We walk to the side of the road, the truck sheltering us from view. My fingers delve into my pants and my hand clasps a thin strip of material. Pulling out the ripped shred from Ariana’s dress, I ignore the painful pulsing of my heart, and wipe it across my sweat-drenched brow. “Make this quick, Cal,” he says.
“Something weird happened back there.” He pins me with a “duh” look and my middle finger twitches at my side. “A few of our own soldiers turned on us, and I’m concerned that we may be unwittingly transporting trouble back to HQ as we speak.”
He expels a lungful of air and pins me with a stern look. “Care to elaborate on that, soldier?”
“Amber was killed by one of our own soldiers. Six of them were approaching us from a westerly direction, and as I watched them, I could tell that they weren’t in command of themselves. It was almost as if they were under some spell or someone had hijacked their minds. Their expressions were void, sir, like robots.” I scratch an imaginary itch on the back of my head. “I’m not the best at explaining …”
He raises a hand and silences me. “On the contrary, I think you’ve described that adequately. Am I to understand that this was only some of our troops? Others appeared to be okay?”
I nod, wondering where he’s going with this. He raises a finger to his lips and his forehead creases. I stand there like a spare tool while his brain kicks into action. His head whips up and his gaze locks on mine. “Did you recognize any of the six soldiers? Were they part of the original Saoirse ranks or newer team members? Think carefully, this could be important.”
I don’t need to think about it. “I knew the girl who killed Amber. Bethany, I think her name was. She was only recruited a few weeks ago.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, lifting his cap and running his fingers through his hair.
“One hundred percent.”
“Then I think we have our answer.” He fits the cap down over his head.
We do? Think Cal, you big doofus. It comes to me in a flash. “The Vita.”
He nods. “I think it’s safe to assume that the government has developed a new form of population control. It’s the only answer that makes sense. I’m less convinced of the how but for now that’s enough.”
“What are you going to do?” I shove my hands in my pants pocket and rock back on my heels.
“Contact the other trucks and get everyone scanned. Anyone with a live Vita implant will have to stay behind.” His hands coil into fists at his side, and it’s obvious this is a tricky call to make.
“I understand how difficult that decision is, sir, but I believe it’s the right call. We have to protect the majority until we’ve figured this out.”
He slaps a hand on my back. “I know. Doesn’t mean it sucks any less though.”
Ten trucks arrive at the Velo station a lot lighter than when we left the base. Most everyone has woken up by now. After the initial explanations are out of the way, somber expressions and dejected forms are the order of the day. Everyone is feeling this in a major way. “Cal!” Isla calls out, running toward me.
I hug her tight, so glad to see a familiar face. “Good to see you, sweetness.”
She shucks out of my arms and pins me with a look that she’s clearly borrowed from Ariana. “Funny boy. I thought you were heading to Greece?” I look over her head and spot another familiar form sauntering toward us.
“Last minute change of plan.” I make a disgruntled sound at the back of my throat.
“Jax, man, glad you made it.” I raise my clenched fist.
“Dude,” he says, knocking his knuckle to mine. “Your girl is one weird chick. I didn’t know what hit me.” He chuckles.
“Always knew she was a freak,” Isla mutters under her breath.
A snarl leaks out of the corners of my mouth. She may be in my bad books right now, but no one is disrespecting Ariana in my presence. Isla holds up her hands in a conciliatory gesture. “Don’t be a jerk, Isla. We’d all be toast right now if it wasn’t for Ariana.”
“Come on, Cal, you know I was only joking.” She tips her hip against mine.
I shoot a “do look like I was born yesterday?” look her way.
“Well, half-joking,” she corrects.
“Soldier Remus,” Commander Skyee shouts from somewhere behind me. I spin around and he waggles his fingers at me.
I give Jax and Isla a quick one-armed hug. “See you in HQ.”
I sprint along the platform, sidestepping soldiers as I run. Commander Skyee is crouched over a body on the ground, and my heart rate starts beating at an unnatural pace.
“Oh no!” I wail, dropping to my knees beside him. Commander De Luca’s blurry gaze sweeps over me. A sheen of sweat coats his forehead and his skin is as white as the tile he lies on. A large red pool of blood on his shirt is spreading wider as we look on helplessly.
“Took one for the team,” he rasps. He still tries to downplay things, even now.
“Can you ride with him and the doc?” Commander Skyee says, motioning toward the small, broad-shouldered man standing off to the side. “Ensure he is taken to the medical center the minute we arrive. Understood?” He straightens up.
“Yes, sir. I’ll look after him.” I rise, swaying a little unsteadily on my feet.
“And Cal?”
His tone is softer, and there’s something about the look in his eyes that tells me he is going to reference something personal. Please don’t mention Ariana. I’m barely holding my shit together as it is. “Yes, Commander?” I’m sure he can hear the angst in my voice.
“Make sure someone looks after that arm of yours too.”
I expel a grateful lungful of air as I nod.
Commander De Luca dies in my arms about ten minutes outside the underwater compound. Tears drip down my face and over my chin as I stare numbly at the soldier across the row from me. They keep flowing and I can’t make them stop. And I don’t know that I want to.
I never cried after Mom died. Dad told me I had to man-up. At ten years of age, I didn’t understand his words, and I thought he meant that I shouldn’t cry. So, I bottled it all up inside.
I cry unashamedly now.
It’s not the gut-wrenching hysterical type of snotty-nosed sobbing, more the suffer-in-silence type. But I don’t even try to stem the flow, understanding that I’m crying as much for the loss of my mom, the demise of my relationship with the girl of my dreams, and the death of a future I thought I had all mapped out, as much as I cry for the man in my arms, who in the last two months had come to mean much more to me than just my Commanding Officer. Poor Ruby. She’s lost both her parents now.
Dad and Mel are standing at the front of the platform when we reach the station. Jaden and Ruby wait just behind them. She can’t see her father like this. Whispering quietly to the doctor, I inch out from under the CO’s lifeless body and stride out of the carriage.
Mel steps toward me, but I hold my hand up. “No one is to get on that carriage.” I stare at my dad, willing him to understand. He’s military. He does. Nodding subtly at me, worry lines dot his brow. “Jaden? A quick word please.” He opens his mouth—no doubt to spout some of his usual crap—but stalls when he sees the thunderous look on my face. “Over here now.” You’d swear I was the bossy older one.
“What?” he asks, pinning me with a derisory look.
“Ruby’s father just died in my arms.” No point in sugarcoating it; there isn’t time. The last thing I want is Ruby forcing her way onto that carriage looking for her dad.
“Fuck.” Jaden’s spooked eyes meet mine. “Will you tell her?”
“What?” I stand back and survey the piss-poor example of a man standing in front of me. “Are you for real? She’s your girlfriend, isn’t she? Don’t you want to be the one to tell her? Of course, I’ll speak to her at some point, but I honestly think she should hear it from you. She’ll need your support.”
“Ah, bro, you know I’m not good with that shit.”
“Well, fucking TRY!
” I yell, all semblance of patience gone. I’ve always known my brother had no backbone but this is low, even for him.
“Is it Commander De Luca?” Dad asks in a low voice, planting himself in the middle of us. Looking over my shoulder, I see the worry building momentum in Ruby’s terrified eyes. The girl is no fool.
“Yes,” I grit out. “He died on the way here and this frigging idiot,” I say, drilling a finger into Jaden’s chest, “can’t even summon the guts to tell his girlfriend, let alone comfort her.”
“Jaden,” Dad says, “That girl needs you now more than ever. Are you telling me you are incapable of wrapping your arms around her and holding her while she cries?”
“No, Dad,” Jaden says, shoving a hand through his hair, “I can do that part.”
I turn on my heel at that. I’ve had enough of this bullshit. Ruby is no dummy and she’s seconds away from charging that train. I stand in front of her and beseech Mel with my eyes. “Ruby,” I say gently.
“No!” she shrieks.
“Your dad is gone, sweetheart. I’m devastated for you.” She rocks back on her heels, and her eyes fix on mine before swiveling in Jaden’s direction. Stepping aside, I spot the uncertainty in my brother’s eyes, and I want to throw his spineless ass against the wall. Ruby’s eyes turn back to me, brimming with tears, shock and fear and grief etched clearly on her face. “Come here,” I say, holding my arms out to her. She walks numbly into my embrace, breaking down in a split second. I hold her close to my chest and smooth my hand over her hair. Mel wraps an arm around each of us and cradles her friend, her own sobs mingling with Ruby’s.
I’m glad I got all my crying out of the way earlier because otherwise I’d be of as much use to these girls now as Jaden is.
Dad eventually convinces Jaden to grow a pair, and Ruby slides out of my arms into his. I glare at him, injecting as much venom as I can in the look. Dad plants a warning hand on my arm. “You’re injured. Let’s get you to the Medical Center.”
Dad wrestles me away before I do something I may regret. Or not. Jaden’s long overdue a sock in the mouth and I’m just the man for the job. The fact that we’re related beggars belief.
After a brief visit to the hospital, I leave without as much as an ache anywhere in my body. Pity the same can’t be said for my damaged brain. I make a quick stop at the cafeteria and grab some snacks before heading back to my apartment.
Ben jumps me the minute I step into the space. “Bro, have you no concept of personal space?” I jest. It’s far easier to joke around than tell him about the rotting emptiness festering inside me.
“Jesus, Cal. I wasn’t sure if you made it. They screened some scenes of the battle, it looked rough out there.”
“I’d rather not talk about it now.” I collapse on my bed and the full, springy mattress feels so good underneath me. Until I remember whom I used to share it with and the heart-wrenching ache in my chest starts to throb painfully.
“Sure, man. Did everyone make it out?” he asks, lounging on the edge of the bed.
I grind my teeth down to my molars. I shake my head. “No.” His face crumples. “Amber and Ruby’s dad are dead.”
His face speaks a thousand words in that moment. “Are you alright?” he eventually asks.
I snort and sit up. “You want the truth?” I press my knuckles into my forehead and close my eyes.
“Where’s Ariana? I thought she was with you?”
I grimace and turn away. “She’s gone back to Greece.”
“What’s happened?” He twists around so I’m forced to confront him head on. “I thought she’d chosen to be with you?”
“You seem reliably well-informed, bro.” My eyes drill into his.
“I’ve spoken with Zane,” he admits. My heart crashes in my chest. It wasn’t enough that Zane tried to steal my girl? Now he’s after my best buddy too? And yeah, I know I sound like an immature punk but two fingers to that.
“Were you aware that he’s been sneaking around kissing my fiancée behind my back?”
Ben’s shocked expression tells me he hasn’t been fully apprised of all the facts. “Left out that little nugget of information, did he?”
“Hell.”
“That’s quite the understatement.” My voice cracks about the same time my heart does. “Everything’s turned to crap. I don’t know what to do.” I drape an arm across my face as I tilt against the headrest. “I’m so conflicted.”
“When did you find this out?”
I try to work it out in my head. Jeez, it was only a few hours ago, but it seriously feels like I’ve lived a lifetime and then some during the course of this day. I rub my temples soothingly. “Earlier on today. I was all set to go to Greece with her, but when I found this out, I could hardly even look at her. How could she do this to me?”
The screen flickers to life on the wall before Ben can reply. It’s Dad, advising that my presence is required immediately in Command Center.
“Let’s talk later,” Ben says, as I swing my legs off the bed.
Striding into the room, I almost do a U-turn when I spot the back of Zane’s head at the table. Mr. Angry seethes with pompous indignation and every nerve ending tingles with unspent energy. My fists are itching for a fight, and if he so much as looks at me funny, I’m having at him. “Son,” Dad says, “I’ve saved you a seat.” Zane’s spine straightens in his chair. Good.
I purposely ignore him as I walk around the table and plonk down in the chair alongside my father. “Thank you for joining us, Soldier Remus,” Calista says. “Commander Skyee was updating us on some of the things you witnessed at the battle today, but we thought it best to hear it directly from you. Can you inform the Council, please?”
So I explain it to them exactly as I explained it to Ariana’s dad. Calista trades worried looks with her right-hand man, Dan Fielding, Saoirse’s chairman. “That confirms it then,” she tells the group.
“Confirms what?” I ask, straining against the side of the table.
She stabs a button on a panel in the middle of the table and a digital screen projects in front of us. The screen pops to life and I watch, sickened, as the images replay in full gory detail. The recordings flit between various sites, showing a repeat of what I witnessed my Saoirse colleagues do in the midst of battle today, in other locations.
After the sixth image change, I look away, focusing instead on the row of desks below us, watching the bobbing heads busy at work. Anything to avoid looking at the horror on the screen.
When the broadcast fades out, I refocus my attention on the table. My eyes unwittingly zero in on Zane’s. My nostrils flare and I glower at him, putting every ounce of hurt and pain I feel behind the look. He stares straight ahead, no change in his expression to indicate I’ve rattled him at all, and that only infuriates me further. I’m having a hard time keeping my butt in the seat when a hand lands discreetly on my leg, pressing down. “Get control of yourself,” Dad hisses under his breath. Now my fist craves a date with his face. Deploying every scrap of willpower, I start counting to ten in my head and visualizing my happy place. It barely works, but it’s enough, provided this damn meeting doesn’t go on for much longer.
“We’ve had reports of these types of incidents from several states, and we’ve taken huge hits both in the field and in the warehouse lodgings. We’ve no option but to issue a blanket order to cease all combat and take shelter.”
“That’s not going to help solve this particular problem though,” Dad says, speaking up for the first time. “If the government is using the Vita to control a large section of our new army, then they pose a significant threat to our efforts. We need to contain them until we decide what to do.”
“Your assessment is bang on, Commander Remus, however, we believe the government has to be aware of the identity of the soldiers in order to flip that switch.”
“I’m not following,” Commander Skyee says, his brow crinkling. That makes two of us.
“Zane, can you please upda
te the group on what you’ve learned,” Calista says. My dad’s hand slams down on my leg in warning, and I shoot him a filthy look.
“I’ve analyzed the footage using our new electro-digital scanning equipment, and it’s no coincidence that stealth-craft were hovering in the sky at every single scene where there is evidence of our soldiers being used against us. We’ve monitored other sites where there were new recruits but no overhead craft, and the level of electro-magnetic activity is minimal compared to the surge in activity in the other sites. While I don’t have any hard evidence yet, I’m assuming the government needs to be at close range to trigger the switch and control the actions of those they wish to mind-jack. Or they need to identify Vitas on an individual basis in order to manipulate them. Or perhaps a mix of those things.” He gives a one-shouldered shrug.
“We all know what they say about those who make assumptions,” I say, the words automatically spilling from my mouth.
Zane’s expression doesn’t change but a muscle thrums in his jaw, and I know I’ve hit a nerve. “You’ve got the ass part down pat,” he says a second later, and hot anger stampedes through my veins.
“Your assumptions are just that,” Dad says, his voice barely containing his contempt, as his hand constricts the blood flow in my leg. Ordinarily I hate this side of my dad, but I’ve just elevated myself to number one cheerleader. “And I don’t see how this helps at all.”
“Commander Remus, Soldier Remus, please watch your tone at this table,” Calista reprimands. “Perhaps your bias is clouding your judgment?” She arches an elegant brow, as she looks Dad square in the face. “This is useful information. Firstly, Zane and his team can conduct further research and confirm our suspicions. Secondly, we now know these people aren’t a threat unless government craft are nearby. As a precaution, we are in the process of rehousing all our ground-based troops. We will round up all those with live Vitas, put them in the same lodgings, and separate out our other soldiers and keep them in bases with early warning detection systems. That way, if the government tries the same trick again, we will have adequate time to prepare our defense.”
Destiny Rising Page 27