by P. T. Hylton
“Believe me, they are,” Alex said.
“However, he said we’re not ready to make a move.”
Everyone around the table groaned.
CB held up a hand. “We’re close. We’re just not there yet. Kurtz says he has a witness who saw Sarah in the Council room just before the meeting. He has to convince her to come forward with her story.”
“Couldn’t he do that later?” Owl asked. “When Fleming’s sitting in a cell, we’ll have all the time in the world to build a case against him.”
“Not really,” CB countered. “A military coup of a democratically elected leader isn’t something to be taken lightly. The people will want rock-solid proof of why we took action, and we damn well better have it. However, Kurtz says we’re talking days, not weeks. He thinks he can convince the witness by the end of the week. If not, we move forward without her.”
They all took that in and the clinking of utensils against plates was the only sound.
After a few moments, Jessica said, “Can I throw something out there?”
“Of course,” CB said.
“Would it be such a bad thing if we let Resettlement move forward?”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Um, are you new here?”
“CB said it himself. A military coup is not to be undertaken lightly. Let’s say we let everything play out. Best-case scenario, we’re wrong and Resettlement succeeds.”
“Not going to happen,” Alex interjected.
“Okay, then look at the other side. What’s the absolute worst thing that happens?”
“Three hundred people die horrible deaths at the hands of vampires,” Brian said.
Jessica held up a finger. “Exactly! That’s what I’m saying. Three hundred people die. I don’t mean to be cruel, but would that really be terrible? It would be tragic, but Fleming would be exposed as a fraud, we’d have even more grounds to remove him, and the question of Resettlement would be, err, settled.”
Alex set down her fork and glared at Jessica. “I’m sorry, are you actually suggesting we just let three hundred people die?”
“I don’t want anyone to die, but if it gives us our best chance to save everyone—”
“I don’t believe this,” Alex said, the anger rising in her voice. “That’s Fleming’s way of thinking. ‘If I blow up the Council, it’ll save lives in the long run.’ That’s exactly the mindset we’re fighting against here. Once we start calculating how many lives are acceptable losses, we become the bad guys.”
CB held up his hands. “Alex, calm down. Jessica’s just bringing up a question that needs to be asked. We have to consider this from every angle. That said, I agree with you. We can’t sacrifice lives.”
Jessica glared at Alex for a moment, then broke into a smile. “Me, too. I just wanted to see how you’d respond to the question.”
Alex laughed and she felt the tension go out of her. “I sort of hate you right now. So, are we going to come up with a plan that doesn’t involve people dying?”
Brian scratched his chin. "I think that once Fleming announces the date he’s sending the Resettlers down, that’s when we need to move. If I know Fleming, he’ll want to make a production out of it. That’s when we stop waiting for more evidence and get moving."
“Agreed,” CB said. “The announcement will be our last chance to make our move, assuming we haven’t already. Jessica, how many people in engineering will be on our side?”
“It won’t be difficult to get the key people from most departments. They’re pretty pissed about the way he’s stripping the ship.”
“Good. If things don’t go our way, we’ll have the ability to shut down systems. That’s great leverage.”
Owl sighed. “I can't wait for this to be over. I just want to have a stable city again. All this is too much for me."
“Don't worry,” Alex said. “It won’t be much longer.”
The group went back to their meals, and the conversation got lighter. As the meal went on, Alex felt herself relax for the first time in days. She was enjoying a meal among friends. Little moments like these were so important; they represented the very life they were fighting to protect.
Alex’s radio beeped, interrupting her thoughts. She sighed. “Duty calls.” She pressed the radio and said, “Captain Goddard here.”
“Alex, it’s Garrett. Fleming needs to see us immediately.”
Just as he finished speaking, CB’s radio beeped.
Before answering it, he smiled at his guests. “I hope you three don’t mind cleaning up. Looks like Alex and I have somewhere to be.”
25
“The water system?” Alex asked, a hint of panic in her voice. “That seems important.”
“It is,” Fleming replied. “Thanks for your keen observation.”
CB and Alex were in Fleming’s office. Unlike most times that they spoke to him, there was no entourage. Firefly, Sarah, reporters; none of them were present. It was only CB, Alex, and Fleming. He’d even shut the door to his office.
That had Alex concerned. It meant this was serious.
And then he’d confirmed her fears by telling them there was a problem with the water system.
“More specifically, a problem with the system that collects moisture from the atmosphere,” he explained.
“The one that we use as our only source of drinking water,” CB said, flatly.
“And irrigation. Bathing water. Sanitation.”
“So, all the water, then?” Alex said.
Fleming nodded. “I’m not going to sugar coat this. It’s bad. We have enough water stored up that no one outside the essential teams will know anything is wrong for the next day or so. But after that, all bets are off. Which means we need the parts to fix it, and we need them tomorrow.”
“Guess the GMT needs to saddle up,” Alex said.
“Very much so.” He tapped a quick sequence on his tablet. “I’m sending you the location we’ve identified for replacement parts. Thankfully, any major city from the pre-infestation days would have what we need in their water-treatment plant. So, we’re sending you down to Denver, the old city closest to Fort Stearns. That way your trip won’t impact Captain Eldred’s work.”
Alex grimaced. Even now, he was prioritizing Resettlement.
Fleming looked at CB. “The two of us and Colonel Kurtz will meet with some of the badges tomorrow morning to apprise them of the situation. Just in case word gets out and things go badly.”
“You’re thinking there could be riots?” CB asked.
“If people don’t have access to water, sure, it’s possible. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
CB nodded. “Why doesn’t Jessica know about this? We just saw her, and she didn’t mention anything about this.”
“Water collection technically falls under the umbrella of agriculture.”
“Yeah, but isn’t her department involved in maintaining the system?”
“Yes. And we’ll have to tell her tomorrow. But do me a favor. We don’t want this getting out, so don’t say anything about it to her or anyone else. I’ll handle the communication. Got it?”
CB and Alex both said they understood.
“I want the GMT to leave before dawn, Denver time. That way you’ll be ready to land when the sun comes up.”
“Yes, sir.” Now that there was a real crisis, she felt everything else slipping away. It was almost a relief to have a straightforward, save-the-city mission. No political needs. Yet, something bothered her about all of this and she couldn’t resist the urge to bring it up. “Sir, how did the water-collection system and the backup system go down at the same time?”
The skin around Fleming’s eyes creased as his face scrunched up in annoyance. “I think you know the answer to that, Captain Goddard.”
“Because you dismantled the backup and used the parts for Resettlement.” She wasn’t going to let him off the hook, not without at least saying the words.
“Yes,” Fleming admitted. “I shouldn’t
have done that. Lesson learned. Thankfully, this problem will be resolved within twenty-four hours, assuming you and your team do your job.”
“We’ll do our job, sir. If the parts are there, we’ll get them.”
“Good. Remember, this doesn’t go beyond this room. I don’t even want you briefing the GMT on it until you’re in the air. I’m counting on you two to help us avoid a citywide panic.”
After he’d dismissed them and they were headed out of the Hub, CB said, “Man, as much as that guy likes to shout about his every success, he also likes to reduce every one of his mistakes to a whisper.”
Alex couldn’t disagree.
She said goodbye to CB and headed back to her quarters. She then sent a message to the team, telling them to report to the hangar at oh four hundred hours. She didn’t include any more details, and they knew better than to ask. She lay down to attempt a few hours of shuteye, and unlike most nights, she drifted right to sleep.
Five hours later, she was in the hangar, prepped and ready for the mission. The team arrived, confused and sleepy-eyed, but they geared up and boarded the away ship.
“No briefing, Captain?” Chuck asked.
“Nope.” Alex didn’t elaborate. Knowing when to shut up was one of CB’s best tricks, and one she was trying to learn.
Just as she was walking over to grab her pack, she saw Firefly approaching. He waved hello and trotted over.
“You’re here early,” she said.
“Yeah. I hear we have to handle Fort Stearns on our own today. Fleming told me.”
Alex frowned. Apparently, she and CB had to keep their secrets, but it was fine for Fleming to blab to his buddies. “Yeah. You’ll have to check the buildings yourself.”
“Ha. I’m not worried.” He stood there awkwardly for a moment, just looking at her. He looked even more haggard than usual. His hair looked like a comb hadn’t touched it yet that day, and a razor hadn’t found its way to his stubble in a week.
“I should go,” she said. “Urgent mission and all that.”
“Stay safe out there.”
“You too.” After a moment, she pointed at the table. “That’s my bag.”
He looked back, apparently realizing he was blocking it. “Oh sorry! Here.”
He handed her the bag, and she took it. “Good luck, Alex.”
She grinned. “Luck? Luck is for card players. I’m with the GMT.”
With that, she turned on her heel and marched to the away ship.
CB entered the Hub an hour after dawn. This time, he wasn’t heading to Fleming’s office, but to the badge headquarters. He, Fleming, and Colonel Kurtz would be addressing a select group of badges to prepare them for the possibility of rioting if news of the water-collection malfunction got out.
Fleming and Kurtz were both there when CB arrived.
The councilman smiled when he saw CB. “Ah, here’s the Colonel. We can get started.”
“I’m not late, am I?” CB asked, a bit annoyed at the implication.
“Not at all,” Fleming said. “Prompt as ever. Must be that military training.”
CB exchanged an annoyed glance with Kurtz. The colonel over the badges looked nervous this morning. Maybe he suspected that his badges wouldn’t take the news that they might soon be facing a riot very well.
“We’ll be meeting with them in the holding area,” Kurtz said. “Aside from General Craig, that area’s empty now. We can say it’s a training exercise, if anyone asks.”
“Excellent,” Fleming said. “Let’s get to it.”
Fleming led the way down a long corridor that led through the administrative section and to the portion of the building that served as the jail. Kurtz held the door for them as they entered the corridor, ushering CB through in front of him.
As they walked, CB considered whether he might be able to get some time alone with Kurtz after this briefing. The previous night’s dinner had convinced him that they needed to be ready to move on Fleming. They might not have much warning. CB had to be sure Kurtz and his badges would be prepared when the time came. They should probably work out some sort of signal, so they could quickly—
“Colonel Brickman,” Fleming said, interrupting the thought, “do you remember the last time we were down here together?”
That surprised CB. Fleming wasn’t usually one to bring up the past. Not unless he was talking about his victories, anyway.
“I do,” CB said, his voice grim. “You had me thrown in a jail cell.”
“Yes. That’s right. Remember our conversation that day? The deal we made?”
CB felt a strange tingling sensation on the back of his neck. Something wasn’t right here.
“I agreed to let you go to the surface to rescue your team,” Fleming said. “In return, you agreed to help make Resettlement happen.”
CB glanced ahead down the hallway. It was empty. His pulse was racing now. Fleming was about to do something, reveal something…but what?
Fleming continued, “I held up my end of the agreement, and because of that you were able to bring most of your team home. So, why is it you’ve decided to betray me, rather than follow through on your end?”
They had reached the end of the corridor and the threshold to the jail area. CB was almost panicking now, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Then he saw it.
At the entry to the jail area, there was a mirror mounted near the ceiling, angled down at a forty-five-degree angle. Presumably it was to give badges a full view of the area. CB looked into it now, and what he saw was so unexpected, he almost shouted in surprise.
Colonel Kurtz was pointing a gun at the back of CB’s head.
CB lunged to his right just as Kurtz fired. The bullet missed by inches and ricocheted off the metal wall up ahead. Fleming looked back at them and gasped. Then he ducked out of the hallway.
CB was already in motion. Spinning, he grabbed Kurtz’s wrist hard, then ducked down and pulled, flipping Kurtz through the air over his back. The badge colonel slammed into the ground and the wind rushed out of him.
Reaching down, CB ripped the gun out of the man’s hand and put it to Kurtz’s temple. “What the hell’s going on?! I trusted you, you son of a bitch!”
Kurtz gasped, trying to catch his breath.
Before he could, two badges appeared, coming through the door Fleming had exited, guns drawn.
CB dove toward the ground, but this time he wasn’t fast enough. The taller of the two guards fired, and the bullet clipped CB’s arm.
Adrenaline surged in him and he gathered himself. He only had a moment, he knew. If he didn’t act quickly, he’d either be dead or in a jail cell very shortly.
With a cry of pain, he leapt to his feet and dove across the hall, opening the door to an office and stumbling inside. He slammed the door shut behind him and turned the lock.
Knowing the lock wouldn’t keep them out long, he looked frantically around the room. There wasn’t much to help him. A desk. A cabinet. A window. But they were on the fifth floor of a six-story building, so jumping didn’t seem feasible.
Wait. This was a corner office. And that meant…
As soon as the thought hit him, he sprang back into action. He grabbed the cabinet with his good arm and pulled with all his might, sending it crashing to the floor in front of the door. Maybe that would buy him a few more precious seconds.
Then he raised the gun and fired at the window, shattering the glass. A moment later, he was through it and on the ladder that served as a fire escape.
Up or down? He needed to decide fast. Getting to the ground would be the path of least resistance, and it would give him more mobility. But they’d expect him to go that way. If he could get to the roof, he could jump from building to building, the way he had when he was a kid. All while they would be searching the streets below.
That settled it. He was going up.
He reached the roof and hauled himself onto it just as he heard a ruckus in the office below. Sounded like they’d
gotten past the lock and the cabinet.
“He shot out the window! Get some badges onto the street!”
CB lay flat on his back, breathing hard. His arm throbbed where the bullet had clipped him, but the bleeding was more troubling than the pain. The arm was already slick with blood all the way down his hand. Taking off his shirt, he quickly tied it around the wound, hoping to stop the bleeding.
He needed to get up, get moving. He needed to be as far away from here as possible, as quickly as possible.
He was just starting to rise when he heard Fleming’s familiar voice coming through the window below.
“What the hell, Kurtz?! How do you miss from three feet away?”
“I didn’t expect him to tense up like that, sir. If you’d have told me you were going to taunt him, maybe I would have—”
“Don’t you dare turn this back on me, Kurtz. This is an important day. A very important day. And now, on top of everything else, I have the colonel of the GMT running loose, bleeding all over our streets.”
“He won’t get far, sir. My men are on it.” Kurtz hesitated a moment. “What are you going to do about the GMT, sir? When Alex finds out what happened, she’s going to come after you.”
CB could almost hear the smile coming back into Fleming’s voice when he answered.
“Don’t worry about the GMT, Kurtz. They’re already as good as dead.”
26
Alex was still rubbing the sleep from her eyes when Owl launched into her facts.
“We are nearly to the ancient city of Denver. Also known as the Mile-High City, Queen of the Plains, Wall Street of the West, Cow Town, Broncoville, and Queen City of the West. I hope you like it.”
Patrick touched his radio. “Are you kidding me with those facts, Owl? That was literally just a list of nicknames.”
“I had no time to research, so I had to use the almanac on my tablet. Cut me some slack.”