QUINN SCOOTED RIGHT UP next to Samantha as they kept their eyes peeled through the manual viewers out into open space. Looking for any sign of detection or enemy ships.
“I’m sorry about all this,” Quinn said, as she wrapped an arm around Samantha’s shoulders and pulled her in closer.
“What’s there to be sorry about,” Samantha said. “You didn’t cause any of this.”
“According to Cody and you, maybe I did.”
“Based on what he said. And I feel that we have a part to play. That’s not the same thing as causing it.”
“I don’t know, Samantha,” Quinn said. “Somehow, I’m getting an intuition like you do. It feels like something I’ve done caused all this.”
“Why don’t you leave the intuitions to me, mom,” Samantha said, and winked. “That’s my gig. Yours is kicking ass. Deal?”
Quinn smiled. “Deal. Now why don’t you rest a little? I’ll keep an eye out.”
With that, Samantha snuggled into her mother’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “Don’t overthink it, mom. We’ve got a role to play, but I think it might be a good one. You’ll see.”
That made Quinn feel a little more at ease. But she still couldn’t kick the feeling that they did have a part in all this. That somehow, something they could have done or could still do might set things right. One thing was for sure. She wasn’t going to be able to not overthink things. Or have any trouble staying awake and keeping watch. She would be thinking things over all night and into the next day. It was a good thing they’d been assigned the first watch.
31
OLD BEGINNINGS
Come morning, a metallic clanging jolted Samantha from her sleep. She pulled a knife out, and her eyes darted back and forth, but the only other person there was Quinn, still looking out the manual viewer.
Samantha looked down and saw that she’d shuffled during the night and was now resting in a curled ball a few feet away from Quinn. Her second thought was of worry for her mother. She was in a tough spot. Torn between wanting to go back and fight and needing to rescue her and reunite with Cody.
Samantha couldn’t help but wonder if they’d made the right decision in leaving. But it seemed so hopeless back on Earth that she even questioned whether any amount of courage and skill could make a difference at this point. Yet, Cody’s promises provided hope. He had been vague up to this point, and Samantha knew that was because Quinn might have said ‘no’ if she knew the whole picture. But Samantha also knew or could feel that Cody believed in what he was trying to accomplish, even if she didn’t know what the details were.
Her third thought was about food. She pictured eggs and bacon as her stomach growled.
“So hungry,” she said.
“Me too,” Quinn said. “Our relief should be here soon.”
A moment later, two gruff resistance fighters took their place. And Samantha and Quinn asked where they could find food. The fighters pointed to the aft of the ship.
As they strolled down the corridor and towards breakfast, Samantha’s thoughts returned to the metallic clanging. “Was that noise earlier real, or part of a dream?”
“It was real,” Quinn said. “We docked on a ship that looks like one that would be coming to destroy Earth. But they let us latch on without any kind of delay or missiles fired.”
“Do you know who they are?”
“Nope. Just that I’m starving and you’re starving and we’re not being shot at. That’s not bad for a change.”
Samantha smiled. “Good point. Maybe I’m overthinking things too now.”
Quinn elbowed her in a friendly way. “Better you don’t become like me. You’re better.”
“Beg to differ.” Samantha elbowed her mother back.
“Neither one of us will win this debate.”
“We can agree on that for sure,” Samantha said.
“Let’s get some food.”
THE MESS HALL wasn’t really a place to eat at all. It was a retrofitted storage bay. Quinn guessed this was a stolen logistics and supply ship the United Nations’ Defense Forces had secured when they defeated one of the first invaders. A ragtag group bent on occupying Earth and harvesting what resources were left after the fight. But they’d jumped the gun, and Earth was able to fight them off while at the same time securing several weapons and ships. Which helped for a short while against the second invaders. But, as losses mounted, the Resistance began taking ships, such as the one Quinn and Samantha had stowed away on, underground for either a counter-fight or a means of escape. Since it turned out to be the latter, Quinn wondered if that had been the plan all along. With nothing to go on, it was just a theory, but she never trusted the Resistance.
Even as every single government fell, the Resistance seemed able to find ways to stay afloat like cockroaches. Something about that felt off to her. And being on this ship a moment longer than necessary was not something she wanted for her and Samantha.
Breakfast, if it could be called that, was nothing more than freeze dried blocks, labeled with flavors. Samantha received a corned beef and hash one. Quinn got a toast with tomatoes, cheese, and peppers flavor. Even though it was really just made of soy, Quinn knew Samantha wouldn’t want the one they’d given her and held hers out to switch.
“Didn’t you not eat meat, or something?” Quinn asked.
“For a bit, but…with the invasion, struggling to survive and all that…” Samantha took the meal. “I don’t know, it kinda just stopped being my thing.”
A Resistance Fighter sitting next to them made a scowl. “You know it’s just soy. Those are the flavorings.”
Samantha smiled. “Good. I still prefer it that way when possible.”
The Resistance Fighter nodded, then returned to munching on bacon flavored block, chewing with his mouth open.
Samantha turned to Quinn. “Hoping we get off this floating piece of metal junk as soon as possible.”
“I’m with you on that front.”
Just as Quinn was about to take another bite of brittle soy, the doors to the storage bay turned cafeteria swung open. The metal clanged loud enough for everyone to stop what they were doing and turn with anxious eyes.
Several soldiers dressed in red armor and red helmets with fusion rifles at their sides, barged in and raised their rifles. She’d never seen the likes of them before. They looked better armed and better armored than any invader thus far. Yet, Quinn couldn’t believe it. Had they been taken in under the guise of rescue by the Underground, only as a trick?
But then, one of the red-armored soldiers spoke through a robotic-filtered voice. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “We’re not here to harm anyone. We’re looking for two people. A woman named Quinn and her daughter, Samantha.”
The request was met with silence. Despite what Quinn may have thought of the Resistance, at least they weren’t snitches.
“I see,” the soldier said. “You should know we’re not here to harm them. We’re here to rescue them. But if any of you interfere, we will harm you.”
The eyes of every Resistance Fighter, man, woman, and child, in the storage bay turned to Quinn and Samantha. Quinn had thought good of them too soon. Bunch of cowards.
“Come on,” the soldier said, to Quinn and Samantha.
But neither budged at first. They just stared back, unsure what to do.
The red armor of the soldier gleamed as if the Sun was shining on it, despite there being only dim lighting in the bay. Their armor really was a piece of magnificent work. Quinn couldn’t help but wish she could have a set herself, and then they’d see who would be giving orders. The rifles were even unfamiliar. Far more advanced than anything she’d seen up to this point. They looked as if they were designed to switch back and forth between old-fashioned cold hard bullets and fusion. Impressive was the word that came to mind, followed by devastating.
“We were told you might be reluctant,” the soldier said. “But you should know it’s a friend of yours who sent us.”
&nb
sp; “Who exactly is that friend?” Quinn said.
The soldier took a second before answering. “We’re not allowed to see his face or know his name. But he’s the Potentate.”
“Never heard of him,” Samantha said.
“You will,” the soldier said. “My name is General Aames. And I swear he’s your friend.”
Quinn did recognize that name. He was a war hero from before the military unification on Earth. How could someone from Earth have such powerful weaponry and armor? There was no time to figure it out yet, though. Quinn rose, and gestured for Samantha to do the same.
“We’ll go with you,” Quinn said. “But only if you promise not to harm these people. They were kind and let us onboard when they didn’t have to.”
“No one will be harmed,” General Aames said. “Now, please. We’re short on time.”
The red-clad soldiers escorted Quinn and Samantha out of the storage bay, with Samantha and Quinn both leaving their soy blocks behind. The soldiers moved with precision and speed, which indicated to Quinn that whoever they were, they believed in their orders. They saw themselves as being on a winning team. Something she hadn’t seen since the third invading force landed on Earth. Quinn was nervous about what they were about to find out next, but at least there was a sense of hope.
QUINN’S FEELING of hope was even strengthened as General Aames led her off the cargo ship, through a docking latch, and onto a ship that looked like it was out of place and time. The walls were almost translucent, with a sheen to them, just like the red armor. There were no traditional buttons or handles on the doors. Everything was automated. Sliding doors. Touchscreen panels to open them. And everyone who passed them was wearing the red helmets. No faces were to be seen. Which, Quinn could tell by darting glances and tense posture, made Samantha a little uneasy.
“It’s going to be fine,” Quinn said.
“Easy for you to say,” Samantha said. “You’re not the one who has to deal with unwanted feelings of unease and danger without knowing the cause until it happens.”
“Yeah, that actually sounds like a good thing. At least you can feel something about what’s happening,” Quinn said. “I’m at a loss. This place looks safe, advanced, and powerful, but who’s to say it is? Could be we’re voluntarily marching ourselves into a prison cell.”
“Why would we matter that much?” Samantha asked. “They said they were looking for us specifically. Not humans in general. So this isn’t some kind of alien invader intent on wiping out humans. If they’re our enemy, they’re here for the two of us.”
“But if they’re here to save us…”
“You think this could be Cody’s doing?”
“Could be.”
“You have a blind spot when it comes to him,” Samantha said. “I’m never calling him father, if that’s what you’re hoping.”
“You’re old enough to make your own decisions,” Quinn said. “But keep in mind, if anyone can save Earth, it might be the guy who discovered wormholes.”
“Fine, he’s smart. But I’m still not calling him ‘Dad.’”
They rolled their eyes at each other. Neither sure what to think of all this. But Samantha wasn’t the only one who felt uneasy. Quinn did too. It was tempered, though, by a feeling like this ship represented a chance. A chance at what, she wasn’t sure. But it was possible that something good was about to happen.
GENERAL AAMES CAME to a halt at an archway that didn’t have sliding doors or a physical barrier. Instead, a shield that was electrical in nature, or possibly quantum, stood between them and the other side.
“I can’t go inside,” General Aames said. “My biometrics don’t give me access. So this is where I leave you.”
Quinn and Samantha began to step forward. But General Aames put out a hand and stopped Samantha.
“Neither can you, I’m afraid. The shield protects the Keyhole Chamber by vaporizing anyone who tries to enter without access. Only the Potentate and Quinn have access.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Samantha asked.
“I’ll take you to private quarters, so you can rest. And send your location to your mother when she’s done here. But if you try to walk through that portal … I mean shield, you will cease to exist. Quinn, however, must go in.”
Quinn faced her daughter and put her hands on either shoulder. “It’ll be fine. I know you’re worried. But we’re up against a wall here. We need to know more. And I know you can take care of yourself.”
Samantha shot a distrustful glare at General Aames. “Damn straight I can.” She meant it more for Aames than her mother. But all the same, Quinn could tell Samantha was more worried about her mother than herself.
“I’ll be fine,” Quinn said. “I promise. I’ll come find you as soon as I get us some answers.”
Samantha nodded and stepped around her mother. Without needing to say anything between them, General Aames and Samantha continued their trek through the corridors. Which bothered Quinn a bit. How easy Samantha had adapted to a world full of war and how easily she could walk in step with a General. She’d always felt there was something special about her daughter, but she’d hoped it would be more of a peaceful special. Not such a fighting one. At the same time, at least she could rest easy that Samantha could stick up for herself and then some.
Quinn pushed her worries aside, turned to the Keyhole Chamber, and stepped through without hesitation.
INSIDE THE KEYHOLE CHAMBER was different from what Quinn had expected. The walls looked like the inside of a simulation or a computer program. The size of the room felt almost indistinguishable. And in the middle, stood a tall man, decked out in the red armor, but with a black cloak down his back. He was facing the other direction, but Quinn could see his helmet. It was different from the others. Decorative. The gold etchings and markings of snakes devouring themselves evoked fear in Quinn. And he was tall. Unnaturally tall. The figure seemed to have noticed her coming, as he continued swiping at empty air. Baffling Quinn. So she coughed to get his attention.
The dark figure grew still. After a moment, he turned and faced her directly. The front of his helmet was decorative like the back. But more pleasant. Like a ballroom mask. Elegant, yet intimidating. Gold, black, red, and white etchings. Opaque slits for eyes. Full of expression, but unmoving. He stared at her as if she were the first person he’d ever laid eyes on.
“Hi there,” Quinn said. “You seem important. I’m Quinn.” She reached out her hand as if to shake. Which she immediately regretted. What was she thinking? A handshake aboard a ship like this with a military leader of some kind. She pulled her hand down and took a step back.
But the intimidating figure began moving toward her in a motion somewhere between walking and gliding. And just as he got up right next to her, he looked down from a good foot above. Then reached his arms around her. The whole time, Quinn wondering if this was how she was going to die. Instead of harming her though, he hugged her.
Quinn wrapped her own arms around his lower back and returned the gesture. After an awkward moment of silence, they separated.
“So,” Quinn said. “Not really sure what to say here, but thank you for bringing my daughter and me here. I think. This is a safe place, right?”
The Potentate then reached up to his mask and began pressing the symbols in a meticulous sequence. He pressed certain scales on the snake’s body. Four in total. Quinn memorized the pattern just in case. And his helmet made a pneumatic hissing sound as it released its seal.
He went to pull the mask from his face, but Quinn reached up. She stopped with her hands an inch away. As if to ask permission. He nodded, and Quinn pulled his mask.
Behind the mask, it was Cody, but with a fresh scar down the left side of his face. His pupils decreased in size as light hit his eyes for the first time in what must have been a while. But then they dilated and increased in size as Quinn reached up and ran her hand over his scar.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “What happened? And what’
s with the mask?”
“More like what’s going to happen,” Potentate Cody said. “The mask is for the Syndicate Soldiers. The less they know about their figurehead, the more they’ll fear me.”
“Fear you?” Quinn said. “You don’t sound like yourself.”
“Maybe that’s because one of these treacherous alien invaders tried to influence and manipulate my mind. They took me. That’s where I was, but a friend, or an ally at least, rescued me. He knew how important I was. You’ll meet him. Samantha has surely had visions about him already. Without him, I’d still be in their prison being experimented on. They knew I was different. They knew I was the key.”
“You really sound different.”
“No, Quinn,” Potentate Cody said. “Don’t you see? I was different because they were trying to warp my mind to their ends. But now I’m free. And I’m better, more powerful than before. I’ve found a way to bring my mind into the physical world, and the Syndicate will be the embodiment of that. We’re going to conquer the Universe.”
“Isn’t that why they’re all attacking us?” Quinn said. “To prevent us from doing exactly that?”
“Their fear is justified. They’ll either become a part of the Syndicate or they’ll be the ones destroyed.”
Quinn stumbled back. Grew dizzy. It was as if her Cody had gone mad. Something was off. “I thought you said you found a way to save Earth and us. Not destroy everyone else.”
“I have. But the way is to be stronger than them so they fear attacking us. Not appeasement. No surrender. The Universe belongs to Earth now. The things we’ll experience! We will not be destroyed. Earth will not be harmed. We will become everything the others fear. We will become what they fear. Until they know they’re conquered, and then we’ll let those remaining, the survivors, become part of the Syndicate.”
Quinn looked away. He had been influenced. He wasn’t himself. Yet, he had a point. What choice did they have? What choice did she or Samantha have. The only safe place in the universe was on this ship, that just happened to be a death machine, apparently. She wasn’t sure what to think. Only that her Cody was beginning to frighten her. He wasn’t himself. Not the man she’d fallen in love with. Not the genius trying to find a peaceful way to shield Earth. But a tyrant, bent on protecting Earth through destruction. She could barely wrap her head around it. This was all too much to process.
Syndicate Wars: Empire Rising (Seppukarian Book 5) Page 19