“Where do you want these?” Jess hollered at her dad, who stood with a clipboard, directing volunteers.
He glanced up with tired eyes. “Two boxes per vehicle please.”
Alyssa and Jess walked the line of twenty vans and SUVs until they found one without boxes.
“Doesn’t seem like enough food,” Alyssa said, thinking about how many people could fit per vehicle, and the very real possibility that the mission could last longer than expected.
“Dad, Mom, and Vi will prep more supplies after we leave, just in case they need to send in reinforcements. Vi has a good team here. Mom and her really get along.”
“That’s great.” Alyssa smiled. “Your dad looks a bit haggard.”
“Yeah, he’s been too busy to sleep apparently. They didn’t really have anyone who does what he does, since Ian’s group has mostly focused on maintaining the settlement.”
“They didn’t go on raids before we came?”
Jess shook her head, closing the door of the panel van they’d put the boxes in. “Nope.”
“Huh. As well as his people do on the raids, I figured they’d been doing it as often as we do now.”
“You’ve heard our team grumbling before. Until they rescued us, they didn’t get much action. Lots of hurry up and wait. The same goes for here, but Ian’s been training anyone who wanted, in preparation for this war. I think most of the states are in the same boat, training and waiting for the big day. We just get to have all the fun because Kayn is nearby.”
“How do you know all this?” Alyssa stared her best friend down, hands on her hips.
“Well,” Jess said, “my man gets to come home after the meetings and tell me everything. Your man barely has a minute to sleep or eat.”
“Gah, don’t remind me. I’m actually looking forward to this mission because I get to spend some time with him while we drive. I’m making someone else take the wheel, even if I have to tie Sebastian to a backseat.”
“Hah!” Jess laughed. “Good luck with that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in a passenger seat.”
Alyssa held a finger to her lips and rolled her eyes up comically. “Well, the only time I’ve seen him not drive was when my guts were practically hanging from my body.”
“Ew! Don’t remind me. I still have nightmares about that.”
Alyssa wound her arm around Jess’ elbow as they headed in for more boxes. “Me too.”
***
To Alyssa’s disappointment yet reluctant acceptance, Sebastian agreed to ride in the back of the van they’d been assigned to but fell asleep within minutes. Thankfully, Jess and Lorn were in the van too. Daniel drove with Jack in the passenger seat.
The drive would normally only take three to four hours, but not all the roads had been repaired during Kayn’s worldwide rehab all those years ago. When the convoy neared the Portland Crater, they had to pick their way through side streets and sometimes dirt- or rubble-strewn roads. They didn’t have shuttles to fly them over the rough terrain.
After five hours of driving, they stopped to refuel from the truck loaded with barrels of gasoline. The plan was to stow the fuel truck somewhere along the way before they got anywhere near their destination. No need to take a ticking time bomb into battle if you don’t plan on using it to blow up the enemy.
Once they’d finished topping off gas tanks and eating an early lunch, Sebastian took over driving, leading the convoy to a bridge built during the years following the arrival of the Szu’Kara. The bridge took them over the Columbia River and into Oregon. The rest of their drive would take about two hours.
Alyssa and Jess napped in the very back while Lorn sat up front. Jack and Daniel slept in the middle seat. Supplies and weapons filled the rest of the unoccupied space.
“Wakey wakey,” Sebastian sang as the van came to a shuddering stop.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Alyssa sat up and peeked out the window. The convoy parked along the edges of a single-lane road running through a tunnel formed by the dense forest on each side. A thin break in the canopy offered some afternoon sunlight.
“Looks like we made it okay.” Jess stretched her arms over her head and yawned.
“Yep,” Sebastian said, “we made it clear. No patrols, like Alex reported.”
“You think they’re that arrogant, or just plain stupid?” Daniel pulled the side door open. “You don’t think they have aerial surveillance, do you?”
“According to Alex’s scouts, who’ve been watching for the last two months, there’s been very little surveillance; only a weekly sweep of the perimeter within a mile radius.” Sebastian shut off the van and took a swig of water from one of the shared canteens.
Lorn turned in his seat to peer at the back inhabitants. “It is likely the commander has tightened security since he locked everything down. He would have brought in more guards, but directed them to stay close to the facility. I do not know why he would not have drones watching the area.” He shook his head. “My guess is that he has become too paranoid in light of recent events and may have commandeered the drones to monitor the Command Compound. Earth is a large planet and our ships are spread far. Our resources were limited when we arrived and the commander was not willing to share our technology for humans to replicate, not even to replenish our own technological supplies.”
“Greed before need,” Jack mumbled. “Didn’t work in gaming. Only pissed off the other gamers. Won’t work in his favor now.”
“Gaming?” Alyssa asked.
“You’re too young to know about gaming.” Jack grinned over his shoulder at her. “Life was very different before the war.” He winked and followed Daniel out the door.
Jess and Alyssa climbed out as well. The air was crisp and damp, scented by the nearby trees and rich earth of untouched forest. Alyssa sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, smiling as Sebastian wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“It’s so beautiful out here,” he murmured in her ear. “Reminds me of your dream.”
“I would love to wake up every day knowing I could walk out my front door and find nothing but majestic trees to greet me. No aliens trying to control me, no Karans trying to invade my mind, nothing but the peaceful serenity of our home deep in a mountain forest. Do you think we’ll ever have that?” She turned in his arms to stare up into his loving gaze.
“I believe we will.” He nodded and kissed her nose. “Someday.”
“I hope we’re not too old to have babies before then.”
“Mm, I’ll hand over the coalition to have a family with you, darlin’.”
Stunned, Alyssa gaped at his crooked smile and sincere eyes. “You’d do that? Give up the coalition before the war is over?”
“Yep. I can’t fight forever. I want to have a family with you, even if we have to run off and hide somewhere away from all this. I love you, Alyssa.”
Swallowing a lump in her throat, she blinked back forming tears. “I love you too, Sebastian,” she said in a quiet voice thick with emotion. “I love you so much.”
A slap on her rear made her jump and let out a yip. Sebastian grinned with his hand cupping her smarting cheek. “No more time for daydreams, darlin’. We have work to do. Let’s go.”
Alyssa smacked the palm of her hand against his chest and gave him a playful growl. With a rumbling laugh, Sebastian spun her around, planted a kiss on her neck, and left her breathless. She watched him saunter off with all the confidence in the world.
I hope our dreams come true. I really do.
“Everyone, gather around,” Sebastian shouted. Their team of one hundred thirty-four humans, Szu’Kara, and Karans joined Ian and Sebastian at the front of the convoy. Some still looked sleepy, but most looked excited, or as excited as the stoic aliens and Karans could look. Everyone watched their leader with the intensity of waiting warriors.
“On the other side of this mountain is the Nursery ship, our target. They don’t know what’s coming, but I promise you, it’s a raging fucking
storm!” Cheers went up at that. “Alexander’s team cleared us enough space under the trees to set up camp and hide the vehicles.” Sebastian scanned his audience, his face as intense as theirs. “While the scout teams are out, I need everyone else to clear this road and assemble the tents.”
“We also need some volunteers to prep food,” Ian said. “No fires until after dark, so cold foods only.”
“Once everything’s squared away,” Sebastian said, “get some rest. We go in at one a.m. You’ve all been briefed, so be prepared to leave this location around midnight. We’ll have a better idea of how long it will take us to travel to the site after the scouts return. Any questions?”
There had been more meetings about the Nursery mission than Alyssa could keep track of in the last couple days, so no one said anything.
“Good. Let’s get it in gear, people.” Sebastian slapped his hands together and his audience dispersed. Twenty people remained, including Alyssa, Jess, Lorn, Jack, Daniel, Valel, and Zula.
“You ready?” Alyssa asked Jess, who scuffed her foot in the dirt.
“Yeah, just nervous. This is a bit bigger than raiding slaver camps.”
“A bit? More like a lot. Sebastian said you can see the ship from more than a mile away, even with all these woods surrounding it.”
“Do you think it’s bigger than the Kara?”
“It is wider around,” Lorn said, “but not as tall. It does not go as deep as the Kara either.”
“I’m worried what we’ll find in there.” Alyssa watched Lorn’s face, searching for a clue, but he seemed more stony-faced than usual. Maybe he’s as nervous as we are.
“Only one way to find out,” Sebastian said.
A quick glance around revealed all eyes and ears on them. Alyssa shrugged and smiled at him.
“Anyone not ready?” Ian asked.
“Check your weapons and make sure you’re warm enough. It’s only going to get cooler once we’re in the forest.” Sebastian handed Alyssa and Jess extra loaded magazines, which they stuffed into their pockets. “Keep your guns on safety and holstered until either ordered or threatened. This is just recon to get a look at our target.” He eyed Valel, who blatantly ignored the pointed command.
“Hand signals only,” Ian said, snapping his holster closed. “Move out.”
They split into two teams, Valel and Zula leading one while Sebastian and Ian led the other. Alyssa reached over to squeeze Jess’ hand and give her a reassuring smile before following their team at a light jog.
For approximately thirty minutes, they worked their way through the forest up a slow rise, dodging trees and thick bushes. Only twice did they have to stop to clear the way with machetes. By the time Sebastian signaled a halt, Alyssa’s legs were burning.
With all the recent meetings and events, she’d been too busy to follow the regular exercise schedule with the girls. She missed training with Cecily. Got to get that going again soon. I shouldn’t be this damn winded.
A quick glance at Jess showed her best friend in the same heaving predicament.
“I feel like I just ran up a steep mountain,” Jess whispered between gasping breaths.
“No kidding,” Alyssa said between breaths.
Ian waved the team in close and kept his voice low. “A hundred yards more and we should be able to see our target and the surrounding area. Spread out and see what you can see. If the trees are too thick, look for the best tree for climbing. Wendel’s got his gear. We’re looking for the best routes for ingress. Look for any signs of guards, where they travel, and when. Alex’s intel is good, but our own visual is better.”
“Watch yourselves,” Sebastian said, making eye contact with each of them. “Keep your eyes on the ground as much as in front of you. We don’t know if they set up any kind of surveillance or traps or whatever. Be careful.”
With that, the team scurried away. Alyssa kept low, moving from tree to tree, watching her step while scanning for anything that didn’t belong in the forest. Ducking under a low branch, she slammed on the brakes as her eyes picked out a circular shape under a layer of pine needles, her foot hovering six inches over it.
Stepping back, she brushed away the moldering debris around the hidden device as carefully as possible. Her heart raced, worried she’d found some sort of explosive or proximity alarm. Biting her lip, she gently lifted a large leaf.
Underneath, Alyssa found the jagged teeth of a rusty animal trap. She uncovered it as much as she could without setting it off and cleared a wide space around it. The trap had sunk into the moist ground and she did not want to step in it when she came back this way.
Satisfied with her work, Alyssa carefully made her way through the trees until she came to a peak. An enormous rock shelf rose from the ground, creating a short cliff. The sun sat low in the sky, so the surrounding trees shadowed most of the cliff.
Lowering herself to the ground, Alyssa crawled forward to the edge of the rock. The other side dropped about fifty feet, maybe more. The trees below were just low enough for her to see over their tops as they sloped down this steeper side of the mountain.
“That’s going to suck trying to get down in the middle of the night,” she muttered.
Alyssa pulled her binoculars from her jacket pocket and peered over the treetops. At the bottom, clusters of empty houses sat in extreme disrepair, rising and falling on rolling hilltops. They appeared as if they’d been untouched by the war, but abandoned to the ravages of the salty sea air.
Below the hilltop homes, a river separated the residential area from what appeared to be a school and a park. Beyond that, Alyssa saw the half-destroyed brick walls of a strip mall and grocery store. In the midst of all that destruction, the familiar gunmetal plates and rows of black windows of a Szu’Kara ship gleamed in the setting sun.
If she hadn’t already been told the ship’s size, she would’ve thought it had burrowed much deeper than the Kara. From her vantage point, she could almost see over the top of the Nursery to the other side. Four guards patrolled the top edge of the ship, rifles in hand.
At the base, a tall chain link fence surrounded it with guards inside and out, stationed every few feet. She counted at least forty Zooks in sight with two guardhouses at closed gates. Could be two in each house, plus street patrols, and guards just inside the ship’s entrances. That ship is locked down tight.
Giving the place one last scan, Alyssa crawled backward off the rock and headed back.
I hope we have enough people for this.
Chapter 29
“Wait for the signal,” Sebastian said through the in-ear communications devices they’d been collecting from the slaver camp raids.
Hearing his voice in her ear sent a tingle down Alyssa’s spine.
She and Jess waited, crouched behind the corner of a derelict apartment building at the bottom of a rubble-strewn street that ran down from the hilltop neighborhood she’d seen earlier. The street continued over a bridge and led straight through the beach town to the ocean beyond. Two Zooks guarded the bridges. Although it wasn’t very wide, the river at the base of the hill ran fast and deep, with only two heavily guarded bridges still intact.
“You take the one on the right,” Jess whispered.
Alyssa nodded, eyeing her target through the night-vision goggles. She swallowed a grumpy sigh and resisted the urge to scratch at the face paint on her cheek.
“There it is!” Jess hissed, pointing at the fireballs flying through the night sky from multiple directions.
“Flares up,” Ian barked through the comms. “Move in!”
Bringing her rifle up over Jess’ head, Alyssa lined the crosshairs up with the back of her assigned guard. Slowly letting out her breath, she steadied herself.
Jess’ rifle fired right as Alyssa squeezed her trigger. The bullet slammed into the guard’s shoulder, spinning him around. His rifle flew from his hands as he dropped like a felled tree. The other guard lay in the middle of the bridge, unmoving.
Gunshots r
ang out all around them from up in the hills and either end of the street that ran parallel to their side of the river. Alyssa and Jess waited to see if any other guards would come to the bridge. When it looked clear, they slipped around the corner of the building, hugging the wall as they went.
Bodies lay scattered up and down the street and shadowed figures moved in their direction. Alyssa and Jess positioned themselves again, ready to fire if those figures were more Zook guards. As the figures got close enough to see clearly, they lowered their weapons and waited.
Sebastian and Daniel ran to meet them. Crunching steps on the dead grass made Alyssa and Jess spin around, rifles pointed.
“It’s me,” Lorn said, calm as ever.
“You guys all right?” Sebastian held his rifle out, scanning the area across the bridge.
“We’re good,” Alyssa said.
“I incapacitated a guard up the hill,” Lorn said, “and found two more unconscious.”
“We did that,” Jess said with a grin.
“Good,” Sebastian said. “Take care of those two and grab their weapons.”
Daniel pulled out some zip ties and ran out to the nearest Zook. Alyssa and Jess retrieved the guns and helped drag the guards across the bridge, stowing them on the grass of an overgrown park. Sebastian waved his hand forward and led them through an empty field across from the park to the nearest row of houses in one of the small neighborhoods that surrounded the enormous ship.
Taking out five more guards on the way, the team made their way around the empty houses, through cluttered backyards, and over toppled fences, checking for the enemy at every blind corner. They crossed one street and spotted Zula’s team moving parallel to them two blocks over.
Valel and Ian had teams coming in from the south, and five other teams would be coming in from the north, crossing the other bridge. The rest of the teams would be moving in as a second wave ten to fifteen minutes later.
Stopped under the eaves of a house a hundred yards from the fence, the team rested while Sebastian scoped out the guarded fence and the distance they still had to cover.
Unchained: The Discordant Earth Series Book Two Page 21