by Ginger Booth
“Ava Panic,” her caller said. For a wonder, he pronounced it correctly, Ah-vah Panitch. “Serbian national. Did you intend to apply for American citizenship?”
Ava blinked. “We hadn’t decided that yet. I consider myself American. University was less expensive in Europe. But my parents could afford tuition here. Now I’m a Hudson citizen and voter. Excuse me, I didn’t catch your name?”
“Call me Skull,” he replied. “That is a codename. You prefer Panic?” He didn’t pronounce it Panitch that time.
“Yes.” The name ‘Skull’ didn’t faze Ava. It was a common enough handle among gang rats. Though surely this blurred-out man was a bit old for that.
“Ah, yes. You were a high school sophomore when the epidemic hit. Panic, you’ve been recommended to me as a potential hire. I can’t tell you full details. But essentially, I’m hiring spies. I need smart, trained killers, inconspicuous, who can infiltrate assorted groups. I was particularly interested in your wide background. You’ve lived all across the ex-United States. You probably don’t remember Serbia.”
“Yes. May I ask who recommended me?” Please say Frosty.
“I was asking whether this job might interest you.”
“Very much so. It sounds right up my alley, sir. Especially leaving the city. Though I’m also able to slip into the city inconspicuously.”
“You’re not concerned with leaving the Army?”
“I expect an honorable discharge this week, sir. I’m considering job options.”
“Why are you being discharged?”
“I’m not a pack mule.” Ava paused to school herself, and continued on a more dispassionate note. “The Army requires a fifty-pound fifteen-kilometer ruck march. My drill instructor decided I shouldn’t do that. Because the possible gain wasn’t worth the risk of back injury. I’m too small for a fifty-pound ruck.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Insulted. But he’s right. And discharge is to my advantage. I got what I wanted out of the Army. I owed them twelve months service in return. They refused payment. Their loss, my gain.”
“And what did you want out of the Army?”
“Respect. Training. Credentials. Better job opportunities. Pay. A lot of food. I regained my health and strength.”
“What job opportunities?”
“I hope this interview is a job opportunity, sir. I hoped to become militia in the Soho Village mini-city in Manhattan. Or salvage crew boss, providing a better work life for kids under voting age.”
“Those sound like good jobs. Safer jobs. Would you consider being a spy instead?”
“All three sound like good jobs, sir. I haven’t landed any of them yet. Spy sounds like the most fun. That would use more of my talents.” Time to go fishing. “Also, my boyfriend may be in a similar line of work. Cade Snowdon. Also known as Frosty the Snowman.”
“You left that boyfriend in August.”
Bingo? “We fell out over the direction of our gang, sir. But then we both left the gang.”
“When you answered on the questionnaire, ‘who, not what’ you were loyal to, were you thinking of this ex-boyfriend?”
“Among other people, yes, sir.” Ava winced internally at the ‘ex-boyfriend,’ but decided that quibbling on that was ‘too much information.’
“Which other people are you loyal to?”
“Yafuel Guzman, Coco of Soho Ville. Maz, current leader of the White Supreme gang in Chelsea, to a point. The Apple Zone lead Rescos. My drill instructor, Sergeant Calderon. Several of my fellow recruits.” Ava considered, and he waited her out. “I think that’s everyone.”
“Why are you loyal to them?”
“They’re loyal to me. They have my back.”
“And this ex-boyfriend?”
“Cade most of all. I’m alive today because of Cade.”
“How do you feel about Hudson?”
Ava sighed. How to say this? “I feel that we’re making it up. Hudson is mine to create, along with everyone else. I take that responsibility seriously. The old country failed us. I want to help form a better one.”
“How do you feel about the other super-states? Greater Virginia, Carolina, Ohio?”
He skipped New England and Penn. Huh. “I don’t feel anything about them. All I know about them is from watching Project Reunion News.”
“You think PR News is biased?”
“I know they’re biased. It’s a propaganda broadcast. They’re trying to create Hudson, just like me. I don’t think we’re in an ideological war or anything. Sounds like we might be in a shooting war with Virginia soon. But that’s about enforcing order.”
“Are you in favor of order?”
“I survived disorder. Order is better.”
“How do you feel about the ‘death angels?’ The people who culled New York City?”
“I think they’re calling the shots somehow. I wonder why the Resco Raj in Hudson isn’t going after them. They must have some sort of power over General Cullen and the Rescos. I want to know what. I’d like to join that team.”
“Why?”
“Because I won’t ever be on their bad side again. Been there. Done that.”
“You would join an organization that killed your family and friends? Almost killed you?”
“Survival first. Morals are a luxury.” Ava considered this a risky answer, but it was the truth. And if this Skull was her shot at joining the death angels, she’d grab it. If not, Guzman would do alright by her.
After a long pause, Skull proceeded. “The terms of this job are similar to Army service. You sign up for twelve months, serve under orders. You will be ordered to kill at times. Those orders will not always be to your liking. You will obey them anyway. You can be fired for cause at any time, but you can’t readily resign. Complete secrecy is required. Communication with your friends will be limited. Violence, rape, death, and permanent injury are real risks. Sex work is not required, but you might find it a useful tactic. After leaving our employ, you will maintain our secrets in perpetuity. We have the means to enforce that, lethal means if needed. Are you still interested?”
“Yes, sir.”
“There are also benefits. We pay double rations – more than the Army or militia. We ask that you complete your high school equivalency diploma, and pursue a college degree. We offer distance education. You can study while on assignment. Travel, inside and outside Hudson. Complete health care. Free housing and food at our base. It’s a bit rustic and remote. Most agents appreciate the quiet retreat.”
Ava’s eyes widened through this. “Where do I sign?”
“Panic, you do understand that you can tell no one about this work? Or any theories you might have about this organization?”
“Can I tell them that I’m going to work with Frosty Upstate? In his secret job? And that sometimes I’ll pass through the Apple and catch up with them, like he does?”
After a long pause, Skull said, “Yes, you can tell them that. If you want the job, you’re hired.”
“Is it true? Cade works for you?”
“Yes. Cade works for me.”
“I want the job.” The words blurted out before Ava could think, but she was too eager to call them back. Besides, what was the risk? She was ready to let the Army send her wherever they wanted, even use her as cannon fodder to throw at Virginia. She might even prefer cannon fodder to garrison or border duty.
“Finish up at West Point. You will be contacted after graduation.”
“Thank you, sir. May I ask another question?”
“Yes?”
“There was a questionnaire I filled out, maybe in January. Asking my history with rape and killing, and living out of state. Was that you?”
“Yes. Do not divulge that. I look forward to meeting you soon, Panic.”
The video conference display closed itself, and the red lights on the cameras blinked out. Ava hugged herself and bit her lip in glee. Oh my God, oh my God! She’d done it! She couldn’t wait to see r
ustic and remote. Hell, that’s what she expected when she signed up for the Army, and instead landed up at the Hogwarts theme park for delinquent youth at West Point.
Maybe she could even team with Frosty again, without the overhead of a couple thousand other souls to save. Man, what a drag that was.
She tried to cool out, and leave the room with dignity. It didn’t work. Ava still beamed with delight when she poked her head into the office to tell Mattey she was done.
“You’re happy!” Mattey said.
“Oh yeah!” Ava assured her.
“S? E here,” lead Resco Lt. Colonel Emmett MacLaren said over the phone. “Thanks for taking my call.”
“I shouldn’t,” his old friend returned. “E, how many times do you want to be in the news for consorting with death angels? Someday you’ll go too far.”
“I want her back,” Emmett insisted.
“I took twenty from Basic, if that’s what you mean. General Houston was a fool to pass on these kids. Pure gold.”
“Uh-huh. Probably won’t make the same mistake twice. Houston’s getting an earful. Especially from the kids.” Emmett chuckled. “Wanna guess how many kids are begging to downgrade to honorable discharge?”
“All of them?” Skull quipped. “The rejects got a better deal.”
“And the Resco Raj got highly trained young militia to rope our gang hordes into line.” Emmett paused. “Ava Panic, or Pawic. Her Coco wants her back. You can take another.”
“Panic’s non-negotiable, E. Some of the others you could tempt away. Not her.” Skull chuckled. “I’ve got her by the hormones. The love of her life works for me.”
“Uh-huh. S, she was key. Do you know how much difference she made, at West Point? And the GED programs took off like wildfire. She started that.”
“Absolutely. I love the bribe you added, E, five percent pay hike per GED exam passed. But not for passing the voter test. Smart. What does that cost, a pat of butter a week?”
“It’s the prestige,” Emmett claimed. “Not much. But it’s above minimum wage. Shows on the screen each meal, when they pay. Those kids really hate the cafeteria proctors. ‘Seniles,’ they call them. The revulsion is deeply mutual.”
“I offered Panic a college degree. Distance ed. Kind of a cherry on top.”
“Fuck.”
Skull laughed. “Swearing from the choirboy. Careful, E. You’ll tarnish your halo.” His bitterness leaked through on that one.
“I would have taken your job, S.”
“Yeah, but you’d suck at it. And you were only willing to take Hudson and Penn. I’ve got eight super-states.”
“Wow, S. That’s a lot of ugly.”
“Yup. But I got me some smart new helpers.”
“What can I trade you for Panic? I’ll find something for the boyfriend, too.”
“No deal. But they’re free to leave after twelve months.”
Emmett dropped his head in defeat. “Uh-huh.”
“Plenty of other sparrows, E. You can’t catch them all. I’ll take good care of them. Who knows, maybe I’ll groom these two to take over for me. You and me, we won’t last forever.”
“Uh-huh. It was worth a shot. Thanks, S. For everything. I know we need you. I appreciate the job you’re doing.” And thank God I’m not doing it, Emmett left unsaid. They both knew it. Saying so would be cruel.
“And you. It’s easier to tear down than build anew. Proud of you, E. Truly.”
“Thanks. Come to my wedding?”
“I don’t think so. Thanks for asking, though.” Skull terminated the call.
Emmett sighed, and stared at the phone. He punched a contact. “Guzman! Good news, bad news on the Panic front. Good news is, her job Upstate comes with boyfriend and free college.”
“Shit,” Guzman replied. “Wow. I’m happy for her.”
“Yeah. Sorry, man. I tried.”
“Are we sure this job is legit?”
“Uh-huh.”
37
Interesting fact: The full text of the Calm Act has never been published. Given the length and prose style of U.S. legislation of the period, the public was not overly concerned. They wouldn’t have read it anyway.
Ava grimly settled into her stride by the third mile. Yesterday she had every expectation that the 15 km tactical march would suck at least 50% worse than the 10 km march. The morning had already proven her wrong. After months of dry gales, today dark mountains of thunderclouds chased across the sky, occasionally spitting out not rain, but hail.
Weather was one area where Ava’s wide travel background set her apart from most gang rats. Never much acquainted with the natural world, they accepted all forms of precipitation as meaninglessly inconvenient. Ava, and Cookie beside her, kept casting nervous glances at the sky, though. Thunderheads like those should rain, not just lob ice pellets at them. Fortunately the hail didn’t make the footing any more treacherous than the road’s usual menu of hills, gravel, pot holes, fallen branches, and frost heaves. Ava winced each time it clanged off her helmet, though.
Naturally, the infantry ignored weather events for test conditions. Calderon ordered them not to take shelter if rain or lightning should join the parade, just keep marching. Only a few more minutes until the first, 15 minute break –
And the sirens blew. Everyone stopped in their tracks. Standing orders called for units to bring in their equipment when the sirens went off, and get to the dining hall as quickly as possible. But they were unusually far from Washington Hall, and carried too much to run.
“Dump your rucks!” Calderon confirmed her thoughts. “Side of the road! Keep everything else!” He took position by the gully, pointing. He watched each recruit to make sure they didn’t jettison anything worthwhile, then tapped them OK to start running back. Sprinters from units ahead of them started to trickle by. “Don’t get lost! Any of you can’t find Washington Statue by now, you’re too stupid to live.”
It was a lame joke, but Ava laughed. Compared to trudging with a 35-pound pack, she felt liberated and light as air, running with only her carbine and tactical vest load. There was no particular formation, no need to stick with your unit, since they would form up at the other end. Still, they naturally gravitated toward running by home table friendships. On automatic, Puño set the squad pace in the lead, Calderon bringing up the rear to keep an eye out for stragglers and problems.
Exhausted when she reached the dining hall, Ava collapsed into her seat with her team. While the others dropped heads onto arms, Ava pulled out her phone and sent a couple quick mesh texts.
“Panic!” Calderon pounced on her. “No comms!” He held his hand out for her phone, and reviewed her texts. The first, to Daneel, suggested he put an auto-responder on the student net, to tell any callers that graduation might be delayed by an unexpected final exercise. The following shorter texts were to Guzman and Frosty: Deploy. Graduation delay?
“I will deploy, won’t I?” Ava asked. Technically, she hadn’t been discharged yet, honorably or otherwise.
Calderon handed her phone back. “Good. No details. Deploy unless Thurston says otherwise.” Another table caught his attention, and he was off.
Major Thurston was already at the podium, watching recruits stumble in. A quarter of the school had been out trudging with Ava, and her squad was near the back of the column, closest to Washington Hall. Thurston looked ready to make an announcement as soon as enough of them assembled. His own battalion held the wing of the dining hall still thinly populated, most marchers not yet returned.
Ava considered her options, and decided that replacing her socks could wait. She rested her head on her arms on the table like the others.
“Attention!” Thurston’s voice came over the loudspeakers five minutes later. Ava raised her head and scoped out the wing. A few still trickled in, stumbling and foot-sore, but most seats were occupied.
“The Passaic food distribution hub is under heavy attack. That’s in urban North Jersey. There seem to be coordinated atta
cks on the Apple food hubs at Bronx and Jerseyborough as well. West Point will deploy in support. My battalion,” he pointed down Ava’s wing, “and Major Carella’s,” the next wing over, with mixed North Jersey and Long Island recruits before Basic, “will deploy to combat in North Jersey. Major Smith’s battalion to reinforce the Apple warehouses. My battalion – by squad, equip for combat and take first available transport to Passaic. This is not a drill. We’re going in hot. Orders will evolve en route.”
Ava’s eyes grew wide. That was nearly 1600 raw recruits, headed for North Jersey. Passaic must be one hell of a party.
The battalion assignments made sense to her. Thurston’s battalion – Ava’s – excelled by far during urban combat training. No surprise there, since its backbone was Apple Core and Jersey gang rats. With heavy leavening from North Jersey, Major Carella’s wing wasn’t too shabby, either. Major Smith’s core of outdoorsy gavis, so much burlier than the gang rats at the beginning of fitness camp, took a distant third place. Urban combat wasn’t their kind of fight. The later, healthier recruits from outside the Apple Zone had easily absorbed the skills they were surrounded by, and brought their own strengths to the squads.
While Major Carella took his turn on the podium, Ava’s sergeants remained in a huddle with Captain Deluca. Major Carella answered the question uppermost on Ava’s mind – no one had been discharged. Everyone would deploy. As a bonus, Carella added that he did not know and did not care about the final tactical march and graduation. His disposition of forces was more complicated, with different companies, and sometimes platoons, being sent into communities surrounding Passaic. Major Smith’s orders likewise split forces between the Bronx and Jerseyborough.
Their sergeants returned, and Ava’s squad bounced up to ring Calderon. To prepare for deployment, their squad drew the same company supply assignment as they had for the tsunami. Puño and Marquis and donkeys trotted off to fetch the food. Calderon declared the rest of them adequately dressed, but lacking ceramic plate armor. Ava was charged with collecting plate for Cookie as well as herself. She headed off at a run. The West Point supply staff and recruits were well-versed at issuing the gear.
