by Shawn Keys
Suddenly, overhead, a bright red light strobed into life. It was a parachute flare, hanging up among the tree branches. Those trees blocked some of the light, casting long shadows, but resolving far more detail than they had had since the sun went down.
Laura sensed a chance. She had been about to roll out into the open to take a shot. Instead, she went the other direction, shifting toward the far side of the tree she was using for cover.
In almost the same moment, a rifle cracked, and pain lanced along Laura’s arm as the shot winged the meat along her upper shoulder. It stung, but she had already been moving. She was already determined, and a little thing like a gunshot wasn’t going to stop her! She appeared on the far side of the tree like an avenging ghost, picked out the soulless eyes of Dirk Crowder, then punched a bullet right between his eyes.
* * *
Andrew rubbed at his temple, trying to sooth the headache that wouldn’t subside. “The attack on the ranch failed?”
George tried to find a better way to put it. He glanced around the office, looking for support from the others. Maria was on a headset listening to the ongoing battle in the mountains, while Sylvia just shrugged, unable to help. The bodies of both Miles and Jennifer were still there. They had taken over the FDPC-OPC offices as their impromptu headquarters. The large screen was split into six windows so Andrew could talk to his deputies at will throughout the crisis. Trisha, Gregor, Angela and Vera were on the screen, as was the newly promoted Craig Morgan in his office at the Farm, where they were in the last stages of take-down. The final screen was black with the simple designation “Operations” over it. It was an ‘audio only’ circuit that Dirk could dial into, if he ever got free of his fight in the hills.
Finding no help anywhere, George shrugged, “Not completely, Sir. The broadcast is down. The transmitter was reported as completely destroyed. As well, the internet cable feeding the whole county has been severed, every cell tower in a thirty-mile radius has been shut off, and we’re putting out white noise radio jamming just in case. They aren’t going to be spreading any more theories with anyone.”
Andrew snorted in disgust. George was right, he had to admit. That wasn’t nothing. But the last report from the helicopter suggested that the attack itself had been a total wash. An ambush. It wasn’t making any sense. We had Hutchings’ numbers pegged at around a dozen, no more. But Dirk was chasing at least half of that up in the mountains! They had seen another half-dozen at the Farm, and that made sense. How had those numbers exploded to the point where they could pull off an ambush like that! Had his pretty words on the television drawn in support for him that fast? Impossible!
From her seat, Maria let out a small cry of dismay.
Andrew’s gaze darted over to her. “What?”
Trembling, Maria met his eyes in fear of being the messenger. “Dirk Crowder is dead. He was just killed by what they’re calling a demon sniper.”
With a yell, Andrew lost his composure. He kicked at a nearby desk, sending it grinding across the linoleum floor away from him. He waved at Maria, “Get them out of there!”
“Sir?”
“I said pull them back! Enough! The fucking message is out. I don’t need to lose any more agents chasing some deadly ghost around the forest. Get back to their vehicles and have them contact the local coordinator as soon as they can. We’re going to have tasks for them, and I can’t task dead men!” He hated to let any of Hutchings’ supporters go. Hell, he hated to let Hutchings go, but he knew events were spinning out of control fast. That kid had been his bane for the last few months, but now… with that broadcast, he had gone from ‘Enemy Number One’ to ‘Almost Insignificant’ in the span of a single night. Oh, he was still worth hunting. Especially if the Dawn could come through the next couple days intact as an organization surviving in the shadows. Andrew knew the fucking kid wasn’t going to stop pushing the truth. But first, they had to contain what he’d already managed to get out there.
He turned and stalked for his private office.
Sylvia asked, “Sir? What are you doing?”
“Calling Fisher. The next decisions that need to be made are way above my pay grade.”
Chapter 16
Kyle slumped against the nearest wall in absolute relief. He clutched the phone he was talking on. “You’re all OK?”
Megan was on the other end, sounding tired. “Danielle is the worst off, though it has less to do with being shot and more to do with the hard ride through the woods. All those ups and down and spending six hours in the cold. Lily says the baby’s heart is still strong. Resting easy now. As strong as her mother and father combined.”
“Is he now?” Kyle continued the mild war of gender guessing without even thinking, happy beyond words to hear they were safe.
Quiet amusement clung to Megan’s answer, “I’m in the front cab of the Tank with Laura. Can you her the engine? She won’t take a break. Lily barely got her arm wrapped before she was climbing behind the wheel.”
With a low huff of humor, Kyle said, “Have to tie her down to make her stop and rest.”
“You read my mind.” She gave a throaty chuckle. “It’ll have to wait. We’re just pulling out onto the logging road. In a dozen miles, we’ll turn on our implants and head down the mountains toward the I-5.”
Kyle felt regret at leaving the chalet behind. But there was no way they could ever go back. “Yeah, sounds good. We’re going to take two of the FDPC SUVs. Don’t try to guess which ones are us. Assume they’re all enemies until I call you and tell you we’re close. Get to the I-5, then drive slowly south into Oregon. We’ll catch up with you. The wolves in sheep’s clothing.” He grinned, feeling far more like a wolf than a sheep for the first time in a long time.
“See you soon.”
“Can’t be soon enough.” Kyle hung up, then let out a huge sigh. “Danielle, Laura and Claire took a bit of a beating. Megan and Yvette are both exhausted. Probably Lily as well, since she has to look after them. We need to get back to them.”
Dazz and Chloe were gathered near, struggling to hear the news over the speaker. Both looked just as eager to be done with all this and back with the others.
Rebecca was standing nearby, looking lost. “With all the chaos, there’s no way I can trust any sort of protection from the government.”
Kyle met her eyes. “Look, Rebecca. I’m not going to lie to you. We’re pretty much making this up as we go along. I can’t guarantee anything. You might be better off with Jackie and what her boss can do for you. But as long as you want, you can stay with us. We’ll keep you safe, as best we can. Maybe we’ll even swing around and help you settle things with your father.”
For a brief second, an angry smile stole across Rebecca’s face.
Jackie limped out of the corridor, lowering her own phone away from her head as if just ending a call. She looked as tired as the rest of them. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. I’m afraid your choices are more limited than I led you to believe.”
Kyle stood straighter, anger rising in his own blood. “What? The DOJ isn’t even going to make an offer?”
Jackie leaned the side of her head against the archway, shaking her head. “Despite my efforts, they are quite sure the whole broadcast was my idea. The Director General is ready to hang me out to dry. My boss fought the headhunters back to a standstill, demanding an investigation of my performance instead.” She shook her head. “But he warned me there wasn’t any doubt as to how it would turn out.” She sniffed in faint, half-surprised appreciation. “In his own subtle way, he warned me not to come back. He’s a good man, and now he’s surrounded by shadows he can’t trust.”
“He kept your secret this whole time?” Kyle guessed.
“Yeah. He’s still doing it. Oh, he’ll talk a good game, promising fire and brimstone when he finally locates me. But he won’t try all that hard.”
Chloe gave a soft laugh. “Sounds like he was a good friend. Or he could have been, anyway, if he wasn’t your boss.” Smiling
invitingly, she asked, “Are you going to stay with us?”
Just then, Musk_Ox ambled in from the porch. His huge form stepped in behind Jackie, standing at her shoulder. He rumbled down into her ear. “Jeep’s ready.”
Dazz’s jaw dropped open. “You’re going with him?”
Musk_Ox grumbled, looking hurt, “Ouch. Et tu, Dazzle?”
The petite hacker let out a bubbling laugh, “Oh fuck off, Musk_Ox.” She really didn’t know what apologies sounded like. “You know what I meant. You’ve lived almost totally off the government radar all your life! Now, you’re going to shack up with a G-woman?”
He scowled. “Never said we were shacking up!”
Jackie glanced up over her shoulder, challenging him.
That brought Musk_Ox to a stop, clearing his throat. “I mean, not that…ahem… that is… ahh, shit. I dunno.”
Jackie gave him a fond smile. “We’ll figure it out. Go get the car. I’ll be right out.”
The lumbering computer genius in the body of a lumberjack gave a meek nod and stomped out the door.
Jackie shook her head, turning back to them with a smile. “Much more manageable than other wild-blooded fertile males I’ve met.”
Kyle laughed. “Knew you liked the tall ones. Go easy on him, huh?”
Jackie’s answering laugh was rich and full. “Oh, he’ll be just fine. Especially when I pick out his next girl for him to keep safe.”
They all heard her, but none of them clued in for a full five seconds. They just stared at her, blinking, trying to decide if they had heard correctly.
Then, Kyle couldn’t help but laugh. “Seriously?”
She shrugged. “What? Worked out pretty well for you.” She chuckled, and there was a lot of self-mocking in all that. “I would be lying if I denied that the last couple weeks hanging around you and these girls hasn’t tempted me with what my father would call ‘impure thoughts’.”
Kyle guessed, “That isn’t the whole reason, though, is it?”
Her smile didn’t fade, but a touch of seriousness invaded Jackie’s features. “No, it isn’t.”
Kyle gestured at the others around him, giving her a flirtatious smile. “You could have stayed with us and gotten the same experience. We’ve lived through a lot together. Could have enjoyed a bit of fun.”
“I’m not going to fulfill any fantasies you have of getting locked in handcuffs, Kyle.”
He chuckled. “In my fantasies, I’m not the one wearing the handcuffs.”
“Either way… I think Megan and I might see ourselves in the same role. I’m not going to screw up your happy little household by fighting her for dominance.” She glanced at the door through which Musk_Ox had disappeared, a smile clinging to her lips. “Not when there’s a big ole’ bear who’s going to be all too happy to do my bidding.”
Dazz took a step closer, looking like a cobra ready to sink her teeth in if Jackie blinked wrong. “Don’t go messing around with him. I’ve got his back.”
Rather than flare back at her, Jackie held up her hands, suing for peace. “You know it won’t be like that. I’ll keep him safe. But something tells me he’s going to welcome a bit of a firm hand around.”
Dazz chewed on that, found nothing she could object to, then shrugged. “Fine. If you hurt him, I’ll cut something off you you’re going to miss. Treat him good, and… well, I’ll show up if you need it. Just like he did for us.”
Jackie smiled, taking the threat in stride. “You got it.”
Kyle’s eyebrow quirked up again, remembering what she had said. “You’re really going to think about letting another girl in your bed with you two?”
Jackie stayed serious, not letting him draw her into a teasing match. “Like I said, for more than one reason. The other half is because of what’s coming next. You know it. I know it. Things are going to get messy.”
“Yeah,” Kyle agreed, and none of the others even thought to argue.
Jackie went on, “Even if they can burn the Dawn out of the government tomorrow and take back control of the CDC, how long until they find a way to reverse Persterim? These bastards won’t let any real scientists get their hands on their research. Could be another decade or two before we can reverse-engineer it. All that time, we need to do what we can.” She shrugged. “I’m stuck on the sidelines, for now. I’m curious and not going to be selfish. Which means…” She shrugged, then smiled. “Never tried to pick up a woman before.”
Kyle laughed. “Neither have I. We’ve just sort of… fallen into each other.”
Jackie smiled. “Maybe I’ll just let it happen.” She stabbed a finger into Kyle’s chest. “Encourage others to do the same.”
“Huh?”
“People might recognize you, Kyle. After the stunt you pulled, you’ll be recognized. You’re faking your implants, but all the girls can see the fertile males along your path. Find them. Warn them. If Persterim works, they’re all above that baseline standard. Maybe even the higher one. That makes them all targets for as long as the Dawn is out there. Whether they are out in the open or forced to go underground by what happened. They’ll be looking for believers. Do what you can to set them on the right path. Look at Musk_Ox…umm, I mean –”
Dazz cut her off. “Nuh uh! Don’t know his name! Don’t wanna know!”
“You saw his implant on the way in! You deactivated it!”
“And I didn’t look! Took a lot of effort! No spoilers! He’s Musk_Ox to me!”
Jackie smirked, but didn’t press, “Like I was saying, Musk_Ox clearly isn’t an anomaly. He caught all kinds of genes these people would love. But he’s got a good heart. Don’t forget that. Just because someone is chosen by Persterim doesn’t make them assholes automatically. Not until the Dawn gets their claws into them.”
Kyle could help a small snort of laughter. “Sounds like you’re asking me to set up franchises.”
Rolling her eyes at the description, Jackie said, “You know what I mean.”
“Where are you two going to stay?”
“Olympia for the moment, though we’ll pull out if things get too hot. I want to keep an eye on the FDPC’s disintegration there.” Jackie shrugged, not totally happy with the plan, but not having anything else to go on.
Having nothing better to offer, Kyle said, “Fair enough. If we’re in the area, we’ll look you up. I’m sure Dazz and Musk_Ox will be in touch over the net.” He smiled one last time at her. “Don’t worry, I’ll do what I can to keep the people who can make people stay on the right side of things.”
Jackie leaned in and pecked him on the cheek. “See you soon.” With that, she turned and hobbled out of the door, favoring her good leg as she made her way over to the jeep that Musk_Ox had warmed up. A few moments later, they were rolling up the gravel lane, heading north.
Soo-Yun came into the room, holding a pack in her hands. She pouted. “I was going to give her some fresh dressings to take with her!”
Kyle had wondered where his lover had gotten to. He walked over, wrapping her in a huge hug.
“Hey! You’re going to pop your stitches!” Despite her protests, Soo-Yun tucked into his arms warmly, having had far too little time there in the last couple days.
Letting the hug linger a little longer, he kept his arm around Soo-Yun and drew her back into the living area. “Are we ready? We need to meet up with the others and they aren’t waiting. If there are more road-blocks out there, we might have to detour around them.”
Dazz slid her large, powerful laptop under her arm. “I’m good. Everything else is junk.”
Chloe looked around, letting out a mournful groan. “I feel so bad leaving everything torn apart like this.” He scanned around, drawing attention to the complete devastation of the house. Hundreds of bullet holes in the walls. There wasn’t a piece of furniture that wasn’t a little damaged or smeared with swathes of blood.
“Doug said he would handle it.” Kyle tossed his head for the door. “Come on. He’s outside. Let’s make sure one
last time.” He held out his other arm, and Chloe tucked happily up against his side.
Dazz rolled her eyes, then strode ahead of them toward the door.
Kyle watched her go, never quite able to banish the spike of desire he felt whenever he saw her enter or leave a room. Year after year, they’d been in the ‘friend zone’ together, happily chucking shit back and forth at each other, always being straight with each other. But that was one thing he’d never admitted to her. It had never seemed right.
Once again, he let her go. This time, he had to admit it was far easier when he could turn his focus on the two, beautiful, talented, amazing women cuddled up against him beneath each arm. He had lusted after Chloe for perhaps even longer. Ever since he had such feelings in his early teens, this girl had been a year older than him, taunting him as she matured ahead of him. Then, there was Soo-Yun, who had thrown herself at him and demanded he wrestle her under his control, and pretty much promised never to leave his side again now that he had claimed her.
Yeah, life was pretty sweet. He realized he never would have met any of them if this whole conspiracy hadn’t detonated his life.
Was it worth it? He asked himself.
He honestly didn’t know. That was his only answer. So much trouble had been kicked up. Too many dead. And he’d just set off a hurricane, as Jackie put it.
But nothing could make him regret connecting with these women. Nothing ever would. He belonged to them, and they belonged with him. There was no other way he could live his life.
It was time to go find the others.
He walked out onto the shadowy porch with the women still under his arm, squeezing through the doorway with a little laughter. They stayed in the shade, since Doug had landed himself in the porch swing which had somehow, miraculously survived intact and still hanging from the rafters. A single lightbulb had also survived, rocking back and forth gently on the evening breeze filtering through the surrounding screen.