"Sure it is. All the lights in this lot can project them." When we pulled into the back lot, Tobias stopped the HHR.
The semi continued on, coasting through a parked Volkswagen, then beat-up corvette, and a monster truck before nosing into two empty spaces. The air brakes belched as the semi stopped. As soon as Layla killed the headlamps, the big rig disappeared, leaving only the cars behind. A moment later three more cars sprouted from the nothingness to cover the spots where the front of the semi had been.
Tobias winked at me before backing into an empty spot at the edge of the row.
One of these days, I'd be wearing that know-it-all smirk on my lips. Unfortunately, today wasn't that day. Sighing, I reached for the safety belt release. "Okay. Okay. I believe you."
Douche.
When I stepped out of the car, humid air wrapped around me. In the distance, the light show continued, accompanied by the faint sound of thunder. The hair on my arms stood on end. When I tried to brush them flat, static electricity crackled under my palms. "What in the world?"
"It's a side effect of the projection." Tobias slammed the HHR's hatch closed and swung his duffle over his shoulder. "You'll get used to it."
Yeah. If we won. With this kind of technology, I couldn't see how we could lose but… Frustration clawed at my control. But, I got the feeling I was trying to land a jumbo jet without having a single flying lesson. "I hope so."
While I waited for Tobias to join me by the passenger side, the back door opened and two women sashayed out. Laughter followed them as they swung their oversized purses and headed for the monster truck. The overhead lights sparked off the blond streaks in the right one's hair and off their matching gold necklaces. The brunette shook her head and looped her scarf around her neck.
"They look so real." I could even see the crow's feet when they laughed.
Tobias set his hand on the small of my back and pushed me toward Layla.
The gray-haired doctor's face looked green from the tint of her Smartphone screen and her path headed right for the two laughing workers.
"Look out!" I raised my hand as if to push back Layla.
Without looking up, she strode through the two women. Neither the projections nor Layla missed a step but continued on their journey as if the collision had never happened.
I shivered. Guess they only looked real to me.
"Layla," Tobias snapped, wedging his hand through his hair.
Stopping, the doctor glanced up from her Smartphone and blinked at us.
"Pay attention to your surroundings when you're outside the building." He pointed to the truck that was backing toward Layla. "Walking through the projection is the best way to give our position away."
"Oh, yes. Yes, of course." She scurried forward as the monster truck eased into the spot where she had been. She stopped half into the bumper of the Volkswagen before jumping out of it. Dropping the cell in her pocket, she set her hand on her throat as nervous laughter bubbled out. "I have to adjust to life outside of an energy barrier."
With the rumble of bass, the trunk trundled by.
I watched it turn the corner of the building. My toes tapped the ground. "How far will the projection travel?"
Tobias ushered us to the parking spot near the Volkswagen. "If the sensors detect someone following the car, it will turn into the parking lot of the grocery store up the street and get lost in an algorithm of traffic. If no one is watching, the projection will fade out once the car reaches the access road running parallel to the interstate."
I nodded. Slowly, I was learning this Sci-Fi speak. Maybe the CeeBees had made me smarter.
Bouncing on the balls of her feet, Layla stood next to us. "Should we begin unloading or would you rather we wait until the others join us?"
Swinging the duffel on his shoulder to the ground, Tobias dug out a red MP4 player and tapped it on. "The area is clear. You can begin unloading your items then—"
"Then begin the inventory. I know the drill." Layla sighed and patted the gray bun unwinding at her neck. "This constant moving is enough to make me wish I hadn't requisitioned so many devices for this mission."
Excitement spiraled to my toes. Inventory? That involved counting and who better to do that than an accountant? At least then I could be useful "I'll help if you wish."
Layla's eyes narrowed for a moment before all emotion drained from her face. "That is very kind of you."
"I'm afraid not, Rae." Tobias aimed his MP4 player at the side of the VW. The cargo door of the semi rolled up revealing its packed interior meshed with the car interiors and floating in the air above their roofs. "Each officer must personally verify their equipment and report any missing or broken items."
"Oh." So much for my good idea. I boxed up the budding disappointment. I would find another way to help. Surely, there was something I could do. I stepped back as the silver tongued ramp unfurled from under the semi's bed.
Layla whistled and her train of four carts lurched onto the ramp before rattling down. "Thanks for the offer anyway."
I nodded as two more holographic people strode out of the building. They diverged at the sidewalk—one headed toward the Volkswagen the other to the Bondo-colored Corvette. Both walked through Layla's carts.
She glanced back at Tobias. "Sorry, Colonel."
He waved away her regret and tromped up the ramp. "As I said the area is secure, just be aware of it in future."
Nodding, Layla trotted toward the double doors while her carts trailed obediently behind her.
The Corvette backed right through her.
I slapped my hand over my mouth to keep from calling out to her. It's just an illusion, Rae. Just an illusion. A frickin' real looking illusion. Tingles raced across my skin as the Volkswagen pulled out in front of me. I rubbed the hairs that stood on end. God only knew would it felt like to have these projection people actually walk through me. "Uh, Tobias."
I glanced at the building's open double doors. The small tiled foyer dead ended at a wall with a vase of flowers sitting on the entryway table and Impressionist print hanging above it. Layla marched right through everything without stirring a silk leaf and disappeared. I hugged myself tighter. Definitely nearing the top of the creepy scale.
Tobias appeared at the edge of the truck towing his cart of duffle bags behind him. "Yeah?"
"I'm not going to have to walk through holographic people, am I?" That would definitely blow out the creep scale and inch into spooky things I never wanted to do in my lifetime.
The pierced and tattooed Gothic Lolita clomped from the building and propped one of her platform boots on the low wall of the planter. Red tinted her face as she played with her lighter before spanking another cigarette from the pack in her leather jacket pocket.
"Don't worry." Tobias steadied his cart down the ramp then joined me in the empty parking lot. "They only look real on the outside. You won't be able to see them once you walk through the back door."
"Oh." I smoothed my stiff tank. "Okay then."
My brain sputtered when it tried to puzzle out how that could be. Right. I still hated science. The CeeBees hadn't changed that, at least. I skipped to keep up with him as he pushed his pile of bags toward the door. "So if I can't help unpack, what do you want me to do?"
"First," he wrinkled his nose as he looked at me, "get cleaned up. You smell like death warmed over."
My jaw went slack then fury clenched my muscles. Of all the nasty, low-down things to say, that had to be the tops. "You are such a douche bag."
"One day, I'm going to look up what exactly a douche bag is and you might want to avoid me for a week or so afterward."
I snorted. Like he didn't know he wasn't being insulted. A deaf monkey would know that. Tobias was far from deaf, even if he did exhibit knuckle-dragging tendencies. "I'll take my chances."
He slowed the cart as we approached the back porch where the Goth blew smoke rings at the gum-drop light hanging from the roof. Tobias planted his hand on my back and shov
ed me past the open double doors. "Get inside."
The skin on my neck prickled. Grabbing the front of the cart, I lugged it toward the safety of the building. "Stay safe."
He tossed me an odd look then pointed at the light in the ceiling. Silver flashed in his hand then darkness invaded the porch. Goth Lolita disappeared in a blink. Shortly there after, Tobias dove into the bushes. The doors swung shut behind the cart and for a moment, a soft sucking sound crowded the entry. Footsteps. Behind me. My heart slammed to a stop. Holy Toledo! Someone was inside the building.
I spun on my heel.
Layla strode down the long hallway toward me, a folded blue uniform draped over her arm. "Rae? Are you well? You look pale."
I thumped my chest to get my heart started again. God, I'm such an idiot at times. Of course someone else was in the building. I'd watched the doctor and her train of carts enter. "Fine. I'm fine."
"Where is the colonel?"
I turned back toward the door. Head lamps cut across the dark parking lot. Aw snap! We had company and Tobias was out there. Alone. Some team player I was.
"Outside. Inside the bushes." I reached for the door handle before pulling back. Right, Rae and just what do you think you're going to do to help? You hadn't even heard them coming.
"Relax. It's just Kuma and Minor." Layla thumped my shoulder.
I locked my jaw. Good heavens, the woman needed to know comfort was soft pats not bone jarring ones. Still, it was something. She had accepted me as part of the team. I leaned against the warm glass. Kuma's large bulk dwarfed Minor's lean form as they crept forward in the darkness. In their hands, silver key fobs glittered in the rays of moonlight filtering through the clouds.
Brushing leaves and twigs from his hair, Tobias stepped onto the patio. The lights blazed on seconds later.
"Let's get you cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes." Layla flicked a piece of dried blood off the folded uniform.
I stood for a moment longer, watching as the three men talked and pointed to the parking lot. What were they saying? Was there a problem? A chill swept over me. Had we been found?
"Rae?" Layla whispered.
"Yeah. I'm coming." Turning about, I followed the doctor down the hallway. "This layout is similar to the other building."
Layla chuckled. "Spec Forces isn't known for it's innovation in buildings. This one is standard issue layout. Room. Room." She pointed to the doors on each side of the hall as we walked. "Branching halls." She led me down the right corridor. "Room. Room. Then a turn. And repeat until you're dizzy."
We turned into the next corridor where Layla cut in front of me and opened the first door on the left. "This is one of the quarters, so you can clean up here in private."
"Thanks." I slipped around her and entered into the square room. Low pile blue carpet ran wall to wall. A double bed filled most of the space and crowded a metal desk and rolling office chair. Across from the bed, a forty-two inch flat screen TV hung on the wall. Panning to the right, I spied a full on-suite bathroom in gleaming chrome faucets, white fixtures and black tile accents and an empty walk-in closet through partially open doors.
Layla tucked the clothes under my arm. "If you need anything, I'll be down the hall, first turn on the right then the next door setting up my lab."
"Uh-huh." I was halfway across the room before I heard the door click shut. Clean. I was about to be clean. Be still my heart. I yanked the tank top over my head, dropped it on the floor by the bed. Shimmying out of my shorts, I stepped out of them on the threshold of the bathroom. Small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash nested on a pile of towels. Tossing my new clothes onto the closed toilet lid, I ran my hand over the soft plush cotton.
After cranking on the hot water, I wiggled out of my undergarments, scooped up the bottles and stepped under the hot spray. Bliss. Nirvana. Between the scrubby and my hands, I began to wash.
Things were definitely looking up.
***
Wrapping my wet hair in a towel, I reached for the clean clothes. Top. Pants. I shook the fabric until it snapped. Crap on a cracker! I had no under garments. Now what? Should I call Layla and ask to borrow some? Ew. Did I really want to wear another woman's underwear? I stepped into the pants, pulled them over my hips and did up the fasters. Right and going commando in another's clothing was ever so much different.
My brain needed a gag.
Thankfully the pants fit. I jumped a little on the balls of my feet. And I was in no danger of accidentally mooning someone. I slipped the shirt over my head. The stiff cotton felt rough against my breasts and my nipples tightened. I plucked at the fabric. Yeah, this wasn't going to work, especially if I got cold. Tobias would have to take me to get undergarments. I rubbed my breasts until my nipples retreated then reached for the door knob.
My hand stilled.
Had I shut the door? I glanced down at the mat under my bare feet. A chill invaded my blood. My dirty clothes were gone.
Someone had been inside here while I showered.
But who?
Get a grip. You're in a facility with multiple doodads and high tech thingamabobs. How could anyone get in and why would they only do so to steal your underwear? Okay. Enough. It was a Homer Simpson moment. Layla must have done it, no doubt checking on her patient in the process.
Or avoiding the inventory she had to take.
I needed to find a way to help, to contribute. It's what team members did. I raked my fingers through my damp hair and opened the door.
Tobias stood by the small dresser, delving into the open duffle bag on top of it. A nearly naked Tobias. And the BVDs clinging to his firm bottom left little to the imagination.
My heart tripped over a few beats. Oh man, oh mama. The guy's muscles were so well defined he could pose for an anatomy class. And I would sign up to take it. Biceps, triceps and ceps I didn't know people had formed well defined peaks over his arms, across his back and down his legs.
So did scars.
Faint white trails criss-crossed his back and thighs. Large red welts circled his arms, no doubt where they'd been reattached or re-grown. Other tissue swelled in irregular blobs like the knife wounds I'd seen on veterans. I curled my hands into fists to keep from reaching for him, soothing away the testament of pain and suffering.
"I hope you didn't take all the hot water." Tobias turned around.
It was purely primal instinct. Every red-blooded female would have looked. My mouth dried as my gaze traveled down his ten-pack abs to the package below. Holy Toledo! The man's BVDs must have extra fabric in front to contain that. Liquid heat shimmered through me and my breasts tightened.
A smile lifted Tobias's lips as his gaze swept over me.
Aw snap. I crossed my arms over my chest. Stupid mood rings of the libido. Raising my chin, I stared back at him. "I don't have any underwear."
"You don't need any either." His attention remained on my chest.
I raised my hand over my forehead. Someone needed to turn on the air conditioner.
Red stained his cheeks and he raised his attention to my face. Reaching behind him, he plucked a ball of socks off the dresser. He lobbed them from hand to hand a couple of times before tossing them at me. "Except maybe for socks. You seem a little cold."
I caught the socks mid-air and dug my fingers into the soft terry cloth. "Douche."
He shrugged, gathered the stack of clothes off the dresser and strode toward me.
I resisted the urge to let my gaze wander. Unfortunately, it also meant I remained rooted in place. "You should know I used up every drop of hot water."
Tobias squeezed into the doorway facing me. Lust blazed in his eyes as his gaze once more focused on my chest. Leaning forward slightly, he inhaled deeply and moaned softly.
How did he do that? Heat radiated off his skin, warming me with purely feminine pleasure. My legs trembled and the doorjamb propped up my spine. Any moment now, I'd melt around him.
His fingers caressed my shoulder before t
railing down my arm to cup my elbow. "I think a cold shower will do me a galaxy of good, right now."
Before I knew it, he scooted me out of the doorway and shut the door in my face. Staring at the wood, I heard the lock click above my thudding heart. "Hey!"
The tap squeaked then water sprayed the fiberglass tub. "You need to sync your CeeBees with your new datapad."
I fanned the heat from my face. What was with the man? Hot then cold. He needed to settle on one setting, for my sanity's sake. "Chicken."
A moment passed then two. No response. He was probably in the shower lathering up that… I shook my head. Damp locks of hair slapped my shoulders. Right. I had a job to do.
I marched to the double bed. Someone had made it with crisp apple green sheets and a matching thermal blanket. Tobias no doubt. No wrinkle dared mar the surface and those folded and tucked corners could cut paper. I plopped onto the bed, bounced for good measure then tugged on my socks. That's what he gets for being a tease.
After a moment, guilt tromped on my enjoyment. Yeah, yeah. I'd fix the bed once I got up. But for now, I rolled onto my hands and knees and bounced a little. For now, I would enjoy being a little bit naughty.
Something hard banged against my knee.
Looking down, I spied the source and plucked the purple Smartphone off the covers. Okay, I needed to stop acting so juvenile and do my job. Gathering the pillows, I propped them against the headboard and sank into them. I carefully clasped the cell between my palms. "Okay CeeBees do your thing."
Tingles raced up my arms and my scalp tightened. I closed my eyes. This I remembered. Next would be fatigue then I'd sleep for twelve hours. I took a deep breath, before exhaling slowly. Again and again and again. I opened one eye. Why wasn't I tired? I opened the other eye and stared around the room.
Time eeked by.
I stared at the walls, the ceiling and the dark TV. I avoided looking at the bathroom. I could do without the reminder of what's on the other side thank you very much. I counted heartbeats.
Well, snap. If I'd known I wasn't going to sleep, I'd have turned on the television.
The screen popped on. Cary Grant's features materialized in all their black and white glory. Ingrid Bergman stared up at him, her eyes wide with fear or excitement. I settled back into the pillows. Nothing like watching a classic to pass the time. I licked my lips, too bad I didn't have any chips or soda.
Blue Maneuver-Urban SciFi/Fantasy (Extraterrestrial security program) Page 22