brain. But they were ready and willing.
Eximus Page 27
