by A. M. Pierre
* * *
They all had taken seats around the dining room table, but none of them sat in their usual places. Through silent agreement, everyone had rearranged themselves to cover the hole left by Dice’s absence. They definitely all looked a bit worse for wear, but they were all here. Together. Connor stole a glance at Gabby. He hadn’t talked to her since he’d come back—not that he had any idea what to say to her, but he felt guilty that he hadn’t really tried. She caught him looking at her and tried to smile. Connor’s gut twisted. Her eyelids were so swollen from crying it was amazing she could see at all. Soon, Gabby. We’ll talk soon. He turned back toward the vid screen at the head of the table and steeled himself. He nodded toward Mikaël. “Make the call.”
The screen flickered to life, and Ms. Smith appeared. Connor had expected to wake her up (and secretly hoped she would, at the least, have a serious case of bed hair), but she looked as annoyingly perfect and put-together as always. “Mr. Rhys,” she said, with her blood-red lips, “do you have another tirade prepared for me? I did so enjoy the last one. I am, however, a bit surprised at the time of night you decided was appropriate for your outburst.”
Don’t let her get to you. Stay in control. “This isn’t about my personal feelings. This is about your involvement with the explosion and subsequent medical tampering which killed Yamamoto Daisuke as well as your manipulating Kaia Davis into causing yet another explosion, this time resulting in civilian casualties.”
Ms. Smith seemed genuinely amused. “Look at you, all grown up and using your ‘big boy’ words. I assume the rest of you are supporting him in these accusations?” Connor maintained eye contact—no way was he going to be the one to blink—but he could see the others nodding in his peripheral vision. Ms. Smith looked to Connor’s left. “One question—why isn’t your fearless leader taking charge, hmm?”
Because Ezio’s on the verge of another nervous breakdown, and you know it. “I was present at the first events in question. We thought it more appropriate that I lead the conversation.”
Ms. Smith sighed. “Fine. Let’s converse. First, Mr. Yamamoto’s death. I ordered you and Ms. Davis to go into the building with him. The only reason you didn’t was because he lied to you. If I planted that bomb, why wouldn’t I have kept trying to kill you two afterwards? As you recall, or as you don’t recall, Mr. Rhys, you were sedated and helpless for the entire trip home. Ms. Davis has returned unscathed from a solo overseas mission. If I’m behind it, Mr. Rhys, why didn’t I take advantage of those splendid opportunities?”
“I . . . I don’t know. But my not understanding your motives now doesn’t change your actions then.”
The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Fine, since logic appears to be beyond your grasp, let’s table that for the moment. Now, the second item on your little agenda. You say I arranged for Ms. Davis to cause the school explosion in Surrey?”
Connor nodded. “Yes, I do.”
“That is completely accurate.”
“But I have reason to believe—” Her words clicked. “Say what now?”
“I said you’re right. We did use Ms. Davis to cause that explosion. It did result in civilian casualties—but, as you may or may not have noticed, only injuries. No loss of life. It also detonated after regular school hours, which further limited the damage.”
There was an immediate clamor of voices around the table, but they all went silent as Connor spoke. “And that somehow makes you think it’s okay to bomb a school?!”
“Of course it’s not okay to bomb a school. We’re not animals. Animals are the terrorists we stopped last week—terrorists who would have, in all likelihood, murdered hundreds of innocent children. In a perfect world, we could simply stop them and call it a day. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Concessions must be made to vent the pressure, as it were. The Company has many functions, and one of them involves being that vent. These smaller sacrifices prevent greater tragedies. It’s not pretty, and many people wouldn’t understand, but it is necessary.”
“No matter how you rationalize it, there are some lines you just don’t cross,” Connor managed to say through gritted teeth. “We won’t be a part of this.”
Ms. Smith laughed. She actually laughed. “Oh, my dear, sweet, innocent idiots. You’re already in it up to your eyeballs. We send you to do what’s needed, not what’s popular. You think this is the first time you’ve been party to something like this? Hardly. This is merely the first time I’ve let you see behind the curtain.”
Connor could barely get the word out. “Why?”
Ms. Smith’s gaze turned icy. “After all the nosing about and prying you and Mr. Yamamoto had been up to? I got tired of you scuttling about, thinking you were so high and mighty, looking down on me. You thought you were going to dig up dirt on The Company or me—and what, take it to the authorities? Go ahead if you want, but you’ll be signing your own warrant at the same time.”
Connor could feel the first stirrings of uncertainty. “But you lied to us. We had no idea what you had us involved with.”
She grinned broadly, showing the points of her eyeteeth. “Do you honestly think anyone will care? Super-powered vigilantes, roaming the world imposing their wills on those weaker than themselves? Committing crimes? People won’t care. They’ll be afraid of you. And people like to bring down what they fear.”
The uncertainty solidified into doubt. Connor’s first thought was still to leave, but with the outside authorities after them, too? That added a whole new wrinkle to the plan. He wasn’t the leader. He wasn’t supposed to be making these decisions for everyone. He flinched away from Ms. Smith’s piercing gaze . . . and met everyone else’s eyes. Looking at him. Looking to him.
Supporting him.
Kaia gave him a little nod. Her mouth silently formed the words: Let’s go.
Connor grinned. You got it. “Sorry to burst your bubble, you conniving shrew, but we’re not your puppets. We’re not your toys. And we are out of here.”
“Now, children, don’t be rash—”
“We’re not children.”
Ms. Smith’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. How about ‘spoiled, selfish, ungrateful brats’? I’ve given you everything you never had—a mansion to live in, gourmet food, entertainment, money to buy whatever idiotic things you felt like, and a group of friends to share it all with. All that and you repay me by trying to bite my hand off. Well, I can’t have that. We have invested too much time and money for you to throw a tantrum and quit. It’s not an option.”
Connor stood up at his seat. “Last I checked, we still have free will and the power to bend steel with a thought. I think it is.” He looked at everyone in turn. “Are we all in agreement?” Nods, some slower than others, but nods from them all. “We’re turning in our resignation. Effective immediately.”
The expression on Ms. Smith’s face was . . . unexpected. She wasn’t angry or even upset.
She was thrilled.
Ms. Smith tapped her ear. “Captain, you are green for mission start.” She sighed contentedly. “You don’t know how happy you’ve made me, children. Sorry, brats. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long, long time.”
A few butterflies fluttered in Connor’s stomach. He did his best to keep his expression steady. “You know it doesn’t matter what you throw at us. Normal humans against the seven of us? They don’t stand a chance.”
Her face was an exaggerated mask of sympathy. “They’re not coming to fight you, dear. They’re coming to pick you up.” The vid screen went dark.
Alizée stood up brusquely. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not waiting to find out what she meant. We need to leave, and I mean now.”
They were all heading for the exit when Kaia stopped. “Can anyone else hear that?”
Vladimir frowned. “I am not hearing anything.”
Gabby sniffed the air before clapping her h
ands over her face. “Gas! She’s trying to gas us all!”
“Everyone, stay close to me!” Connor threw his hands out to the sides and closed his eyes. The oxygen in his blood burned, connecting to the oxygen in the room—tiny floating clouds linked by even tinier threads to his fingertips. His fingers twitched, and the threads reeled in, each one pulling in other little threads and other little clouds with them. In a matter of seconds he had enough oxygen, literally at his fingertips, to create a protective swirling bubble around them. “All right, I think that’s done it. If we stay together, this should protect us.” Now he just had to hold it together long enough to get them all outside. And then what?
One thing at a time, annoying subconscious voice of reason. One thing at a time.
* * *
Kaia had never actually been in the main area of the palace at night, so she wasn’t sure if the creaks and moans she heard were normal, signs of an impending attack, or her fevered imagination playing tricks on her.
As they made their way through the darkened corridors, Kaia felt an unexpected sense of loss. True, she hadn’t lived here long, but it had felt like home. Not that she had a lot to compare it to, but still. She felt sorry for the rest of them—they had lived here for months or even years, and they probably each had personal items they were leaving behind. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have much. The only things in her room besides her clothes were the CD’s Ezio had bought her . . .
And her pendant.
Kaia’s eyes opened wide. She’d left it lying on her dresser before the mission. No personal effects. She checked out the surrounding area. She was pretty sure she knew where she was. She could probably run to her room and back before anyone missed her. It wasn’t far, really. She should be fine. She took as deep a breath as she could manage then slipped silently into the dark.
* * *
Connor didn’t dare risk opening his eyes. All his concentration had to be kept focused on holding their protective oxygen bubble together (and adding whatever extra oxygen he could find along the way). He was counting on those walking ahead to keep him going in the right direction. He couldn’t see them, but he could feel the eddies they created in the oxygen currents. Yep, there they are, like five islands walking along—wait, five? “Hold up a second. Someone’s missing.”
He heard a sharp intake of air from Gabby. “It’s Kaia—she’s gone!”
That’s not possible. “Do you think she stepped outside the bubble by accident?”
“I am not thinking so,” Vladimir said. “We would have heard if she fell. Perhaps she is sneaking back in?”
“But why would she—” Of course. “I’m going back for her.” Connor slowly, carefully opened his eyes and pulled away from the group, keeping a little bubble around himself while still maintaining the bigger one. “All of you, get out of here as fast as you can. Wait for us by Le Bassin de Neptune. If we’re not there in 5 minutes, go ahead without us.”
“Connor,” Alizée said, “I know you’re good, but using your powers like this . . . you’re going to collapse before you even have the chance to find Kaia.”
Connor grinned. “A compliment and concern, Alley Cat? Now I know it’s bad. Five minutes. We’ll be there. Now go!”
* * *
Kaia’s lungs burned. She had taken a wrong turn, which had cost her precious seconds, but she had made it. There was her room, and right inside . . .
She snatched her pendant off her dresser and fastened it around her throat as she turned and left.
It was too far. Even without another wrong turn, she wasn’t going to make it. Her lungs had already decided to breathe whether she liked it or not. Maybe the gas is like smoke and it won’t be as thick if I’m close to the ground. She dropped to one knee, put her face to the floor, and took a deep breath.
Bad idea. Very bad idea. The world spun as she stood up. She had known which way to go a second ago, but now? It was all made even harder by the two fifty-pound weights someone had cruelly strapped to the ends of her legs. If she could rest for a second . . .
Kaia leaned back against a nearby wall and let herself slide down until her butt hit the floor. Yes, this was much better. Such a comfy floor. Like a giant pillow made of marshmallows and cotton candy. It kind of looked like that, too. Why was she holding her breath again? It was stupid. She should—
“What on earth are you doing?!”
A hazy face floated toward her. “Connor, what are you doing here?”
“Don’t talk, you bloomin’ idiot!” He knelt on the floor and put his head right next to hers. “Now breathe!”
The air smelled different—cleaner, somehow. “What’re you doing here, Connor?”
“You already asked that.” He stood up, pulling her to her feet with him and throwing her arm over his shoulder. “Come on, we need to move. I’m running low on oxygen and in between covering you and covering them I’m kind of finding it hard to focus on getting us any more and my head’s killing me and— You know what, never mind, just worry about moving your feet. Like, now!”
Kaia tried to keep up, she really did, but even with the cleaner air her legs still felt like lead. She could feel Connor’s muscles starting to shudder. We’re never going to make it like this.
Connor stopped in his tracks. “We’re never going to make it like this.” He spun her around to face him, her nose a couple of inches from his. “Don’t freak out.”
“Wh-What are you doing?”
“Seriously, you really need to stop asking that.” He grabbed her right hand and ducked his head underneath her arm. Before she could process what exactly he was doing, he had lifted her up and laid her on her stomach across his shoulders and back. “Now stay there, don’t move, don’t talk, and let me save your life, okay?”
* * *
Connor was about to drop, and he knew it. He was fairly certain everyone else had made it outside—and it would be a life-saver if he could focus on only himself and Kaia—but he couldn’t let go of their oxygen barrier until he saw they were safe with his own eyes.
As far as their own bubble went, there was really only enough oxygen left in it for . . . It wasn’t like he even needed to think about it. Connor took one last breath, then moved the remaining oxygen to surround Kaia. Only a couple of turns left to go, maybe fifty feet. He should be fine.
Even though your legs are already trembling? And you’re seeing spots? And—
Shut up! We’re going to make it. It’s not that bad, really. I could probably make it another hundred yards if I had to because—DOOR!
Connor wished he could run—even a light trot would be nice—but all his oxygen-starved, Kaia-carrying body would give him was a sliding shuffle. It’s right there. Ten more steps. Okay, maybe twelve. He tried to reach out, to find some last bit of oxygen for himself. Nothing. Oh, it was out there somewhere, but he couldn’t focus enough to find it. I can focus on shuffling. Five steps. Four—for Pete’s sake, how can someone this small weigh this much?!
His foot bumped against the door. Wait . . . I made it?! Brilliant! Now I push it open . . . but it’s not a swinging door. Of course it isn’t. His right arm was keeping Kaia balanced on his shoulders, so he turned the door handle with his left hand then used her backside (sorry, Kaia) to push it open. Wispy red tendrils crept into his field of vision. So close. Can’t stop yet. Still gas around us. Keep walking. Keep . . .
With the door cleared, Connor set Kaia down as carefully as he could before dropping to his hands and knees on the gravel walkway. His right foot struck out, mule-kicking the door closed behind them. Done. He sucked in the cool night air in shivering gulps. The surge of adrenaline was easing away, and bone-crushing fatigue was replacing it. It made him want to roll over and go to sleep right here despite the painfully sharp chunks of rock currently eating into his flesh.
“Connor! Are you okay?” A blurry Gabby was running tow
ards him.
“Fine, thanks. I thought you guys were going to wait over there.” He waved loopily in the direction of the Neptune Fountain.
“I saw you two come out. Is Kaia okay?”
“Yeah, she’s—” Her eyes were closed. Connor scrambled over to check her pulse and breathing . . . He smiled with relief. “I think she finally passed out from breathing in that junk. Either that, or she’s as tired as I am.” His smile faded as the rest of the group drew near.
“Is Kaia all right?” Ezio asked.
“I think so, no thanks to you.” Connor spat the words out as he got unsteadily to his feet. “Isn’t that supposed to be your first rule of leadership—never leave anyone behind?”
Ezio wouldn’t look at him. “I am sorry. She was right behind us. I saw her.”
“Well, she didn’t stay right behind us. You should’ve seen that, too!”
“You think I wanted this? How could you say that—how could you even think it?!”
Alizée slapped a hand on each of their chests and physically pushed them apart. “Stop it! Just stop. This is not what we need to be doing. This is not who we need to be fighting. Am I wrong?”
“No.” In slightly ashamed stereo.
“Okay.” Alizée stepped back and crossed her arms. “Now, I for one don’t want to be anywhere near here when Ms. Smith’s goons show up, so does anyone have any ideas about what we should do next?”
Connor blinked as something occurred to him. Something he used to mock but which he secretly had thought was pretty brilliant. “I do,” he said. “Dice is going to save our lives.”
“I must admit, this wasn’t what I was expecting from a top-secret, super secure bunker.”
Connor looked over at Alizée with a grin. “What were you expecting?”
“A tiny room or two underground, maybe. But this, this is—” She spread her hands out to encompass the room with a gesture.
Connor knew exactly what she meant. The first time Dice had showed him one of his emergency bunkers (“stocked and provisioned in the event of any disaster—natural, man-made, or otherwise”), Connor’s jaw had been on the floor. “Post-apocalyptic,” it wasn’t. There was a single level underground, but these were whole multi-story buildings, filled with all the amenities you could possibly want. Food to last for years? Check. Bedrooms containing the most comfortable furnishings money could buy? Double check. Every tech toy and gadget you could imagine along with a few you couldn’t? Check check check. And all of it hidden within a normal-looking but unbelievably fortified building which could stand up to anything short of a nuclear blast.