by S. T. Boston
* * *
The small country cottage looked a little ragged and uncared for compared to the image that Namtar had seen on Google Street View, but it stood to reason, as they watched the place from the safe distance of the sawmill car park, Peltz had explained that the imagery on there was very out of date, taken way before The Reaper had swept its scythe over the land. Now the place looked abandoned. There wasn't even a car in the driveway.
“Are you sure this is the place?” asked Peltz, his face not hiding his uncertainty.
Namtar passed him the tablet computer, the green dot blinked steadily in the same position, right over the aging building. “We passed the wrecked plane back there, didn't we?”
“Yes, but – what if he found the device and this is a trap?”
The thought had crossed Namtar's mind, he didn't want to tell his subordinates that there wasn't really a back-up plan. He had hoped to arrive at the building to find either the small sporty car that they knew Adam Fisher used, or in the least the Mini Cooper that his sister and Sam Becker owned. Finding neither was a little disconcerting to say the least.
Croaker fidgeted anxiously on the rear seat, using the gap between the two front headrests to look at the cottage, “So, how do you want to play this?” he asked, keen to get on with the job. On the drive to Wiltshire, Namtar had explained how Asmodeous had threatened to proceed with the plan whether they returned or not. “The clock is ticking here.”
Namtar was about to speak when a steady flow of steam emitted from the vent pipe on the side of the building. He looked at it confused, not knowing what it meant. “What's that?” he asked pointing it out.
Peltz had seen it and a grin was forming on his face, “Oh, someone is home,” he said, glee threaded into his speech. “That will either be the heating or hot water being used. I doubt that place has central heating so someone is there.”
The explanation was all Namtar needed, he opened the door and went to the boot, unzipped a bag and took out the tranq-gun. It was loaded with one dart, he helped himself to a further five, stuffing them into his deep pockets. His fingers found the small disc that could strip The Gift away from anyone in an instant, a useful tool that he might well need to stop Becker or Fisher from thinking they could try any heroics without fear of serious injury. Beside him Peltz zipped up his favourite tactical vest, his usual weapons of choice affixed to the front, each within easy reach if needed. By his side Croaker did the same, the only thing missing from his was the Taser.
“We may have as many as six targets in there,” Namtar explained, not taking his eyes away from the building. It's not only possible, but highly likely, that the two Arkkadians have tried to make contact with the Earth-Humans, certainly Oriyanna.”
“Understood, sir,” said Croaker.
“They can be killed if necessary, but try to take the girl alive. I have some special plans for her.” His lips spread into a thin grin as brief snippets of his thoughts from the ferry flooded back. “We can use her, so only deploy lethal force as a last resort. The others need to be alive.” Not waiting for a reply, he pushed the boot closed and using the overgrown hedge as cover from the front windows, crossed the road and trod carefully up the shingle drive. At the door he paused, flashed Peltz and Croaker with a look that told them it was go time, he tried the handle. It was unlocked.
* * *
Sam was in a deep and restful sleep, however, no matter how deeply in the land of nod he was he had an uncanny ability to keep one ear in the lucid world, no doubt honed from years spent having to get shuteye out in the field, and whenever possible. It was skill that he'd neither tried to develop, nor understood. The part of his psyche that was constantly on guard heard the front door latch turn and in an instant his eyes snapped open. At first he did not move, he laid there, perfectly awake and alert. From the bathroom he could hear the sound of splashing water, Lucie obviously got the boiler working, he thought, his ears searching deeper into the property and zoning out the aquatic noise. Then he heard it, footsteps in the lounge, two, no, three pairs. In an instant he knew it was highly unlikely to be Adam and Oriyanna, a quick glance at his trusty G-Shock watch told him they'd only been gone approximately three hours, an impossibly short time to do the round trip. Rolling over, whilst being careful not to make the aged bedsprings creak he slid to the floor, his hand reaching up for the either the Glock or the Beretta that he'd left on the nightstand. Inwardly he cursed himself as he saw he'd not re-applied the safety on the Beretta, a school boy error that he should have avoided, but at least the firearm was ready. Getting to his feet he heard the sound of feet which were trying to be silent; in the kitchen, then the hall. He knew Lucie was in the bathroom and his first instinct was to rush to her, warn her, but he had the element of surprise on his side, and once that was gone, it was gone for good.
The yellowing glossed oak bedroom door was half closed, forming a natural V shape between the jam and the side of a dark stained antique-looking wardrobe. Staying clear of the door's aperture, he secreted his body into the small space and peered through the thin crack between the frame and the door. The sight of Namtar made his blood run cold, and behind him were two other males whom he did not recognise. Both of them were dressed in combat style clothing. Black cargos, black tees with tac-vests over the top. The guy immediately behind Namtar wore a holstered Taser and a very lethal looking knife. His gun, the exact make and model Sam could not clearly see as it was obscured by one of the glossed over hinges, was in his hand, held low and ready. His eyes searched for the other one, Asag, but he was nowhere to be seen. Inwardly Sam hoped he'd made a corpse of him back in France, unless he was waiting outside, looking to scoop up any potential escapees fleeing the building.
His heart racing in his chest he watched as Namtar paused by the open bathroom door, fired a look at his two purposeful looking colleagues and went in. Why hasn't Lucie seen them? Sam thought, his body being pulled two ways by his struggling brain. One half of him wanted to spring to her aid, but three against one were not the best odds. Sure, he could easily kill one of the intruders but the other two would be onto him before he could switch his aim. The tactically trained part of his mind won the battle, it was better to stay hidden and wait for the right opportunity to present itself. The teams that had been sent to get them had all wanted them alive, so he knew, and hoped, that their plan wasn't to kill his wife on sight. A fraction of a second after Namtar took his hulk of a body through the bathroom door he heard a scream of both surprise and terror that sent a chill through his body. Gritting his teeth as if forcing himself to stay hidden he watched as Lucie's naked body was heaved through the door and into the hall.
“Where are the others?” he heard Namtar bellow, his large hand clutching her wet brown hair and forcing her head back further than looked natural. He flicked his eyes to the guy who didn't have the Taser, his eyes were well and truly taking in every detail of her naked body, and a small grin of satisfaction was etched on his face.
“I'm alone,” he heard his wife say in a shaky voice.
Good girl, thought Sam as he ran the options through in his head.
“I don't believe that for a second. Peltz, search the house.”
“My pleasure,” the Taser toting guy said, a thick Eastern-European accent lacing though his words. Holding the gun low, Sam watched the guy throw the back bedroom door open, bringing the gun to his front. “Clear,” the guy said as he reappeared.
The cottage was small. They'd done the kitchen, bathroom, lounge and second bedroom, there was only one place left and he was heading Sam's way. In two long strides he covered the distance, his body eclipsing Sam's view through the door jam. As he entered, Sam slid the Glock into the back of his trousers and turned to face into the room. He had a clear view of the perpetrator now, he had his back to him, sweeping left and right with the gun tracing an almost perfect arc through the air in front of him. Wasting no time, Sam sprung from his hiding place and slammed his open palm over the guy's face, wit
h his other he reached round his head and working in opposite directions swiftly snapped his neck, then dragged the body clear and out of the way. He'd felt the man try to cry out in surprise, but before the scream could make it past his lips he was dead. The weighty body twitched once in Sam's grip before he felt his hands take the guy's weight. He held him in position for a split second before laying his body onto the faded red carpet.
In a larger building Sam may have been able to find an escape route and look to double back on the two men, giving him a chance, however, there was nowhere to go in the small cottage. Pressing his body into the V section between the door and the wardrobe he waited, for a few seconds all he could hear was the frightened sobbing of Lucie. Then Namtar said, “If you kill another one of my men, Mr. Becker, I'll snap her neck like a twig!” Whilst I am under orders to take all of you alive, you are the main prize, so you have ten seconds to decide, either you turn yourself in without a fight, or I kill her, then we take you anyway. Ten seconds, Mr. Becker. Your time starts now.”
Chapter 26
The TV was on, and the sound was down. The screen flicked between shots of American warships cutting through a broiling and angry-looking Pacific Ocean and a brightly lit CNN News Room somewhere in Washington. Taulass absently changed the channel to the BBC Word News who were showing almost identical footage taken from a variety of angles. Half watching the footage and half lost in thoughts of what his next move should be he stared past the screen, almost through it, his eyes focusing partially on the heavy black drapes behind. They were closed and blocking out the small amount of natural light supplied by the grey and dull day outside.
He had no phone with him, and no idea if Oriyanna had hers. Even if she did, he couldn't remember the eleven digit number. He'd have to rely solely on her coming to the safe house. In his head he worked out that around twelve hours had passed since the attack. Even if she'd had to walk it, which he doubted as their hire car was missing, she'd have been there by now.
Feeling the first rumbles of hunger stir in his belly he blinked the world back into focus and went through the kitchen, and turned the LED lights on. The blind was down, the window obscured, just as every window in the house was, hiding the interior from any prying eyes. In the cupboard was a variety of hydrated ration pack style meals that they'd stocked the place with some months ago. Enough dry, tasteless and unexciting food to feed the four of them for two weeks, without having to break cover. In the adjoining cupboard were a large number of five litre water bottles and various Earth-Fruit flavoured liquids that made it a little more interesting to drink; raspberry was his particular favourite.
As he cast his eyes over the unappetising menu, the sound of two car doors slamming shut outside drew his attention. Rushing through to the lounge, he collected his gun and waited between the lounge and the hall, his back pressed into the wooden door frame. He knew he was overly jittery and bordering on paranoia that might send a man crazy; he knew the car doors likely belonged to a neighbour and were nothing to do with him. Nonetheless he was ready, poised and aiming the gun at the black glossed Georgian style door. As he heard the rapid sound of feet on the concrete path outside, heading his way, he took a little of the trigger pressure up and got ready to shoot.
* * *
The sixteen mile drive across London took them forty minutes, electrical repair works on a number of the roads they'd needed to use saw them having to take frustrating detours. The city was a bizarre patchwork of the new and the old. The new took the form of shiny, fresh looking shops and buildings, signs of the government's Fresh Start initiative beginning to make a real difference. However there was no hiding the mass of empty boarded up buildings, many had black finger-like tendrils poking out from behind the metal shutters which had been bolted to their masonry, signs of a fire that had likely been started by looters during the seven days of hell that had taken just over a billion lives. In those seven days a fire had raged across the city that almost rivalled the one started at a certain bakery shop in Pudding Lane.
As Adam pulled up outside of the Georgian style two storey detached house, the drizzle had started to turn into rain that splashed heavily into the numerous puddles that littered the quiet street, rippling their dark flat surfaces and causing them to swell.
“This is the place, then?” he asked, looking at the family sized home. “Do you think he is there?”
“The safe had been opened, not forced, and the return tab is missing. He has to be here. Unless he thought I'd been killed and had already used it to call the ship and return home.”
“He'd do that?”
“No – I don't think so, but that is the worst case scenario. We need that ship, Adam.”
“Only one way to tell,” he replied. Opening the car door he immediately felt the plump drops of rain pattering on his arm. He shivered as his shirt started to turn from an uncomfortable damp to wet. Adam cursed his lack of jacket or appropriate clothing. Oriyanna led him up the concrete path which was lined with a miniature picket fence, it looked as if it had been whipped from some model village. At the gloss-black door she turned her attention to a key-safe that was affixed to the buff brickwork just inside the porch. Adam squeezed himself into the narrow space, sheltering from the rain.
“Two, Four, One, One, Three,” she muttered to herself as she spun the small metal wheels on the safe. She turned her attention to Adam as the safe's door clicked open and said, “The same code as the safe in the house.” The key was inside, but that didn't mean a thing. If the team were split and arrived at the house separately the key was to be returned to the safe as soon as the door was opened. Her hands were trembling as she slotted the brass key into the lock and turned it.
* * *
Taulass heard the sound of the key safe being opened and felt a little of his paranoia subside, as it slipped away it turned to hope. All the same he kept the gun trained at the door, although he did take the pressure off the trigger. As the door swung open, Oriyanna's slender frame became silhouetted in the dim light of the world outside of his hideaway.
“T,” he heard her cry, relief in her voice. “Put that gun down before you shoot someone.” She paced over to him as he lowered the weapon and embraced him in a hug. “I thought you were dead, I'm so sorry.”
“To be honest I thought I was, too,” he said, holding her at arm's length, a broad smile on his face. He turned his attention to the male with her, “Adam Fisher,” he smiled, he'd met Adam briefly during his short stay on Arkkadia. “I'd hoped that Oriyanna had gone after you when we were attacked.” He looked at Oriyanna and said, “Why did you come back to London?”
“The return tab, I had no idea you were alive until I saw the safe open. “Please tell me you have it?”
He gave her a knowing grin and said, “It's safe, now please tell me you know what's going on?”
“I do,” Oriyanna replied, walking past him and into the lounge, she frowned at the darken interior and the pulled curtains. Her attention turned to the TV which was still running a story that carried the on-screen headline, Crisis In The Pacific. She turned her attention back to Taulass and said, “That,” pointing to the television.
“They are behind this?” Taulass replied, sounding confused. “Then there must be far more Earth-Breed still in deep cover than we estimated.”
“No – they're not behind it, they are going to use it. Those ships are just a show of strength at the moment, the USA and Russia flexing their muscles, but at the moment they are only good for close quarters combat. It's the nuclear cargo as well as all the weapons waiting in silos and bunkers all over the planet that they are going to use, just as soon as the launch and defence systems come back online.”
“But that's going to be,” Tauslass paused and checked the time on the TV screen, “in less than twenty four hours, according to the news reports.”
Oriyanna nodded a grim and steely expression on her face, she glanced at them both anxiously and said, “Possibly sooner, it just depends who m
anages to boot their launch system first. I know it's a race to be the first to the table, those ships prove that.”
Adam checked his watch. They'd been gone over three and a half hours, it was pointless texting either Sam or Luice back in Wiltshire to inform them of the delay, Alton Barnes had always been in a dead spot for cell service, even before the EMP. “We need to get moving,” he said urgently, “we've been in London much longer than estimated.” He glanced at the return tab which Taulass had produced from his pocket and said, “Well actually, I guess we don't have to worry about driving back.”
Oriyanna shook her head and said, “We can't use it, not yet.”
“Why?” he protested. “Correct me if I'm wrong here, but a spacecraft is going to be a lot faster than my knackered old Mazda.”
“Oriyanna is right,” Taulass cut in, we can't call the craft, not yet. Arkus 2 has her transponders deactivated, which is why it was impossible for us to locate her. We'd have to be within ten miles to detect the craft, maybe closer. On radar she is like a ghost, invisible. The Niribus has her transponders on, as soon as she is activated her systems will literally shout to Arkus 2 that she is there.”
“And?” sighed Adam, raising his eyebrows. “We can just jump on board, be in Peru in seconds and blast them out of the desert. Simple!”
Oriyanna placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at the naivety of his comment. Trying her hardest not to sound condescending, she said, “You saw that ship in the desert, how big it was?” Adam nodded his head, already feeling foolish for his optimism and for one second thinking it was going to be an easy ride. “Our craft, Niribus, is a planetary shuttle craft, like the one you came home on. It holds a maximum of twenty crew and was designed to spend no longer than three weeks in space with a full complement of personnel. Sure, she is fitted with defensive weaponry, but it's only really intended for blasting asteroids and alike.”
