by J. G. Martin
Rora swiftly turned down a side road and then wove through an abandoned mall parking lot trying to lose their pursuers. These two were more persistent and closed in quickly. The lot was enclosed by what had once been concrete planters, but now just acted as barriers. The planters prevented anyone from entering or exiting except through the entrance and had provided some greenery before the virus. She estimated they were just slightly below the bumper of their car but higher than their pursuers.
In desperation, and with bullets tearing their car apart, she aimed the car straight at one. The front wheels struck the planter and the car reared up into the air. The rear wheel drive propelled the car forward even though the front tires were airborne. The rear wheels struck the planter and almost climbed up it. The car suddenly dropped forward with a crash, the undercarriage sparking on the planter but continuing to grind forward. The car shot forward as the rear tires cleared the planter and they spun out onto Wilshire Boulevard.
The two technicals behind them tried to stop in time but couldn’t, and they struck the concrete planters with a loud smash. The planters exploded from the force of the collisions but both vehicles slid to a stop just outside the parking lot. Both of their front ends were mangled by the collisions and steam and smoke vented from their hoods. The stunned gunners managed to get in a few parting shots, but the fugitives pulled away quickly.
Chapter 7
June 27, 2029
Santa Monica, California
Amazingly they made it to the Santa Monica airport without any further trouble. Rora wove in and out of the city streets dodging any pursuers. They saw many sets of headlights, but the maze of streets provided excellent cover until they arrived at the airport. The entrance was guarded by five gang members and one pickup technical with a machine gun mounted in the back. Rora wanted to shoot their way in, but the colonel persuaded her that attacking them would draw too much attention.
Instead, they snuck in through a drainage pipe that connected to the airport’s fire prevention pond. Once it held thousands of gallons of water to be pumped in case of a fire, but the California coast had been dry as a bone since the Aftermath. The pond had long since dried out and no one had bothered to block the overflow pipe. It was a tight fit, and a challenge dragging Anna through; but they made it out. Dirty and scraped, all of them were relieved to be inside the airport without being spotted.
The commander guided them to the hangar that housed the vintage planes. They had to hide once to avoid an open top jeep with a machine gun mounted on top that was patrolling, but other than that they saw no one. Surprisingly the hangar was locked with a padlock, but Rora picked the lock and they rushed inside. Inside the hangar were the vintage planes, a thick coating of dust indicating they hadn’t been moved in a while. The tools and just about everything else had been stripped from the hangar; but the gangbangers hadn’t had much use for the planes, so they just left them.
The colonel and the commander went over and began examining the planes leaving Rora with the still catatonic Anna. She waited patiently as the two astronauts searched for a viable ride. Aviation hadn’t been part of Rora’s education so she knew little about the individual planes. Hopefully they could find a working one and get out of here. Judging by the two men’s excited reactions they had found one.
“We just need to find some fuel.” The commander informed her.
“Wouldn’t the gangs have taken any leftover fuel?” She asked.
“Unlikely. It isn’t usable for much else besides a plane.” He replied.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more of the gang Lords keep a small plane here for personal use.” The colonel added. “They would need fuel on hand for that.”
“The fuel tanks aren’t far from here if I remember correctly.” Commander Khodorov informed them. “Let’s go over there and see if we can scavenge some fuel.”
“What about Anna?” Rora asked.
“We’ll have to leave her here.” The colonel stated. “If we find fuel, we will need all three of us to carry enough back for our return trip.”
Reluctantly Rora and the commander agreed and they snuck out of the hangar towards the fuel tanks. Just like everywhere else, there were no lights on. Darkness blanketed the airport and nothing moved. The silence was almost deafening. Ever since the Aftermath, the world had become a much quieter place. Most animals including insects had died off so the usual nocturnal noises of animals on the move no longer existed. Few cars and little electricity meant no businesses or nighttime activities. So it had become almost peaceful at night.
That peace was shattered before they got too far from the hangar. Bright floodlights snapped on, blinding the three of them. Armored cars swiftly rolled out from behind the hangar and other buildings. Praetorians poured out of the armored cars and pointed their guns at the trio. Rora and the two astronauts found themselves surrounded and hopelessly outgunned. They acquiesced to the screamed orders to drop their weapons and lie face down on the ground.
The Praetorians quickly and efficiently secured their hands and feet using plastic cuffs. Unlike the gang members at Edwards, the professionals secured their hands behind their backs and were using the more durable police versions of the cuffs instead of zip ties from Walmart. Rora found herself dragged into one of the armored cars and watched as they were all put in different cars. Then a black hood was pulled over her head and she could no longer see what was happening.
From the sounds and motion of the vehicles they were being rushed out of the airport. Utilizing her memory of the map and her recall of the turns and time in between turns, Rora was able to determine that they were heading into downtown L.A. She assumed they were being taken to the Castle to be interrogated by the Imperator. The trip ended with them going downward into what she assumed was an underground garage, which was rare for L.A.
The Praetorians dragged her out of the vehicle and through a series of twisting turns. They came to a stop briefly and she felt the floor move and realized they were in an elevator. It moved up swiftly and stopped suddenly. Rora was then dragged out of the elevator and for another minute or so before being halted and held firmly in place. She could hear other people moving around and talking including the commander demanding to know what was going on.
The hood was suddenly ripped off her head and the bright lights temporarily blinded her. When she looked up she could see that she was on the top floor of the Castle. Most of the floor had been cleared to create a large open space with a large throne on a raised dais at one end. Heavily armed Praetorians were placed strategically around the room and were watching her warily. The bright light was being provided by the windows that filled every wall providing an impressive panoramic view of the city. She could see the others being held like she was from the corner of her eye.
On the dais sat a middle aged black man dressed in a black uniform similar to the Praetorians. His uniform however, was much fancier and had epaulets and gold braid on his shoulders. He wore a simple gold crown on his close cropped head and held a gold scepter in his left hand. He stared at her with piercing blue eyes as if trying to read her mind. So this was the Imperator, he looked very impressive despite the over the top uniform.
To his left was the big surprise. The Pope stood slightly behind him and to the right. When he saw Rora his face turned white and he leaned down to whisper frantically in the Imperator’s ear. The Imperator waved him away, but the Pope would not be dissuaded. He continued to whisper animatedly to the Imperator until he was lightly pushed away.
“Enough!” The Imperator commanded. “I don’t care if she is the consort of the True Messenger of God or whatever gibberish you are spewing. Keep quiet or I will have you removed.”
The frightened Pope stepped back and held his tongue. He continued to stare at Rora with terrified eyes and kept looking around as if expecting Derek to appear by magic. He fidgeted while the Imperator sighed and stood up. Now that he was standing, Rora could see he was relatively short at around five
foot seven. She had heard that most men in L.A. were actually very short. Despite his height he exuded an intense aura of authority and menace.
“You come to my city and kill my men and destroy my vehicles.” The Imperator stated calmly as he paced in front of them. “You present a challenge to my authority that I cannot allow. Yet you present a unique conundrum. You arrived in a space shuttle. A space shuttle…What knowledge might you have that could benefit me? That you could trade for your lives?”
“We work for NASA…” Commander Khodorov started.
“I’m not finished.” The Imperator interrupted. “The gangs will demand blood for the men you killed and the vehicles you wrecked. If I don’t give it to them I look weak. I cannot look weak. So some of you will have to be executed publicly to send a message. I am giving one of you a chance to save yourself. Whichever one of you talks first lives, and the others will be executed.”
The last statement was delivered with finality and Rora glanced at the others to see their reactions. Anna of course was still a virtual zombie. The commander looked angry and didn’t seem inclined to talk. But the colonel, he looked afraid and about to crack. He was going to talk if she didn’t talk first. She couldn’t let her mission end here and she prepared to step forward and talk.
Before she could open her mouth an aide appeared from behind her and rushed to the Imperator’s side. He looked irritated but he listened to what the aide had to tell him. The aide finished and stepped back, a terrified look on his face. It wouldn’t surprise Rora if the gang leader had a tendency to shoot the messenger. He didn’t do that and instead got a contemplative look on his face. He returned to his chair and composed himself.
“Bring him in.” He ordered imperiously.
They all turned instinctively as another person entered the room. An older man in a New Republic of Texas military uniform strode confidently into the room. He winked at Rora as he passed and she realized with great shock that it was Augie. What the heck was he doing here in an N.R.T. uniform? He came to a stop a respectful distance from the dais and bowed at the waist.
“Imperator.” Augie intoned.
“What do you want General Killian?” The Imperator asked in an irritated tone.
“I wanted to thank you for capturing these fugitives for us.” Augie responded calmly.
“What are you talking about?” The gang leader snapped.
“These four are wanted fugitives from the N.R.T. They stole a space shuttle with the intent to sell it to a private bidder. Fifteen soldiers were killed during their heist. I will take them back with me to face a firing squad.” Augie explained.
“What about my men that were killed and my damages?” The Imperator asked.
“As part of our non-aggression pact you are required to return any fugitives to us unharmed.” Augie pointed out. “But we understand that you went through some trouble to capture them for us, so we are prepared to pay you a bounty of five hundred thousand in gold. How does that sound?”
“That would be acceptable.” The gang leader replied, slightly mollified. “Do you have it with you?”
“No, but we can have it shipped over in three days.”
“Very well. You may take your fugitives but I want the gold in two days and I want you to throw in a couple of fully armed MRAPs.”
“I’m not sure I can do that.” Augie replied with concern.
“No MRAPs, no prisoners.” The Imperator said smugly.
“Fine.” Augie agreed reluctantly. “I will have the gold delivered with the MRAPs in two days. Now let me have my prisoners.”
“Escort them to the General’s plane.” The Imperator ordered with a wave. “And General, you are trying my patience. Next time alert me in advance when someone is going to intrude on my territory.”
“Of course Imperator, my apologies.” Augie replied obsequiously and backed away.
He turned and walked to the elevator. As he passed by Rora he gave a slight shake of his head to forestall the question she was about to ask. The Praetorians grabbed the astronauts and Rora and dragged them into the elevator after him. They rode down in silence and then were dragged out of the building and thrown into a large black Ford Expedition. Augie climbed in after them.
“Wait until we get to the plane.” He instructed quietly with a slight nod towards the front seat.
Two Praetorians drove them to LAX with an escort of two armored cars. No one spoke, but Rora could tell the others were very curious at what was going on. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. Augie was theoretically an ally but seeing him in the N.R.T. uniform and well known to the Imperator made her suspicious. Was it possible he wasn’t really a part of the Society, or worse a double agent?
When they arrived at the airport, the convoy pulled up to a small jet. It looked like pictures of a Gulfstream V that Rora had once seen. The steps were down and two more Praetorians stood guard at the bottom. Augie exited the SUV and entered the plane without a look back. The rest of them were dragged unceremoniously from the SUV and up into the plane. The Praetorians dumped them on the floor and left without a word.
A crew member retracted the steps and the plane’s engine started. The four of them lay on the floor and exchanged confused glances wonder what was going on. The plane had marking for New Republic of Texas and the flight crew was also wearing N.R.T. uniforms. They helped Rora and the astronauts into seats and buckled them in, but didn’t say a word. The plane took off soon after and they were fully airborne before Augie emerged from the crew cabin.
Chapter 8
June 27, 2029
In the air, East of L.A., California
“Cut them loose.” Augie instructed the flight crew as he sat down facing Rora.
“Gee thanks.” She said sarcastically.
“General, what is going on here?” Commander Khodorov interrupted. “Why are you wearing N.R.T. uniforms and flying an N.R.T. plane? And why were you in L.A.?”
“Come now Commander, you know I cannot answer that.” Augie replied evenly.
“Why the hell not?” Colonel Brandt demanded. “We crash landed, were shot at, beaten, and nearly executed; and you mysteriously appear to save us at the last minute. We deserve answers.”
“Look, I would love to tell you everything but I can’t.” The General informed them. “It is part of operational security. I assure you I am here on Society business and that’s all you are cleared to know.”
“I have the highest clearance possible.” The commander insisted.
“But you don’t have a need to know.” Augie told him calmly.
“I’m going to be talking to Dr. Banek about this when we get back.” The commander stated emphatically.
“You do what you feel you have to do commander. I would just remember how I saved your bacon when you go crying to the good doctor.” Augie said pointedly.
The two astronauts grumbled to each other and gave the general dirty looks but focused on getting circulation back into their extremities. The cuffs had been very tight and Rora felt the same raw pain where the cuffs had chafed and restricted blood flow. After a few minutes of further hushed grumbles they turned their attention to Anna. One of the crew had already given her a shot to sedate her, but they wanted to make sure their fellow crew member was secure.
Shaking his head with a wry grin, Augie addressed Rora in a low voice. “Those two are so full of themselves.”
“They did handle themselves pretty well in an unfamiliar situation.” She informed him.
“That may be, but it doesn’t dismiss years of prima donna behavior. I thought maybe they would snap out of that now that they got their hands dirty.” He replied.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came out here to pick you up at Edwards, but you already had company by the time I got there.” He said innocently.
“And you happened to have an N.R.T. uniform and plane ready to go when you needed to get us from the gangs of L.A.?”
“Rule #15, always be prepared�
��”
Rora had to stifle a laugh at that one. “You weren’t really just an Army general before the Collapse were you?”
“I think you know the answer to that.” He said with a smile. “And that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.”
“So you aren’t going to tell me what you were doing with the Imperator either are you?”
“I think Rule #6, mind your own business, applies here don’t you?” He said jovially.
“You got me there.” Rora acknowledged. “What about the deal you made? Are you going to honor it?”
“That would be tough since the N.R.T. government knows nothing about General Killian meeting with the Imperator.”
“Won’t there be trouble when the Imperator doesn’t get his payoff?” Rora asked with a little concern.
“Screw the N.R.T. and G-21.” The General snapped. “They wouldn’t help us, so they are on their own. Besides, the Imperator can’t do much to hurt the N.R.T. and I’m sure they don’t care much what he thinks.”
“I thought the Society was about helping mankind?”
“Some of mankind doesn’t deserve to be helped.”Augie told her. “And there will always be collateral damage. You have to try to do the most good for the most people.”
“Does Dr. Banek share that viewpoint?” She asked.
“That is one point we disagree on. But he never argues with my results, so I think we can see who wins the argument.”
That was interesting to learn. The Society was not the monolithic organization of do-gooders they pretended to be. Ultimately, they were like everyone else. The ends justified the means. Their ends might be nicer than everyone else’s but they were still imposing those ends on others. She supposed that was just human nature. Still, she would have to be careful of Augie. He had some hidden depth to him, and she wasn’t sure what he was truly capable of.
