by Eliza Green
The car pulled up close to the gates of Waverley. Ben frowned at the deserted entrance.
‘Where are the guards?’ said Greyson.
Jenny tensed up. ‘Possibly inside. We need to get the guards out, then barricade the neighbourhood.’ She turned to Greyson. ‘Can you go back to the markets? Get word to Olsen, let him know what’s happened. They’ll need our protection. The power the neighbourhoods hold is crucial to the success or failure of this plan.’
‘I’ll go with you,’ Isobel said to Greyson. ‘Johan will send them a message. I must account for his credibility.’
Greyson nodded at Waverley. ‘You going inside, Jenny?’
‘I promise I’ll be careful,’ she said.
Greyson pressed his lips to Jenny’s. ‘Make sure you are. I’d rather not grow old by myself.’
Jenny smiled. ‘Not going to happen, Grey. You’re stuck with me.’
Ben barely listened to the conversation around him. He had just lost his brother and had accepted the possibility of never seeing Albert again. But he became more alert when Jenny pulled him out of the car.
‘Our priority now is to limit the bloodshed caused by our actions,’ Jenny said to Isobel.
‘Yes, when the Indigenes can communicate with each other again, Johan will instruct them to gather up as many DPads and communication devices as they can find.’
‘There should be enough. All technology stayed behind when the World Government fled this planet,’ said Greyson. ‘Once we have a coordinated effort from all, I’ll instruct Olsen to turn off the life support to the rest of the criminal strongholds.’
The others got out of the car while Greyson and Isobel walked towards the black market.
Their group of Sal, Jenny, Ben and the Italians passed through the unmanned gates. Ben heard the sound of an electrically charged battle. They followed the noise to an area just past the tavern, close to Central Square. A gunfight was in progress between the guards from the gates and a group of lightly armed residents carrying sticks and throwing rocks.
‘Get inside the tavern and lock the door after you,’ Jenny said to Sal and Ben. She slipped her gun from her waistband and crept up on the fight, approaching the guards from the rear. The residents fought back, the guards knocked the older, frailer residents to the ground. The younger ones were hesitant.
The Italians rushed after Jenny while Sal stayed with Ben. The tavern came into view.
‘Come on. Albert has a couple of Impulse Tasers hidden away.’ She ushered him inside.
The place was too quiet and dark. Ben had become used to the Italians on the floor and the sound of hushed murmurs. With the life support issue resolved, Ben popped his mask off his face and slipped it into his pocket.
A gasp from Sal rooted him to the spot.
His own breath caught when he saw a black figure stood behind a single chair in the centre of the room.
Albert was home, propped up in a chair, gagged and drenched in blood. Marcus pressed a Buzz Gun to his forehead.
34
‘I knew you’d find your way back here eventually,’ said Marcus.
Ben inched forward. Then he saw a second figure stood off to the side in the shadows. Something about his shape looked familiar.
Ben stopped breathing when Marcus grabbed Albert’s hair and yanked his head back. Albert let out a muffled cry.
Sal had moved forward too, her hand reaching for the gun hidden in her pocket. Ben held his Buzz Gun out in plain sight.
‘Drop your weapon, kid,’ said Marcus. He hadn’t moved his weapon from the side of Albert’s head. He wore a brass knuckleduster caked in blood on the hand gripping Albert’s hair.
Ben stayed where he was. ‘Let him go first.’
Marcus spoke to the shadowy figure. ‘Don’t just stand there. Get out here and disarm him.’
Old Pete emerged from the shadows and strode over to Ben. He yanked the gun away, then slipped his hand into Sal’s pocket and took her gun. Then he stood behind Marcus.
‘You backstabbing piece of shit,’ said Ben.
Pete stared straight ahead, his jaw working from side to side, looking at neither Ben nor Sal.
‘Albert trusted you. He let so many things slide. How could you do this to him?’
Sal’s touch on Ben’s arm silenced him. Marcus sneered, which only made him angrier.
Pete, in his usual cowardly way, refused to look at him.
Then Albert moved in the chair, and Ben breathed a sigh of relief to see he was still alive.
‘I want all the cash you have. Put it in this bag.’ Marcus waved his gun at Ben as he slid Albert’s grey satchel along the floor towards him.
‘We know about the money buried out back. You can have all of it, in exchange for Albert’s life,’ Ben said.
‘I can get more from the safe at my place,’ said Sal.
Marcus had a crazed look in his eyes. ‘I’ve already been to your place and cleared out the money. I want all the fucking money you’re hiding from me. You think I’m some lowly associate with no brains? I know you all keep extra money hidden away. I want it.’
‘You have everything, Marcus,’ said Sal. ‘Just let Albert go.’
Marcus stiffened. ‘Not everything. There’s something else.’
Ben would not give in to Marcus’ demands. Once Albert was free, he’d find another way to get rid of him.
Marcus taunted them with a cruel smile. He turned to Old Pete. ‘Wait outside.’
Pete’s face fell. ‘Come on, Marcus! I’m helping like you asked. You promised me I could join the Kings. I’m not leaving until—’
‘I said, get the fuck out!’ Marcus snatched the two guns out of Pete’s hand and pointed one at him.
Pete left through the back door, trailing a string of expletives.
Marcus pointed his gun at Ben again. ‘I’ve read reports about you, Ben Watson. About where you came from. It’s all over the leaked World Government files. It seems as if you caused a lot of trouble on Exilon 5. Then you came to this planet to cause the same problems here.’ Marcus laughed. ‘I’m surprised you never ended up working for the Kings instead of that fake half-brother of yours.’
‘Don’t you dare mention that boy!’ said Sal.
Ben took another step closer to Albert. Sal stopped him with a hand on his arm.
Marcus laughed again, but it lacked confidence.
Ben spat on the floor. ‘I would rather die than work for the likes of you.’
‘Are you sure about that?’ Marcus wove his fingers deeper into Albert’s hair and tugged. Albert didn’t make a sound. His eyes were slits and his arms were bound behind his back.
Sal released Ben’s arm. ‘What is it you want, exactly, Marcus? Maybe we can work out some deal.’
Marcus relaxed his grip on Albert. Albert let out a shaky breath. ‘There’s really only one thing I need.’
‘If we help you, will you let Albert go?’ said Sal.
‘No!’ said Ben. ‘Don’t promise anything to that murdering scumbag.’
Marcus ground his knuckleduster into the side of Albert’s neck, close to the carotid artery. Albert squeezed his eyes shut.
Ben couldn’t bear to watch. ‘Leave him alone. What do you want?’
‘Access to Bill Taggart on Exilon 5.’
Ben’s brow creased. ‘I don’t know him.’
‘But you have met him?’
‘Once, a very long time ago. But I don’t have access to him. It’s not like we’re friends.’
‘But you know people who can find him.’
‘Why? What do you want with him?’
‘I want to make a deal. Immunity and safe passage to Exilon 5. I want off this fucking hellhole.’
‘So you pissed off Gaetano Agostini, did you?’ said Sal.
Marcus trained his bloodthirsty eyes on her. ‘There’s only one person I give a shit about in this world, and it ain’t any of you.’
‘Why do you want to leave this planet so badly?’ said
Ben.
‘Because you’re not the only ones running for your lives. You have no idea what the Kings will do if they find me. The Agostinis are a bunch of psychopaths.’
‘Yes, we know,’ said Sal. ‘We’re looking at one right now.’
Marcus smiled coldly. ‘That may be, but the Kings don’t reward betrayal.’
Ben could barely look at Albert in his weakened state. ‘I’ll do as you ask, but let Albert go. Give me a day to make some calls.’
Marcus seemed hesitant. He backed away from Albert, keeping the gun pointed at Ben. He fumbled with the extra guns in his hand and dropped one.
‘You have a day. I’ll be watching, Ben Watson. If you don’t deliver, I’ll come back and put everyone you love in the ground. Starting with her.’ He shifted the barrel to Sal.
Ben stiffened as Marcus groped for the back door handle. He opened the door and stepped outside where Ben saw a vehicle was parked.
Sal lunged for the dropped gun and followed him. The car turned over and the wheels kicked up dust. It was gone before she got outside.
Ben ran over to Albert and eased the gag from his mouth. He tried to say something, but he couldn’t make it out.
Sal locked the back door and checked Albert’s wounds. Her concern worried Ben.
She touched Albert’s forehead. Her voice wobbled. ‘He’s running a fever from an infection. I’ve no idea how bad his injuries are or how long he’s been like this. Since the mansion, I suspect.’
The front door opened and Sal swivelled her gun, lowering it as Sofia stepped inside.
‘Marcus, he is gone now.’ Sofia’s gaze lingered on Albert. She got a clean cloth from behind the bar and soaked it in water.
Ben knelt beside Albert. Sofia handed him the cloth and he used it to clean Albert’s wounds. Tears fell from Albert’s eyes and mixed with the blood on his face. Ben’s own vision blurred as he tried to clean the blood away, fearful of what he might find beneath it.
Albert’s glassy eyes tried to focus on Ben’s face. He said in a weak voice, ‘Don’t worry about me, son. I’ve lived a good life. I’ve only ever wanted the best for you and Kevin.’
Ben turned away from him. He would tell him about Kevin when he was stronger.
‘We can call Robinson.’ Ben’s eyes cut to Sal. ‘He’s a medic. He’ll be able to help.’
Sal shook her head. Her eyes were red and puffy. ‘Albert wouldn’t survive a journey to Boston.’
Ben stood up fast. ‘So, we just let him die?’
A sudden, sharp pain on his arm caught him by surprise. He looked down to see Albert’s nails embedded in his skin. He pulled him closer.
Ben dropped to his knees. ‘We have to try, Granddad.’
Albert smiled. ‘I love it when you call me that.’ His watery gaze sharpened. ‘Hold on to that fire in your belly, son. It will help you survive this. I’m an old man. Don’t mourn for me.’ Albert coughed, and winced. ‘I didn’t rescue you from the orphanage so your life would end here. You and Kevin need to look out for each other now.’
‘No.’ Ben pressed his cheek against Albert’s chest. He had to tell him about Kevin.
‘Just stay with me. Keep me company.’ Albert reached for Sal. ‘You, too.’
Sal knelt by his other side and rested her head on his arm. His fingers brushed the top of her head.
‘My oldest and dearest friend,’ said Sal.
Ben felt Albert smile. ‘My conscience. A pain in my butt.’
Sal laughed. ‘You mean my butt, old man.’
Albert drew in a sharp breath. Sal lifted her head.
Ben’s throat tightened, and the tears flowed. Ben hadn’t cried since his mother had left him at the orphanage. He tried to shield Albert from his pain.
Sofia pressed a cool cloth to Albert’s forehead. Ben took it from her and concentrated on making Albert comfortable while Sal kissed Albert’s hand.
Ben used the cloth to wipe away some of the suffering, but beneath its coolness, he felt Albert’s life slip away.
The door opened and Héctor entered. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Albert.
‘I’m so sorry but this can’t wait. You need to move. The others. They’re here.’
35
Ben and Sal ran outside with their Buzz Guns into the middle of commotion.
‘When Marcus left, we barricaded the gates,’ said Héctor. ‘Then, others came in vehicles and they’re now trying to break it down. We need to fend them off. Ben, you’re fast. Go help the others.’
Ben ran to Waverley’s entrance and found thirty men, women and teenagers pushing against the barricades. Outside, one black vehicle repeatedly rammed the gate. Two other cars had poles mounted to the roofs and drove them against the high walls.
Armed men emerged from the vehicles and fired. Ben hid behind the guards’ gatehouse as electricity zinged and popped against the metal. A dozen men leaning against the gates were electrocuted.
He slipped his gun out of his waistband and fired. He found his targets—five men firing with Buzz Guns—and they went down.
More residents flowed from the centre of the neighbourhood and replaced the electrocuted fallen. They pushed against the main gate and the smaller pedestrian gate. The vehicle ramming the gate reversed and drove away. But the cars with the ramming rods continued to hammer at the wall.
Sal arrived with several men and women in tow. She handed out spare oxygen canisters to those who needed them. They dragged large boulders close to the spot where the car attempted to break through the wall. If it made it through, at least the barricades would halt the cars in their tracks.
Some residents retreated as their oxygen ran out. Others took their place.
The pounding against the wall continued for an hour before the cars finally retreated.
Familiar faces arrived at the pedestrian gate. Jenny and Greyson had brought two hessian sacks with them. The residents protecting the side gate let them in when Sal nodded to them. ‘We’ve brought weapons and new oxygen canisters,’ said Grey. ‘We found a stash hidden in one of the rooms at the mansion.’
‘A bit late, but thanks,’ said Sal, through a flurry of breaths. ‘The Kings have retreated.’
‘I’m afraid that’s just the first wave,’ said Jenny. ‘They’ll regroup and try again. Let’s work on securing the perimeter walls properly. This battle is far from over.’
36
As predicted, the Kings soon came again. The onslaught united the shell-shocked young and the battle-weary old. It took every weapon they had and every barricade they could build to keep them out. The residents pulled the automatic guns down from the rooftops and, to their surprise and disappointment, the badly rusted weapons contained no bullets and were in no fit state to fire. They had just been for show.
Olsen and his team had restored life support to all the buildings in Waverley. When the oxygen canisters ran out for some, they took refuge in the nearest properties and acted as spotters in the upstairs rooms. Others used the high vantage point to attack with Buzz Guns.
The battle raged for a day. Waverley lost two thousand good men and women. Some young were part of the casualty list. Eventually, the Kings’ lack of oxygen supplies compromised their ability to fight on the ground, and their vehicle numbers lessened.
The residents had reinforced the perimeter where the vehicles had tried to break through. When the Kings backed off, they relocated their efforts to protecting the gate.
Ben had never seen the Waverley residents fight as hard to protect a place they despised and he understood why. They had never thought a workable plan existed to fight off the Kings. But a new city-wide strategy, being implemented by the Indigenes and Olsen and his team, had given them fresh hope.
On the second day, Sal, Jenny and a few volunteers had travelled back to the Agostini mansion to collect the bodies of their fallen. They had reported the mansion abandoned, except for the Indigenes who had promised to stay. Sal and Jenny had brought back those who wanted refug
e to Waverley. The high-walled neighbourhoods were the only safe places right now. Jenny had promised the Indigenes their freedom when it was all over.
It was a journey Ben could not make, so he’d waited in Central Square for the car carrying the body of his brother to arrive. People had milled around the underground movement’s vehicle, removing sheet-covered bodies and laying them out on the square beside those who’d been killed in Waverley.
There, Kevin claimed his rightful place beside his grandfather. Albert should have been buried the day before, but Ben had ordered nobody to touch him until Kevin had been brought home. He’d spent the night in the tavern by Albert’s side, holding his hand and telling him all the things about his life he’d been afraid to reveal before.
After Albert had been moved from his bed to Central Square, Ben had spent a restless night at Sal’s on her sofa among greasy generator parts. He’d never felt so lost or alone.
Now, Ben stood facing Waverley’s dead. Another family had been ripped away from him. What was he supposed to do now?
Sal and Isobel joined him. He didn’t react when Isobel looped her arm around his stiff shoulder.
‘Don’t mourn them, Ben. Albert and Kevin were brave. They both died doing what they could to change things here.’
His eyes were bone-dry. He had cried so much for both yesterday. ‘They didn’t deserve to die, Isobel. Not like this.’
‘No, they didn’t,’ said Sal. ‘But Albert was an old man and had lived his life.’ Her voice wavered as she spoke. ‘The old bastard wouldn’t hear of any pity. But Kevin was too young for this.’
He could tell Sal had been crying, but she held her chin up and pinched her thin lips together. She would never let Ben see how much she hurt. She and Albert were so alike.
Jenny took a break from coordinating the efforts in the square and walked over to Sal. ‘The mansion was empty, but a car tailed us on the way out. We were shot at a few times. The residents are holding off the new wave at the gates for now. But we must bury our dead now and get back to securing this place. We won’t keep Waverley for long if we can’t get our hands on more weapons. Greyson has sent out some of our people to raid the storage units. The medical facility has turned off the life support to all the criminal strongholds in the New York area.’
