“Miranda, we need to get up and get out of here, before the dark officers begin morning conscription rounds. This block usually ends up on the fringe. You won’t get any new information for your attack out there,” Kindy's mind touch was gentle and his words inaudible.
Miranda untangled herself from those sleeping near her. She thanked them internally for their vitality despite their circumstance, it encouraged her on her way. She'd intended to help these warm but beaten people since before she met them. A night in their company had only strengthened her resolve.
Miranda rose to join Kindy, who had already made a careful path to the door. Miranda found it a difficult thing to get there without disturbing anyone's hard won sleep. The trip raised her opinion of Kindy even higher. The press of people didn't stop at the threshold. On their way through the halls, Miranda and Kindy had to carefully step over and around a number of people who had made their beds in the halls.
Outside, in the first purple shades of dawn, Kindy led Miranda on a winding route through the city. “Kindy, if you don't mind I'd like to know where we are going now.”
“I have a friend, more a mentor, he's hiding in the subway tunnels on the city rim. He'll have the kind of information you need.”
After a circuitous route in, around, under and through the ruined rim of the city, Kindy led Miranda down a damage-enlarged storm drain into a small private garden. It was carefully arranged to look random, but Miranda easily spotted the tiny details which marked it as a product of cultivation, like the carefully placed fragments of mirrors which optimized what little light there was.
“Just through here,” Kindy said opening a carefully balanced door which otherwise appeared to be a slab of fallen concrete rubble.
Miranda followed him through the door into a rough tunnel. At the end of the tunnel were the ruins of a small subway station. Miranda remembered passing the original entrance up above. It had been slagged over by the melt from a building hit by a particle beam cannon. Both ends of the subway tunnel were completely blocked by concrete rubble piled up into walls. Given the care to hide the entrance, Miranda didn't doubt that the other sides of the walls looked very much like the tunnel had caved in.
The whole of the hideaway was lit by a combination of kerosene lamps, candles, and bare electric light bulbs. It was furnished as though it were an ordinary loft apartment. The main living area was furnished generously with the majority of two mismatched living room sets. The upholstery on the furniture was new if slightly singed and Miranda suspected Kindy's friend was no stranger to looting.
“Benjamin I was surprised by your little message this morning. It's not like you to be up before the soldiers have finished conscripting for the day. Is this lovely here what has brought you scurrying from your citadel?” A round yet athletic man somewhere the downhill side of forty said emerging from a small partitioned area. He was dressed meticulously in a well repaired outfit that was just the clean side of being rags.
“She's something special Archie. I know you don't have my gifts, but surely you must feel it.” Ben quickly plunked himself down in one of Archie's overstuffed recliners. While the older man examined Miranda.
“She's a pretty little thing, but what good will her looks do her other than to get her taken by every guard in the city. Poor defenseless thing. My best advice is you take her back out to the rim or where ever she comes from.”
“With all due respect, Archie. I am neither helpless nor from anywhere on this world. I'm here to strike against the dark ones. Kindy- Ben brought me here under the impression you had information I needed.” Miranda stalked over and draped herself across the couch. Kindy sat back in his chair, with a smug, self satisfied grin, as if he expected the exchange.
“My dear, I seriously doubt you have any idea what such an attack would mean for you on a personal level. They would hunt you down and do unspeakable things. Even if, as you claim, you are from another world, that will not protect you. They will hunt you across the universe. That is if you succeed. If you fail, it will be twice as bad and twice as immediate.” Archie finished his declaration by sitting with a flourish in a chair opposite Miranda.
“I know all of that. I should, I've been running long enough. I can’t possibly upset them any further by taking some of them down.”
“You're serious? What did you do?” Archie asked leaning forward.
Miranda glanced between Archie and Kindy. “I said no, and as far as I know that is the one thing that pisses them off the most. Now what I need is to know where I can hit them the hardest.”
Archie sat and digested Miranda's determination, “I don't know about hitting them hardest, but hitting the prison camp would do the most good for the most people with the least risk. There's actually a slight possibility for success.”
“Prison camp it is.” Miranda decided out loud. Inside she wrestled with the memory of her childhood. She had toured prison camps many times. The atrocities she saw at them were held over her head as the implied consequences of disobedience. The idea of taking her rebellion to the gates of such a camp horrified Miranda. Her mental walls held tight, they didn't even leak a hint of her fear to Kindy. “Tell me everything you know.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ben deposited his tray in the food processor and returned to the table he had shared with Tina. She was still munching away at a chef salad. Ben slid back into his seat and let himself feel relief at the solid normalcy of it.
“You can find instruction tutorials for most of the gear on your pop-pad. It also acts as a personal database. It can hold more than a million pages of reference materials stored in its memory banks. So after the emergency gear, that's the next most important thing to get you clear on. “ Tina said around several mouthfuls of salad.
Ben leaned back into his chair not quite prepared to return to the realm of the surreal yet. It had been a nice normal lunch and he had almost forgotten the weirdness of the past several days. “Sure, but do we have to rush so much? Can't I have a little time to get used to things?”
Tina dropped her fork into her salad with surprise. She blinked licked salad dressing from the corner of her mouth, “How much time do you think you need, and more importantly do you think that taking that time will really help you deal with things any better?”
Ben's brain staggered under the rapid fire of Tina's question, “I don't know.”
“Do you know how many people out there need our help?” Tina asked. “Do you know we don't even have enough factors to go around to each dimension, let alone each world within all of the dimensions. The dark on the other hand have armies of operatives on almost every world.” Tina wiped her face, folded her napkin and placed it on her plate. “I'm sorry, you don't deserve that, I'm feeling guilty about...”
Ben jogged his head from side to side, “You don't have anything to feel guilty about. You are one of the people that keep the factors healthy and in the field. You wanted to become a doctor didn't you?”
Tina sniffed, then smiled, “Yes, more than anything.”
“Then what's the problem?”
“The problem is a unruly patient/ student who won’t let me finish his lessons.” Tina grunted.
Ben threw up his hands and slapped his thighs, “Man, how is it you always manage to turn everything back on me!”
“I'm just very good at keeping my mouth going faster than other people's brains.” Tina rose and took her tray to the food processor. She returned and stood behind her seat with her hands on her hips. “So, are we going back to class now, or do I send you to your room?” She was almost comical in her attempt at looming over Ben. He was almost taller than her sitting down.
“I guess it's back to the grind.”
“Oh yeah, some grind, all you have to do is pay attention!” Tina glared at him.
“Just so long as I get reimbursed!” Ben answered playfully.
Tina took her hands from her hips and honed her glare, “And here you led me to bel
ieve you didn't feel that way about me.”
Ben tripped and stumbled over his brain and his tongue, “That's not what I meant!”
Tina smiled and shook her head before setting off for the medical center, “I know.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After the first hour, Miranda wanted to leave, she could have at any time. Not even, she was sure what kept her there, listening to Archie. Possibly it was his voice, it was compelling almost hypnotic, but not really. She thought he would have been a good public speaker or storyteller. Verbally, he made heroes out of even the weakest of the crushed and beleaguered people of his world.
After two hours and a pot of herbal tea, Miranda had more details about the invasion of Kindy's world than she ever wanted. Archie had felt it necessary to elaborate on the gory details of his family's executions. Miranda listened, she had been raised to do things like he described. There was a time she would have done them without hesitation, but then she had fallen into her Ben's eyes. That wasn't true. There wasn't really a point where she wouldn't have hesitated, but pessimistic guilt like hindsight is 20/20.
Almost despite himself, Archie finally came around to the information Miranda needed. He gave her detailed descriptions of the camp, the gates, rough soldier versus prisoner ratios, and the description of an elite guard which could only be made up of Djheens. Miranda compared his information with what she knew from her childhood, and the presence of Djheens in a prison compound didn't mesh. The only way she could see them being placed in such a lowly position as prison guard was if they held a very important prisoner, or if they were setting a trap.
“How long have those women been stationed there?” Miranda inquired.
“According to my sources, they set up shop the morning of the invasion,” Archie answered.
Miranda fell back into a brooding silence. If they'd been here that long, they most likely weren't here as part of a trap. Miranda tried to think of a prisoner the dark one would consider dangerous enough to post a round the clock Djheen guard on, and came up blank.
“Any idea on who they're holding in that wing?”
Archie puckered his face and shook his head, “Could be political leaders or something. I really couldn't say. None of our people have come out of there alive.”
Kindy abruptly leapt from his chair, where he had appeared to be asleep for the last hour, and walked to the door. Both Miranda and Archie followed him with their eyes. Kindy opened the door carefully and stepped out. Bristling with curiosity, Miranda sent out a mental tendril to peek at what he was doing. He swatted it away, surprising Miranda with one of her own techniques.
“Don't worry young lady, He's probably greeting our other guests, probably sensed them coming. A strange lad, Ben is telepathic you know. I didn't believe him at first, but he showed me.” Archie said in the same tones he used to introduce an interesting narrative.
Miranda flinched at the idea of Archie wandering off yet again on one of his interesting if useless tangents, “Archie, tell me about the guests,” Miranda nudged.
The old man grinned and slapped his hands together, “You'll like them, or at least I think so. They're local celebrities, very near folk heroes like Robin Hood. They are not less than the leaders of the rebellion. I imagine that's why Ben invited them. One of them even escaped from the prison.”
Archie's words drew Miranda's attention back from trying to get a telepathic over view of what Kindy was doing. “Escaped?”
“Yes, she's a rather impressive woman. She won’t tell how she managed it though.” Archie answered, but she didn't catch it because Kindy chose that moment to enter with his guests. Kindy only had two men with him, a fact which loudly disappointed Archie, “Miranda, meet Reverend Conrad Meeker and...”
“Diego!” Miranda cried recognizing the would have been pick pocket in one of the men Kindy led.
“Yes, have we met before?” un-Diego responded.
Miranda's emotions fluttered, then sagged, “No, it was an entirely different world.”
One of un-Diego's eyebrows rose, “Excuse me?”
Miranda bit her bottom lip, now she wasn't just letting her thoughts leak from her mind she was letting them leak out her mouth too, “Never mind, I am pleased to meet you both, but Archie led me to believe there would be a woman as well.”
“She disappeared a few days ago. Thing is that it looks like she planned to go this time. She left us fully equipped to finish the fight, except for a decent diversion. She may be off manufacturing one.” Reverend Meeker answered aiming his words at Kindy.
“I think we've got one of those gentlemen,” Kindy said gesturing towards Miranda. “This, by the way, is Miranda, telepath, psychokinetic, and kamikaze lunatic extraordinaire.” Miranda was nearly floored by the strength of worry Kindy unleashed on her with his words. She blinked it back and was impressed by the falsely confident face he managed to show the others.
“Really? It would have to be something big.” Diego grunted.
“It's huge, she intends to go in and take down the prison camp single handed.” Kindy slid back to his chair and plopped down.
“I can't condone a suicide mission like that!” Reverend Meeker protested.
“Reverend, I know how to handle the dark ones. I once managed an escape from their main compound. I have few doubts I can pull this off without a hitch.” Miranda focused on exuding fake confidence on a telepathic level even Diego could pick up. Diego and the Reverend began hurriedly discussing their attack in the sort of verbal shorthand that can develop between two men that have saved each other's lives many times.
Kindy turned a sour face on Miranda His eyes locked on to hers, “You can't possibly be serious! We both know you aren't really ready to try this!” he scolded her telepathically, then reached a gentle caressing concern out to her.
“I also can't run anymore,” was the soft telepathic response she sent him. She held his eyes but sealed her mind, while he tried to caress hers.
They stayed that way for the longest time, until Reverend Meeker broke their stare by clearing his throat, “How soon can you be ready?”
“Whenever you need me.” Miranda answered, swallowing hard against her own sudden fear.
“How about tonight, at full dark?” Diego asked.
Miranda ran a quasi-calculation in her head. The sun had only been up for a couple hours or so. Given she was on Earth, that gave her something around twelve hours. “That should be fine.”
Miranda felt Kindy's explosive disapproval, and was surprised by his verbal response, “You'll need me to coordinate the timing. I'll join you at the front line.” Kindy announced turning his back on Miranda.
“Good god! The dark are bound to lose now that hell has frozen over and Benjamin has volunteered to join the rebellion!” Archie exclaimed slamming Miranda on the back.
“Yes, let us pray that god is on our side in this endeavor.” Reverend Meeker said closing his eyes and bowing his head. Diego, Archie and Kindy bowed theirs in turn. Miranda followed their example but couldn't keep her eyes closed out of curiosity as the reverend led them in her first formal prayer.
His voice softened as he began the prayer. “God we thank you for the blessings we have already received. For the safety of our loved ones, for the food that has sustained us. We have gathered here in prayer for your continued blessing and protection as we prepare to take back this world from the enemy. We are especially grateful for the help of our new friend Miranda, and we ask that you protect her as she provides us with the diversion we need. Amen.” The others offered amens of agreement. “Now gentlemen, I think we should allow our diversion here to get some rest before her attack.” Reverend Meeker laid his hands gently on her shoulders and led her to Archie's bed corner.
Miranda allowed herself to be led, her attention tugged away by the million questions swirling in her brain. Reverend Meeker had her sitting down on the bed before she found voice enough to even protest. “Is that it? You just tal
k to him?”
“To who dear?”
Miranda swallowed around the inhibitions laid down in her childhood, “To god.”
“Yes, he's always listening, even in times like these.” Reverend Meeker gently shoved Miranda back into the pillows.
Miranda laid back and swung her feet up. “Does he talk back?”
Reverend Meeker cocked his head to the side, “Not exactly, at least not that most people hear with their ears. He does answer, though it isn't always with a yes.”
“How does he answer? What is he like? Tell me more.”
Reverend Meeker pulled a coverlet up to Miranda's chin and tucked it in, “We'll talk more later, right now you should rest. Sleep well.” He turned and walked softly away.
Miranda's questions seethed quietly in her brain, stirring and mixing. So that she almost didn't even notice another first; the first time someone had tucked her in for a nap. When she did realize it she wondered what it would have been like to have grown up with someone to tuck her in all the time. She dozed off with that warm fuzzy idea bouncing around in her head.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
“What do you do with this one,” Tina asked randomly pulling a spray can from the pile of tools and supplies in front of her, “and where does it belong?”
Ben took the spray can from her and made a show of looking it over closely. “It's emergency spray dressing. You spray it on to seal and disinfect wounds, but only after cleaning them, and if necessary closing a wound requiring stitches with this,” Ben answered fishing through the pile for surgical adhesive. “They both go in here.” Ben unlocked the blue zippered pocket with his thumb and tucked both items in.
“Show off, “ Tina said in a mock growl. She turned her attention to carefully selecting her next item. Ben watched her and was struck by the certainty that the next item would be one of the food packets.
“So, how ya doing buddy?” Daniel's voice abruptly intruded.
“I'm fine,” Ben answered, his eyes still locked on Tina and the pile.
Eyes Love & Water Page 17
