by Gideon Mills
“You all right?”
Amita turned to see her friend Samantha. “Yeah.”
“It’s a lot to take in.”
Amita nodded. “It is. Part of me really wants to be back home, but another part knows that I would most likely end up injured or dead.”
Sam hung her head. “Me too. I know that we wouldn’t make a difference, whether the two of us or the whole group, but that doesn’t take away the sting. Our homes are gone.”
It was true. The home where Sam and Amita had lived for so many years was most likely gone. As was the Halo Home, the orphanage they had lived in as children. Both of them had lost their parents at a young age. Or so they thought.
“I’m sorry,” Amita said.
“Me too.”
They hugged and cried into each other's shoulders. It wasn’t easy losing a home, even if it had been one Amita hadn’t lived at for a bit. That dinky little apartment and its rats had been hers for so long. Now, it was gone. So was the factory. That Amita would never miss. It was burned, and she was glad that Michael would no longer have a job. Maybe he would be welcomed to the Street level. That thought made her happy.
Sam and Amita released each other.
“You going to be okay?” Amita asked.
“In time.”
“If you need me, please let me know.”
“I will.”
Marcus and Ihor exited the house together and walked over to them. When Sam saw Ihor, she smiled.
Amita leaned into Sam again. “You and Ihor?”
Even in the dim light of the night, Amita could see her blush. “I hope so.”
“Go for it.”
“I don’t know,” Sam said. “I’m damaged goods.”
Sam pointed to her body and the mods. It hurt that she felt that way, and it wasn’t her fault. She had done nothing wrong. Being alive wasn’t a crime, and she didn’t deserve this. Amita felt like her suffering was her fault. That they did more to Sam because of Amita. And because Amita was going with Marcus.
“You’re not damaged,” Amita said. “You are an amazing woman, one that any man would love to have.”
“Amita, you’re saying that to be nice.”
Amita groaned. “I would never just say that. You know me. I don’t say stuff to just be nice.”
Sam smiled. “Never in your life.”
“Well, then, what does that say?”
“I’m worth it.”
“Go get that guy.” The men finally arrived at their side.
Sam laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Marcus asked.
“Nothing.” Amita leaned up and kissed Marcus. “I missed you.”
“And I you.”
Even though Amita had him back, it still didn’t feel real at times.
Marcus and Amita left Sam and Ihor as Sam laid on the flirt real thick. Amita hoped it worked out for them.
They reached the place they were sharing. It wasn’t much, but it was just the two of them. That was all Amita wanted, to be inside and alone.
Amita pressed against him and kissed him again. She wanted him so much. Needed him. Today had been long and harsh with the people treating them like filth and then chasing them. The riots were overwhelming and draining.
Marcus would energize her and make her happy.
The kiss was long and wet. Marcus’s tongue and hers danced as they made their way back to the room with a bed.
As he fell to the bed, they continued to be one. Not separating. It was truly amazing. He made it better. Made her better.
She needed him, and was getting him.
The next morning, Amita woke up, and Marcus was staring at her. His eyes were sparkling in the light, ever so dreamy. Today, they were a bright blue. His eyes shifted colors, and around her, they were usually blue. When he was angry or bored, they were a dull gray.
“Good morning, my love,” Marcus said.
Her heart fluttered. Every time Marcus said that, her heart fluttered. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “We have a busy day in front of us.”
That was true. In the craziness of last night, they hadn’t told Jonathan or Cynthia about their day. First, they needed to do that and then head back in and see if Bishop had managed to drum up some support.
Getting up, Amita picked through the bag she had packed and put on the sundress. She liked the way she felt in it. Amita knew it wasn’t the most practical choice, but they were just talking. If they had to fight, she’d be completely exposed. Amita hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Once the both of them were dressed, they walked hand in hand to meet with the leaders of the Resistance. This morning, the house was empty, with only Ihor, Jonathan, and Cynthia.
“Morning,” Ihor said. “We never did get to ask about yesterday.”
Marcus told them the story, and Amita added the parts she needed to. They were enthralled by the story, even though it wasn’t that interesting.
“Bishop is alive,” Cynthia said. “Wow.”
“I know. Can’t believe it,” Marcus said.
The rest them didn’t really understand, other than that he had been a Security Force member who had gotten out. The first one and probably the only one. Maybe the one who had helped them at the experiment center would get out too.
“Crazy,” Cynthia said. “You should probably get going.” She turned to Amita. “Dear, I know you like the dress, but you should change. We have reports of Security Force members in the area.”
“Ugh,” Amita said. “Okay.”
That was disappointing. She had hoped to enjoy the day and let the wind and sun surround her. Chicago was the windy city, and Amita understood why now. Perhaps Cynthia was right just because of that. Amita didn’t want just anybody to see her butt. That was just for Marcus.
A short time later, Amita switched into jeans and T-shirt and met Marcus at the car. The same people from yesterday were with them.
“Morning, Anna, Harry, Nickolas.”
“Can you believe we are going back?” Anna asked. “I mean after that yesterday and the riots too.”
“I know. Hopefully, Bishop figured it out.”
“If anyone can do it, he can.” Marcus got in the back and let Nickolas drive, which, in Amita’s opinion, was a mistake. The man drove like the road was on fire. Maybe it was; with the way he handled the car, the tires might catch fire.
By the time they arrived back in the right section of Chicago, Amita’s stomach was in circles. It was a shock that she hadn’t puked in the car. Nickolas drove like Amita imagined a nine- or ten-year-old would. Scary and dangerous.
Amita stepped out of the car and breathed in deeply.
“You okay?” Marcus asked.
“After that? I’m not sure.”
Nickolas laughed. “If you think I’m bad, let Jonathan drive. He scares me.”
Amita’s eyebrows shot open in surprise. “I don’t think anyone can drive worse than that.”
“They can,” Anna said. “Ride with Harry. It’s terrifying.”
“Hey. I heard that.” The grizzled old man had a sly smile. “It’s true. I’m bad. I nearly crashed twice on the way.”
“I stand corrected,” Amita said. Note to self. Don’t let anyone but Marcus drive.
It wasn’t long before Bishop showed up.
“I got you a meeting with the leader of this part of the city,” he said.
“Great,” Marcus said. “What is with the guards?”
Bishop shrugged. “Makeshift Security Force. Keres sent them here after the other guard was pulled back to the city.”
“Oh. Why?”
“The attack on the mine flustered her. She wanted them all there.”
That made sense, and Amita was glad they had rattled her that much. “Why these guys?”
“She was losing the city. It was getting more out of control until the contact with the Resistance was lost. Then, the new guards arrived. People felt abandoned and lost.
”
As much as Amita understood that things happen, they had evidence with the guards here that the Resistance was fighting a lot in Detroit.
“Hopefully they listen, and we can get some support,” Marcus said.
“They will,” Bishop said. “I vouched for you and for the Resistance.”
“Thank you,” Marcus said.
They followed Bishop into the heart of Chicago to the meeting that Amita hoped would change the future.
Bishop directed them to a large, townhall-type building. It might actually be city hall. Amita had never visited a mayor’s building or any type of government building at all. She wasn’t even sure if Detroit had one.
For a moment, Amita thought about asking Marcus, but it wasn’t important. The task at hand was getting some more support to fight Keres and help bring down the Mara Crop. To do that, they needed the people here.
Inside the large building, Bishop guided their group to a meeting room. In the room, at least a hundred people sat. The men and women filled it to the brim. Hopefully, this was just a fraction of the people they would convince to lend their aid.
If the news was right, the Security Force was out in numbers. They would need to outnumber them by at least three times, since most of the Resistance wouldn’t have mods, and the SF did. Her own mods weren’t for combat, but any could be used in a fight; they increased her strength and speed.
But people like Nickolas had mods with knives, swords, guns, and more. That was what the Security Force had, and it gave them a distinct advantage.
In the meeting hall, there was a rumble of voices. Everyone was talking among themselves and getting impatient with them. From the sounds of the conversations, they didn’t want to help but wondered about the riots the night before.
Amita had trouble telling if the riots were helping or hurting as they made their way to the front of the room. As they did, a lady, who was sitting at a long bench or table, stood and walked to them. The lady was tall. Compared to Amita, everyone was, but she was close to six feet. Her frame was athletic, and she had long curly brown hair.
Amita used her modifications to scan her.
Melinda Scott: Mayor Chicaco
Stats:
Intelligence: 6
Strength: 1
Cunning: 7
Speed: 1
Modification: none
“I’m Melinda,” she said and reached out to shake their hands. “The Mayor of Chicago.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Marcus said.
They all said their hellos, and Melinda skipped the rest of the small talk. “I know you want to help remove the Mara Corp, but people have been saying that here for a while. And then radio silence. It breeds distrust.”
Marcus nodded “We didn’t mean to disappear. I wasn’t aware of the talk here. For me, the Resistance is still new. For many in Detroit, it is.”
“Really? It seems like that is where it should be the strongest. The Mara Corp has the biggest hold there.”
“Precisely,” Marcus said. “That is why we need help. If we can free Detroit, the rest of the New Republic will fall.”
Melinda smiled and nodded. “You have a point. I’m all for helping, but it will be tough to convince the rest of the people here. They don’t trust outsiders, and the smaller part of the city where the low-income people are allowed to live has been hurt.”
“I noticed that,” Amita said.
Amita had stepped up next to Marcus and Bishop. Anna, Nickolas, and Harry remained back watching the room.
“They are trying to make it more like a Detroit. More segregated.” Melinda sounded annoyed and angry about it.
Amita couldn’t say she blamed the mayor. It wasn’t the way life was supposed to be. The point of the New Republic was to stop that from happening. The Mara Corp was doing the opposite.
“I’m sorry,” Amita said.
“Me too,” Marcus added. “Let us talk. Maybe we can show them that we want to end it. Start here and then move to Detroit.”
“I like the sound of that,” Melinda said. She walked to a podium that had a microphone on it and tapped the mic to make sure it was on and worked. The room went silent. “Good morning.” A few murmurs sounded but nothing else. “I know that many of you don’t want to be here. You don’t want to hear what my friends have to say. But you trust me, and you trust Bishop. These people want to help. I say we listen and give them a chance.”
The meeting hall remained muted, and Amita took that as a good thing. She nudged Marcus forward, and he gave her a look that said, please don’t make me.
“You can do it,” Amita said.
He inhaled deeply. “Fine.”
Marcus walked to the podium. The room was silent, and all eyes were on him. Never in her life had she seen him so nervous. His body shook. Amita felt terrible.
“My name is Marcus Ward.”
The crowd stared at him in stunned recognition of the name. It was one of the few names that would do that. The only one that would have left them in even bigger shock would have been Mara.
“I joined the Resistance after learning what they were doing in Detroit,” he continued. “Seeing them enslave people. Experiment on people.”
Marcus glanced at Amita. She gestured for him to continue. The people couldn’t take their eyes off him. He had their full attention.
“I could tell you the full story,” Marcus continued, “but it isn’t important. With the Resistance, we attacked the slave mine, the one the Mara Corp used to mine the mineral for the mods.”
There was a few grunts and cheers in the hall. Amita examined the crowd to see if any of the people they had saved were among it. That was a possibility, but she couldn’t make out most of the people in the hall. Plus, they had freed a lot of people, so many that she couldn’t know them all.
“During that assault, I was captured,” Marcus said. “I was taken to the facility where they test new modifications on people without their consent. Without regard for their life.” Marcus showed his mods, the ones people could see. “I didn’t ask for these. I didn’t want them. They put them on me. Did they treat me like a person? No. I was nothing more than subject Alpha Zeta. To make it worse, the man in charge of carrying out the testing on me was a person I cared about. One who should have saved me. Instead, he took great joy in watching me suffer, making me hurt. Jameson Ward. My own brother did this to me.”
Now, the crowd was talking so much that even if Marcus wanted to continue, he couldn’t. They debated what he’d said, if Marcus was telling the truth.
Bishop walked to Marcus as he left the podium. The former Security Force member leaned close. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. Jameson has been lost for a while. I just didn’t know until recently.”
“Still, that is harsh.”
It was. Amita would never fully understand Marcus’s brother. The first time she had met him, she didn’t notice anything off about him, but clearly, there was. He was beyond repair. No remorse in his body.
“It is. Both my mother and I left the family.”
“Good,” Bishop said. “I always liked your mom. Is she here?”
Marcus nodded. “If you come back with us, you can see her.”
“I would like that.”
Both men hugged.
Marcus joined Amita, and they waited at the front of the room as the people debated in the hall. The deliberation lasted a while, and it sounded like the group was leaning toward supporting them. Most seemed to think that if a Ward was willing to fight against the Mara Corp, so should they.
Amita wasn’t going to say that it wouldn’t be about Marcus’s family, but at this point, all she wanted was support. It didn’t matter so long as they were willing and would follow orders. The last thing Amita wanted was to have another riot.
The doors to the hall swung open, and a man ran toward them, shouting, “The Security Force is here!”
43
A Fight
&nb
sp; Marcus couldn’t believe his ears. This morning, they had heard reports that more Security Force members were on the way. They must have gotten here fast. Marcus sprinted out of the building, Bishop and Nickolas right with him. Amita wasn’t too far behind.
The four stood out front of the building, and a dozen full-fledged Security Force members were across the street from them standing with a handful of the makeshift ones.
The man in the middle of the group stepped forward. “You are under arrest,” he said.
“What for?” Marcus asked. Quickly he looked them all over, and their stats. They were typical Security Force members. Thankfully, not the elite ones, and that meant they stood a chance.
Marcus turned to see the mayor, Melinda, next to him. She wasn’t a modified person. Marcus had scanned her, and knew she wouldn’t be much help in a fight. Her area of strength was more in her mind.
“Conspiracy to commit treason.”
“Ah,” Melinda said. “I see. I can see how you might think that, but we were just having a little talk about water supply.”
The Security Force member laughed. “And we see that you are harboring three wanted fugitives and two more known traitors.”
Marcus looked back to see the two others had arrived with them. They would be able to help in the brawl, at least with the makeshift members. They stood a decent chance in a skirmish. There was little doubt it was going to come down to a brawl to get out of here. Marcus, Amita, and Nickolas were wanted. Keres wouldn’t let them live.
“Okay. Fine. I can’t argue that one,” Melinda said. “Guess I’ll just let them speak for themselves.” The mayor looked at Marcus and winked. She backed away to the building and the little protection it would provide.
“This is your only chance to surrender.”
Marcus looked up and down the line of people who stood with him: Amita, Nickolas, Bishop, Anna, and Harry. “You want to surrender?” he asked them.
“Not a chance,” Amita replied.
“Come and get some.” Nickolas snarled at the group, baring his teeth. Marcus hadn’t seen him this angry before. This wasn’t good for the Security Force members.