“Settle down, boys. They’re getting fired up over here. There’s lots of tension. Here’s what I’ve been able to hear of their plan.” Fay revealed the Dirt Dwellers’ possible strategy as it unfolded. What she told them was disheartening. The UG’s discussion covered limited-to-full germ warfare on the Airbornes. They also talked about destroying Nike sites to prevent the Airbornes from entering or retaliating against the Underworld should desperation lead them to rediscover the DD weak points of entry.”
“Nike sites?” Logan inquired. “What the hell’s that?”
“Nuclear missile silos.”
Drakker griped at Fay. “I don’t get it. Why do your people always go to the extremes to annihilate us? Why do they feel the need to murder our children and kill our women? What’s wrong with a man-to-man war?”
“Because…” She hesitated. Her mind’s eye cast a glance over the people she’d worked with for years and felt nothing for them. This was it, the point of no return. If she told Drakker and Logan the truth, there would be no turning back. She could never return to the Underworld. She didn’t want to return anyway. But, what if the Airbornes didn’t take her in and accept her as one of their own? She’d be doomed. Her chances of surviving in a world she knew little of would be slim. She had to convince Logan to let her stay. Neither possibility mattered if she faced espionage charges. It was time to stop straddling the fence, time for her to take a leap of faith…in Logan. “Because…the Dirt Dwellers’ population is outgrowing their cities. They can’t expand. Their water and food supplies are limited. As far as their methods…it’s a way to keep the blood off their hands. It’s just numbers, not humans. The government has controlled our world since the cataclysm. They know only one way to keep control…keep the population manageable.”
“Arlo told me you said the government kills women who become pregnant outside the sex lottery. So how are they overpopulated?”
“Sadly, when a government takes such drastic measures…so do their people. Some of the women hideout in the sewer lines or tram tunnels when they discover they’re pregnant. Others try to abort it, or they’ll deliver their babies on their own in secrecy. Those who give birth try to take care of the infant like a stray cat. Sneaking out to feed it, change it, and raise it without letting anyone know. Others are hidden somewhere and left to die. The lucky ones are found and taken in.”
“By who?”
She watched a messenger come and go from the room before answering Logan. “There are many secret orphanages. Many are run by women who grew up as runner street urchins. Living between the worlds, they know how hard life can be for a forgotten one. The exact number of urchins is unknown, but their numbers grow bigger every day.”
“Oh my God—” There was a heavy sound of disgust in Logan’s tone. “It’s sad women are forced to take such actions. We would welcome them in our world.”
“They’d come if they knew.” It was evident the messenger hadn’t reported anything important enough to get this room full of strategists moving yet. She continued her conversation with Logan and Drakker. “Not all the promises the Underworld government made to their chosen ones have been well thought out. They assumed too much. They trusted their science, numbers, and facts. They forgot humans work from emotions.”
“And?” Logan asked.
She’d have to give details if she wanted him to start trusting her.
“Living below the earth took its toll on the people’s minds. Those originally picked were the crème de la crème of humans, financially anyway. However, there were troubles right from the start. There were no working class humans to service the elite. So, a pecking order was established. The old money expected the young money to cater to them. This forced servitude didn’t go over too well.”
“I can imagine.”
“For a time, a lot of the old money turned up dead after leaving their power positions and cash to their servants instead of their offspring. A middle class started to grow and gain more power.”
“I’m sure the Underworld government didn’t want that.”
“Hardly. That’s when the sex lotto was formed as an effort to control the growing younger money group. You’d be amazed how often the old money wins the lotto.”
“That often, huh?”
“Yep. Humans are animals of earth. They need the sun, moon, and the tides. Those things balance our bodies and minds. Without natural light and air, humans don’t deal well with the difficulties that come with prolonged underground living. Our scientists’ projections on how humans would cope were all wrong. Now add to that the unreasonable laws that control almost everything the citizens do. We have no privacy, not even in our own homes. Top it all off with a growing limit on food and water supplies, and you have an unsettled, angry, unhealthy population.”
“Spells upheaval.”
Fay continued filling them in though her attention stayed on the room filled with UG strategists and mind travelers. As soon as they started plotting any attack plans, she’d pass it on to Logan. “There’s not even a release from the stress through entertainment. All they have are stupid government DVDs, which everybody knows are nothing but propaganda. They’re made to control one of man’s basic needs—sex. The population is revolting in the only ways they know how.”
“That being?” Drakker asked.
“Withdrawal. Suicide. Unlawful sex. Rage. Violence…and a high possibility of a revolution.”
Logan’s casual inquiry didn’t hide his apparent concerned over the news Fay was giving them. “So how does getting rid of us help them?”
“It’s not the Dirt Dweller people you have to worry about. It’s the Underworld government. They’re the danger. They’re your enemy.” Fay sighed. “I believe, and this is only based on what I’ve pieced together, the government is still controlled and ruled by the old blood. Reto is the top man of the seven ruling families who for thousands and thousands of years have ruled over everything. They believe their troubles will be solved if they can kill off all the Airbornes and take over your flourishing lands.”
“But why?” She heard a thump from Drakker’s direction. “They’ve tried three separate times throughout history. It didn’t work then. Why do they think it’ll work now?”
“The Airbornes are too independent in thought. So much so, it would be impossible for them to be controlled by the Underworld government at this stage. It would be easier and less costly to kill them off than to use brain-control techniques to rein them in. Once they’re out of the way, the UG can bring their population aboveground to live. They need your resources.”
“And your government thinks they’ll still be able to big brother their citizens once the Dirt Dwellers get a gander at freedom?”
She noticed one of the mind traveler’s remote viewing energy was dissipating and used his lack of attentiveness to maneuver her vibes into a more comfortable spot without the other two seeing her motion then answered. “My assumption is they’ll release the Dirt Dwellers in stages. Each group will pass through a mind-control center before they reach the top. They’ll be told they’re getting vaccinated for aboveground diseases when in fact their minds are being altered by a HAARP machine.”
Fay kept her attention on a conversation three UG men were having. It was idle chitchat so she didn’t report it to Logan. What are they waiting for?
“I still don’t get it. I’m finding it very hard to believe you.”
Logan’s distrust felt like a heavy pressure in her chest. It hurt. She couldn’t get him to trust her no matter what she divulged.
“Why?” She was starting to feel anxious over the lack of action within the strategy room, and Logan’s distrust wasn’t helping.
“Because their actions are contradictory to what you’re saying. Why would they want to come up here when they’ve been trying to contaminate our food, water, air, and our people? The Dirt Dwellers can’t live in a toxic environment any more than we can.”
“I agree. But their exit plan is ca
lculated. From the documents I saw in your safe, it’s the same plan they used when they went underground in reverse. Those people most threatening to the Underworld and two-thirds of those at the bottom of the social scale would be the first exposed. Most likely, they will all die. It’s a good way for the Underworld government to keep their hands looking clean and hide their planned massive extermination of their own people. Doing this would take care of two problems for them. Those sent out first will live long enough to clean up and set up living conditions for those who follow. Their deaths will control most of the overpopulation problem, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Sounds like the Underworld is operating in its usual, nasty, and underhanded ways.”
Drakker’s passive anger shook her to her core, almost drawing her energy back to the physical world.
He grumbled like a thunderstorm. “Why come back to what they seem determined to destroy? All they’ve done to us so far has had major effects on this planet that can never be reversed.”
“I don’t believe they’re trying to destroy the environment, just the humans in it,” Fay said with a shrug. “Otherwise, they would have done a full-scale wipeout by now. They have the ability to do it.”
“That very thought has crossed my mind on several occasions.”
She could almost see Logan’s frown in her mind when he spoke. In an attempt to bring him some peace of mind she offered, “I think they’re gambling with time. The Airbornes have developed mutant genes the Dirt Dwellers don’t have. Without insult intended, I can only compare the Airbornes to cockroaches. They’ve found ways to adapt to some of the worse contaminates man has even been exposed to. The Dirt Dwellers haven’t. They can’t survive.”
“Then how are you surviving?”
“I don’t know. Over the years, I’ve been inoculated a few times. Most of the spies vaccinated only have an eight-five percent survival rate. Whatever they’ve exposed me to, my body has adjusted to it like a cockroach as well. Don’t know why or how, but it has.”
Logan shook his head. “Is that what the tattoo on the bottom of your foot means, you’re a survivor?”
“No. I’ve had the tattoo for as long as I can remember. No one can tell me what it means. I’m still researching the symbol. Once day I hope to find out who would tattoo an infant, and why.”
“Fuck the tattoo. Christ, eight-five percent survival rate from a vaccine? Talk about dying for your government.” Drakker growled out. “Do you all know this before you volunteer?”
Fay grunted. “Volunteer! No one volunteers. We’re told what to do, no questions allowed. Everything is based on a profile the government has on you from birth.”
“So, what you’re saying is we’ve been exposed to things we still don’t know about?” Logan brought her back to the original conversation and drew her attention away from the UG’s inactivity.
“Right. The UG’s been using the stealth photon airships to make high-altitude chemtrails exposing you and your environment to biological agents like mucormycosis. Better known as the Black Death and Zombie disease. Any of the Airbornes ever come down with a strange fungal infection? My friend Chandra said a pilot friend of hers did a mission a year ago seeding your air with it.”
A loud gasp came from Drakker’s direction, and Logan shouted enough cusswords to make the devil blush and her ears burn.
“It was an epidemic until six months ago,” Drakker whispered.
“I’m sorry to hear it. The UG has been studying the contaminants they’ve used on the Airbornes for years. They have some antidotes and agents to undo the damage to some of the contamination, but not all.”
“Why?” Logan’s tone was harsh with restrained ire.
“It all boils down to one thing.” Their agitation pulled at her, causing her to lose her focus on the UG’s command center for a moment. Once she regained her focus she said, “The Airbornes have something the Dirt Dwellers don’t.”
“What?”
“An abundance of land, real food, fresh water, clean air, strong genes, and a healthy immune system.”
Logan finished, “The Dirt Dwellers want to get rid of the Airbornes and take over the surface of the earth to start again.”
“No…not the Dirt Dwellers. It’s the Underworld government’s desire for this. There is a difference. They are separate entities.”
“That’s the UG’s fucking problem!” Drakker’s loud footsteps told Fay he was pacing back and forth in front of her. “They’re always starting over again. When are they going to learn to take care of what they have, and then they won’t have to restart their world on the deaths of others?”
Fay didn’t respond. Sudden activity in the UG’s command center drew her full attention.
Drakker continued ranting until Logan interrupted. “Fay? You’re too quiet. What is it? Fay? Fay!” Logan’s voice faded, indicating he’d turned away from her. “Drakker!” There was the sound of panic in Logan’s voice, and a tremor in his hand when he touched her shoulder. “Fay hasn’t spoken or moved. Something’s not right. Dear God, please tell me she hasn’t been captured by the other mind travelers.”
“I’m here,” she whispered.
“What the hell happened?” The concern in Logan’s voice was evident.
“I was listening to a messenger pass info on to a UG member.”
“Don’t do it again. I thought I’d lost you.”
“Aaah, be careful Logan, it sounds like you care about me.”
“Don’t do it again,” he mumbled. “So what did the messenger say?”
“Arlo must be outside the cave. Word just came in…their fighters have picked up on my SNS signal. They’re scrambling.”
“Why?”
Logan joined Drakker’s inquiry with a question of his own. “If they’ve got us targeted for extinction, why bother with your SNS?”
“Because they’re unsure. They don’t know if the Airbornes are really here. They’re second-guessing. They assumed I came to find the Airbornes, and they were assuming I’d found you.”
“Why are they uncertain? I’m sure the mind traveler who targeted you the night of the interrogation reported back we did indeed have you.” To her surprise it was Logan’s voice speaking what she’d told Drakker in confidence.
“I guess there are no secrets between brothers.” She hoped Drakker noticed her sarcasm.
“Hey, brothers talk, and secrets only bring trouble,” Drakker said.
Logan added, “Secrets cover lies and manipulation.”
“I’ll remember that. I think the mind traveler I saw was my friend, Chandra Lamar. She probably heard the rumors about my escape and got curious. Don’t worry. She wouldn’t betray me. The pilot reported he thinks he’s chasing and shooting at a free roaming animal with my SNS attached. His report said the SNS movement is erratic. I wish I hadn’t forgotten about the stupid thing.”
“So, our trick worked?” Drakker sounded hopeful. “They think you’re on the run because you didn’t find us?”
“I wish I could say yes, but something’s not right. They’re not acting like I’m their only interest. They keep talking about the Airbornes. Like they’ve had some kind of confirmation of your whereabouts. I think they may have sent a mind traveler to check out the inside of these mountains. Damn it, now I’m worried about Arlo.”
“Why?”
“He’s headed south with my beacon still transmitting.”
“You told him to go south.”
“I know, but that was before the UG made up their minds on what their strategy was going to be.”
“And?”
That one little word Logan spoke was so icy it sent a shiver through Fay’s nonphysical energy. The sensation was like little razorblades nicking at her flesh.
“Damn it!” She recoiled at the sharp, needlelike vibes, but cussed at what she’d just heard.
“Explain it to us, Fay.” Logan’s voice was frosty.
“Somehow they know the Airbornes are here. They’re figur
ing you’ve got me, and if you don’t, it’s only a matter of time before you do. They’re saying they lose all advantage over the Airbornes once you have me to spy for you. So, to kill two birds with one stone, they’ve decided—”
“What? Fay, what did they just decide?”
“Drakker, you just got your wish. To preserve the Airbornes’ food supply, water, and air for their people, the UG has just decided to go to war—one-on-one.”
Drakker’s pacing ended abruptly in the wake of her words. “How many men do they have in their army?”
“That’s the problem. It’s not an army of men.”
“What is it?”
Fay grimaced. “Drakker, if Arlo keeps moving south he’s going to run into the government’s defensive line of cyborgs.”
“What the hell…? What’s a cyborg?”
“Genetically altered—biologically and artificially—male DDs with robotic parts.”
“Fuck! I knew about those quasi humans and tin can things they had—”
“Androids and droids.”
“Yeah. When did they get Cyborgs?”
“They’ve had them under wraps for a while. They’re activating them now to bring them aboveground.” The silence in the room hinted of suspicion. Both men most likely believed she’d tricked them and sent Arlo south knowing the UG’s forces were waiting there. “Give me a minute. I want to see if I can contact my friend Chandra.”
“How can you do that?” Logan asked.
“We went through training together. We used to test each other’s abilities by leaving ghost messages on mirrors. I got good enough to be able to imprint a message on physical paper with my will. That’s what I’m doing right now. And I’ll make her get up to see it by making the notepad fall off the counter. Just like…this. There, it’s done. She’s reading it.”
“What can she do?”
“I don’t know, Logan, but it’s worth a shot. Good, she’s writing a note for me to read. Give me a few minutes to communicate with her to see if she can help us.”
“Christ Almighty, Logan.” The sound of renewed panic framed Drakker’s words. “Can the cyborgs scale our mountains easily? What if they’re not affected by the death zone as quickly as humans?”
Sinful Surrender Page 18
