Nuclear Rising

by Christian Smith

  I start to relax, until I feel Brig clench from somewhere behind me.

  Bree’s father’s smile disappears in an instant as he sees Brig.

  He speaks, malice brewing in his voice. “What are you doing here, Elliott?”

  Brig’s voice has a sharp edge to it.

  “Evening General.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Deal With the Devil

  A faint buzzing rose in the air above my head, a light flickering on and off, while I became keenly aware of the smell of bleach rising into my nostrils. Nerves tingled, and I instantly felt threatened, and without Brig able to move around, we would be sitting ducks here.

  Of course I would start something with the General’s daughter – of all the people to save…

  Two extremely armed men stood just about as tall as the general, all dressed in black, looking like secret service agents. They each carried large assault rifles which for the moment were casually in their hands. A strand of ammo cartridges and grenades draped across their chests.

  Bree really did look like a little flower in her dad’s arms.

  “Now, now,” the general said as he motioned toward Brig. “I’m not here to kill you – yet – I came here to give thanks to the dear boy that saved my daughter.” He smiles again at me, walking toward me in about half the time it’d take a normal person to walk, leaving his two guards and Bree behind. I can tell Brig is trying to hastily grab something sharp based on the shuffling behind me. He extends his abnormally large hand toward my direction, making me flinch a bit until I realize he just wants a handshake.

  I take his hand. It nearly crushes mine. Rough calluses like sandpaper leave my skin tingling.

  He laughs, a deep guttural sound deep in his throat.

  “Now what’s your name, boy?” His green eyes shine beneath his hair-covered face, the same eyes that Bree has, though much more intense. “I can’t just keep calling you boy – Us Sempers believe everyone should have a rank to suit their name.”

  “My name’s Quinn York, sir.” I try my best to stand my ground, not letting his gain the upper hand. “What’s yours?”

  “Ha!” He snorts again as he brings his hand against his large chest. “I like your balls kid. Name’s General Patton Eyre, and of course you already met my daughter Breelena. The two black coats you see there are Captains Wilson and Vonn.”

  Bree smiles at me, almost apologetically as if we’re all standing on thin ice.

  I take a second to think, though I know General Eyre is putting on a charade much like my dad’s business associates. I knew somehow this was all a game.

  Leaning my arms against the couch where Brig sat tense like a cat, I speak, “I apologize General for any trouble we may have caused coming here. My friend here, the Brigadier General and I were just getting her treated and we will be on our way.”

  Crumpled skin flashes from Eyre’s forehead as he replies, “It’s no trouble at all, especially for someone who just saved my daughter.” He inhales deeply, continuing in his gruff voice. “Though I do have one question for you, Mr. York.”

  “Of course, sir, anything.” I keep the respect charade going.

  “How did you get past the gate?”

  My heart skips a beat. I’d hoped Bree hadn’t mentioned I wasn’t part of the tribe. I brush my hand absent-mindedly against my chocolate-colored hair.

  “Same as anyone, sir.” I lift the sleeve of my shirt, showing the tattoo, which at the moment looks fairly normal. “I’m a Semper through and through.”

  “You’re a Semper huh?”

  “I am, sir,” I lie, my heart again skipping a beat. “I work down at Frank’s Tavern over at Midnight Alley – just leaving my shift when I saw your daughter getting attacked by the men. They put up a bit of a fight but I wasn’t going to let them hurt her. I do have a shred of honor.”

  The General draws his face within a foot of mine, his breath warm and smelling of onions, as I spot a piece of meat still in his beard. He speaks, “I always appreciate a good soldier. Especially an honest soldier like you, Private York – I’m assuming that’s what you are, since I don’t know your face, and I know most of my soldiers' faces except the ones that don’t matter.”

  I smile dryly, keeping my eyes locked with his. “I guess you know my face now.”

  He smiles back, his eyes slightly wrinkled with crow’s feet. “I never forget a face, because at any moment, that face may become a threat, and threats can kill.”

  Muttering quietly, I say, “And I won’t forget yours…sir. Never thought I’d meet General Patton Eyre in person – it really is an honor -”

  Eyre laughs, violently, sputtering saliva against my cheek. “Honor can suck my coconut-sized balls soldier. You won’t find much in these parts. All a Semper knows is power, and he who wields the power leads the powerless. Sooner you learn that, sooner you won’t die.”

  As he finishes, I notice Bree covering her face with her delicate hands, and reply, “Noted, sir. You have horribly large balls, which you should really see Doc Manley about afterward – I hear the mumps are going around, and the other thing is that either way power will get you killed, no matter what side of it you’re on.”

  Eyre’s face is within inches of mine, his hot breath brushing against my cheek. “Watch it boy,” he says sharply. “I like you, but insult me again, and I’ll be hanging your scrotum on my Christmas tree this year.”

  Before I can stop myself, I say, “You really do have a thing for man parts – Makes me wonder about what team you’re batting for…sir…”

  Before he can stop himself, I feel a sharp edge against my neck, a large blade much like the bowie knife Brig carries around.

  “You’re brave, boy,” General Eyre says as he twists the blade against my neck.

  It stings.

  I swallow against it and smile.

  He continues, talking in nearly a whisper now. “I need a brave, stupid boy like yourself, one that I don’t care about getting killed. To do a small favor for me, well for the tribe really – it’s so much better to sacrifice yourself for the good of the tribe.”

  “Well I’m so flattered.”

  “You should be.”

  “And if I don’t want to do you or the tribe a favor?”

  A smirk breaks out on the General’s face, raising his auburn beard. “Then I’m afraid I’ll have to charge you and you’re three friends with high treason, conspiracy to kill the General.”

  “Treason? You kidding me?”

  The two guards come forward, their heavy assault rifles now raised toward Brig and I. Bree is in the back, just staring at the ground sullenly.

  “I’m serious, boy. You and your friend, the Brigadier General no longer belong in this tribe. And yes, I know about the girl with the big nose your brought in as well. The only one who does in fact belong here now is that boy, what does he call himself? Sludge, Sledge? So, yes treason seems fair since you’re with a known conspirator. And just FYI, that means death, execution of my choosing, but I figured you knew that already.”

  Red, hot anger starts to wash up into my face as my cheeks flush. I grit my teeth hard to avoid doing anything stupid.

  I say, “And just like that, you forget I saved your little flower from rape and probably murder?”

  Bree’s eyes catch mine as I look behind the large man, and she mouths a thank you in my direction.

  Eyre leans back, and I’m glad not to feel his hot, onion breath against my skin. A deep, full laugh rings out. He says, “I consider us even now – I would’ve already had you hanged, burned or buried alive if I had found you. Now you have a chance to redeem yourselves – and not be dead at the same time.”

  I glance toward Brig, who softens her eyes, pleading at me to not do anything rash.

  I breathe deep, replying, “What’s the favor…sir?”

  The guards behind him lower their guns, and an audible sigh of relief graces the room.

  Eyre winks as he says, “Just a small thing really.�
��

  “That usually means it isn’t small.”

  “Well the thing I need is fairly small. The task of getting it probably isn’t so small.”

  “Ah,” I reply. “I get it now. What do we need to do then?”

  “You agree first.”

  “Sounds ominous. But yes, I agree – it looks like I have no other choice.”

  Eyre smiles, as if I’ve made a deal with the devil. “I need you to steal a fusion cell battery.”

  “Say what now?”

  “A fusion cell battery. You see, my people need power. We need electricity if we’re ever going to survive this hell of a world. And a battery would do that for us.”

  Crinkling my brows, I reply, “And I’m supposed to just walk into Al’s Electronics and take a battery from under the counter?”

  Eyre laughs, and I hear the guys in black behind us join in. “No boy – this particular battery you’ll find with the other tribes – Terra and Mechanicus. They keep the technology to themselves to keep my people subject to their ‘tributes.’ They tax us, use us, and I and my people will not tolerate it any longer.”

  Captains Wilson and Vonn let out an audible grunt of approval.

  “So I’m supposed to walk into one of these tribes, ask them for a fusion cell battery, and they’ll just give it to me out of goodwill?”

  I had my doubts.

  “I don’t care where you go or what you do – just come back here with a fusion cell battery in hand and we’ll all be on good terms. Don’t get caught, and if you do, you’re just a wandering bandit, and we will let them do whatever they want to you.” He snorts. “Also, your dear chocolate friend here will have to get used to not walking, because should you fail, I’ll make sure she receives a traitor’s punishment.”

  I tilt my head back, and take a breath.

  “Fine.”

  Patton Eyre’s hand hits me hard on the shoulder. “I can tell this is going to be the start of something good, boy!” His beard twitches as he strokes it with his other hand. “Who knows? You may even make a name for yourself with the Sempers – it’d be a first for sure!”

  Replying numbly, I say, “Dream come true, huh?”

  Eyre turns to leave, but before he can make it to the curtain, Bree speaks up. “Daddy! Er…General. I request to go along with Quinn on his mission. I can help make sure-“

  The General puts his hand on her head, much like a parent with a small child. “Oh honey, you saw what happened tonight. After what happened to your mother, I don’t think-“

  “I’m not a child anymore!” She shrugs the hand off her head. “I am almost of age, and if you expect me to take over for you one day as Tribe General, you have to let me go out there beyond the bridge! How am I supposed to send men out there to die when I haven’t even seen what’s out there.”

  “Your time will come, my little flower. You’ll have Captain’s Vonn and Wilson here to guide you when that happens. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of before I leave the Chair.”

  “Not good enough!” Bree shouts, her porcelain skin becoming hot.

  Out of nowhere, the General grabs Bree’s shoulder tightly, this time not like a parent. “That is enough!” He shouts violently, and I instinctively reach behind for my gun. “Don’t make me get angry, Bree. You’re going home now and we can discuss this later.”

  Bree “hmphs” loudly and squeals out in anger.

  Eyre turns to the man on his left, and says acutely, “Take her to my home, Wilson, ensure she doesn’t leave before I get back.”

  Captain Wilson tries to reach his hand around Bree’s shoulder, which she throws off in fury, and both walk out through the front door.

  “Vonn,” Eyre then says. “You’ll be heading out with Quinn here to make sure he completes his mission and doesn’t betray us. Keep a close eye on him.”

  Captain Vonn, a handsome man probably in his late 20s, nods resolutely and steps out in the night air.

  General Eyre then turns back to me and says, “By the way, Quinn York, you get one week to complete this mission. And since Elliott here will be staying with us for a few days, it means you also have a little motivation to get back with the little battery in hand. One week, or she dies.”

  I smile, despising the man. “One week,” I reply.

  Eyre salutes and walks out the front door, leaving Brig and I to stare at the ground in silence. After a minute or two, we hear another scrape at the front of Manley’s Medics.

  Sledge’s voice is heard greeting Jake at the front, a second later, he and Rose appear through the curtain, obviously in a very good mood.

  Sledge is smiling wildly as he calls out, “We got the food! All fifty pounds!”

  I can’t help letting out a maniacal laugh.

  ┈┈┈┈┈․° ☣ °․┈┈┈┈┈

  Morning had come, though I hadn’t seen the painted colors that pervade the air during sunrise.

  I couldn’t sleep, so I sat near Brig, flipping through my phone, staring at photos. Thankfully I hadn't given up my phone after all.

  We had all talked last night about the options. The Mechanicus Tribe would be much easier to get through – Sledge and Brig said they were mostly a group of engineers, scientists and doctors, and though they had by far the best technology available, their combat abilities would be miniscule compared to the Terra Tribe. The Terras however were a group of farmers which had come together and with the dependence on food, became the wealthiest out of any of the tribes. Their defenses were unparalleled, and they had resources to hire some of the best mercenaries money could buy.

  Obviously, the best option would be the Mechanicus Tribe.

  At least I thought that until-

  Brig calls out in the dark, making me drop my phone. “Quinn, who is that girl in the photos with you? That isn’t Celeste is it?”

  I glance over at Brig, who apparently couldn’t sleep either. “Yeah, that’s her. You’re probably going to say she looks a lot like the General’s daughter. I know she does, but she isn’t my Celeste.”

  “No,” Brig replies.

  “No, what?”

  “That wasn’t what I was going to say. I – I have to tell you something. Now.”

  Brig’s dark eyes are shining wildly as she tries to sit up so she can see me. “I know that girl. I know that photo of her.”

  “What? What are you saying?”

  “I’ve seen that same photo of her standing in that same black gown.”

  “I don’t get it. What are you talking about?”

  “Quinn,” Brig says, her eyes the size of eggs. “Quinn, that’s the girl I was ordered to kill.”

  I can’t help gasping as my eyes dart back and forth across the room. “No, that can’t be.”

  “I know that photo as if it were my wife’s picture. I lost everything over it. I was ordered to assassinate her, something to do with the Terra tribe.”

  “Terra?” I ask, my mind blank with incredulity.

  “She’s in the Terra Tribe – I don’t know what she does, but if she’s still alive, she’ll be there.”

  A metal scrape of a door opening steals my thoughts away.

  Sledge and Rose had stayed the night at Sledge’s house. They must have come back for the morning.

  It was time.

  CHAPTER 16

  Terra

  The dawn air was a calm before the oncoming storm we all felt. Streaks of light were just starting to illuminate the dark night sky beyond the mountains as another day began. The streets were empty, and except for a few houses with fires roaring and men preparing their store goods, there was silence across the metal walls of the city.

  The Terra Tribe awaited us.

  Brig had something to do with influencing their decisions – saying it would be easier to gain entry into Terra because of their need to trade with everybody. But I knew better - she convinced everyone after our discussion the night before.

  Celeste would be there.

  At last.

&n
bsp; Sledge, Rose and I were to meet Captain Vonn outside the city gate, where he would have some kind of vehicle. According to Sledge, the capitol of Terra now resided in a city called Pyre, where Boise, Idaho had been previously before N-Day. It was a massive city, at least five times the size of Vantage, and it was guarded by a daunting stone wall protecting its many farms from raiders. The only way in would be to pose as traders from the Mechanicus tribe, with whom they regularly dealt and kept well-funded. Vonn would ensure we had a stockpile of weapons and trinkets collected from raids with which to barter.

  The only tricky part would be making them believe we were actually from the tribe of scientists and engineers – and that’s where Rose and I would come in handy, since we could easily remove our tattoos and play the part.

  It was a risk, but either way it seemed we were going to die. Might as well find Celeste first.

  As we step foot outside the massive gate of Vantage, I spot James the guard who we had met earlier. He gives me the stink eye, and I return his glare with a friendly wave of my own, which only makes him nearly steam at the ears.

  We pass through the imposing gate, and Sledge turns to me. He raises a wooden bat interspersed with nails and shards of razor blades.

  “Hey,” he says. “I wanted to get you a present.”

  “Aw,” I reply, snarking, “you shouldn’t have – nothing says true friendship like a bat filled with nails.”

  Sledge presses the smooth wooden bat into my hands – its surprisingly lightweight and I can actually move it through the air with little thought.

  “You never know when all else fails and that’s the last thing that saves your life.”

  “True, true,” I reply. “I will treasure it forever.”

  “Oh and one more thing!”

  “Yeah? Is it a matching helmet?”

  Sledge brings out a small round device like a metal plate, fitted with glowing lights and notches all along the brim. “This,” he says, “is a last, last resort. For when the bat fails. Throw this puppy on your chest, and it basically makes you indestructible for about ten seconds give or take. Radiation, Fire, Water, whatever your emergency is, this thing is basically a portable Hazmat suit of steel.”