"I'm sending several units to the area, Captain. All you have to do is wait for them. I'll tell them you're in command. Just don't go after Miller by yourself, understand?"
"Understood. I'll see them there."
Isaac shut the connection down, studying her face. "We're not meeting up with them, are we?"
"After what happened at the hospital? No chance. I trust Chief Moore, but I can't bet that some of Miller's men won't be in those squads. We'll have to take our chances tracking Miller ourselves." She looked at Castle. "Looks like I'm on your side for now. Just don't make me regret it."
A wry smile creased his cheeks. "So you're changing the plan? Fine, but keep in mind that we have no idea what we're walking into. Once we follow the snake into its den, all bets are off."
She winced when she shifted in her seat. "Just wish I had time to gear up properly. I hate going into battle unprepared."
Castle raised a shaggy eyebrow. "Oh, I think I can help with that. First, we ditch this ambulance. After that, we're taking my ride. And I don't go anywhere unprepared."
Chapter 18: Labyrinthine
The maze-like tunnels of the Underbelly were eerily deserted.
The chambers that normally housed all-night raves were empty, the grounds littered with the garbage left behind by the revelers. The Haze parlors were shut down, the markets closed. The clatter of old subway trams seemed unnaturally loud, echoing metallically through the cavernous tunnels. The people that lurked in the shadows were the dispossessed, abandoned or deserted by society. Like creatures driven by instinct, they hid in makeshift shelters, ragged tents, under ledges or deep in crevices, furtive eyes staring at the trio of armored warriors that strode through the darkness without fear.
Spitfire looked around as they passed from one winding tunnel to another. "Place is a maze, yo. How do you know your way around?"
Vigil glanced at the shimmering symbol imprinted on the mouth of certain tunnels—markers he placed on the walls when previously tracking the Beasts from Haven Core. The V-shaped marks were visible when viewed by his visor. "I've been here before."
"Well, that makes one of us."
Heretic followed several paces behind, aloof and silent. His white tunic was soiled by dust and mud, but that did little to hide its visibility. Stalking like a red-armored panther, he flaunted his lack of camouflage as if inviting confrontation. Knowing his track record, Vigil figured he did.
Vigil was the complete opposite; cape unfurled and hood up so that he practically vanished into the darkness. Even Spitfire wore a cloak patterned in black and maroon that covered her fluorescent armor underneath. Probably a loaner from Viper, but it helped her blend in better. She threw a look over her shoulder, frowning at Heretic.
"Don't know about bringing him along."
Vigil glanced down. "We can use all the help we can get right now."
"This guy's a murderer, though."
"So am I." He didn't look back at Heretic, although every instinct screamed to do it. "I fought in the Imperial War. I did my share of killing. When you're a soldier, you don't have the luxury to consider the morality of your actions. Your enemy tries to kill you. You try to kill your enemy. You kill to complete your objective. You kill to stay alive. Understand?"
"But … that was war. This is different."
"It's no different. Don't fool yourself—you're in a war right now, Spitfire. That makes you a soldier, just like Heretic. He doesn't fight his war like we do, but we have a common enemy for now. That makes him our ally."
She walked in silence for a while, visibly shaken despite half her face being covered. Taking a deep breath seemed to help her collect herself. "Yeah, that's cool, but what happens when this is over?"
"We can't concentrate on that now. Focus on the—" He turned around but paused in mid-sentence when Heretic stopped, scanning the tunnels behind him. The tunnels illuminated in red-orange light when one of his cross-shaped swords appeared like magic in his fist, crackling with mysterious energy.
Vigil looked in that direction. "What is it?"
Heretic continued staring down the tunnel. "We're being followed."
Vigil glanced at the display on his g-span. "I know."
"I'll take care of them."
Vigil caught him by the elbow. "Don't bother. They're not enemies."
"How do you know?"
He showed Heretic the display. "I deployed scanners when we entered. One-mile radius, front and back. Nothing will catch us by surprise."
Heretic studied the four people on the screen. "Who are they?"
Vigil shut the screen down with a wave of his hand. "Backup." He glanced at Spitfire. "Use your face shield. We're about to have company."
Ⓥ
It turned out that Castle's ride was a rolling armory. The vehicle looked like any old delivery van on the outside, but inside it was equipped with a wide assortment of tactical weapons and gear, including a padded brace for Ronnie's ribs. That was followed by a nine-element suit of plate and mesh armor better than what she normally wore from the RCE. Castle just laughed when she asked where he got all the equipment from. He had his face completely concealed by a snug white helmet with a flashing red visor. She had to admit it made him look more formidable.
They left Rook in the van to monitor the scanning equipment and supply intel. Something was familiar about the mousy man, but Ronnie never got a full glimpse of his face after he replaced the surgical mask with a snug-fitting balaclava one. He still looked scared out of his mind, making her wonder why Castle was partnered with an obvious civilian. She didn't have time to think much on the oddity because after gearing up and arming themselves, it was into the darkness of the Underbelly.
She and Castle used foldable zip-scooters to skim across the tunnel floors, with Isaac having no problem matching their pace. He took point, using his enhanced equipment to pinpoint recent tracks. "Looks like multiple hover vehicles have been through here lately. Commissioner Miller definitely isn't alone. Looks like an entire caravan of vehicles, all going deep into the tunnel system."
They were deep into the Underbelly, beyond the subway channels. The walls around them were crusted with dirt and vegetation, the air earthy and moist. Water dripped from high above, creating streams that cut through the muck of the tunnel floors. She had never ventured so deep before and had no idea what part of the city they were under. The feeling of isolation was surprisingly intense, a stifling sensation of claustrophobia that threatened to overwhelm her. The labyrinthine network of tunnels was nearly primordial, completely cut off from even the memory of civilization. She hadn't felt so uneasy since her first rookie bust.
Easily loping alongside her skimmer, Isaac glanced at her. "You okay, Cap?"
"I'm starting to regret not waiting for backup. You can hide an entire army in here."
"True. But no worries so far. My radar scans indicate no immediate movement around us. Anyone comes close, and I'll spot them. No one will get the jump on us."
Before he finished the words, a phantom materialized in front of them, sweeping the darkness aside to reveal gleaming black armor and a helm that pulsed with scarlet light. Ronnie veered wildly, would have tumbled from her zip-scooter if Isaac didn't support her with a steady arm. Slowing to a wobbly halt, she looked over her shoulder. Vigil was still there, looking like a dark demigod in its natural habitat. Castle stopped a few yards ahead, peering at Vigil with satisfaction that his helmet couldn't hide.
Vigil glanced at him, then turned to Ronnie. "Captain Banks."
She took a deep breath to steady herself. "Vigil."
She almost said Jett by mistake. Looking at him, she still wasn't sure if Isaac was right. Vigil looked larger than life, imposing without making a move. Every movement, every step he made looked poised on sudden violence.
He drew closer. "We have a common enemy and little time to stop him. I suggest that we join forces. Your squad and mine against whatever Janus throws at us."
Folding her arms, she
looked up at him. "Agreed. But a fair warning: I have tactical units on the way for backup. I've left markers for them to follow. So whatever you plan on doing, it has to be now."
"It will be. My people are just ahead. They've found out where Janus is going."
"Your people." She sighed. "Okay, let's see who the scourge of the underworld is hanging out with."
Ⓥ
She groaned when she saw Vigil's associates. "You gotta be kidding me."
Vigil glanced down at her. "Now isn't the time for regrets, Captain Banks."
"Well, that was before I knew you partnered up with a serial killer." She glared at Heretic, who gave her a dismissive look in response.
"I'm not a serial killer."
"Really? Well, what would you call all the bodies you've left in your wake?"
"Divine retribution."
Ronnie looked at Vigil. "I don't think I can do this."
Castle strode past her, peering into the mouth of the nearest tunnel. "Like the man said—too late to back out now."
Vigil stared at him. "Do I know you?"
"The name is Castle. I worked with Vigil back in the day. You're not the same man, or you'd have recognized me."
Vigil hesitated before responding. "We'll discuss it later."
"Later is fine with me. You said you know where Janus is?"
"I know where he's gone. In there." Vigil jerked a thumb at the tunnel. And old inscription was stamped into the stone: Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate.
"Anyone know what that says?"
Heretic stared at the engraving. "It's Latin. It means 'Abandon all hope, you who enter.'"
"That's not ominous at all," Ronnie muttered.
Isaac strode toward the tunnel. "Let's do this."
She stared at him. "How are you okay with this?"
He looked over his shoulders, electronic eyes glowing from the shadows of his face. "This is why I'm in this state, Ronnie. A vegetable operating a robot body through remotely-linked brainwaves. We tried investigating Styx, and I paid the cost for it. We both did. I'm not turning back now. We need to see this through."
She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Right. To the end."
"To the end." Taking point, he turned and entered the darkness of the tunnel.
Vigil motioned to his other partner. "Spitfire, you're up. I'm right behind you."
Spitfire had her face concealed by a tactical mask, but Ronnie still felt the distrust as the woman stared before following Isaac. Ronnie took a closer look. Spitfire was small, moving with the lanky strides of an adolescent. Another junior partner? It was hard to tell.
She glanced at Vigil, trying to see past the armor and concealing helmet. Was it really Jett behind the mask? She tried to dismiss the idea, but her eyes kept focusing on the dark-armored figure in front of her. It took everything to keep herself from calling out Jett's name just to see how Vigil reacted. But it wasn't the right time or place. Their unlikely alliance had to hold together for the moment because the deeper they went into the Underbelly, the stranger things became.
They entered a station where a chasm that looked like the mouth of the mythical Abyss was surrounded by a tall aluminum fence reinforced with concrete blocks. A yellow metal cage was suspended over the hole by a gigantic winch. Vigil entered the cage and motioned for them to follow. Ronnie reluctantly followed, aware of the metallic creaking, the rust specks on the winch cable, the nauseous buoyancy as the group of six squeezed in together. She peered down into the void, trying to see if a bottom was visible. The only thing that greeted her was unmeasurable darkness. Vigil placed a hand on the lever controls.
"Going down."
The cage descended into the shaft with a stomach-churning jerk, dropping into the gloom with a squealing sound. Ronnie glanced at the others, but their faces had the luxury of being covered by masks. There was no telling if any of them felt the queasy nervousness that affected her.
Visibility became extinct as darkness swallowed the surface light. Vigil's red visor pulsed softly, tinting everyone crimson. Sounds became unnaturally loud—dripping water, harsh breathing, the ominous groan of the cable over their heads. The digital display on the controls showed how far they dropped: fifty feet, then a hundred. Then another hundred ticked off. Still, they descended.
She glanced up at Vigil. "Where does this go?"
"To the dark city. The true bottom of Neo York. Always under a state of construction. Always one disaster away from a catastrophe, while the residents above go about their business with no idea."
She nodded. "I heard about this. The workers who care for the waterways are called sandhogs."
"Normally, they'd be operating this lift. Looks like someone gave them the day off."
"Yeah, what a coincidence."
They continued downward, four hundred feet down. Then five hundred. The air grew even warmer and even more humid, thick with dust. It seemed like their descent would never end, but at around six hundred feet, lights finally bloomed, illuminating tunnels that looked like they were carved a millennium ago. The lift came to a shaky halt, and they exited into the bottom of the shaft. Ronnie stared at the vast, chaotic display of hewn tunnels, cable bundles, rusty valves, and aqueducts ranging from ancient to newly repaired. Mud and corrosion were everywhere, and water dripped from leaky pipes like dirty rain. The ground was wet and steaming, creating a haze that limited visibility beyond a few yards.
Vigil gestured to the byzantine aqueduct system, dimly lit by retro-style light bulbs that cast waxen light into the foggy surroundings. "Want to bring the city to its knees? A few well-placed explosives and everyone above will have no water for months. It's shocking how vulnerable this system is. I was afraid that Janus was down here to hold the city's supply hostage."
Isaac's eyes flickered when he scanned the area. "No ambush waiting, no detectable traps or bombs. If they're not here for the aqueducts, then what the hell are they doing?"
"One way to find out," Heretic said. He fearlessly strode ahead, entering the mouth of the cavernous tunnel that lay ahead of them. Vigil and Spitfire followed on his heels, then Isaac. Ronnie glanced at Castle, who motioned her forward.
"I got rear guard. Go ahead."
She followed Isaac into the darkness of the ancient tunnel, activating the visor of her helmet to seal her from the choking haze of humid fumes and dust. Sweat slicked her skin under the combat gear, making every movement uncomfortable. The sounds of shuffling footsteps, harsh breathing, and dripping water were unnaturally loud in the confined setting. She fought off the dizzying sensation of claustrophobia as they cleared the darkened passageway and approached the dim light at the end.
They stepped from the tunnel into a chamber carved into a series of narrow, walled-off walkways crusted with ancient dirt and dead vines. It could have been another world for how alien it appeared, an underground maze shrouded by humid fog that drifted from the densely packed dirt floors. It was impossible to see where they were going. Dead ends were common, forcing them to backtrack and take a different route. Frustration made her tense, wary of the oppressive gloom and stifling heat that surrounded them. The drugs Isaac injected earlier killed the pain from her injuries but made her feel lightheaded, nearly dizzy as they went along.
Her attention focused when a sound rumbled along the walls. Something groaned, voice thick-tongued and inhuman. It snorted, sounding close and far away, impossible to pinpoint. Whatever it was, it sounded bestial. It sounded massive. She pulled her sidearm from the holster and checked the fusion cartridge, arming the electrolaser rounds.
Vigil glanced up. "I'm going up for a look." His boots pulsed, propelling him to the top of the towering wall, where he quickly disappeared.
"You sure you want to just—" Ronnie paused when Heretic followed suit, razor-edged wings snapping out of the casing on his back. He silently ascended, tunic fluttering as he sailed over the wall.
"Just great." Ronnie glanced at Spitfire. "Don't tell me—you've got
coiled springs in your heels, right?"
Spitfire lifted a finger. "Quiet. I'm trying to listen, yo."
Isaac's head swiveled back and forth. "My radar is going haywire. There's some massive interference nearby. I'd bet it's affecting Vigil's sensors too."
Castle glanced at the holoband around his wrist. "All surveillance is slagged right now. We're blind."
Spitfire crouched, one finger pressed against the side of her hood. "Can't make out what V is saying. Something's in here. Something big."
"Yeah, figured that out already," Ronnie said, placing a palm against the muck-covered wall. It shuddered beneath her hand, then rumbled as if struck by something massive. Moldy dust rained down on her shoulders. The muffled sound of voices and animalistic bellowing sounded uncomfortably close.
Isaac waved her back. "They're coming through the wall!"
Ronnie leaped sideways as the wall collapsed with a thunderous roar, concrete smashed to powder from the force of the bodies that tumbled through, limbs entangled. Ronnie landed on her back, aimed her handgun, and opened fire on the monstrosity that shook Vigil and Heretic off as if they were little children.
He was a giant, built like a walking tank with brass-colored horns protruding from his squat, ugly head. Beady eyes glimmered like candles from the shadows of his overhanging brow, and his oversized teeth were clenched in a grinding snarl. Covered only by a tattered loincloth, his skin was mottled, complexioned like an old rusty pipe. Her electrolaser rounds bounced off his hide without any visible damage. It wasn't a huge surprise. She had no idea why Joe Blow was down there or why he wore a headpiece that made him look like a minotaur, but she knew it was going to be a hell of a fight to take him down.
He stumbled, gave a dizzy shake of his head, and walked right into Isaac's heavy right hook. His metal-clad fist struck Joe's face with the force of a piston-powered battering ram. The sound boomed in the chamber, raising a haze of powdery grit.
Joe Blow barely moved.
He snorted, seized Isaac by the face with a thick-fingered hand, and slammed him into the floor, buckling the ground from the impact. Joe followed up by stomping an oversized foot into Isaac's back, crushing him further into the earth. Throwing back his bestial head, Joe Blow bellowed in a gravelly voice. It sounded like a wail of rage and anguish, warbling and strange as if he lost the power of speech. His eyes burned with delirium, quivering when he focused his tormented gaze on her. Whatever happened to him seemed to have amplified his strength while dampening his mind. His expression was pure rage, but his bloodshot eyes practically pleaded for an end to his suffering. She'd seen the same expression on bad drug busts from fiends who screamed while being pinned down, minds eaten alive by whatever poison they'd taken.
Vigil: Inferno Season (The Cyber Knight Chronicles Book 2) Page 26