“It’s me, Seth. Jessica and Bear too. We brought Rogue home from the hospital,” Seth said.
“Oh, I was expecting you ages ago,” Mrs. Potts said.
“I’m sorry if you waited up for us, but we went sightseeing a bit,” Seth said.
“Oh, it’s no bother to me, dear, but there’s someone here waiting to see you,” Mrs. Potts said.
“Someone, to see me?” Seth asked. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, dear. This person has been waiting over an hour, and let me tell you, he’s quite rude,” Mrs. Potts said with a huff.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Potts,” Seth said on autopilot. “We’ll be right up.”
He glanced at the parking lot and noticed the shiny black car parked in the corner for the first time. It was the same kind used by Mauve Finley and her administration. Something was up, and he had the feeling it was anything but good. “Let’s go, guys.”
Mrs. Potts led them to a tiny sitting room. The shelves were lined with porcelain figurines, and velvet curtains hung from the windows. It was the sort of room reserved for special guests only, usually the pastor on his monthly house call.
“I’ll leave you to it, dears,” Mrs. Potts said after casting a disapproving look at the stranger. She didn’t even offer them tea, evidence of her extreme dislike.
A man in a suit waited inside. He rose when he saw them enter, but didn’t smile or greet them. “Seth? Seth Waddel?”
“That’s me.”
“You are to come with me, right away,” the man said.
“Now?” Seth asked, aghast.
The man nodded. “You and your entire party.”
“Are you serious?” Seth said, shaking his head. “If this is a joke, I’m not laughing.”
“It’s no joke. The mayor is waiting for you. It’s a matter of the utmost importance,” the man added.
“That bad, huh?” Seth mused. He turned toward the rest of his group. “What do you guys think?”
“I think we’d better find out what’s so important that it can’t wait until the morning,” Rogue said, all signs of sleep long gone. She was both sharp-eyed and alert.
“I agree,” Jessica said.
“Me too,” Bear said.
“Follow me,” the stranger said.
They stopped briefly to drop Rogue’s things off in her room, then proceeded out the front door.
“Will you be back tonight?” Mrs. Potts asked.
Seth looked at the stranger, who shook his head briskly.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Seth said. He turned toward Mrs. Potts. “We won’t be back. I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience.”
Mrs. Potts sniffed. “Very well. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She shut the door with a sharp click and put off the light, plunging them into darkness. Clearly, she was not in a forgiving mood.
With a shrug, Seth turned back to the man in the suit. As he’d suspected earlier, the shiny black car belonged to him. Or his boss, Mauve Finley. Once again, he wondered what the emergency was. Only one way to find out.
They piled into the back of the car, squeezed in like sardines in a can. The stranger started the engine and drove them toward the mayor’s office. It was a large square building in the middle of town and painted a light gray color. A set of double doors made up the entrance, and bright lights burned on either side.
Seth took the lead, with Rogue, Jessica, and Bear right behind him. Minutes later, they were shown into a boardroom occupied by a single long table lined with chairs. Each seat held a pen, notepad, and a bottle of water.
At the head of the table sat Mauve Finley, flanked by two of her advisors. Two more people sat lower down. A man dressed in a grease-stained overall, and Imogen wearing her usual colorful clothes. To Seth, she looked like a rainbow pony from a kid’s novel. She was the only bright spark in the room, but even she wasn’t smiling.
At that moment, Seth knew something was terribly, gravely wrong. He felt it in his gut, and the grim expressions of all reinforced it. Almost without realizing it, he reached out and took Rogue’s hand. They exchanged a look, followed by a quick nod. They had each other’s backs.
Upon entering, Mauve Finley rose. She looked at each of them in turn, and said, “Good evening, Seth, Jessica, Bear. We haven’t met, but I’m glad to see you are up and about Miss Reid.”
“Thank you and please call me Rogue.”
“Pleased to meet you, Rogue. I’m Mauve Finley, the mayor of this fine city,” Mauve said, waving a hand around. “You can take a seat.”
Once they all grabbed a chair, Mauve wasted no time. “I called you here because I received the direst of news. The plane carrying the second shipment to Prime has disappeared.”
“What do you mean, disappeared?” Seth asked.
“Exactly that. It’s gone. We lost radio contact somewhere around the midway point, and we haven’t heard from them since.”
“What does that mean?” Rogue asked, her voice hoarse.
“It means they crashed,” the man in the overalls stated bluntly.
Rogue gasped. “Crashed? What about David and Tony?”
“I’m afraid they’re gone,” Mauve said.
“That’s not possible!” Rogue cried.
“It’s the most likely outcome,” the man in overalls said.
“Excuse me, but who are you exactly?” Seth asked.
“I’m Stanley, the head of the aviation department in Vancouver. There’s not much about airplanes that I don’t know,” the man said.
“I see,” Seth replied with a sinking feeling.
“See? See what?” Rogue cried. “He’s wrong, Seth. He has to be.”
Seth nodded but didn’t reply. He knew Stanley was probably right. One didn’t just lose contact for hours on end. But still, he had to ask, “How do we know they didn’t make it to Prime?”
“Because we spoke to the airplane still in Prime. The one that took through the first shipment. They stayed overnight due to bad weather, and they confirmed that the second plane never arrived,” Stanley said.
Rogue placed one hand over her mouth and shook her head. But Stanley’s logic was irrefutable. “They’re gone, Seth. David and Tony are gone.”
“While I am sorry for the loss of your friends, this also has far-reaching consequences for me and my administration,” Mauve continued.
“Such as?” Seth asked.
“This is now the third airplane we’ve lost in a matter of weeks, with a fourth stranded in Prime without fuel and another yet to return. Our base at Kalama was destroyed, we lost valuable staff members, and we recently lost contact with one of our research facilities to the north.”
“What does that mean for us? For Prime?” Seth asked.
“It means, our deal is off. I cannot fulfill the contract and risk more aircraft and supplies. Not now,” Mauve said. “There will be no second or third shipments.”
Seth sucked in a deep breath. “Prime desperately needs those supplies. Without it, they can’t survive the winter. They’ll die by the dozens.”
“I understand that, but I cannot in good conscience risk the wellbeing of my city for yours,” Mauve said.
“You can’t do that,” Rogue burst out. “Think of all the innocent people you could save.”
“Rogue, please. Calm down,” Seth said, knowing it was futile.
Mauve didn’t possess a single sentimental bone in her body. The deaths of innocents were not her concern. Her city and her continued leadership were all that mattered to her.
“I’m sorry, but my decision is final,” Mauve said, her expression closed.
“There has to be something we can do,” Seth said. “Some arrangement we can make.”
“I can’t see how. You have nothing to offer at this stage,” Mauve said. “You have nothing to bargain with.”
“Is there nothing I do to change your mind?” Seth asked, striving desperately to remain calm. He looked at Mauve’s survivors, but they refused to
meet his gaze.
“I’m afraid not,” Mauve said, placing both palms flat on the table. Her eyes were like steel, and Seth knew the battle was lost. Prime and the Exiles were lost.
“Seth? It’s over, isn’t it?” Rogue whispered.
“It’ll be okay,” Seth said, reaching over to take her hand.
She gazed at him with tears in her eyes. “Will it? First Brittany, and now David and Tony? Was it all for nothing? Did we risk it all for nothing?”
“Perhaps there is a way, Mother,” Imogen said, speaking for the first time.
“Imogen, please. This does not concern you,” Mauve said, raising one hand to ward off her daughter.
“No, listen to me, please,” Imogen said, leaning forward. “Please, Mother.”
Mauve sighed. “Fine, go ahead, Imogen. But I warn you. Do not waste my time.”
“Kalama isn’t lost. It was damaged but not destroyed, and given its location, the Primes can help you repair the damage and establish a stronger base there,” Imogen said. “Think about the trade possibilities.”
“Imogen "
“Just hear me out, Mother,” Imogen said, flashing a look at Seth and Rogue. “It would strengthen your foothold to the south. Plus, if you send out a search party, you could very well recover the lost cargo from the second plane, and… survivors.”
“That is a nice thought, but it’s not enough,” Mauve said.
“I know that, but there’s more. These people are experienced fighters and travelers. They’ve proven that just by getting here,” Imogen said, waving a hand at Seth, Rogue, Bear, and Jessica. “They’re survivors.”
“What’s your point?” Mauve asked, her fingers drumming on the table.
“You could send them to recover the research you lost and find out what happened there,” Imogen said.
“You can’t be serious,” Mauve said, but her expression grew calculating.
“Come on, Mom. You said yourself you don’t have a team to send there right now. Not with the opposition watching your every move. You know they opposed starting the facility in the first place, and they’ll kick up a fuss if you waste any more resources on it,” Imogen said.
“I realize that which is what makes the loss so devastating. The entire project is a black hole and a mark against my administration,” Mauve said.
“Exactly, but sending a team out to look for a lost supply plane? Now that is reasonable. So is establishing a stronger base to the south with new trade routes,” Imogen added. “Not even the opposition could fault you for that.”
“And in the meantime, Seth and his group can head to the research facility for me,” Mauve mused, her eyes narrowing to slits.
“What they do is their own business,” Imogen said, looking at Seth. “Right?”
“So let me get this straight. If we agree to check out this facility of yours, you’ll send out a rescue party to look for Tony and David?” Seth asked.
“Not just check it out,” Mauve said in a cutting voice. “You need to retrieve the research for me.”
“What about supplies for Prime and the Exiles?” Seth said, pressing his advantage.
“If you agree to do this, I’ll release the third supply load,” Mauve said. “And if you bring me my research, I’ll replace the lost load.”
Seth looked at Rogue, then at Bear and Jessica. “What do you say, guys?”
“One load is better than nothing,” Bear said. “Besides, we’ll get that research. No problem.”
“That will give your people enough to make it through the winter,” Jessica said.
“Yes, but how dangerous is this trip?” Rogue asked.
“Does it matter?” Seth pointed out.
“No, we don’t have a choice,” Rogue said.
Seth looked at Mauve. “Will you equip my team for this mission?”
“Of course. There’s no sense in letting you go unprepared. Then I’d just be wasting my time,” Mauve said, extending her hand. “Do we have a deal?”
Seth shook her hand. “It seems we do.”
Chapter 15 - David
After saying his goodbyes to Seth, Jessica, and Bear, David jogged toward the hanger. He retrieved his luggage and checked the contents. It wasn’t much. Just a worn leather bag he’d inherited from his grandfather. Inside were his meager belongings: Clothes, toiletries, a book of poetry from his father, a bottle of water, snacks, a first-aid kit, a knife, a fire starter kit, and an ax.
He slung the bag across his shoulder and waited for Tony. Together, they climbed onto the waiting airplane. Unlike the first plane that had gone two days before, this one was bigger. It boasted several passenger seats and a sizable cargo hold. Not that he knew anything about planes.
Tony approached not long after, carrying his bag in one hand. He loped across the runway, his long legs closing the distance in no time. Flashing a grin at David, Tony admired the aircraft. “So this is our ticket home, huh?”
“I guess so,” David said, eyeing the plane with trepidation.
“What’s wrong?” Tony asked. “Scared of flying?”
“A little,” David admitted.
“Don’t worry about it. There’s nothing to it,” Tony said, clapping him on the back.
“How would you know?”
“I’ve flown before,” Tony said. “When I was younger. Okay, a lot younger.”
“Before the Shift?”
“That’s right,” Tony said. Pushing David forward, he said, “Come on. Let’s go.”
Gathering his courage, David got onto a plane. After stowing away his bag, he chose a seat and sat down. Tony did likewise, and he waited anxiously for what was to come.
After loading the last of the cargo, two crew members joined them. Each carried an overnight bag. They would only stay in Prime long enough to unload and refuel. One night at the most. They greeted Tony and David but otherwise kept to themselves, sitting right at the back.
“Please fasten your seatbelts,” the pilot instructed once everyone found their seats.
David obeyed, fumbling with the clip as nerves set in. Clutching the armrests, he held his breath as the plane taxied into position. The pilot worked his magic, and the aircraft moved along the runway, quickly picking up speed.
“Oh, crap,” David said, as the plane lifted into the air. His stomach lurched, and his heart raced like a wild horse.
“What did I tell you, kid? There’s nothing to it,” Tony said.
Clenching his teeth, he glanced at Tony. “You call this nothing?”
Tony laughed, clearly enjoying David’s discomfort. “Just try to enjoy it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“What do you mean?” David asked.
“When will you ever have the chance to fly again, kid? Can you imagine the people back home’s faces when you tell them you flew in an actual airplane?”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” David said, mulling it over. He relaxed slightly when the plane leveled out. The sense of weightlessness passed. His stomach returned to normal, and he could breathe again.
Better?” Tony asked.
“Better,” David said.
“Good. Now sit back and enjoy the flight.”
And that’s exactly what David did. He leaned back in his chair and allowed himself to experience the thrill of being thousands of feet up in the air. Staring out of the small window, he marveled at the world spread out below. It was a sight he would never forget. Even as an old man, he’d always remember that moment.
Then something happened. The atmosphere darkened as they flew through a bank of dark clouds. Electricity flashed around them, and rain pelted the windows. The plane lurched and shook, at the mercy of the turbulent wind.
David forgot all about the joy of flying. Terror coursed through his veins, and he wished he was anywhere but in the air. Attempting to control his fear, he turned to Tony and said, “Is this normal?”
“How would I know?” Tony said.
“You don’t know?” David sa
id, half-rearing out of his seat.
“Please remain calm and stay in your seat,” the pilot warned. “This is just a spot of bad weather.”
“Uh, okay. If you say so,” David said, gritting his teeth when they hit an air pocket.
“Ground control, do you copy?” the pilot called over the radio. “Ground control?”
There was no reply. Nothing but static.
Suddenly, the storm cloud passed, and they were in the clear. Bright blue skies surrounded them, and the sun shone overhead. David relaxed into his seat and allowed himself a small smile. It’s over. We’re safe.
“Oh, my God! What is that?” the pilot yelled.
Something hit the plane with a squawk. Huge shadows flew past the windows, their bodies hurtling through the air at great speed. One clipped the wing of the plane, its claws raking across the metal with a shrill screech.
“What the hell? Are those flyers?” David cried.
They’d flown into the midst of a flock of Pterosaurs. He caught a brief glimpse of one tearing past his window and noted the broad wingspan and pelican-like beak. That information pointed to Pteranodons, but it was impossible to say for sure.
Suddenly, one beast hit the engine, and it exploded into a crimson mess. Blood splashed across David’s window, and he reared back in shocked surprise. His gaze fixated on the red blot, and horror fizzed through his veins.
The damaged engine sputtered, a weird sound reverberating from within. The dials on the control panel spun wildly, and lights flashed overhead. An alarm blared throughout the cabin, adding to the chaos. Smoke streaked past like a black ribbon. The motor whined, losing more power by the second. It exploded into a ball of flame, and the airplane stalled mid-air as it lost too much speed.
“Mayday, Mayday!” the pilot called over the radio, his expression frantic. “We’re going down. I repeat. We’re going down!”
David’s heart jumped into his throat, and he grabbed his seatbelt with both hands. “What? We’re crashing?” He exchanged a terrified look with Tony across the aisle. “This can’t be happening!” But one look at the older man’s face was all it took to convince him it was real.
The Extinction Series | Book 7 | Primordial Earth 7 Page 10
