“We are glad to have you here,” Officer Clarke starts. “You will be second only to me in your rank.”
“This is quite the operation. Very impressive Officer Clarke,” I say as we pass men and women in uniform, each one saluting us as we go by.
“Please, call me Jonathan.” He smiles, a gesture that I do not return. I do not find the need to be friendly with co-workers. “This base has been operational for 112 years. Of course, it was quite small back then. It was an old shale mine if you can believe it. We continually improve and expand.” I detect pride in his voice and rightly so. “Would you like a tour now or would you prefer to get settled first? I’ve had your things brought to the officer’s quarters.”
“Now is good,” I respond. I am knackered from my flight but my curiosity gets the better of me.
“Alright then, this is the carport. We have commandeered many trucks and all-terrain vehicles from those we fight.”
“You were able to nick them?”
“If that's what you want to call it.”
We push through a door that takes us into a room with weapons hanging along the walls. “Here we have the armory. We are working on increasing our supply of weapons. With the rebels in London gaining more footholds, they should be able to help in this department.”
“Do you have enough to arm all your soldiers?” I ask.
“Yes, guns are not the problem. We have been very successful in raiding the Texan gun factories. We are looking to acquire more advanced weaponry; bombs and the like,” he answers. I nod and we continue on the tour. The next room we enter is a large gymnasium. There are ropes hanging from the ceiling and mats scattered across the floor. This room is crowded with people boxing each other, climbing, and working out. “We may not have all of the equipment that other groups have,” Jon begins, “But you won’t find a better trained force. Everyone here takes their workouts and training very seriously.”
We pass into another space with targets on one wall and divided stalls in which soldiers are standing and firing their guns.
“So, what exactly are you doing in the colonies?” I ask the question that has been on my mind since I was told that I was leaving London.
“We are here to help in the fight against the corrupt fascists that control large parts of the world. Unfortunately our own government falls under that as does the Republic of Texas. We want our proper share of the power.”
“I know that, but what are you actually doing?” I ask him to clarify.
“We have a wide network of people throughout the colonies that are working to free people from the slave camps in Floridaland and the Prisons in the Republic of Texas. We are building a guerrilla force. We are also gathering Intel about their operations. You’d be surprised how much we know. You’d also be surprised who we’re working with. Enough about that for now, though. It's all in the dossier I've left in your quarters. You can get settled and then someone will come to escort you to command for a meeting this evening,” he says.
We’ve stopped in front of a small room. I look inside at the single bed and small table. It’s not much but in London I lived in the army barracks so this is much better. As soon as I enter the room, Jonathan is gone. The few things that I brought with me are sitting on the end of the bed next to two perfectly folded uniforms. I remember all those days in London when I would put on my uniform and betray it time after time. I was never a true British soldier; not in my mind. I finger the buttons and run my hands over the smooth fabric. Here is a uniform that will truly be mine. A uniform I will finally be loyal to.
I grab a folder with my name on it and begin my education. 2096: In the wake of the American collapse and the food riots that took place across the world, the new Tory party suspends parliament. The rebellion begins.
Chapter 22: Dawn
I hate this. I hate the room they’ve put us in. I hate the way the boat rocks. Back and forth, back and forth until I feel like I need to puke. I hate the creepy captain who lets us out whenever his men have gone to shore. It's all shite. We stop often to make deliveries at the tiny farming villages along the river. They’re nothing more than ramshackle huts grouped together on the edge of a field.
Allison tells us we’re on the Mississippi river and only have one more Texan checkpoint between us and the rebels.
We are tied up on the river bank when they come.
The captain’s men are on shore picking up merchandise so Gabby, Drew, and I are on deck. I see it first. A truck is driving straight towards us and they’ll be here in no time. I immediately duck down behind the railing and drag the other two with me.
“Ouch, Dawn!” Gabby protests.
“Shit,” the captain says as he walks up behind us. “Get below deck.” We don’t hesitate. We pull the hidden door shut behind us and the captain conceals it.
I grab onto Gabby’s hand as we hear them board. The sounds move closer. There are footsteps on the stairs.
“What’s in these boxes?” a soldier asks.
“Oh, a little of this and a little of that,” the captain responds evasively.
More footsteps on the stairs.
“Captain,” someone says, “we are looking for three escaped prisoners. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”
I tense up.
“No, I’m afraid not soldier,” he answers, much to my relief. “I like to stay on the right side of the law and stay in the prophet's good graces.”
“We’ll see about that.” There is more noise as boxes are moved around and opened. I wait for them to find the hidden door but they don’t.
I grip Gabby tighter and reach out for Drew but he doesn’t take my hand.
“Like I said,” Captain Collins states angrily, “I know nothing.”
“Well, that’s too bad because you are carrying stolen merchandise. My second in command will escort you to the capitol.”
Just like that. It’s over. We are headed back to the capitol. I lean my head back and squeeze my eyes shut. This cannot be happening.
A little while later, our door creaks open. Here it comes. They’re giving us up. I look towards the door and Allison is beckoning us out. She then leads us up onto the deck and I look around, panicked. Surely we’ll be seen. Towards the back of the boat there is a small wooden dinghy.
“You expect us to get away in that?” Gabby snaps.
“I am getting away in that,” Allison says. “You can come if you want. I don’t really care. It’s your choice.” She gets in and waits for us to follow. Having no other option, that’s what we do.
The tiny boat sways, suspended in midair. Allison works a hand crank that lowers us slowly. We hit the water with a loud slap but no one seems to have heard us. Allison hands Gabby an oar and together they row us away from the larger boat.
I look back and the captain is standing at the rail, watching us row away. We've gotten away without being seen by the soldiers.
“Don’t worry,” Allison assures us, “even if they knew we got away, they won’t be able to come after us tonight.”
“Why not?” Gabby asks. “We’re barely moving.”
“Captain Collins men won’t be back for a while yet and it takes time to get a boat that size moving.”
“Why didn’t the captain just give us up?” I ask.
“He’s a smuggler,” Allison shrugs. “I chose him to take us because of his reputation. He’s loyal to the money and if he were to give up his client’s illegal business, no one would trust him.” She pauses. “It’s ironic how the most trustworthy people are the ones dealing outside the law.” Allison grows quiet and hands me her oar before leaning back. Drew tries to take Gabby’s but she won’t let him. He’s still too weak.
“Are you okay?” I ask him for the millionth time as I dip my oar back into the water. I know I'm a prat for asking because it's obvious that he’s not okay, but I don't know what else to say.
“I’m fine,” Drew mumbles. In the darkness I cannot see his face but
I can hear the pain in his voice. I want to be there for him but he has retreated further into his own mind since we left Vicksburg.
“I don’t believe you,” I state.
Chapter 23: Gabby
I don’t know how far we’ve come by the time the sun rises. We can’t be seen on the river so we pull the small boat up the riverbank near a thick patch of trees. Allison tells us we can only spare an hour or so to rest. It is not nearly enough.
My stomach gurgles and growls. I don’t know how we’re going to find something to eat out here. We have nothing to hunt with and even if we did, we can’t risk the fire to cook it on and the smoke that would come with it.
We leave the boat hidden after about an hour and get moving. According to Allison, there is a farming village nearby.
“A Texan village?” I ask.
“In name only,” she explains. “These people don’t like the Texan soldiers any more than we do. They are forced to give a majority of their crops to the cities while they live in squalor. They feel abandoned by their prophet but her soldiers rule them with an iron fist. They have no choice but to do as she says.”
We pass field after field with busy people doing back breaking work before we reach the village. Village might be too big of a word for what we find. The light is fading in the distance as we take in the small cluster of homes. The east end of London looks a lot less dodgy compared to this grotty place.
Allison knocks on a door just as three Texan soldiers come into view. A woman answers and ushers us inside. She sticks her head out the door to make sure we weren't seen and then promptly closes it.
“Allison, what are you doing here?” she asks. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they know each other.
“We had no other choice,” Allison says.
“Do you even know what’s been going on here?” the woman asks but she doesn’t give Allison the chance to answer. “We’ve been flooded with soldiers. They say they are here to check on the crops but I know there is something else going on. You being here proves it.”
“Bria,” Allison pleads, “I’m so sorry to involve you in this but we have to reach the rebel compound.”
“There are troops stationed from here to the final checkpoint.” She looks at the three of us behind Allison. “You’re never going to make it in your condition. Sit. I’ll get you something to eat.” We do as we’re told. She didn’t ask who we are and I get the impression that she doesn’t want to know. It’s safer that way.
She brings out small plates of salted fish and potatoes. “I’m sorry it’s not much,” she says quietly. We dig in, too hungry to really care what it is. We finish eating and give our plates to Bria just as two tall men barge into the room. They each give us a nasty look before turning their attention to Bria.
“Hey mom,” the younger of the two says as he kisses her cheek.
“I told you never to come back here, Allison,” the other man says dangerously. “Bria is done passing along your messages.”
“She doesn’t have to do anything this time, Tom,” Allison says calmly. “I am going myself.”
“Good,” he responds. “Then you can be on your way.” He points towards the door.
“Tom,” Bria chides.
“Don’t,” he cuts her off. “They are not welcome in my home. Allison only brings trouble.”
“Corey, dear, there’s a plate for you by the stove,” Bria says. “I need to speak with your father alone. Now!”
They step outside and their raised voices drift in to us. In the end, Bria comes back in alone. “Now,” she begins, “I’m sure you are all tired. You may rest here but you must be gone by sunrise.”
Chapter 24: Gabby
It’s still dark when Bria’s son Corey shakes me awake. “Is it morning already?” I ask sleepily.
“No,” he answers, “but my dad gave you up.” That jolts me awake. Corey hands me a bag filled with food. I look inside and it dawns on me that this is probably all they have.
“I’m sending Corey with you,” Bria informs us. Allison tries to protest but it doesn’t do any good. “He knows the land in these parts and can get you through unseen.”
“Mom,” Corey says, “I need to stay here to protect you.”
“No, you don’t.” She stands on her tip toes to kiss his cheek and hug him before pushing him towards the door. He gives her one last look before bowing his head in obedience and stepping outside. We follow him just in time. As soon as we round the corner of the hut, a group of squaddies barge through the door without knocking. Bria screams as they drag her out.
“Where’d they go?” a soldier barks at her.
“I don’t know!”
“Let her go!” Tom yells, “you promised you wouldn’t hurt my family if I gave you the fugitives!”
“But you didn’t give us anything and your wife has even aided them. You have gone against the prophet and that cannot go unpunished,” the soldier pauses, “I wonder, where is that lad of yours?”
Corey pulls out a knife and starts to make a move to help his parents but Allison stops him. “They’ll only kill you too,” she whispers, “there’s nothing you can do.”
He leans his head back against the wall and squeezes his eyes shut as silent tears spill down his face.
“They’re not here sir, what should we do?”
“Take care of those two and then check the river. To get here this fast they must have come by boat.”
Bria and Tom’s screams are cut off abruptly by two quick pops. The soldiers leave the bodies where they lay and head off to the river.
Chapter 25: Dawn
Corey is silent as he leads us into the tree cover. Allison says he has to come to rebel base with us now because, if he goes back, he’s a dead man. Talk about a wounded group. Gabby and Drew with their mental scars that will never heal completely. Corey still reeling from losing both his parents only hours ago. I don’t know Allison’s story yet. We're all pretty buggered.
“Someone’s been on this trail recently,” Corey says.
“Texan soldiers?” Allison asks, suddenly alert.
“No,” he responds. He bends down to examine something in the dirt. He purses his lips into a worried expression.
“What’s wrong?” Gabby asks.
Corey straightens up. “Let’s keep moving,” he responds, completely ignoring Gabby’s question. “Stay alert.”
“Not until you tell us why,” Gabby stands her ground. Corey glares at her.
“Gabby...” I try to diffuse the situation but she cuts me off.
“Shut it Dawn,” she snaps, “We deserve to know who’s after us this time.” Corey lunges for Gabby and grabs her by the throat. He holds her still with one arm. Drew and I try to pull him away but he is too strong.
“You don’t deserve a damn thing,” Corey yells. “People like you go around doing whatever the hell you want without a thought about who you hurt in the process. I’ll bet most people tend to die after helping you.”
I stop trying to pull Corey away as Sam’s face shows up in my head. Corey isn’t finished. Gabby kicks at him, trying to break free.
“Before you all showed up, I had a life. It was a hard life but it was a life all the same. My parents…” he takes a long pause, “my parents were good people.” He releases Gabby and backs away. Gabby rubs her throat and glares at him.
“The only people who would use these trails are freedom fighters,” Corey says, regaining his composure.
“This close to the rebel compound?” Allison gasps.
“They’ve been coming down here for the past few years to pillage our farms. They don't care about the rebels in the area because they can move pretty well unseen,” he explains. “We need to keep moving.”
Eventually, Corey finds us a spot to rest for the night near a stream that feeds into the river.
Gabby, Allison, and I immediately head for the stream to wash up. We don’t have soap or clean clothes but I still can’t remember the last time water
felt this good against my skin. The boys wash after us and Allison starts a fire. She says we should be fine this far from the river as long as we contain the smoke.
“Dawn, would you get me some water?” Allison hands me a small pan. It was one of the few possessions Bria had and she sent it with us. I pass Corey on the way but Drew is still getting dressed when I reach the stream. His linen pants no longer look white and he has yet to put his shirt on. I freeze when I see the bruises that stretch across his chest. He looks at me and I see the pain in his eyes and in his every movement. He reaches down to grab his shirt and noticeably winces.
“Here, let me help you.” I rush towards him but he steps back.
“I can do it,” he protests.
“Obviously not. Don't be such a prat. Let me help you.” I take the shirt from him and reach towards his chest. I wish I could make everything better.
“Don’t.” He grabs my hand in midair and then recoils from the contact. It takes time but I finally get his shirt on him. As I pull it down, I catch his eyes but he quickly looks away. Taking the hint, I turn away from him.
“I have to get some water,” I say, hurrying past him.
Chapter 26: Gabby
We exit the woods after what seemed like an eternity and an empty plain stretches before us. The hills roll in the distance. “We’re close to the final Texan checkpoint,” Corey informs us. “We should be fine as long as we stay far enough from the river but keep an eye out.” We’ve been lucky enough so far to not run into the type of trouble Corey thought we’d have.
About midday we see a truck crest over a hill on the horizon. It’s coming straight for us and there’s nowhere to hide. I look around but we are right in the open. We can’t run. I curse the fact that I only have my knife to protect me. I take it out and hold it behind my back. The truck is closing in. I step closer to Dawn to protect her. She doesn’t even draw her knife.
The truck stops and a man in a Texan uniform steps out; his rifle resting lightly in his hands. He steps closer. He is so close that I could slit his throat right here. I hold back for now. The soldier pulls out piece of paper from his pocket. Silently, he unfolds it and holds it next to my face.
Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2) Page 7
