The QuaranTeens, #1

by Keith B Darrell

  Robin studied it. “Ain’t never seen her wear that before.”

  “It’s not Granny’s,” Covid said. “It belongs to Proctor, the leader of the Utopians.”

  “What would Granny be doing with a Utopian’s medal?” Archer asked.

  Robin’s face contorted in a paroxysm of rage. “Ain’t no reason ‘less’en it fell off the man that killed her.”

  Archer frowned. “We’re gonna need some fresh horses.”

  Robin checked her quiver. “And some more arrows.”

  “Wait!” Kai exclaimed. “You two aren’t thinking of going to Utopia by yourselves, are you?”

  “We ain’t looking fer a fight with the Utopians,” Archer said. “Just this fella named Proctor. Long as none of ‘em try to stop us from killing Proctor, we’ll leave ‘em like we found ‘em.”

  “Have you ever been to Utopia?” Kai asked. “I have. They have patrols circling the dome in vehicles like my not-a-sports-car.”

  “Granny done taught us how to hunt in stealth,” Robin said. “They won’t see us coming.”

  “They’ve got rifles,” Kai said.

  “So did the ones we just killed,” Archer said.

  “The city’s covered with a freaking dome!” Kai said.

  “Gotta be a way in and out,” Archer said. “We’ll find it.”

  “I met Proctor. He’s merciless.”

  “That’s good, ‘cause we won’t be showing him none,” Robin said.

  “The not-a-sports-car needs to recharge. I can have it ready to go in the morning.”

  “Kai,” Covid said. “We need you here. We must find—”

  “Archer and Robin saved my skin at the store today. I’m going with them to Utopia.”

  Archer placed his hand on Kai’s shoulder. “Robin and I really appreciate that, Kai. But this here’s something we got to do ourselves. Fer Granny.”

  Kai gaped. “But you’ll probably get killed.”

  “Could be,” Robin said. “But like my brother said, this is family business we got to settle.”

  Corona sighed. “If you need any of our supplies…”

  “All we’re gonna need’s some fresh horses and a lot more arrows,” Robin said. “But thanks, anyway. We’ll be back soon.” She turned to Covid. “’Course, if’n we don’t make it back, there’s something I been meaning to tell you.” She leaned in as if to whisper in his ear and instead kissed him on the lips. “Couldn’t find the words so that’ll have to do.”

  Archer shook his head. “You tryin’ to give our friends the plague?”

  “I ain’t infected and there ain’t no plague no more anyway. You collect the horses while I get us a few quivers.”

  Covid stood speechless as they walked away. Corona smiled at him. “Looks like you’re going to have to continue that conversation when they return.”

  Kai frowned. “If they come back.”

  Corbin tucked the handgun into his waistband and covered it with his shirt. He wasn’t sure if he might need to use it one day or if it might prove valuable barter in some future transaction. He looked around the camp for Maga and not seeing her he descended into the bunker. Corbin found her cleaning the social area. “I didn’t realize they had assigned you to the chores rotation yet.”

  Maga looked up sheepishly. “I hope I’m not displacing someone. Old habits die hard, I guess. I feel more relaxed doing what I used to do in Utopia.”

  “That’s sort of what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m Corbin. We met briefly last week.”

  “I remember. You asked if there was anything you could do for me and added your rates were very reasonable.”

  “And that’s why I’m here. I have a message for you. A friend of yours wants you to meet him.”

  Magda looked puzzled. “I don’t have any friends in the bunker.”

  Corbin shook his head. “One of your pals from Utopia.”

  Maga turned ashen. “They’ve found me!”

  “Not ‘they’; it’s one boy. He said to tell you Donjay wants to see you.”

  “Donjay!” Maga sighed in relief. “He came alone? Are you certain?”

  “Absolutely. He’s waiting for you a few miles away in a vehicle like Kai’s not-a-sports-car. I can point out the path for you.”

  “Oh, yes, please!”

  They stepped outside and Kai led her to the path. “This will lead straight to him.” He paused. “You sure you want to go?”

  Maga nodded. “I trust Donjay. He’s the only one I do trust. Thank you, Corbin.”

  Corbin watched her head along the path, wondering if he had done the right thing. Then, he returned to the bunker to search for the codebook.

  Donjay leaped out of the Humvee when he saw Maga approach. “Maga!”

  “Donjay!” She rushed to him. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I should be asking you that. Proctor told me you had been eaten by wolves. What’s going on, Maga?”

  “I ran away from Utopia. Dr. Carstairs threatened to send me to the farm.”

  “She must have been joking.”

  “She was deadly serious. She blamed me for allowing her prisoner to escape. If I go back, she’ll have me killed.”

  “Proctor won’t allow—”

  “Proctor doesn’t care about me, Donjay. He was willing to let Dr. Carstairs send me to the farm.”

  Donjay shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t…”

  “He told you I was eaten by wolves? If I had stayed, I’d have been eaten by Dr. Carstairs!”

  “Why would he lie to me?”

  “Proctor has lied about everything. The bunker kids gave me shelter. Even the Raiders helped me, before Proctor slaughtered them. None of them need to be our enemies; Proctor made them that.”

  “But… he’s grooming me to take his place.”

  “Do you honestly think that will ever happen? Proctor will never cede power and it’ll be a long time before he dies of old age. If you fall out of favor between now and then, he’ll send you to the farm.”

  “I’m confused.”

  “Come back with me. The bunker kids will welcome you.”

  Donjay thought of Corbin… and of Tristan. “No, they won’t. Besides, I need to confront Proctor.” He pointed to a tree. “Tell Corbin to leave the book at the base of the tree. I’ll come back for it.”

  “What book?”

  “He’ll know. Tell him to forget about the Humvee: the battery charge will die when it crosses the perimeter. Proctor lied to him, too. He never intended for Corbin to get away.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll send for you when it’s safe for you to return to Utopia.”

  “Be careful, Donjay. Proctor’s more dangerous than you believe him to be.”

  He kissed her forehead. “I love you, big sister.”

  “I love you, too.” Maga watched Donjay walk back toward Utopia until her brother became a speck on the horizon. Then, she returned to the bunker.

  Corona and Covid entered the library excitedly. “We found the weapons cache,” Corona told Destine and Keiana. “There’s a hidden panel in one of the storerooms.”

  “Rifles, grenades, and other stuff I didn’t recognize,” Covid said. “I think some of it might be explosives. The rest I can’t even guess at.”

  “We’ll take a look and try to match it with photos in the military books,” Destine said. “The most important task now is locating the computer terminal that controls the defense grid.”

  “Any word from Dax, Ian, or Varian?” Covid asked.

  Keiana shook her head. “I assume they’re still looking.”

  “How’s the research coming?” Corona asked.

  “If the computer terminal has a user-friendly interface, then we should be able to enter the codes and access the defense grid,” Keiana said.

  “And if not?” Covid asked.

  “If not,” Destine said, “we’ll have to determine what computer language was used to create the program and then become proficient in that language
– assuming the library contains a book on the particular language they used.”

  “And assuming we can learn enough of it from a book, if such a book exists,” Keiana said. “Otherwise, when we find the terminal we could simply experiment.”

  “Trial and error with a defense grid?” Covid asked. “You might blow us up.”

  “I suggested that possibility,” Destine said, “But, as is her typical fashion, in her legendary hubris Keiana has assured me that won’t happen.”

  Covid sighed. “Keep up the good work. Keiana, no trial and error without Destine’s agreement, all right?”

  “Fine,” Keiana said reluctantly. “Just find that terminal.”

  Varian stood in what they had long ago referred to as “the grownup quarters.” It has to be here, he thought. We’ve searched everywhere else. It makes sense they would keep a computer terminal where only the adults could access it: so where is it? He grew frustrated and kicked the floor rug. Then, he silently cursed himself for losing his temper and dropped to his knees to straighten the throw rug. Varian felt something beneath the rug. He whipped it away. “A trapdoor!” He pulled on the panel until it opened, revealing a staircase. “Who would think to look for a hidden subterranean room beneath an underground bunker?" Varian descended the staircase.

  Varian stepped into the secret room and gasped. The lights, apparently connected to sensors and powered by the generators, came on automatically when he entered the room. He saw multiple computer terminals lined up in a row. “I’ve got to get Destine and Keiana in here to see this. Hopefully they’ll know how to work this stuff.”

  He climbed back up and replaced the trapdoor and throw rug. Varian heard footsteps and hid behind the door. No one’s allowed in this area: do the footsteps belong to one of those searching for the computer or someone else trespassing? Varian wondered.

  The door gradually, surreptitiously, opened and a figure stepped inside. Varian slammed the door shut behind it as the figure stepped into the light. “Corbin!”

  “Varian. Just the person I wanted to see.”

  “What are you doing here? This is a restricted area.”

  Corbin smiled. “And yet, here you are. It looks as though we’re both bad at following rules. Perhaps Kai’s been a bad influence on us.”

  “You haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?”

  “The codebook I found: I want it back.”

  “Forget it, Corbin. That diary’s the only thing that can save the bunker.”

  “Nothing can save the bunker. The Utopians are planning to attack us. They have an entire city, military vehicles, trained troops and weapons. We’re a bunch of kids sitting in a hole in the ground.”

  “How do you know the Utopians are planning an attack?”

  “Their head guy Proctor told me himself.”

  Varian’s jaw dropped. “You’ve been to Utopia?”

  “Tristan and I were kidnapped. The Utopians are still holding him prisoner. I can use the codebook to barter for his freedom and you can use the time to evacuate the bunker. Flee while you have the chance.”

  “You expect me to believe you’d risk your life to save Tristan or anyone else? What’s your real game, Corbin?”

  “I was going to flee myself. I have a Utopian vehicle loaded with supplies and weapons waiting for me. But there was one nagging detail: Tristan was still in the hands of the Utopians. That irked me.”

  “Will wonders never cease? You have a conscience, after all?”

  “Don’t be insulting. I have an ego and a talent for deal-making. I believe I can use the codebook to finagle Tristan’s release without putting myself in danger. As long as I have something Proctor wants badly, I’m in control of the situation.”

  “Don’t be stupid. No matter how clever you think you are, you’re still a kid. Proctor’s a grown man, and from what Kai has told me, he can’t be trusted.”

  “Your lack of confidence in my abilities is duly noted. Now give me the diary.”

  “I don’t have it.”

  “Then, take me to it.”

  “No.”

  “We don’t have time to argue.” Corbin pulled out the gun from his waistband and pointed it at Varian. “This device is called a gun.”

  “I know what it is.”

  “Then you know you don’t want me to use it. I want the book.”

  Varian took a step toward him. “You won’t shoot me, Corbin.”

  Corbin cocked his head. “Do you really believe that, Varian?”

  “You’re a schemer and a petty thief but you’re not a killer.”

  “I’m a survivor… I’ll do whatever it takes to survive. And right now, that means using the diary for barter. Don’t test me, Varian.”

  Varian stepped up to Corbin until the gun was level with his chest. Corbin’s mouth twitched, the tremors causing his jaw to quiver. He tightened his finger on the trigger as the shaking reached his head. His eyes welled up with tears and he thrust the gun to his side. “Damn you, Varian.”

  “Congratulations. You passed the test.” Varian pointed to the floor. “Now give me a hand moving this rug.”

  Puzzled and confused, Corbin knelt and pulled the rug away, revealing the trapdoor. “What—?”

  “The secret room containing the computer terminals that control the defense grid. Keiana and Destine are studying how to operate computers. When you show them this, they can use the defense grid to protect the bunker and possibly even obliterate Utopia.”

  Corbin stood open-jawed. “We actually have a chance?”

  “More than a chance.”

  “Wait. You want me to be the one to tell them about the room?”

  “We can’t leave one of us in Utopia, especially if we can use these weapon systems to attack their city. Someone’s got to rescue Tristan and you’ve just proved you’re no fighter.”

  Corbin’s eyes widened. “You’re going after him? But he hates you.”

  “He’s one of us. I promised to keep everyone safe.”

  Corbin shook his head. “You’re not the leader anymore. You don’t have to—”

  “I’m not the leader anymore. But I was born to be a leader.”

  Corbin thought back to Maga’s words earlier. “Old habits die hard.” He handed Varian the gun. “You may need this.”

  “Thanks.” Varian slipped the gun into his waistband. “What do I owe you for it?”

  Corbin shook his head. “Paid in full.”

  Varian turned to leave.

  “Good luck,” Corbin added.

  Varian looked back, nodded, and left.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Varian raced through the subterranean complex, running into Kai and Corona. “Where are you going in such a hurry?” Corona asked.

  “We found the computer terminal,” Varian gasped, catching his breath. “There’s a trapdoor in the grownups’ quarters; Corbin’s there now.”

  “Then, I don’t need to keep searching,” Kai said. “I can go to Utopia to help Archer and Robin.”

  “They said they wanted to confront Proctor alone,” Corona said.

  “I know,” Kai said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand by and let them be killed. You know I’ve never been good at doing what I’m told.” He kissed her goodbye.

  “I’m going to Utopia, too,” Varian said. “The Utopians kidnapped Corbin and Tristan. Corbin escaped to get help for Tristan.”

  “I’ll tell Covid and Ian, and we’ll join you,” Corona said.

  “No,” Varian said. “Stay here and help Destine and Keiana get the computer up and running. Proctor knows the bunker’s location and an attack is imminent. We’ll need all of you here to protect the bunker.” He turned to Kai. “Can we use your vehicle?”

  “It won’t be recharged until morning. We can take a couple of horses from the corral; I’ll also bring a bow and quiver.”

  Varian nodded. “Then, let’s go.” The two boys headed to the exit hatch.

  “Be careful!”
Corona called out after them.

  Destine and Keiana stared in awe at the computer terminals. “It’s amazing!” Destine said. “Like a picture book come to life.”

  “Can you make it work?” Covid asked.

  Keiana glowered at him. “Give us a chance to turn it on first. There must be a switch somewhere.”

  Destine pressed a button and the row of terminals lit up.

  Keiana frowned. “What happened to no trial and error, you’ll blow everything up?”

  Destine gave her a smug smile. “It worked, didn’t it?”

  “Now what?” Covid asked.

  “We wait for it to come online.” Destine held up the codebook. “Hopefully, it’ll ask for the password and then for the codes.”

  “And if it doesn’t?”

  “Wait, it’s coming,” Destine said. “Yes! I’m typing in the password… now it wants the codes.” The screen flickered on each of the terminals and was replaced by a topographical map.

  “I recognize that terrain,” Covid said. “That’s the bunker… and to the north is Utopia.”

  “The computer’s communicating with a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, 22,236 miles above the Earth,” Destine said.

  “Multiple satellites, actually,” Keiana said. “The defense grid includes surveillance satellites, long-range sensors, and short-range targeting systems.”

  “What does that mean?” Covid asked.

  “It means once we figure out how to activate the grid we’ll be able to defend ourselves and employ limited offensive capabilities,” Keiana said.

  Destine pointed to the map. “There are high-tech landmines dispersed throughout the immediate surface area. We’ll be able to detonate them individually or in a random sequence. We’ll also be able to fire two dozen pop-up missile launchers.”

  “Pop-up missile launchers?”

  Destine nodded. “Hidden below the ground, they pop up when ready to be fired. Even more pop-up automated rifles that can crisscross the area outside the bunker. Remember, this entire place was built by the military.”

  “Once we master the controls, the bunker should be as well protected as any military base was before the plague,” Keiana said.