by Gavin Zanker
‘Just give it some time,’ Aiden said humourlessly.
Zachary took a seat as Julian explained what had happened. He listened with interest, pulling at his lips absently and nodding as the security guards finished shuffling the last residents out.
‘So, the city has become a war zone,’ Zachary said. ‘That leaves a lot of room for opportunity.’
‘What’s the matter with you?’ Grace snapped. ‘People are going to die out there.’
‘People die everyday, darling. But this? This is an opportunity that rarely comes around. Isn’t that right, Jules?’
‘Now’s not the time for scheming, Zachary,’ Julian said. ‘We’re all under threat here and we need to figure out a plan.’
Zachary pouted slightly. ‘All right, but we can’t do much of anything unless we know what the Dawnists are up to.’
‘What about Travis?’ Leigh asked. ‘Won’t he know?’
Everyone paused for a beat before standing in sync and heading to the interview room.
AS THE INTERVIEW room filled up again, Aiden hung back. He knew this could turn ugly, and so leaned against the rear wall, keeping an eye on Leigh while he waited to see how the situation played out.
Travis looked up with a knowing smile. ‘I figured you’d all be back soon enough,’ he said. ‘It’s started, I take it?’
‘What’s going on?’ Julian demanded, stepping forward. ‘We want answers. Now.’
The lighthearted amusement disappeared from Travis’ face; his eyes turned into two pieces of unglazed pottery. ‘They’ve arrived,’ he said in a quiet voice.
‘Don’t play the pronoun game,’ Julian said. ‘Who are they?’
‘They were christened the Army of the Faithful,’ Travis explained, resting his head back and looking up at the ceiling. ‘A group of militant believers, loyal to the Dawnist church. They’ve been trained in secret for years, waiting for the order to take over and cleanse the city.’
‘Cleanse the city?’ Grace asked. ‘What is that supposed to mean?’
‘Well, it means removing all the whores, sinners, thieves, and drug pushers. Anyone who breaks the moral laws laid out by the church.’
‘So you mean damn near everyone in the city then?’ Julian said.
‘I suppose so,’ Travis said, tilting his head from side to side as he considered the question. ‘I never really cared for the plan myself. Sure, at the start, it sounded great: running the city ourselves and removing all the bad influences to create a safe place for the people who deserved it. But over the years, I realised that Sam had lost the plot.’
‘Who’s Sam?’ Grace asked.
‘Samuel Benson. He would be your newest problem,’ Travis said. ‘Previously my inoffensive personal aide, now Divine Bishop of the Dawnist church.’
‘And how did you let your secretary depose you so readily?’ Julian sneered. ‘I thought you were supposed to be a leader.’
‘He didn’t,’ Grace said, fingering her lips. ‘I’ve met Samuel before. There was always something… off about him. He’s always been in charge. I’m right, aren’t I?’
Travis nodded. ‘Like I was trying to tell you before, I’m just the face of the organisation. Along with my Emily of course. Though that was a while ago…’ He trailed off, his hand clenching into a fist at the mention of his wife. ‘Samuel held all the real power. The Army of the Faithful was his plan from the start. Well, along with his father. I think you know him actually. Malcolm Benson? Elderly chap, grey hair, a real gentleman — manners you just don’t see anymore.’
Julian frowned, suddenly aware of Malcolm’s absence. ‘Surely you don’t mean Malcolm Turner?’
Travis laughed. ‘Turner, is that the name he took? I suppose he always did have a taste for irony. You’ve been played from the beginning, Julian. Malcolm Benson was a plant. He’s Samuel’s father and he’s probably already slipped away in the disarray. You won’t be seeing him again. Shame really, he was a man with real principles, not like his son.’
‘I don’t believe it,’ Julian said. ‘Malcolm’s a loyal man, he’s been with me for years.’
‘He’s very competent is Malcolm. His job was to undermine the Syndicate. Weaken them with other conflicts so when the Faithful did enter the city, they wouldn’t be met with a decent resistance. From what I gathered he was quite successful. You’ve been in constant skirmishes with the police the last few years, correct?’
Julian cursed loudly and slammed his palm against the wall. ‘Unbelievable!’ He strode towards the open door. ‘You,’ he said, addressing one of the guards outside the room, ‘find me Malcolm. Now!’ The white-faced guard ran off to do as he was told in the wake of his boss’ outburst.
Grace stepped up to Travis. ‘What are these Faithful actually going to do? I didn’t see any of them carrying guns.’
‘Everyone knows you can’t rely on those reverse-engineered junk firearms, you just end up hurting yourself. What’s more reliable than a nice solid stick to beat people with? Added bonus: you don’t run out of bullets. And I already told you, they’re going to take over the city and cleanse it.’
‘Cleanse it how? You’re saying they’re going to hurt people?’
‘They’re going to… enlighten people; persuade them to follow the church; keep order. Anyone who refuses or continues to sin will be turfed out of the city. Or murdered, depending on Sam’s mood. He can be quite changeable like that.’
‘You keep calling him Sam like he’s your friend,’ Grace said accusingly.
Travis nodded. ‘We were friends once. We started the church together years ago with the hopes of helping people.’ Travis looked distant. ‘He changed over the years though. I think his mother passing killed something in him. Afterwards, he became increasingly paranoid. He stopped, shall we say, enjoying the company of women. Started detesting them even; you could see it in his eyes. You won’t see any among the Faithful, that’s for sure. So over time we ended up… drifting apart.’
‘Why did you follow him then?’ Grace asked. ‘If he’s so different now.’
‘Where else was there to go?’ Travis said, shrugging in his restraints. ‘We built something, me and him. I didn’t want to walk away and see it destroyed.’
‘Pathetic,’ Zachary muttered under his breath. Aiden would have put money on Zachary doing the same in that position, but he kept his opinion to himself.
‘And now we have an army rampaging through the city streets,’ Julian said with a slow clap. ‘Nice work, really.’
‘Hey, I didn’t ask for this,’ Travis said, scowling at the Syndicate spokesman. ‘I was as trapped as you are now. I didn’t have a choice.’
‘You always have a choice.’
‘I don’t see your wife held hostage in there!’ Travis shouted, railing against his bindings. ‘Besides, Sam isn’t exactly running in here to rescue me, is he? I’ve more reason than any of you to hate his guts.’
‘Somehow,’ Julian said in a bored tone, ‘I struggle to believe that.’
‘Stop bickering,’ Grace said. ‘We need to think this through and work together if we’re going to fix this.’
‘Me? Work with him?’ Julian snorted with contempt.
‘You know anyone else who understands Samuel and the Dawnists as well as Travis?’ Grace paused as she waited for an argument. ‘No, I thought not. You heard him yourself, he wants to fight. That’s right, isn’t it?’
Travis nodded. ‘My Emily is still inside the compound. I can’t leave her there. If I can help get her out, I will.’
‘Well he seems genuine enough,’ Zachary said, earning himself a glare from Julian.
‘This man’s entire job is manipulating people with his bullshit religion,’ Julian said. ‘Why should we believe a word he says?’
‘The fact is, he can help us,’ Grace said, ‘and we’re going to need all the help we can get.’
Julian shook his head. ‘I don’t like it. He just told us Malcolm is a traitor. How do we know he isn’t a pla
nt himself just trying to deflect suspicion?’
Aiden frowned as he listened. Was Travis parroting a version of his own story to garner sympathy? Aiden recalled his time as part of the Seekers, Kane’s security outfit for the Dawnists before their demise. After an altercation with Trent in Kiln Commons, Emily had disappeared behind the Zenith Gate and into the inner compound. Though he didn’t pay it much attention at the time, Aiden had never heard from her again after that. Maybe Travis’ story did add up. He looked into the prisoner’s eyes and recognised the impotence coalescing into rage and depression.
‘He’s not lying,’ Aiden said, interrupting from the rear of the room. ‘He was about to be killed when I found him. I doubt Samuel expected him to live through the meeting with the Venkarths.’
Travis nodded at Aiden. ‘Thank you. Finally someone backs me up.’
‘That doesn’t mean I trust you.’
‘Well, as long as that’s clear,’ the Dawnist said, rolling his eyes. ‘The heartless mercenary doesn’t trust anyone. What a surprise.’
‘Look!’ Grace shouted, her frustration spilling over. ‘We’re all in this river of crap now! We either work together, or we die alone. You all understand that? We each bring something to the table here. Julian has the Syndicate behind him; I have the radio station, if it’s still standing; and Travis has inside knowledge of the Dawnists and these Faithful, as well as how Samuel operates.’
Aiden raised an eyebrow as she glared at each of them in turn, her breath coming quickly. He was taken aback by her ferocity, it seemed so unlike her. ‘Is Samuel really this powerful?’ he asked. ‘I met him once, but I can’t remember a thing about him. He seemed like a nobody.’
‘Samuel doesn’t do anything without a purpose,’ Travis explained. ‘He constructed that public image precisely so he would be forgettable and blend into the background.’
Zachary coughed from the back of the room. ‘So that’s it? We’re rebels now?’
Julian remained silent as he rubbed his goatee, but he didn’t argue.
‘Technically,’ Grace said, pausing briefly, ‘I suppose so, since the city is currently occupied.’
‘I wasn’t talking to you,’ Zachary said, tutting. He turned to Julian questioningly.
‘Well, she’s not wrong,’ Julian said with a shrug.
‘Will there be a uniform?’ Travis asked. ‘Maybe a cool hat or something?’
‘Keep snarking and I’ll keep you in that damn chair,’ Julian growled.
‘Just let him out,’ Grace said with a vexed sigh.
Julian shook his head ‘And what if he runs?’
‘No faith in your own security?’ Travis asked with a grin.
‘You have Syndicate everywhere in here,’ Grace said. ‘He couldn’t go anywhere even if he wanted to.’
‘She’s right, we’re in lock-down,’ Zachary said. ‘No one in or out right now.’
Julian sighed before agreeing to unlock Travis’ binds. ‘I’m sure I don’t need to warn you what happens if you try to run.’
The ex-Dawnist stood and rubbed his wrists. ‘I’ve been threatened enough today, thanks. So, ladies and gents, how about we get ourselves a stiff drink? I don’t know about you, but I always prefer some alcohol inside me when the world comes crashing down around my head.’
CHAPTER 17
‘SHOUDLN’T WE BE worried about those Faithful guys coming in here?’ Leigh asked, eyeing the locked doors as the newly formed rebels sat around an empty roulette table in the casino.
Travis lifted a tin beaker, knocking back a measure of gin and wincing. ‘They won’t be coming here. Not yet anyway. Too much risk, not enough reward. Sam will take the easy targets in the city first.’
Julian stared at him across the table, clearly unimpressed. ‘And how do we know you’re not lying to make us drop our guard?’
‘You’re still on that?’ Travis said, pouring himself another shot from the blue glass bottle. ‘You need to get over yourself — you’re just not that important to him.’
Grace tapped the table with her fingertips. ‘Can you two stop squabbling? This is getting us nowhere.’
Aiden nodded. ‘She’s right,’ he said. ‘You two need to put your egos aside if we’re going to get anywhere.’
‘Excuse me, I’m sorry to interrupt,’ Zachary said, holding up his hands, ‘but who gave this guy, his kid, and the newsreader any say in what happens around here? This was Syndicate headquarters last time I checked. Not a bloody playgroup for the homeless and less fortunate.’
‘We’re not homeless,’ Leigh said, scowling at him. ‘And we just helped you by bringing Travis here because you couldn’t do it yourself.’
‘Quiet down, Zachary,’ Julian said. ‘Until we hear from the board we’re forced to work together. If you don’t like it, head on back through to your office and spend some time alone.’
Zachary’s eyes widened for a moment and Aiden thought he was going to launch himself at Julian. The humiliation passed from his face though and his practised smile returned. ‘Whatever you say, Jules. I’m right behind you.’
Grace took Aiden’s arm and pulled him away from the table. ‘Aiden,’ she said, ‘what are you and Leigh going to do now?’
He glanced over at Leigh who was watching them curiously. ‘I haven’t decided yet.’
‘Well since you haven’t bolted from the city, I think you should consider joining us,’ she said, searching his eyes.
‘Why?’ he asked. ‘No one here has ever done me any favours.’
‘Oh?’ Grace asked, raising her eyebrow. ‘And who was it that helped you escape the town hall a few months back?’
‘Okay, no one except you,’ he said, looking down at his weathered boots and scratching his forehead.
‘If you don’t want to be here, why haven’t you left yet?’
‘Because…’ He couldn’t bring himself to leave the city, not yet. Even with danger all around him, he had to know if Kate was still inside that place, one way or another. He considered trying to explain his feelings but decided against it; his guilt was his own. ‘I have my reasons,’ he said, raising his chin. ‘Besides, Julian still owes me for bringing him Travis.’
Grace looked disappointed. ‘If you won’t tell me, that’s fine. But join us, at least until Julian pays you back. You could do a lot of good here.’
He glanced back at the table. Julian and Zachary were bickering again while Travis was slumped forward in his seat, tipping more gin into his face. These misfits were not the sort of people Aiden wanted to work with. But then they were probably his best and only shot.
‘Well?’ Grace asked. ‘What do you say?’
Aiden caught Leigh’s eye and beckoned her over. She approached, looking a little stiff. ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘Nothing’s wrong, I just wanted your opinion on something,’ Aiden said. ‘What do you think about staying and helping out for a while?’
Leigh glanced at Grace then back to Aiden. ‘It seems dangerous, but I think we should stay. The people in the city will need help.’
‘Okay,’ Aiden said with a nod. He turned to Grace. ‘As long as the mission lines up with mine, we’ll stay and pitch in.’
Grace smiled and hugged him. He patted her back lightly, not knowing what else to do with his hands. As he pulled away, he caught Leigh staring at them, looking like she’d just been kicked in the gut.
Travis was trying to pour himself another measure of the gin, spilling some on the table as Aiden reached over and took the bottle. ‘So what’s the plan then?’ he asked, taking a shot of the burning spirit himself. ‘We can’t just sit here and wait for the Faithful to bust in.’
‘Decided to help, eh? That’s good,’ Julian said, raking a finger across his trimmed goatee. ‘Making any decision right now is going to be difficult because we can’t anticipate Samuel’s response. But it seems to me, the simplest solution would be to cut off the head of the snake. If we can take out Samuel, then the army should fall a
part without his leadership.’ He looked sideways at Travis. ‘What do you say, Dawnist?’
Travis stuck out his bottom lip as he considered the idea. ‘It’s possible. Sam isn’t one to delegate much. It’s doubtful his lieutenants have any real decision making respons… responsibib… ilities.’ He stumbled over the last word before waving it off. ‘It’s all moot though.’
‘Why’s that?’ Grace asked.
‘Because no one is getting to Sam. He’s protected at all times. He’s a careful man and there’s no way he’d risk his own safety, especially not at a critical time like this. He’ll be expecting something.’
‘Surely he’s exposed while staying in the town hall though?’ Aiden said. ‘The place isn’t a fortress; we’ve broken out before, I’m sure we could break in.’
Travis shook his head. ‘He’s too smart to stay in that place. He’s probably already safely back on the other side of the Zenith Gate. Even if he leaves again, he won’t travel anywhere without, at the very least, his chosen bodyguards. And let me tell you, those two would take a bullet for him without a second thought. Just like that.’ Travis snapped his fingers on the second attempt. ‘Intense couple of guys. I never heard either of them say a word, not once.’ He raised his hand and put it over his face. ‘Massive hands. As big as your head.’
The distant sounds of shouting and people sprinting over the walkway outside made everyone fidget uncomfortably. ‘Don’t worry,’ Julian reassured the group. ‘Even if they do try and get in, our boys will hold the doors. We have enough firepower to see them off.’
Aiden glanced at the locked doors where a group of ten armed men stood peering out through the glass. ‘Even so,’ he said, ‘I think we should set up a barricade. Those doors won’t hold back anyone determined enough to get inside.’
‘Barricade with what?’ Julian asked.
‘What about the tables?’ Leigh suggested. ‘No one is using them.’
‘They’re worth a lot of money,’ Zachary said. ‘We can’t just toss them around like firewood.’
