The Extinction Series | Book 8 | Primordial Earth 8

by Higgins, Baileigh

  “I’m sorry,” Kat said. “Callum?”

  “He’s still out there,” Sandi said.

  The light in Kat’s eyes faded. “He’s gone?”

  “Not gone. He’s just looking for supplies, remember?” Sandi said, alarmed by Kat’s reaction. “But don’t worry. Paul’s gone to fetch him.”

  “Paul? Paul went after him?” A hopeful note entered Kat’s voice. “He’s coming back?”

  “That’s right. Callum is on his way back right now. I’m sure of it,” Sandi said, squeezing Kat’s hand. “So, don’t give up on me, you hear? You have to fight.”

  “Fight? I don’t know if I can,” Kat whispered. “I’m so tired.”

  “Please, Kat. You have to try,” Sandi pleaded.

  “Al… alright. I’ll try,” Kat said. “Will you stay with me?”

  Sandi thought about all the tasks, meetings, and other things she still had to take care of that day. But it would have to wait. I can’t leave her like this. Not now. “I’ll stay.”

  “Forever?” Kat asked.

  “If that’s what it takes,” Sandi said, unable to stay the word out loud. Right now, forever wasn’t a very long time. Not long at all.

  Chapter 10

  Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the gate. It was set into the northern wall that surrounded Vancouver and exited onto the mainland. A ferry took them and their vehicles across the strait and onto solid ground. It was only a couple of miles to the gate and also their last chance to turn around. But there was no question of going back. It was now or never.

  They parked next to the road and climbed out. A couple of guards walked over to question them, and Jessica showed them the pass given to them by the Mayor. After a brief inspection of the card and vehicles, the guard nodded. “You are free to leave.”

  “We’ll go as soon as the last member of our party arrives,” Ronan explained.

  “Alright, just stay off the road while you wait and let us know when you’re ready,” the guard said.

  “Will do,” Ronan said. The guards returned to their posts, and he turned to the rest of the group. “I suggest we use this time to make sure everything is in order and that we’re all briefed on the particulars of the mission.”

  “Where do you want to start?” Seth asked.

  “What equipment and supplies did the Mayor give you?” Ronan asked.

  “There isn’t much,” Seth admitted. “Maeve Finley was pretty stingy when she outfitted us for this trip.”

  “You know how politicians are,” Jessica said, rolling her eyes.

  “That’s why I’m here, but you might as well show me how bad it is,” Ronan said.

  “This way,” Seth said, leading the way toward the Jeep.

  The two groups inspected the vehicles, the crates of supplies, the four M4 rifles, and the envelope. Inside the paper sleeve, they found two maps. One showed them the way to the facility, and another revealed the layout of the property and its various buildings.

  In addition, there was a key card, a list of passcodes, the names of relevant staff members, and a detailed briefing on the information they needed to secure.

  “It’s not a lot, but we can work with this,” Ronan said afterward. “There’s food and water, at least. The trucks run, and the mission objectives are clear.”

  “What about you?” Seth said. “What do you bring to the party?”

  “Want to see?” Ronan said with a teasing grin.

  “Hell, yeah. Show us the goodies,” Jessica said. She waved at Rogue, Seth, and Bear. “Come on, guys. This is the surprise I was talking about earlier.”

  “I can’t wait,” Rogue said.

  She walked toward the waiting trucks with a sense of curiosity and inspected the vehicles up close. They were old but in better condition than the trucks Maeve had provided. It was reassuring to know there was backup transport available should they need it. In addition, each pick-up had a box filled with tools and essential spares.

  “I believe in being prepared,” Ronan said. “Anything can happen by the side of the road.”

  “When there is a road,” Jessica said. “Most of the time, there’s nothing.”

  While that was true, Rogue was more interested in their firepower. To her eyes, the 50-caliber was awe-inspiring. Someone had welded the turret onto the back of the pick-up. They’d added a steel frame around the contraption with a gap for the muzzle. That afforded the gunner some protection while still giving them a clear field of fire.

  “Who’s your gunner?” Rogue asked.

  “Nigel,” Ronan said. “That thing is his baby, and he keeps it going come rain or shine. The trucks too.”

  “Okay, cool,” Rogue said, wondering if Nigel could be persuaded to give her a turn on the gun. But one look at his stern face convinced her otherwise, and she dropped the subject.

  “What about the rest?” Jessica asked. “As you know, we only have four rifles between us, not counting our knives and stuff. That’s not enough.”

  “Don’t worry. I pulled out all the stops.” Ronan opened up the back of the enclosed pick-up truck and waved a hand at the stacked boxes and crates inside. “There’s food, water, camping gear, tents, medicine, and tools. Enough to last us several weeks.”

  “Good job,” Jessica said with a nod.

  “Best of all, I brought guns. Lots of guns,” Ronan said. He pointed to a crate, and together he and Daniel wrestled it to the ground. It landed with a solid thud, raising a plume of dust.

  Rogue coughed and sneezed, her eyes watering. With her shirt pulled over her nose, she leaned forward to get a better look. True to Ronan’s word, the crate was filled with weapons of every kind. “Wow, that’s quite a selection.”

  “Not bad, Ronan,” Jessica said with a low whistle. “Not bad at all.”

  “I’m glad it meets with your approval,” Ronan said.

  “Oh, it does,” Jessica replied.

  “Are we divvying it up here or outside the gates?” Seth asked.

  “We might as well do it here,” Ronan said. “Once we hit the road, I don’t want to stop until we’re ready to make camp for the night.”

  “About that, do we just follow you, or do we plan the route ahead?” Seth asked.

  “For now, stick behind me. I know the territory up north, and I’ve earmarked a couple of places we can shelter. After that, we can discuss the rest of the trip.”

  After an intense discussion, each vehicle was equipped with four rifles, fully loaded with the safety on. The guns were tucked away next to the seats, ready to grab in an emergency, and extra magazines filled the cubby holes.

  The same applied to each person, and they all got a rifle or a shotgun with a sling for transport. They also received a handgun and knife, complete with a holster and sheath. Finally, Ronan handed out extra ammunition in carrying pouches.

  With Seth’s help, Rogue threaded the knife, handgun, and ammo pouches onto her belt, settling each into a comfortable position. She’d learned a lot about guns since her time on the streets of Prime, and she was no longer a novice shooter.

  Still, she preferred the shotgun over the rifle with its closer range and stopping power. Her old machete remained a favorite as well, and she kept it looped into her belt along with the rest of her weapons.

  “Are you all set?” Seth asked.

  “I’m loaded for bear,” Rogue said, flashing a smile at the real Bear. He bristled with weaponry: an M4 across his back, Magnums on each hip, along with two knives and an ax.

  The rest preferred a lighter load, especially Spook, who opted for a handgun and knife only. He moped around the clearing with his hands in his pockets, rubbing his toes in the sand like a lovelorn teenager.

  Unimpressed, Rogue eyed him with reservation. She hoped he had hidden talents she didn’t know about because otherwise, he was dead weight.

  Nigel Perels was a different story. The man checked each gun thoroughly before handing them over, including the loads and firing mechanisms. Afterward, he
inspected each vehicle before declaring them ready for the road.

  “They’ll get us there and back, Boss,” he said with a curt nod.

  “Thanks, Nigel. I appreciate it. Now, let’s divide up these supplies,” Ronan said. “If one vehicle is lost, there has to be enough in the rest to tide us over.”

  “Smart thinking,” Rogue muttered under her breath.

  “At least he knows what he’s doing,” Seth agreed.

  “I sure hope so,” Rogue added. “We’re placing our lives in his hands.”

  “Just keep your eyes and ears open,” Seth said. “We’ve survived this long without people like Ronan to help us.”

  “That’s true,” Rogue said, squaring her shoulders.

  A slow hour passed while they finished their preparations with no sign of the mysterious Lila. Finally, the group assembled in the shade with bottled water and trail mix.

  “What now?” Seth asked. “We’re ready to go, and it’s almost noon already.”

  “Wait here and rest up guys,” Ronan said, heading toward the Ford. “I’ll radio Lila.”

  Rogue leaned against the nearest tree trunk and wiped the sweat from her brow. Though the weather was cool, carrying stacks of supplies had taken its toll, and her clothes clung to her damp skin. She chewed on a handful of dried fruit and nuts, washing it down with a few sips of water.

  Ronan’s voice carried across the open space as he attempted to reach Lila. The minutes passed to no avail, and he slammed the receiver back into place with a muttered curse. “She’s not answering, and we can’t afford to wait much longer.”

  “So, we’re leaving her behind?” Jessica asked.

  “I don’t want to, but she’s left me no choice,” Ronan said, dragging a hand through his hair.

  “Then I guess we’d better hit the road,” Jessica said with a shrug.

  “I guess so,” Ronan said, waving at his team. “Load up, everyone.”

  The group scrambled to get to their seats, including Rogue. She jumped into the passenger side of the Jeep and settled in for the drive. While she waited for Seth, she opened the parcel Mrs. Potts had given her earlier. She’d tucked it into her backpack while they were busy, but now she was curious.

  The parcel itself turned out to be part of the gift: A thick scarf, hand-knitted with loving care from fine crimson wool. Inside nestled a pair of fingerless gloves and a beanie.

  “What’s that?” Seth asked, getting into his seat.

  “It’s from Mrs. Potts,” she said and showed him the items.

  “That was kind of her,” he said.

  “Where’s yours?”

  “In my backpack.”

  “I hope we see her again someday,” Rogue said, wondering how many hours it took the old lady to knit each article. It was a labor of love, and tears filled her eyes at the thought.

  Seth leaned over and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. You’ll see her again.”

  Rogue nodded, her eyes brimming over. “Do you promise?”

  “I do,” he said. Raising her hand to his lips, he pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Are you ready to go?”

  “I’m ready,” Rogue said.

  Seth started the truck and pulled away, following the rest of the convoy while she tried on the gloves, scarf, and beanie. The woolen items were soft and warm. They reminded her of cozy evenings spent nestled up against Seth with mugs of hot coffee, freshly baked bread, and the company of friends. All watched over by Mrs. Potts and her kind blue eyes.

  It was a fitting gift for the difficult times that lay ahead, and despite her worries, Rogue wasn’t afraid anymore. Instead, she looked to the future with a clear heart and open mind. Whatever came her way, she was ready for it.

  Chapter 11

  Rogue stared at the wall as they drove toward the gate. The structure was old but strong. Watchtowers rose on either side of the gate, manned by gun turrets and guards around the clock. It rose above the landscape like a beacon of hope to humanity. Or a threat to what lay on the other side.

  Ronan drove right up to it and called to the guard. After a quick conversation, he nodded and waved at the gate. A couple of men operated a pulley system, and by slow degrees, the two halves of the gate swung open.

  During this procedure, the guards in the towers remained on full alert, their guns at the ready and pointed outward. For a brief moment, Rogue wondered what it would be like to have the guns pointed inward at them. It was an unsettling thought, and she quickly shoved it away.

  Feeling anxious, she fiddled with the scarf, gloves, and beanie Mrs. Potts had given her earlier that day. The items lay in a bundle on her lap, and playing with the soft wool soothed her nerves.

  “Are you okay, my love?” Seth asked, sensing her uncertainty.

  “I’m fine,” Rogue said.

  “Are you sure? You seem a bit….”

  “I’m alright; I promise,” Rogue said with a reassuring smile. It wasn’t the whole truth, but she didn’t see the need to bother him with her insecurities, especially when she didn’t know what was wrong.

  “Okay, but you know you can talk to me, right?” he asked. “About anything.”

  “I know, and I love you for it,” she said, squeezing his hand.

  Ronan and his team inched forward, the two pick-up trucks bumper to bumper. Seth stayed one car length behind in the Jeep while Bear and Jessica sat on their tail in the transport truck.

  Finally, the gate was open, and the guard waved them through. Before they could move an inch, however, a car horn blared from behind. The sound was loud and insistent like a squalling baby, and all movement came to an abrupt halt.

  Rogue twisted in her seat and looked behind them, squinting into the bright light. A yellow sedan raced up the road, surrounded by a cloud of dust. It roared past the Jeep and screeched to a stop next to Ronan’s car.

  Guards appeared from everywhere and raced toward the offending vehicle. They quickly surrounded it, and the leader barked out a command. “You inside the car. Come out with your hands in the air. Now.”

  The door opened, and a woman with short, platinum blonde hair climbed out. She held both hands above her head and gave an apologetic smile. “I don’t mean any harm.”

  “Who are you, and what is your business here?” the lead guard asked.

  “I’m with him,” she said, gesturing at Ronan.

  “Sir, is this correct?” the guard asked.

  Ronan leaned out of the window. “It’s true. She’s with me. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

  “Inconvenience?” the guard said, bristling. “We almost shot her. Give me one good reason not to detain her.”

  “I’m sorry, truly,” the woman said. “I didn’t mean to come roaring in like that, but I was running late.”

  The guard hesitated. Finally, he waved at his men. “Get back to your posts.”

  The men dispersed, and the guard nodded at Ronan. “You can go. The woman too, but next time, she might not be so lucky.”

  “It won’t happen again,” Ronan said before looking at the woman. “Get in, Lila.”

  “What about the car?” she asked.

  “Leave it,” Ronan said.

  “If you say so, Boss,” Lila replied, tossing the keys at the guard.

  He caught them mid-air with a quizzical look. “What’s this?”

  “Your new ride,” Lila said, flashing him a brilliant smile.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” the guard said. “It’s a piece of junk.”

  “Maybe, but she’s yours now. Enjoy,” Lila cried, loping toward Ronan’s pick-up truck with long strides. She jumped in, and once again, they were on the move. The mission was back on, and this time, they were at full capacity.

  “So that’s Lila,” Rogue said, mulling over what she’d just witnessed.

  “Looks like it,” Seth said.

  “She strikes me as a daredevil.”

  “Me too.”

  “I wonder what she found out?”

  “That�
�s not what I’m worried about,” Seth said.

  “What is it?”

  “Now that she’s with Ronan, she can tell him everything she learned without informing us.”

  “Ah, I see. We’re not in the inner circle of trust.”

  “No, we’re not, and they can decide what they want to tell us,” Seth said.

  “So, you don’t trust Ronan either?” Rogue asked.

  “No, I don’t, and neither do you. Be honest,” Seth said, raising an eyebrow.

  “We could be wrong,” Rogue pointed out. “He’s Jessica’s friend, after all.”

  “That remains to be seen. If he’s a good guy, I’ll be the first to admit it.”

  “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now except to keep our eyes and ears open,” Rogue said.

  “Exactly,” Seth agreed. “Both of them, all the time.”

  “Jessica won’t like it.”

  “She doesn’t have to know,” Seth said. “She’s biased.”

  “Let’s keep it to ourselves then. For now, at least,” Rogue said.

  As they drove through the gate, she pondered everything she’d learned over the past few days. Vancouver and its people were not what she’d expected at all. To her, it had seemed like this wondrous city that rose out of the ashes of the apocalypse. It was supposed to be a safe haven for humans—a fortress that protected them from the prehistoric world and its evils. Even better, they could help others as well, not just themselves.

  But the reality was very different, and Rogue found herself disillusioned. In the end, Vancouver was just like the old Prime. It was filled with factions vying for power, with one person sitting at the top—the Mayor.

  While Maeve Finley wasn’t as bad as Sikes and Douglas, she wasn’t much better either. She weighed every action, afraid of the cost. She surrounded herself with guards and sycophants until she was no longer in touch with reality. Even her daughter didn’t trust her and ran away the first chance she got.

  That thought made Rogue think of Imogen, and her heart twisted in her chest. She looked at the open gate behind her with regret. She’d liked Imogen. The girl was bright and intelligent. A butterfly caught in a web. And now I might never see her again.