by L. S. O'Dea
Indy glared at Tim and Tim glared at Indy.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” said Jackson.
“Fine, Tim you come with us.”
“They may not admit it or like it but they could use a Servant with them,” said Trinity.
“As usual, your father has pissed off the Guards so...”
“I’ll go with them,” she said.
“Over my dead body.” There was no way she was getting out of his sight.
“I don’t feel like dying today, but if you two do, then you can stay here and argue.” Indy headed down the hallway toward the back of the building. Bruno and Sassy followed him.
Trinity stood on her tiptoes and kissed Hugh. “I love you, but you’re wrong about this.” She grinned. “As usual.” She darted off down the hallway after Indy and his team.
He started to go after her when Jackson grabbed his arm.
“I’ll go.” Jackson hurried down the hallway after the others.
“Your daughter’s going to be the death of me.”
Tim slapped him on the shoulder. “She’ll keep you young. Add spice to your life.”
“I prefer bland.” He headed in the other direction.
“Then you picked the wrong female.” Tim’s smiled faded. “But she can take care of herself.” He grabbed Hugh’s shoulder. “Someone’s coming and they’re moving fast.”
He shoved Tim to the side and raised the gun, as Sassy rounded the corner.
“Whoa. Don’t shoot.” She held up her hands. “Jackson thought you could use a Guard.”
He lowered the gun and they continued down the hallway.
“Where did you learn to shoot like that? It was amazing,” she asked.
“My father.” He’d started his weapons lessons when he was eight and they’d continued until he went to college. At first, he’d loved it. Guns were cool and he got to spend time with his father, but no matter how hard he’d tried or how well he’d done, it was never good enough.
“Your dad would be proud of you,” she said.
Tim snorted and he laughed.
“My father will haunt me for the rest of my days because of this.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Dear Dad was a general in the Protective Services. He’d never understand my leading the rebellion.”
Ironic that he’d finally given his father a real reason to hate him and it was the same reason he was finally glad he was his father’s son. He understood battles, weapons and weaknesses and because of that he’d win this war.
CHAPTER 58: TRINITY
TRINITY FOLLOWED INDY, Jackson and Bruno through the maze of hallways. So far, the trip had been uneventful. They’d encountered a few Servants, but none had put up a fight and they’d been quickly tied up and stuffed into a vacant room or closet. Indy stopped. Up ahead were the windows and that’s where the armed Guards waited.
“We should separate. Two of us should continue down this hallway and the other two will go through there.” Indy pointed at a side door. “It’ll lead to the other side of the corridor. We can attack from both sides.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” said Bruno.
“That didn’t hurt too badly did it?” Indy grinned at him.
“Killed me, just a little bit.” Bruno tapped his chest.
“Trinity, come with me,” said Jackson.
“Ah...” Indy frowned. “As much as I hate - absolutely hate - to say this, she needs to stay with me or Bruno. We both know how to shoot. Neither of you do.”
“I’ll stay with you.” She smiled at Indy’s snarl. She didn’t completely trust this Guard, so she needed to keep an eye on him.
“You sure?” asked Jackson.
“For Araldo’s sake,” said Indy. “What do I have to do to prove myself to you guys? Die for one of you?”
“That’d help.” She turned to Jackson. “I’ll be fine. Be careful.”
Jackson nodded and he and Bruno disappeared through the door. She followed Indy down the hallway. The Guard stopped at the corner.
“Now, we wait.” He leaned against the wall.
She flung the gun over her shoulder. Indy had given her and Jackson a quick lesson on weapons, but it was heavy and unfamiliar to her.
“So, you’re with Hugh now,” said Indy.
She nodded, giving him a look that said she was not in the mood to talk, but he obviously didn’t understand or care.
“No feelings, whatsoever, for Jethro?”
“Besides contempt and hate? Nope.”
“Too bad.”
“Yeah, because he cares so much for me.” She should’ve gone with Bruno.
“He’s in love with you.” His voice was soft.
“Right. He loved me so much he took me prisoner and was going to use me to capture my friends before turning me over to the authorities.” Her lips curled in distaste. “You and I have very different definitions of love.”
“He wasn’t going to turn you over.”
“Stop lying. I doubt Hugh will execute his brother when we win this war.”
“That’s not why I’m telling you this.” He peeked around the corner and then leaned against the wall again. “Jethro wasn’t expecting anyone to show up in the forest. He had to do something to stop Cal from taking you because the captain would’ve turned you over without thinking twice. Jethro’s plan wasn’t perfect but it was all he had. He was setting everything up to turn you and your friend loose.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes.
“Why do you think he had the alcohol brought into camp? He was getting everyone drunk and then he was going to set you free and escape with you.”
“Stop. Just stop. Okay?” She glanced around the Guard praying the others were ready because she didn’t want to hear this. If Indy were telling the truth, then she’d betrayed Jethro not the other way around.
“Why do you think I’m suddenly fighting for your side? Jethro found out about the weapons and sent me to tell Townsend so he could warn Hugh. Jethro has given up everything and he’s done it all because of you.” His voice was a harsh whisper.
“He had Producers killed while he was hunting me. We are nothing to him but meat.”
“He lied. He didn’t have anyone killed. You can ask any of his prisoners when this is over. He treated them well.” He peeked around the corner again. “Jackson and Bruno are ready.”
“Finally,” she snapped.
“Yeah. It’s too bad you had to hear the truth. I thought you should know before you make a commitment to Hugh. I saw you and Jethro in the forest and in his tent.” He stepped around the corner.
“I had to do what I did.” She followed him.
Now, he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right.”
“You don’t know anything, but we can discuss it later, or better yet, never.” She had to focus on the task at hand not the past or even the future. Right now was the moment that was important.
She raised her weapon, taking aim at the closest Guard, and pulled the trigger. The gun jerked, throwing her arms upward. The Guard jumped to the side. She’d missed. She grabbed one of the few spears that’d stayed in her quiver after Mirra had tossed her over her shoulder and threw it as gunshots sprayed around her. She dove for a small table, as her spear hit the chest of the Guard and he crumpled to the ground. She peeked out and threw another spear. It whizzed past the Guard’s head but distracted him enough for Indy, who was hiding behind a door, to shoot him.
Silence fell over the room. She crawled out from under the table. Five Guards lay dead. They’d done it. They’d taken this section.
“Shit.” Indy raced down the hallway.
She froze, taking in the scene. Bruno was on the floor, Jackson kneeling beside him. He’d be okay. He had to be okay. She ran toward them and by the time she got there, Indy was also kneeling next to Bruno. The large Guard had been shot in the chest. There was blood everywhere.
Bruno held Indy’s hand as Jackson tried to staunch the bleeding
, but the blood kept coming, leaking out of his body and onto the floor. Her eyes met Jackson’s. It was a fatal wound. There was nothing they could do.
“Take care of Sassy,” muttered Bruno.
“Don’t say that. You’ll be fine.” Indy turned to them, hope and panic in his gaze.
She shook her head slightly. She was tired of her friends dying. She was sick of this war and this world.
“Promise,” said Bruno, blood starting to trickle out of his mouth.
“She hates me,” said Indy.
“Dying...wishes...not supposed...be easy.” Bruno chuckled and it turned into a cough. “She...wants kids. Pretends not...to. Take...care...of her.” He clasped Indy’s hand. “Promise.”
Indy nodded and Bruno sighed, the life slipping from his body. She bent and closed his eyes.
“A Guard came from around the corner. Bruno shot him but the Guard fired too.” Jackson stood, still staring at Bruno.
“Let’s go.” Indy jumped to his feet, a hardness to his features that she’d never seen. “We need to finish this.”
He was right. If they didn’t, Bruno and everyone else had died for nothing. She’d cry for the dead later. She wiped her eyes and followed the Guards toward the west side of the building. Hugh and the others would take care of the east, and then they’d meet. It could’ve been Hugh who’d been killed. He could be dead right now. She took a deep breath. Hugh was fine. He had to be. She needed to tell him again that she loved him, that she chose him. It didn’t matter if Jethro hadn’t been going to turn her over to the authorities. She loved Hugh and that was the end of the story.
CHAPTER 59: CONGUISE
“SIR, THEY’VE BREACHED the building,” said a large Guard from the doorway of the private council chambers.
“How is that possible?” Jason strode to the window.
“Everyone.” Conguise stood. It was best to remain calm during times like these and calmness wasn’t Jason’s strong suit. He addressed the worried faces of the council members. “May I suggest we retreat to a safer area, but don’t worry. Our Guards are armed. They’ll hunt down and execute the traitors.”
None of them had expected an attack in the city, but they’d been lucky that he and Jason had convinced them to release the weapons. They’d been having a celebratory drink after watching Hugh’s troops scatter at the first sign of gunfire. It’d seemed that the war was going to be over before it really started. He should’ve known Hugh wouldn’t be defeated so easily.
“This way.” The Guard escorted the council members down the hallway.
“How did this happen?” Jason stared out the window.
He went and stood behind the other Almighty. Below, their Guards lay dead in the street. Hugh’s troops were slowly gathering. They’d be advancing soon. “Hugh’s a shit of a scientist but he obviously takes after his father when it comes to battle.” He patted Jason’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Cal and the troops will be here soon.”
“What difference does that make?” asked Jason. “You saw Hugh’s army. It’s immense. He has everyone—Grunts, Stockers, Trackers, Handlers. Even Avions for Araldo’s sake! Cal and his Guards have no chance without weapons.”
“Come with me.” The only hope they had of winning this war was defeating the threat inside the Council Building, and he had no doubt who’d breached the building. He felt Hugh’s presence as if the other Almighty were the approaching flu.
Jason gave him a quizzical look but followed him toward the back room where the weapons were stored. Conguise dug through a few crates, handing weapons and ammunition to the other Almighty.
“What do you want me to do with these?” Jason stared at the guns as if they were snakes.
“Hide them. We need to arm ourselves.” He grabbed an armful and headed toward the great hall. “If we’re captured, we’ll be taken to the Hall of Truths or prison.” He hesitated. “He’ll take us to the Hall of Truths. Hugh will want to make a statement first.”
“First? What will he do after that?”
They entered the Hall of Truths and began stashing loaded weapons in tables, behind curtains, under chairs, anywhere their group may be assembled.
“He’ll probably execute us.” That’s what he’d do, but Hugh was soft, always had been, but still he needed Jason on board. Jason was a slimy, weasel but he had a knack for self-preservation. Given a chance Jason would tell Hugh and the others about his experiments in exchange for his own life. He couldn’t let that happen. He had plans in place. His experiments would be hidden and kept safe if something happened to him, but if Hugh were told the other Almighty would hurry to the lab and then his subordinates wouldn’t have time to do what needed to be done.
“Do you really think he’ll kill us?” Jason stumbled.
“Why do you find that so shocking? We were going to kill him.”
“They’ll kill me first, as an example.” Jason quickly started hiding weapons.
“Probably.” The man’s self-importance was astounding.
“Not if I kill him.” Jason stuffed a small revolver in his pants under his large belly.
“Let’s get more weapons,” he said.
They headed back to the weapons room. This part was going to take some pizazz. He no longer wanted Hugh dead. Death was too quick. He understood real pain. He’d lived for years without vengeance for Viola and he wanted Hugh to experience the same thing.
As they went toward the prison, stashing weapons down the hallway, he said, “I don’t think we should aim for Hugh. Not at first.”
“Why not?” Jason stuck a gun behind a bust himself.
This was the crucial part. “I’ve heard rumors that Hugh has an attachment to the female, the Servant who was raised with Producers.”
Jason pursed his lips in thought. “She is very attractive.” He cleared his throat. “If you’re into that kind of thing.”
Conguise tried to hide his contempt. He knew all about Jason’s extra-marital activities. They continued stashing weapons in the hallway and any room where they might be imprisoned.
“Hugh is going to be well guarded,” said Conguise. “Almost impossible to shoot. The Servant on the other hand...”
“So, we shoot the female. What good does that do?”
“If she falls, Hugh will rush to her side. He won’t listen to his Guards.”
“And then we shoot him.”
He nodded. Jason didn’t realize that once they shot the female the Guards would be all over them, and for once, he was glad the Supreme Almighty was thick headed. Killing the female would be worse than death for Hugh and he was counting the seconds. He slid a small revolver into his boot.
CHAPTER 60: HUGH
HUGH, TIM AND Sassy waited around the corner. There were only four Guards on this side of the building.
“I’ve got this,” he said.
“Are you sure?” asked Tim. “We can give you cover.”
“The way the two of you shoot? You’re more likely to hit me. Just stay here.” He leaned around the corner, surveying the situation. The Guards were focused on the street below. He took aim and steadied his breathing. Now was not the time for nerves. He pulled the trigger—one, two, three, four times. He hit the first two in the back of the head—before they even moved. The other two had spun around, but he’d adjusted his aim and hit them straight through the heart. They’d never had a chance. As fast as a sneeze, four lives were ended. He walked into the hallway, Tim and Sassy behind him. He stepped over the dead, aimed out the window and killed the three Guards on the street. “They shouldn’t wear uniforms. It makes them stand out.”
“I think that’s the point,” said Tim. “They know who not to shoot.”
“I suppose, but then I know who to shoot.” He bent, gathering the weapons.
“I don’t think they took you into consideration.” Tim sent him a wary look before helping him collect the guns.
“Why are you surprised? You know I trained with the General.” He strapped a holster and
hand gun to his side.
“Knowing and seeing are different,” muttered Tim.
“Holy Araldo. Shit. That was great,” said Sassy. “Back of the head. Bam, bam and then straight through the heart.” Her eyes were wide with admiration. “You have got to teach me how to do that.”
“No. If we win this, the weapons will be destroyed. Too easy to kill.”
“They could be useful in the right hands,” said Tim.
“Whose hands are the right ones? Mine? Yours? No. Unless everyone has guns no one should.”
Tim frowned, obviously not agreeing with him. There was movement on the street. “That’s Curtis.” He leaned out the window. “Gather everyone you can and come inside. The building is secure except for the west side. We’re going there now.”
Curtis nodded and disappeared behind an overturned carriage.
“Let’s go,” he said.
The three of them headed toward the opposite side of the building. Hopefully, Trinity’s team had been as successful as his. The hallways were empty. The Servants and Almightys must’ve taken cover in some of the rooms. He’d send troops to search them later. Right now, he had to eliminate the rest of the Guards.
They moved quickly and quietly down the hallway. He stopped and then glanced around the corner. The corridor was empty.
“Where are the Guards?” asked Tim.
“Don’t know.” He crept forward, checking behind every curtain and in every room, but there was no one there. He looked out the window. None of the Council’s Guards were on the street either.
“Something’s up. Be extra cautious,” he said.
A few moments later, Tim grabbed his arm. “Hear that?”
He shook his head. He didn’t hear a thing.
“Someone’s coming,” said Tim.
Sassy tipped her head, to better catch the sound. “More than one.”
He pointed to a room. “One of you in here.” He pointed to another room. “The other in here.”
“Where are you going to hide?” asked Tim.
“I’m not. I’m going to wait right here for them.” He leaned against the wall by the corner, gun up and ready.
