His brother’s gaze traveled to Anya. “Her, too.”
“No. Nonnegotiable.”
“Do you trust her?”
When Joshua’s gaze rested on Anya, a hint of amusement warmed it. “In every way—except obeying me.”
Michael’s lips twitched. “Tough for a baron. Zebra Charlie Alpha?”
Anya recalled Joshua ordering airships to retreat to a location named Zebra Charlie Alpha. She had never heard of it before, and now wondered why Michael mentioned it.
“Yes.”
Following Joshua’s tersely spoken affirmative, Michael headed into an inner room. It must be Michael’s living area. It contained a sagging, puke green couch, an ornately carved rocking chair, a table, and furry skins on the floor. A fire blazed in the hearth, and a paper thin television, made of the usual flexible plastic, hung by nails from the rock wall.
It was warm inside, and for the first time Anya realized she hadn’t spotted any vents pumping central heating through Tash. In fact, the short impressions she had formed of this underground community were a strange mix of savage and civilized.
“Leave your bag here,” Joshua said, so Anya left it near the door.
Michael shoved aside a floor-to-ceiling wall tapestry. It hid an elevator. After they stepped inside, its sudden jerk sideways made Anya stumble into Joshua. His strong arms closed around her, holding her upright. Unfortunately, he released her the moment she regained her balance.
With interest, Anya examined the square “elevator” box in which they rode. “Is this an electric train?” she asked in surprise.
“And an elevator,” Michael rumbled with a faint smile.
It was hard to guess how fast they were speeding, but from the initial jerk, it couldn’t be slow. “Are we going to Zebra Charlie Alpha?”
Joshua met his brother’s gaze over Anya’s head. “Not exactly. It’s the ZCA command center.”
She suspected he had filtered the information. That was fine. She would discover more facts later, when she needed them. “What will we do there?”
“You’ll send messages to Donetsk’s cities,” Joshua told her. The elevator jerked and slowed. “Orders are to evacuate, except for mandatory personnel.”
Anya was pleased to be given a task. All the same, she said, “Where will the people go? It’s too cold outside for the babies and children.”
“Tell them to take solar tents and provisions for a month. They’ll need to scatter into the hills so Onred’s ships can’t use them for target practice.”
Anya wondered what would be worse for her people—fleeing for their lives across the icy wasteland and hiding in the hills, or sitting in warm, comfortable cities, which were apparently defenseless from Onred’s attacks. Maybe it was an easy choice, after all.
The door slid open to reveal a huge, rocky black cavern. Encircling the room was a seamless, floor-to-ceiling television screen. Below the multitudes of flickering images, men operated glassy computer work pads. The room’s center area housed a medium-sized conference table and more computers, but those screens were smaller.
This cavern rivaled Astana’s Command Central.
Relief hit Anya by surprise. “I thought when Astana was destroyed, that that was it. I didn’t know…” She gazed around in awe. “How long has this been here?”
Joshua smiled. “It’s been operational for five years. I ordered it built two years after becoming baron.”
“It’s ingenious! And no one knows about it?”
“If Onred did, it would be dust.” He strode for an empty computer pad.
“I still don’t understand how Onred got past Astana and Irgiz’s missile defense systems.”
Michael spoke. “I’ve been wondering the same thing. It’s clear he disabled the defense system before he kidnapped the Dubrovnyks. Otherwise, he would never have been able to land in Astana in the first place. Once the defense system was breached, and the Dubrovnyks kidnapped, sending a thermal into Astana would have been like shooting a bomb into a baby’s crib. But here’s the real question. How did he get the key codes to the system in the first place?”
“A spy. Or a traitor,” Joshua said shortly.
Shocked, Anya said, “You think one of our people is working for Onred?”
“What other explanation is there?” Joshua leaned over the work pad. Fingers flying, he typed in a series of letters and numbers. “Our first job is to change all of the codes, and jam the transponder frequencies.”
“What if he’s accessed our entire satellite computer system?” Anya said. “He might see the new codes, or delete them.”
Joshua looked at Michael, who said, “Del is working on that right now. He’s found a remote virus hacking the satellite system, feeding data to Onred. We can’t tell where it originated, or when it was planted. We do know, however, when it started corrupting the system.”
“When?”
“Minutes before Onred scrambled Astana’s air space circuits and kidnapped the Dubrovnyks. Del has cut out the virus’s main heads, but now the end code is manufacturing new data processing hubs. It’s like cancer.”
“The whole satellite is infected?”
“Everything but the housekeeping network.”
Joshua opened his mouth, but Michael raised his hand. “We’re on it. Del’s set up firewalls on the housekeeping network. For now, they’re holding. His men are rewriting code so Onred’s computers are directed back to the main system. Onred hasn’t tried to breach ZCA’s firewall, because he doesn’t know we exist.”
“Yet,” Joshua said grimly. “Cut information packets to short bursts.”
Michael nodded.
“Tell Zyra and the other cities to take their systems offline and go to internal backup systems. Change all codes. No communication through the satellite except through housekeeping.”
“Done.”
“Anya, write the messages to the cities, and Del’s men will send it. Michael, do we have contact with our pilots and the army?”
Anya moved to the work pad, and swiftly typed in the evacuation order.
Michael answered Joshua’s question. “Yes, but sporadic. Estimates are, half the airbirds are down. The army is pretty much intact. Onred’s men bombed two military fields an hour ago. The men were gone, though.”
“Good.”
“I’ll talk to Slovic about jamming the pilot transponder codes. Most men have destroyed theirs, but a few are flying solo—we haven’t heard from them in hours. I’ve ordered a blackout on communications. I hope that’s okay.”
“You read my mind.” Joshua gripped his brother’s shoulder. “Tell me when we’ve got a secure line to the commanders. We won’t use ZCA’s channel until we’re sure Onred can’t access it.”
“Right.” Michael headed across the room.
“I’m finished, Joshua,” Anya said, after rereading her brief message. “But how will people know it’s really from you?”
“We’ll attach a short video link.” Joshua’s fingers flew across the keypad again, and then his arm unexpectedly went around her shoulders. He drew her close against his side. “Smile for the camera,” he murmured.
A red feed line indicated recording had begun. “Anya and I are alive,” Joshua said in a cool, level voice. “Our territory lives, as well. We will defeat Onred. Follow my instructions for your own safety.” Another touch, and the feed glowed green.
Joshua’s warm arm left her shoulders, and he touched a few more keys. “I sent it to Slovic. He’ll send it on the secure network.”
Anya had managed to keep up fairly well with the military half-speak and technical jargon Joshua and Michael had exchanged a few minutes ago, although much more would make her head ache. One question had come to mind, however. “Why hasn’t the virus infiltrated the housekeeping network?”
“I don’t know. Hopefully Michael and Del will find the answer.”
Anya had studied Donetsk’s general satellite computer infrastructure in school. It had been a core req
uirement that she had disliked, because it had required unusually boring amounts of memorization. She had forgotten most of it promptly after graduation. However, Anya did remember one interesting detail. “Both the housekeeping network and the children’s education network are on the same satellite server. Why would the children’s network be infected? Why would Onred infest a network made up of education and games?”
“Good question. I’ll put it to Del. Then I’m going for a walk.”
“I’ll come with you,” she said at once.
“Yes, you will.” The grim note in his voice made her frown.
After a brief talk with a dark-haired man, Joshua opened a recessed door in the wall. Cold air billowed into the computer room. Anya hurried after him into an enormous black cavern. She stopped dead in her tracks, for its sheer size and contents made her jaw drop.
“So this is Zebra Charlie Alpha,” she whispered.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The cavern’s dome arched at least a hundred meters overhead, and harsh light strips lit the vast area. Hundreds of airbirds were parked in bays stacked high against the far wall. Mechanics worked on others. A few larger warships, capable of carrying thermal bombs, hovered like sleek black beasts at either end of the long cave. Men bustled about, fueling aircraft, cleaning them, loading supplies… The activity looked like a well-oiled machine.
“I had no idea,” Ana murmured, zipping up her coat against the arctic air. It took only a moment to realize the airbay lacked one important feature. “Where’s the exit?”
“A tunnel. There.” Joshua pointed.
The black mouth loomed at the far end of the airbay. Anya saw no tracks. It looked large enough for an airbird to comfortably fly through, but the larger warships must be captained by Joshua’s elite force. No one else could safely navigate such a narrow space. She wondered how long the tunnel was, and where it exited.
“Anya!”
She turned at the familiar voice and smiled when she saw flame-haired Pete O’Shea striding toward her. The lanky young pilot had asked her out a few months ago, but they had decided to remain just friends. Recently, he had been reprimanded for hot-dogging in his airbird.
“Pete!” She hugged him while he kissed her cheek. With a laugh, she pulled back. “I’m glad to see you’re alive.”
Pete flashed a bright blue, devil-may-care glance at Joshua. “Baron’s had me doing penance, flying border patrol. Never knew it would save my life.” Tone turning more serious, he said, “I’m glad to see you’re alive, too. Joshua’s been killing himself, searching for you. Riding rough on a bunch of other pilots, too.”
Anya glanced at Joshua and was surprised to see faint color wash his cheekbones.
Pete grinned, also seeing his discomfort. “That’s right. Ray about sidelined him for short-sheeting on rest. Looks like you finally found her, Baron.”
“O’Shea,” Joshua said curtly. “You’ve got orders. Meet me in Command Center in ten.”
Pete saluted. “Yessir!” With a grin, he left them.
Anya touched Joshua’s sleeve. “I didn’t realize you were searching for me night and day.”
He didn’t look at her. “I was worried,” he said gruffly. “I was afraid you were dead.” A muscle flickered in his jaw.
He had been afraid. Suddenly, she realized just how selfish she had been. She had been worried only about herself—and hiding from him—while Joshua had been searching for her around the clock, probably growing more afraid with each passing hour that she might be dead. And Astana—her home’s destruction continued to weigh heavily upon her, even though Joshua believed Onred had planned to destroy it all along. How could they ever know the truth?
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I regret what I did more than I can ever tell you.”
He finally looked at her. “Don’t be,” he said. “If you hadn’t run, you would be dead. So would I. And Donetsk Territory would be Onred’s.”
She looked into his eyes for a long moment, finding steadiness and reassurance there. And forgiveness. Feeling a small sliver of peace, she smiled softly. “Thank you.”
Joshua’s lips curved up. “Come on. I have something to show you.”
He strode across the bay, calling a greeting to a gray-haired man in a yellow parka. Silver tape on its back marked Donetsk’s circle and cross symbol.
Following close on Joshua’s heels, Anya gazed about the monstrous room, trying to drink it all in. Why hadn’t she known about this place? Why didn’t Onred? Of course, Zebra Charlie Alpha was located underground, so satellites couldn’t spot it. As well, the room was freezing, so maybe it didn’t show up on heat sensors—or maybe the rocky mountains blocked the signal.
Joshua spoke to the gray-haired man. “Darryl. How’s my ship?”
Darryl grinned, revealing crooked teeth. “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Baron. I’ve kept it all polished up and running smooth as a kitten. Right over here.” He moved to the wall of floor-to-ceiling bays and patted a black airbird’s nose. Yellow painted flames licked down the sides.
Joshua grinned. “Thanks.” He stroked the shiny bird like a master his favorite horse. As Anya watched his tanned hand caress the inanimate beast, a ridiculous stab of jealousy hit. Clearly, his heart belonged to this ship.
When Darryl left them, she said, “Did you fly this bird when you were in the elite force?”
“Yes. I still do, sometimes.”
“It looks nice,” she offered. The shiny craft’s nose was a bit blunter than others in the airbay—maybe an older model—and the fierce, iridescent yellow flames made it distinctive looking. A niggling of an idea occurred to her. “You were in the army before the air corps, weren’t you?”
Joshua nodded and released the door latch. With a faint hiss, it slid left. After a quick climb inside, he relaxed into the pilot’s chair. His fingers gently fondled the bird’s control panel.
Anya crawled inside, too, so she could get a better view. Her tiny idea faltered when she examined in detail the multiple control panels and indecipherable markings on some of the keypads. “Was it hard, learning to be a pilot?”
“Not really. It was a crash course. When I joined the air force, they’d just lost a pilot. They needed an immediate replacement. I learned the basics overnight.”
“Wow.” Anya touched one of the buttons. “What does this do?”
At her request, Joshua explained the function of a number of the controls. He didn’t appear suspicious of her sudden interest, for he still wore that fatuous look as he caressed each button, explaining its purpose. Anya refrained from rolling her eyes.
Insight struck. “Will you fly this bird to meet Onred?”
With apparent reluctance, his hand dropped from the instrument panel. “I could. But I won’t. Onred won’t get both me and my airbird.”
“You won’t really surrender to him, will you?”
“He’ll need to think I will. If I’m guessing right, he’ll blow up my airbird as soon as I get off the ship.”
“You can’t get off,” she said in horror. “He’ll kill you. And that will be the end of our territory.”
“There’s still you.” Joshua gave her a level look, and Anya frowned. Donetsk Territory needed Joshua’s strong leadership. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry?” Anya’s brow lifted. “Are you insane? Of course I’m worried. What’s your plan?”
“You don’t need to know.”
Anya softly gasped in outrage. “Tell me. I’m not stupid. I can understand.”
A smile touched his lips. “I know you’re not stupid.” Tawny eyes burned into hers. “That’s why I won’t tell you.”
If she had been younger, Anya might have stamped her foot. As it was, she clenched her teeth. “I’ll find out sooner or later.” She managed a reasonable tone. “You might as well tell me now.”
“No. Back up. I’m getting out.”
As Anya retreated from the small craft, she changed tactics. “If you wo
n’t tell me your plan, then tell me what I can do to help the mission.”
Joshua shut the door. “I told you before.” His tone was grim again, and unyielding. “Listen to me. You’ll stay here, where you’ll be safe.”
“That song and dance is getting old. By now, you should know one thing—if you don’t give me an assignment, I’ll make one up.”
“Michael will give you a job in the control room.”
“No. The control room is well-staffed. I might as well tell you, Joshua, I plan to be in the thick of the battle. Now, you can either keep me in the loop, or I’ll find a way to get myself there. I am the Baron’s daughter, you know. I’m next in line for power if I marry. These people know that. They won’t dare shine me on like you are.”
Satisfied with her speech, she crossed her arms and gave him a hard glare.
* * * * *
Anya would not back down. Joshua could see that in her flashing blue eyes and the set line to her jaw. But he hadn’t been her protector for ten years without learning a few things about her. On the positive side, she was smart, courageous, and loved her family to distraction. On the negative, she was reckless. Skyjumping from the shuttle had shocked him. So had following him here, to Tash. Richert must have helped her with that one.
So Joshua knew Anya would formulate a risky plot and carry it out if she felt desperate enough. She wanted to help. He understood that. The key was to give her an assignment vital enough that she’d feel content to stay here, at ZCA.
He thought fast. “When Del secures the computer network, we’ll need a communications coordinator…”
“No. I am not stupid, Joshua! I know Michael’s got a communications expert. Probably three.”
That was true. Frustrated, Joshua expelled a breath. “I’ll talk to Michael. I’m sure he needs help somewhere.”
“I want to come with you.” Her blue eyes pleaded with him.
“No!”
The stubborn line of her jaw stiffened. “I know you’ll send an extraction team to Bogd. That’s where Onred lives. My family is probably there, too. I’ll find out who’s going. If you won’t let me ride with you, I’ll fly with another pilot.”
Ice Baron (Ice Chronicles, Book One (science fiction romance)) Page 10
