The sun sank behind the tallest mountain on the horizon, though it was still mid-afternoon. They had spent hours inching forward in the RV. The rest was welcome, and they covered more ground than if they had continued on foot. Their relaxation was short lived. Griff spotted the reason for the slow traffic. A checkpoint. Of course, there would be a checkpoint.
“No,” she whispered as Griff accelerated. “Griffin, slow down.”
“I can bust through. They don’t have chains or gates. Just a soft checkpoint,” he said, continuing to accelerate. He swerved onto the crowded shoulder in an attempt to gain momentum to run through.
“Major, we can’t draw attention to ourselves.” She tried to remain calm and authoritative.
“You think the soldiers at this checkpoint are just going to let us waltz right on through? What do you think will happen once we get there? I suppose we could hide in the cabinets and hope for the best.” He was getting anxious, angrier, and desperate.
She could feel it in his heart rate.
“No,” Valerie said louder and more direct. Everyone looked at her.
Hyka stood up and went to the bedroom of the RV. Car by car, they got closer to the checkpoint. She knew the CDC would take them either way. Valerie struggled to keep her fear under control. The doubt displayed all over her company’s faces did not help.
“Please trust me. I can do this. I need to start figuring this out. No one else has to die. If we fight, that is exactly what will happen,” she pleaded.
“No? Because you want to sabotage your own safety to prove a point? To try and figure it out now? Dammit.” Major answered her request by returning to the passenger seat and giving the order to slow down.
“Please, just trust me,” she said through clenched teeth as they pulled past a set of guards holding out sensors, scanning the RV.
Major turned to address the group. “Rendezvous point is the first exit off the east bypass.” He spoke loud enough Hyka could hear him in the back but never took his eyes off Valerie. “If anything happens, we meet up there. No one gets left behind. All of us or none of us.”
“This one is hot, Sarge,” a voice yelled from outside the RV.
A loud but muffled alarm came from one of the guard’s sensors. Griff slowed the RV to a halt. Seven CDC-clad soldiers stood behind barriers with unusual looking weapons at the ready. Two more soldiers made their way to the RV door. Griff looked at Major who gave the nod. He rolled the window down to take commands.
“Sir, we know you are harboring affected people in your vehicle. Please place the RV in park, hand over the keys, and everyone needs to exit the vehicle. Please follow directions or you will be forced to comply.”
A rapping came from the other side of the RV. The two soldiers were getting impatient. Griff followed the orders and stood up to be the first out. He glanced over his shoulder at Valerie. She chewed the inside of her cheek. Major offered a protesting look as he walked out the door, hands in fists and head high. She followed behind him. Hyka reappeared from the back and fell in line behind Jack.
Valerie did a mental assessment of the checkpoint as her shoes hit the pavement. Her heart pounded, and she was still in touch with the energy around her. If she gave in to her fear, she would be consumed by the power that bombarded her. Her finger was on the pulse of every person in that checkpoint. Scared even to breathe too fast, Valerie realized then that she was indeed a weapon. There was no good side of taking the lives of so many people, regardless of the cause given to justify it. War was evil, and she wanted no part of either side. A prayer escaped her lips in a whisper. All her focus was on maintaining control.
The checkpoint spanned three lanes. Beyond the checkpoint, traffic moved quicker with two lanes open instead of just one. Guards led the ’Squatch team to a holding area next to a makeshift command tent. A grid was spray painted on the ground, five squares deep and nine squares long. They each were instructed to stand on a separate square. The square Jack stood on had a dried blood stain.
“Good evening, folks. My name is Staff Sergeant Stephenson. It has been brought to our attention that your vehicle is harboring individuals affected by the Event. No one here is in trouble or danger. However, if you refuse to comply, you will be forced to comply. No, you may not contact your lawyer. No, you do not have the right to refuse. And lastly, no, I do not care. Specialist O’Connell here will test you. If you test negative, then you are free to go. If you test positive, my troops will escort you to a facility in Denver for observation. The facility is a nice place where you will find the accommodations quite appealing.”
Staff Sergeant Stephenson nodded toward a young man, Specialist O’Connell, to proceed. The young man’s uniform was crisp and new. His arms shook as he pointed a wand-shaped contraption at Griff. Valerie studied the response of the wand. If she could manipulate the reaction of the device, they would all be released.
O’Connell moved down the line to Major; the wand went off for a second before she could block the reading. Valerie concentrated harder, mimicking the negative response given to Griff. The young man gave a startled look at Stephenson and waved the wand over Major again. This time Valerie caught the reaction before the alarm alerted them again. Major was negative. She let out a soft sigh and continued to focus on the wand.
The young man looked to the staff sergeant again. “I need another wand, sir.”
“Goddammit, kid. I’m not a sir. Call me Staff Sergeant, or I’ll beat you with your wand. What’s wrong? Didn’t you design this thing?”
O’Connell flinched at Stephenson’s questioning. The boy did not have the same air about him as the other soldiers. He was too young, too scared, unbroken by military training. His invention must have given him a first-class ticket to join the CDC front lines.
Stephenson radioed to the command tent beside them to bring out a backup device. The young man started again. Griff was negative. Major and Hyka were both negative. The wand came closer to her. An alarm sounded from the device, triggering multiple alarms around the checkpoint. In seconds, they were surrounded by an additional fifty soldiers. All guns pointed at her. Blue sparks of electricity balled at the ends of their plastic-barreled weapons, using energy as their ammunition. They were charged and ready to fire.
She was running out of time, but lucky for her, the strange weapons were nothing more than stun guns. They were electric. She exhaled a laugh before changing the blue sparked charges to red. She had found their lethal mode. The strength of the electrical weapons coupled with a small magnetic piece within gave her the power to pick and hold their targets. One by one, the soldiers shifted and pointed their electrical weapons at each other against their will. It was just a show of power. Major took one step toward the staff sergeant, but in a split second, Stephenson produced a 9mm and steadied it on Valerie’s forehead.
Valerie’s heart was in her throat, and she fought to remain calm. Strangely enough, it was not the first time she had been in a situation with a gun in her face. Her experience did not offer much solace, but she had a small understanding of the man’s psychology. He would not shoot her, with her being who she was. But unfortunately, her companions were more acceptable targets.
“If you know what I am, then you know what I am capable of,” Valerie said in her best Hyka tone, flat with no expression.
Stephenson kept the gun steady on her, took a step, and whispered in her ear, “And I would love to see that in action, but maybe with fewer spectators.” He took a step back. “O’Connell, run inside the head shed and grab about five guys without those plastic toys. Let the LT know what we’ve got here, too.”
“Please don’t shoot, her,” Specialist O’Connell requested. “She’s special. More important than anyone else in the world.”
“Dammit, O’Connell. Does this look like a public execution to you? Grab some zip ties while you’re up there. And stop questioning orders. Didn’t you get some briefing before they just sent you out here? Undisciplined turd.”
The
young man backed away, unable to take his eyes off Valerie. Getting impatient, Stephenson pointed the gun in the air and fired a round. The young man flinched again and tripped over his own feet. Valerie used the distraction to try to grab the weapon from Stephenson, but he was faster and stronger. He anticipated her move, grabbed her throat right under her jaw, and held the gun to her head.
“You’re really pretty, you know that? Of course, you do. Is that how you got these low-lives to follow you? I bet you even spread your legs for this bitch who looks like she wants to kill me. They might be afraid of you, but I’m not. Don’t expect me to worship you. You’re nothing but a whore. They’ll take you to the facility and use you up. You think I’m joking? Why do you think they are so desperate to find a female DiaZem?” Stephenson kept his remarks to a whisper.
She tried to block out the images he painted in her head. All she could think about was how Max had looked at her, how Dr. Jarrett had looked at her. She kept her jaw clenched and balanced on her toes to alleviate the pain from his grip. She could smell the carbon smoke emitting from the barrel of the gun, less than an inch from her head. If she killed him, then she might have to kill all the soldiers at the checkpoint. Still, she knew he would not shoot her. No one had to die. Valerie disengaged the electrical weapons and returned power to the soldiers who held them.
“Atta girl,” Stephenson said as he released his grip. The gun still steadied at her face.
She lowered herself to flat feet and glared at him. Her neck still hurt, but she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing. She brushed her hair out of her face with her left hand in a show of defiance.
“Oh, you’re married?” Stephenson questioned in amusement. “To him?” he said, pointing to Jack. “Does he know they are going to whore you out at the facility?”
Stephenson got the reaction he was looking for from Jack who charged at him. Valerie felt one of the electrical weapons charge. The energy built up before a red stream shot toward Jack. She considered taking the hit from him, but in the transfer, the shock could move to Stephenson who held his index finger on the trigger of the gun still pointed at her. The trauma would cause his finger to flex, firing a bullet. Helpless, Valerie screamed as the red stream hit him. The shock pulsed through his body twice before he could absorb the energy. The amount administered would have killed a regular person. Jack fell to the ground, writhing in pain until he stopped moving altogether.
“I don’t play their high-techy games,” Staff Sergeant Stephenson said, waving the barrel of the black 9mm in Valerie’s face.
O’Connell came barreling out of the command tent. He gave a visible sigh of relief when he saw Valerie was still standing. He slowed his pace to a brisk walk.
“But I cannot get over the fact I found the precious DiaZem,” Stephenson said, touching his free hand to her cheek. “I’m sure the CDC has a medal for something like this.”
“You won’t get a medal for this,” Major said. Valerie kept her gaze on the gun, but in her peripheral, she saw Major had grabbed Specialist O’Connell by the hair and held a knife to his throat. The door of the command tent swung open, and three men jogged over to the group. No one seemed concerned about the men approaching, although it was apparent they held positions of authority.
Sweat poured from O’Connell’s face and mixed with silent tears. Major’s jaw was tight, and he didn’t drop his gaze from Stephenson. The staff sergeant’s smile faded and he pushed the barrel hard into the side of Valerie’s head, standing so close to her that his chest touched her face. Her fear was stronger than ever, but she would not give in. She could not. No one else had to die. Heart pounding, she decided to act. Valerie reached out to one of the electric weapons and fired two paces in front of the three men, stopping them in their tracks.
“Stephenson! Drop your weapon! That’s an order, Staff Sergeant, and I won’t say it again!” the tallest of the three threatened.
Stephenson gave Valerie a look of absolute hatred. He lowered the handgun from her face.
“Ma’am, I am Captain Franklin, the officer in charge of this checkpoint. Dr. Jarrett has ordered your safe passage. He runs the CDC facility in Denver.”
“I know who he is,” she said, loathing the mention of his name. She did not need his permission. She hated even more that he knew where she was.
“Sir, she’s a DiaZem,” Stephenson yelled in protest. “The one we’ve been out here screening for the entire time. And we are just going to let them go? The one thing holding up Phase Two shimmies through our checkpoint and points our goddamn weapons at us, fires at us, and we don’t retaliate?”
“Staff Sergeant, I suggest you stand down now, or you’re going to regret what happens next,” Major said without loosening the grip on O’Connell.
Rage filled the staff sergeant’s eyes. He took two long strides toward Major. Major flung the crying young man to the ground and took a fighting stance with his blade in hand. Jack, still lying on the ground nearby, grabbed O’Connell by the ankle and held him down.
Another electrical weapon fired. Stephenson fell.
“Stop!” the captain shouted. Silence fell over the checkpoint except for screams from the man writhing on the ground. Valerie had not fired at him. She looked into the crowd of soldiers. The weapons were all disengaged but one held by a woman who stood raising hers over her head. Valerie noted the blue setting of a stun gun. Not enough electricity to affect the heart, but enough to attack the nerves. Fellow soldiers approached the woman, detained her stun gun, and zip-tied her wrists together.
The captain left the medics to tend to Staff Sergeant Stephenson and walked toward Valerie. Jack stood up between them, maintaining his firm grip on O’Connell
“We mean you no harm,” Captain Franklin offered. “Our orders are to let you pass, however, without the use of your vehicle. We know who you are, Valerie Burton. We know what you are. This little crusade you are on is pointless. Dr. Jarrett has offered an escort to your residence in exchange for your friends. You’d be home by the morning, ma’am. Your husband will also be notified to meet you there. A win-win option for everyone. No more running. You’ll be back with your family.”
Jack looked back over his shoulder at Valerie. She hesitated, but she knew what would happen after she reunited with her family. Lucas would have her captured and brought to the facility anyway. They would use her family as leverage to make her do what they wanted. Phase Two was dependent on her cooperation. Major was getting red in the face, and the captain was getting impatient. She realized they still had not located her son. If they had, they would not have given her the option to walk away.
“We are taking O’Connell.” Valerie walked to the far side of Jack, away from the captain, and pulled the young man from his grasp. “And her. Let her go.”
Valerie waited while the soldiers cut the restraints of the woman’s wrists and let her go. Stephenson was trash. Anyone who would stand up to a man despite the consequence was someone she wanted on her side.
They walked out of the checkpoint. Hyka grabbed O’Connell’s other arm, and they picked up the pace. Major glared at Valerie and waited for the three women to pass before he followed with Griff beside him, keeping his eye on the captain and the recovering staff sergeant. Jack waited until Valerie was out of earshot to point a finger at the captain’s chest. Judging by the two men’s posture, their exchange was not a pleasant one. After he spoke his piece, Jack jogged to catch up with the team.
Valerie released her hold on the young man. He was thin, wiry, and a few inches taller than her. His red hair was too long for military standards, and his skin was bright red from the stress of his situation. He was scared. She felt sorry for him, but she needed answers. He did not belong with those soldiers. He did not belong with the CDC. He belonged with them. His wand knew more about her than she did.
The woman kept pace. Valerie could tell she was a conductor, though she appeared Valerie’s actual age.
“Thank you,” she said, pushing
her glasses up her face. She kept her chin high as they walked, unapologetic.
“Thank you,” Valerie answered. “You would have faced a court martial over that, no doubt.”
“I’m not even in the military,” the woman laughed. “I am a journalist. I was at the government building, trying to get my paperwork in order so I could be a war-time correspondent. Then the Event happened, and I had a choice of quarantine or the front lines. Naturally, I wanted to be where the action would happen. So, I lied about being affected. They threw me a uniform, handed me a giant taser, and sent me out here.”
“Shooting that guy jeopardized everything for you.”
“It didn’t really. I’ve watched that guy harass women for two days. If I just saved one person from that disgusting piece of shit, then I think it’s worth it. If I’ve learned anything in my line of work, when you witness evil in the world and do nothing to stop it, you’re just as responsible for the outcome.”
Valerie thought about the woman’s justification for a long time. The consequences of failure were still too high a price. Losing Scott or Caleb was not a path she wanted to risk, but the moral obligation was too great to run from.
“What’s your name?” Valerie knew she had just gained another ally.
Smiling, she answered, “Courtney Dominguez.”
“Valerie Russell.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Valerie Russell, and thanks again. I’m glad to be on the side of the good guys.”
Apparent Power: DiaZem Trilogy Book One Page 12
