“That is where you come in,” Sarah added. She wasn’t going to let Mr. Reese rip apart the work they had done.
“Ms. Hunter the big kids are talking.” Mr. Reese said in a condescending tone. “I don’t think it is proper for you to interrupt your superiors.”
“My team are allowed to speak whenever they would like Mr. Reese. I am in charge of her, not you.” Captain Underwood said with a sneer.
“Ms. Hunter, did you lie to me?” Mr. Reese said ignoring Captain Underwood. “I thought you were an aid not a member of Mr. Underwood’s team. If we are going to be friends we need to trust each other. If he is a Captain then that makes you?”
“I am Private,” Sarah said.
“So, Ms. Hill is a leading member of the Insurgence. I am CEO. I am afraid you have no room to negotiate, little one.”
“I am sitting at this table am I not? This means I can negotiate just as much as you. If you didn’t want me to speak you should have left me at home.” Sarah snapped.
Steven who was next to her kicked her. She knew right away that she had been out of line.
“Ms. Hunter,” Mr. Reese laughed. “You are feisty. Ms. Hill I can see why you brought her. This is why I thought you were in charge. You have this sexy confidence about you. Big things will come for you. I can see it now.”
This was the second time he mentioned how she looked. Sarah looked over at Steven who clearly was trying to mask anger. Sarah knew they needed this guy. She would do what she has to get him.
“Mr. Reese,” Ms. Hill started. “We are here because we were under the impression you were considering joining us.”
“It has been brought to my attention,” Mr. Reese said. He sat back and took a sip of wine. “What would I get? I know we talked about us having the contracts but here is the thing. I will not let other people tell me where to put my troops. I am responsible for their lives. If I join I want a leading military role.”
“That is something command will have to decide.” Captain Underwood said before Ms. Hill could answer.
“I have a leading member here, don’t I? Can you not make this decision?” Mr. Reese said.
His voice was condescending. Sarah thought he liked the idea of insulting them.
“I am. Giving military command out, is not something we practice,” Ms. Hill said.
A server came out to bring more wine for the group. Mr. Reese though was the only one who had been drinking.
“Where is our damn food?” Mr. Reese yelled at the server.
“It is coming, sir,” The server apologized.
“Where was I?” Mr. Reese thought for a moment before he continued. “That’s right. My command. So you all can’t promise me that? Why are you here if you can’t even negotiate?”
“We are not here to negotiate,” Captain Underwood started. “We are here to have you join us. This isn’t something where you can ask for demands in order to join. That is not how our government is going to work. You can’t buy positions. If you want that, you are talking to the wrong side.”
Captain Underwood stood and left the room. Mary seemed angry. Sarah wasn’t sure if it was with her husband or the CEO.
“Mr. Reese.” Mary said in order to try and smooth things out. “We have some ability to give you what you want but a topic like command of soldiers is something that is discussed on the top level. We can pass it up to command and they can get back to us.” Mary said. She was trying to be diplomatic.
“We don’t want you to think it is off the table but it is out of our immediate control,” Ms. Hill added.
“Well, I suppose that can be overlooked for the moment.” Mr. Reese said evenly. “My next demand is I can have a headquarters in the city of my choosing. Without taxes for five years.”
Ms. Hill looked at him. She seemed to weigh what he said in her mind.
“One year,” Ms. Hill said.
“Five years,” Mr. Reese reiterated.
“You can’t expect to not pay taxes,” Sarah said.
“I did not say that. I said for five years.” Mr. Reese corrected.
“Tax break possibly but not for free,” Ms. Hill added.
“Are you saying no?” Mr. Reese asked.
“Yes,” Ms. Hill said. “We can work out a lucrative deal. No taxes what so ever is asking a lot.”
“As is asking me to join this rebellion. You all are taking a massively powerful government. There is great risk in this. If you lose the war, the current government will never work with my company again. I will lose everything.”
“What do you think we will lose if this war is lost?” Sarah asked. “We could lose more than a company. If we lose the war all of us will be executed for treason.”
Mr. Reese put his hands together in a praying pose. He looked at the group. “It is starting to seem that joining this fight might not be in our best interest.”
He wiped his face. Sarah hadn’t even noticed the food in front of her. She smelled it but the thought of eating anything at the moment was sickening. She couldn’t believe this guy. He only wanted to join to benefit him.
“I will let you enjoy the food,” Mr. Reese said and stood. “When you are ready, let my men know and they will take you home.”
He left the room. Sarah looked at Mary, Steven, and Ms. Hill. They traveled all this way for nothing. Ms. Hill nodded and the group stood to leave. They walked outside and Captain Underwood was smoking. He looked at the group and he could tell what happened.
“When we get back to the complex we’ll figure out how to get back home.” Captain Underwood said.
Ms. Hill shook her head and walked towards the curb. The SUV pulled up and the driver opened the door for them. They piled into the car. The ride back to the complex was silent. Sarah felt like she could cut the tension in the air.
The SUV dropped them off and the team headed inside. The men unbuttoned their shirts and the women took off their heels. Sarah slumped on the couch. She told herself ‘at least we came back with Secretary Hill’. This was a poor attempt to prove to her that the mission wasn’t a waste and something was accomplished. Captain Underwood was angry. He went to his room and without speaking to anyone. Ms. Hill sat in front of Sarah.
“Despite your momentary outburst, you didn’t do half bad. You might make it into politics one day. You got this kind of…”
“If you call me sexy like he did I am not going to be happy.” Sarah interrupted.
Ms. Hill laughed. “I am going to say commanding presence.”
Sarah saw lights turn on the street. This was odd the only people who had been on this street had been them. Sarah moved quickly. She went to the cabinet that had the rifles she grabbed one and tossed one to Mary.
“We got a car coming,” Sarah announced.
She went to the window and peeked out. The black sedan had parked in front of the house. Sarah looked out and was surprised to see Jonah Schweppes getting out and walking towards the door. Sarah told the group who was coming. Sergeant Miller moved Ms. Hill towards the back. The other agents followed. They were prepared to flee. A door opened upstairs and Captain Underwood came down.
“What is he doing here?” Captain Underwood asked.
“No idea, Will,” Mary answered.
“We will soon though,” Steven said.
There was a knock on the door and Sarah opened it forcefully grabbing Mr. Schweppes and dragging him into the house. Mary put the rifle in his face. He was terrified and confused.
“What is going on?” Mr. Schweppes asked. His voice cracked with fear.
“You tell us,” Sarah said.
“I stopped by to tell you that Mr. Reese didn’t like you,” He said and pointed at Captain Underwood. “But he wants another meeting with Sarah.”
Chapter 11
Lucas Valley
Nolan recognized that they were heading towards the Quad Cities. Nolan didn’t like the idea of driving through a large city. Red Squadron was heavily armed. Nolan figured both Terri and Lee had wea
pons on them. The Quad Cities were large only because the four cities were so close to each other it felt like one major city.
“Are you sure it is alright to go through the Quad Cities?” Nolan asked.
“It beats going around,” Terri said.
“She is right, it would take a long time if we were to go around the Quad. Lucas Valley is on the outside of Flynnton.”
Ian and Anthony looked a bit confused. Nolan explained that the Quad Cities are made up of four small cities. Lee’s ranch was outside of Martin Park. The other two cites were Taylorville and Williamette. Lee helped explain how smaller cities were outside the major ones. Almost like suburbs. Lucas Valley was the exact other side of Lee’s farm.
Nolan hadn’t been to the Quad Cities since he was a kid. He had memories of the city being less busy than Chicago but large amounts of people walking around. He was able to see into the shops as a kid. The city was clean and had a small town feel to it. Now things had changed. Many of the shops had boarded up windows. Police presence was increased along with a strong USSB presence. The city almost seemed to be darker as if a cloud had settled overhead and decided not to move.
Nolan was thankful the van had tinted windows otherwise people would be able to see his squad dressed like soldiers. Nolan was on high alert; every time they passed a USSB car his heart seemed to stop.
“Why are they so many Security Bureau vehicles around?” Anthony asked.
“I was wondering the same?” Ian said.
“We aren’t sure,” Terri said. “I think it has to do with Lucas Valley. A town doesn’t just go missing. People around here are talking.”
“It has something to do with the government,” Lee said.
“What would the government want with a town full of people? If anything they left because of it and President Marshal doesn’t want it happening again,” Nolan suggested.
It wasn’t long before they drove out of Flynnton and headed towards the small town of Lucas Valley. Nolan could see the town on the country road. When they entered the town Nolan observed that it was as if everyone had packed up at once and disappeared. People still had cars in the driveways and one gas station’s open sign was still on.
“Think we should stop there and ask around?” Ian said.
“We could look inside,” Lee started. “But no one is around. Like I said it was like everyone disappeared overnight.” Lee pulled over to the gas station. The group got out.
Terri looked around as if she expected people to run up to them. Nolan left his rifle in the van and walked towards the entrance of the gas station. The station door was opened. Nolan looked around. It seemed like everything was still on. Even the coffee machine was still hot. It smelled of burning coffee and rotting food.
“They didn’t bother to turn anything off?” Nolan said.
“I know. Like I said it is strange.” Lee said.
Nolan walked towards the back of the gas station. He was going to try and get into the office. He wanted to know if anything was left that could leave a clue. Lee followed him. They opened the office door and found a desk with papers scattered on top of it. Nolan looked through the papers but only found notes about the business. He sat on the chair to think.
“How could they organize such a large movement of people?” Nolan asked. More to himself than to Lee, who watched him. “When did the USSB presence increase?”
“Maybe a month ago?” Lee said.
“Before the town disappeared?” Nolan asked.
“Around that time,” Lee said.
“They could have increased their presence and in order to hide what they were doing, but what are they doing?” Nolan asked.
“That is what I want to know,” Lee said.
The two of them left the office. Terri was leaning on the van when they walked outside. She smirked when she looked at Nolan.
“You too have a good talk?” Terri asked.
“You know it,” Lee said and winked at her.
Nolan stopped. He could hear something. It sounded like a truck. Nolan looked and could see dust being stirred up. It was a car of some kind moving fast down a dirt road towards them.
“We got company,” Nolan said. “Leave the van and head behind the station.”
Nolan ran grabbed his rifle and they ran for the gas station. Terri put the gas pump in the van before she ran. It was just in time when a Security Bureau van drove past and turned on the first street.
“That was close,” Lee said.
“What are they doing here?” Nolan asked.
“I am not sure. I want to find out though,” Terri said.
“If we know what they want, we might be able to find the town's people.” Nolan said. “Come on.”
Nolan took the lead. He got into the driver seat of the van. Everyone pilled in. Terri sat up front with Nolan while the others went to the back. Nolan took off taking part of the gas pump with him.
“Fuck, sorry guys,” Nolan said.
“They are made for when that happens.” Lee said.
They turned down the same block as the truck did. He drove until he reached another intersection. They could see the USSB truck outside a home. Nolan just caught the last agent going into the home. Nolan backed up enough so that van was mostly hidden but they could still see the house.
“What do you think they are going in there for?” Ian asked.
“No idea,” Lee said.
They watched as the agents came from the house with what looked like a family. The family had black bags over their heads and they were being taken to the truck. Nolan counted eight USSB agents.
“They are taking that family. We need to stop them.” Nolan said.
“Let me drive,” Anthony said. “I will stop the truck you all take out the agents.”
Nolan got out of the car and Anthony got into the driver seat. Ian followed Nolan’s led. Terri and Lee didn’t move. Nolan looked at them.
“These guys are going to get away. We need to do something now.” Nolan pleaded.
“What are you going to do?” Lee asked.
“I am going to smash this van,” Anthony said.
“What?” Lee yelled. “You can’t. This is our car.”
“Do you want to stop them or what?” Anthony asked. “I don’t have time to hotwire a car.”
“Make time,” Lee said.
Anthony thought for a moment. He sighed. “If I don’t get one working we need to use this one.”
Anthony left the van and went to the nearest parked car. He tried the driver door, which was open. He went under the steering wheel and got to work. Nolan instructed everyone to spread out.
“Pick your targets,” Nolan said. “We don’t want to hit the family.”
The other car started. Nolan was shocked how fast Anthony worked. He wondered what he did before he joined the D.I but that was a question for later. Nolan watched as the USSB truck started. Nolan hoped they would come back the way they came. If not they would have a smaller chance of catching them. The truck turned and headed towards them. The truck turned on the intersection when Anthony reversed the car right into the side of the USSB truck. The driver got out first. The driver got out and had his hand on his gun. Anthony got out of the car.
“I am so sorry,” Anthony said.
The driver turned towards him. Before Nolan could react Anthony shot the driver. The bullet passed right through his neck. The man fell to the ground holding his throat, splitting blood. The passenger got out. Nolan was ready this time. Nolan shot the passenger twice in the center of the chest. He and Ian moved towards the car. The other agents fired from outside of the window towards Anthony, who took cover behind his damaged car. Nolan fired several shots towards one agent. He knew the bullets found their target because the agents gun fell from the car. The other agents evacuated from the back of the car. Nolan couldn’t see the family. He figured they must still be in the car. The other five agents moved to find cover towards the house. Ian made quick work of one shooting the
man several times in the chest and once in the leg. One of the agents moved to drag the man but Anthony fired hitting the man dead center of the forehead. The agent fell onto the wounded agent.
Nolan instructed Anthony to get the family to cover. Nolan and Ian followed the remaining agents. Nolan looked back and Terri was trying to catch up. Lee was behind all of them. Clearly, they weren’t ready for the gunfight. Terri and Lee both only had side arms. The three remaining agents found cover behind a car. Nolan saw scared young agent get on a radio. He fired towards the agent. The young agent fell to the floor dropping the radio. Nolan signaled for people to flank the agents. Ian moved to flank followed by Terri. One agent with bleach blonde hair shot towards Terri. Nolan got the jump on him. The bullet hit the side of the agents face coving the blonde hair in blood. The last agent stood with his hands up. He look frightened and moved to speak but Lee emptied his weapon on him.
“Hold your fire!” Nolan ordered.
Nolan recognized surrender. Clearly, Lee got carried away. Nolan moved to check on Terri. She was shaken up from almost being shot.
“Hey… hey, you are alright,” Nolan said. He grabbed her shoulders. “You are fine!” He yelled.
“Holy shit,” Terri said as she calmed down.
“I know,” Nolan said. He stood and looked at Ian. “Check the bodies. Lee cover him.”
Nolan helped Terri up. They headed back towards the USSB truck. Anthony was taking off the handcuffs and black bags from the family. The family consist of the mom, her oldest son which Nolan guessed was around sixteen and her two younger boys. Nolan helped make sure the family wasn’t hurt. They were shaken up, but when Nolan explained who they were the mom hugged him.
“Thank you for saving us.” She said. “We had been waiting for my husband for weeks.”
“Where is your husband?” Nolan asked.
“I am not sure. Security Bureau agents took him. He hid us and told us not to come out. He said he would come back for us.”
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