by Marina Epley
“Will you help me to find my mom?” Lena asks.
“Of course I will,” I promise. “You and Jimmy will be helping evacuate people. We’ll try to keep you safe.”
“No,” Lena disagrees. “You may need my telepathic abilities. I can locate people if you need me to.”
“We’ll see,” I answer.
Frank listens in silence, his face showing no emotion.
“Frank? Are you with us?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “I really don’t know what I need to do. I was an Elimination officer. I know most of the guards. I still hope I can be one of them again. I don’t feel like I fully belong with breakers.”
“Frank, do you want to be a free man or would you prefer wearing a freaking dog collar for the rest of your days?”
He thinks for a long moment and says finally, “All right, I’m in.”
I glance at Holtzmann and Rebecca.
“This will lead to the war,” Holtzmann says. “This is all Elimination needs, to commence a war between breakers and ordinary humans.”
“Egbert, the war has already started,” I say. “You may continue dreaming of saving mankind, or you can help us save a few hundred real people right now. What’s your preference?”
Holtzmann doesn’t answer, thinking of his dilemma. His eye is twitching.
“We’re doing it with you or without you,” I say. “But I’d really wish to have you on our side.”
“Okay,” Holtzmann agrees to my surprise. I thought he’d be more difficult to persuade.
“I want to help, too,” Rebecca says quietly. “I just don’t know how I can help. I won’t be good at fighting.” She seems scared.
I hadn’t expected Rebecca to be so willing to help. She had suggested I join Elimination recently. The cruel truth about Elimination being behind the real terrorists must have opened her eyes.
“Of course you can help us,” I say softly. “And you won’t have to fight. You should stay in the lab and keep safe during all that mess, then just help evacuate people.”
Rebecca attempts a weak smile. Her face is almost colorless and she looks very fragile and vulnerable. I’ll need to get her away from here, I realize. Elimination is not a good fit for her. I still don’t know if Rebecca will agree to leave. She’s afraid of breakers. Most likely I’ll have to make her leave against her will. But how can I be sure what’s best for her? I have no idea.
“Well, what’s the plan?” Kitty asks. My little rebel can’t wait to fight.
I’m still having doubts. Having started the uprising, I won’t be able to stop it. Things will get out of control. How can I know where this will lead? And also how will I separate the truly criminal breakers from those falsely accused?
I remember myself a few weeks ago. I used to be a law abiding citizen, living quietly and staying out of the spotlight. I thought keeping under the radar was the best way for a breaker to survive. What’s happened to me? Why has my way of thinking changed so much?
It’s not too late to give up on the idea of escape. I could continue working for Elimination, and maybe one day gain enough trust to become free again.
No, I can’t do that. I can’t be their lab rat. I don’t want to work for Browning and Wheeler and become one of their terrorists.
Kitty gives me a piercing look, waiting. If I give up, she’ll be a prisoner here for the rest of her life.
“Okay, here’s my plan,” I say and tell my ideas for an uprising.
The next several hours we’re discussing the plan, determining the roles and studying maps of the prison on Holtzmann’s laptop. Lena, Kitty and I concentrate, connecting telepathically with Drake, Hammer and other breakers from Retaliation. We’ll need a joint effort if we expect to survive. I hope they can receive our message.
The night before our mission to destroy the prison I remain fully awake. Kitty sneaks into my room, crawls under my blanket and wraps her arms around me.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispers. “You know I’ve been dreaming of fighting Elimination all my life.”
I don’t ask Kitty to leave this time. It may be our last night together. She closes her eyes and drifts off quickly, completely happy and carefree. I watch her sleep, unable to turn off my mind. Tomorrow is the day of our escape.
Chapter 26
It’s early in the morning as I walk toward the security center. No inmates are allowed in this area. I’m hoping the guards will make an exception for me because they all know I’m helping Elimination. I can’t be sure though. They should at least hesitate before shooting me dead on the spot.
I’m trying to move purposely, as if I have full authorization to be here. Jessie, Kitty and Frank follow behind. The collars around our necks have been broken and we’re prepared to hypnotize any guards we may encounter, excluding Frank anyway. He still struggles with the concept of using his breaker abilities, but I remain certain that Frank will be very useful in our mission, as he is a strong and skilled fighter.
I’m more nervous about Kitty. I’d prefer her staying behind with Rebecca, Jimmy and Lena in Holtzmann’s lab and not risking her life. But Kitty insisted on being at my side during the operation. I know her all too well. When Kitty wants something, nothing will stop her.
Our objective is to locate the security center and open the doors to the cells, while Holtzmann and Victor create a diversion to draw the attention of the guards. Right now, they’re somewhere down in the prison basement, rewiring electric generators to start a fire. Just as Browning and his terrorists have taken to burning buildings, my team decided it would be really appropriate to set a nice, big fire for them. These prison walls contain plenty enough flammable materials. We picked Holtzmann for this role, because he’s allowed free access wherever he wants inside the facility. Should any guards stop and question him, Victor will be there to hypnotize them.
I sigh, feeling anxious and unsettled. Too many things could go wrong. Our plan isn’t perfect, but it’s the best one we could come up with on such short notice. We have to rely on Drake and his breakers to help defeat the guards. We also have to trust the messenger to send enough aircraft for evacuation. What if I can’t create a telepathic connection with him this time? We’ll have about three or four hours, before hundreds of Elimination officers arrive from other prisons to help subdue the uprising. If we can’t escape by then, we’ll be as good as dead.
I will myself to calm down. This is no time for doubts. I, most of all, have to believe in what we’re doing. I’ve already escaped from here once, even being alone and wounded. Now, I’ll have an entire army of breakers following. I’m not on my own this time.
We catch the attention of a group of officers and they walk toward us. I become tense. They’re carrying rifles. We don’t have any weapons, except our own breaker abilities. I smile and nod, as the officers approach.
“Where are you going, Rex?” one of them asks. He must suspect something, although his voice sounds friendly.
“Browning gave my team a new mission,” I answer. “We’re looking for Wheeler to get the further instructions. You know where he might be?”
“No, we sure don’t,” the officer says, passing by with the others. My explanation must have satisfied him.
“Idiots,” Jessie whispers when the officers are out of hearing range.
We proceed. I can’t believe they didn’t try to stop us. The officers must really think I’m trustworthy now. I hate it. I’m not one of them and will never be.
Suddenly, the fire alarms sound throughout the building and I understand that Holtzmann and Victor have succeeded. There’s no going back now.
More officers pass by on the run. At first they don’t pay any attention to us. My pace quickens, but I don’t let myself run.
“Hey!” one officer shouts, stopping. “This area is off limits, you shouldn’t be here.”
I give him my story about Browning’s order, but he’s not buying it.
“We’re on lockdown due to an ongoing
emergency situation,” he says, raising the barrel of his rifle. “All inmates must proceed back into their cell blocks at once.” Two more officers join him, looking hostile.
I concentrate as hard as I can. My head pounds and I become dizzy from the effort. I’ve managed to hypnotize the resistant only briefly once before. I still don’t know how to do it, but I must overcome my doubts. The lives of hundreds breakers depend on me. I can’t allow hesitation to creep in.
I feel Kitty and Jessie joining me in the effort. Together, we project our thoughts toward the guards. The sirens wail. The rifles are still trained on us, but I notice a slight change in the guard’s faces. Their expressions become blank. The officers stare through us, not seeing.
I grab the rifle of the closest guard and smash it into his face. Silently, he collapses onto the floor. The same instant Frank charges into another guard, knocking him down hard. A snarling Jessie attacks the third guard. She disarms him and fires point blank into his stomach. He goes down without making a sound. Being under hypnosis he doesn’t feel any pain. Jessie smashes her boot into his face a few times, turning it into a bloody mess.
“Ease up, Jessie,” Frank says. “Killing the guards is using way too much force. He was already under control.”
“At least mine won’t be waking up any time soon to come back for seconds,” Jessie says calmly.
“We don’t have time for arguing,” I scold. “If they’re holding guns on you, use your own best judgment as to how much force is required.”
Kitty grabs up a radio from one of the downed guards. We proceed toward the security center. Now we’re armed and can listen to what commands the officers receive.
“They’re trying to subdue the fire,” Kitty says, pressing an ear to the radio. “I believe most of the guards are in the basement area now.”
Good, I think. After we open the cells, Drake and his breakers will hopefully attack the guards. The officers should be trapped between the raging fire and a couple hundred desperate inmates. I smile.
Approaching the security center, we meet more officers. Upon seeing our rifles they open gunfire without warning. Ducking behind a corner, I shoot back and project my thoughts at the same time. It slows the guards only for a moment. Their wills are too strong. More bullets slam into the wall near me. The gunfire doesn’t let me focus well enough.
Frank and Jessie are returning fire. A couple of guards go down. Kitty is kneeling beside me, her eyes closed. She’s trying to hypnotize the guards. I fire a few aimless shots, just to hold the officers back. Another guard goes down. Then I help Kitty, concentrating and projecting my thoughts. The gunfire suddenly stops. I glance around the corner and see the remaining guards standing motionless like frozen statues. A split second later Frank and Jessie shoot them down.
I approach the dead bodies. Their eyes are still open. Something churns inside me, but I remind myself about the crimes these people have committed. They’ve tortured and killed innocent breakers. All Elimination officers deserve death.
What about Chase, I think suddenly. I can’t quite make up my mind about him. I’m afraid we’ll have to face each other at some point. I don’t know if I can kill Chase. He’s no different than the rest, I tell myself. Unfortunately, I can’t quite convince myself to believe it.
Kitty snatches up a rifle and looks at me, smiling. The weapon is too big for her, but she seems to take to it. She’s not the same girl I found in the streets four years ago. She has grown and changed into a person I barely recognize now, ruthless and violent. Kitty notices my glance and winks cheerfully. I smile back.
A guard moans, still being alive. Jessie presses the barrel of her rifle against his head and pulls the trigger. I stare at Jessie for a moment. She’s very methodical and businesslike in her killing. Frank doesn’t bother commenting this time.
“Let’s go,” I command. “We don’t have much time.”
We run, sticking close to the wall and only slowing at each corner to make sure it’s safe to proceed.
Finally, we arrive at the security center. More guards are waiting for us at the doors. They must have heard we were coming.
I take a knee, shooting and projecting my thoughts toward the guards. Several officers lower their guns. Jessie and Frank put them down with a few quick shots. The guards who don’t react to the hypnosis continue firing. We take cover along the wall, just below the level of the windows near the door entrance. I aim in the general direction of the remaining guards and fire a few shots through the window panel. Glass explodes around us, filling the air with dangerous shards. One officer inside the room groans, dropping his weapon. He presses a hand against his neck. Dark thick blood seeps throw his fingers. He rises up to his feet for a moment, then falls over.
The guards are backing further into the security center. Jessie, Kitty and Frank slowly stalk them, taking cover behind furniture and shooting to kill.
I get up to follow too, but a rigid gun barrel presses against my back. I freeze.
“Drop your weapon, breaker,” a voice commands. It’s Chase. I always knew we would end up fighting each other.
I put the rifle down and look back slowly.
“You won’t shoot me, Chase,” I say. He steps back, still aiming the rifle at me. I’m projecting my thoughts, but Chase doesn’t react. He’s too resistant for me. “I don’t believe you’ll shoot me,” I repeat.
“Shut up!” he yells, snarling. He glares at me with obvious hatred. He could pull the trigger at any second, I realize. His rifle is pointed at my chest, but something stops him. I don’t think my hypnosis is working. His eyes are focused and clear. Seems like Chase just can’t decide what to do.
A stray bullet shatters glass nearby and Chase turns his head momentarily. I use the distraction to slap away the rifle and charge into him. I expect him to swing the rifle around, but he doesn’t. Instead, Chase elbows me hard. I grip his jacket, falling. We both collapse onto the floor, grappling for the rifle. He’s a well-trained fighter. I knock the weapon away and cover my head, trying to block his punches. Chase hits damn hard. I move forward abruptly and head-butt him. Blood sprays from his nose.
“Stop fighting,” I say.
He reaches for my throat. I manage to grip his arm and twist it behind his back.
“Stop fighting,” I repeat.
Chase growls in anger, trying to grab the rifle lying near him. I twist his arm harder and something pops inside his shoulder. Chase groans, but continues resisting. His wounded arm doesn’t move properly. I slam my fist squarely into his face. Chase blacks out for a moment. I scramble back onto my feet, getting the rifle and training it on Chase. He stares up at me, spitting blood.
“Go ahead and shoot, freak,” he says.
“Shut up, Chase,” I command. I don’t want to kill him, but if he tries anything I’ll have no other choice.
Frank approaches us. Together, we pull Chase back up to his feet and head inside the security center. I stare at all the bodies lying on the floor. Jessie walks around, putting a bullet into the head of any she thinks may still be breathing. Kitty is sitting in a chair, watching the monitors. I notice that her hands and jacket are covered in blood. Not her blood, apparently.
“Why is this jerk still alive?” Jessie asks, aiming her weapon at Chase.
“No,” I say. “Let him live.”
“He’s an Elimination killer,” she growls.
“Leave him be,” I command. I don’t fully understand why I hesitate to let her kill Chase. Maybe because I owe him my life. He did save me from Carrel and Bulldog.
Frank and I push Chase inside one of the offices.
“You’ll be safe here,” I say.
“Go to hell, breaker,” he shouts. “I’ll kill you as soon as I get out.”
“We’ll see,” I answer, locking the door.
Frank presses a few buttons on the panel. Being a former Elimination officer, he knows how to open the cells. The thought bothers me for a moment. Frank was catching and killing b
reakers not so long ago. Now, he’s killing Elimination guards the same way he used to kill breakers. How can I be sure he won’t betray us, if he changes sides so thoroughly?
It won’t matter, I decide. Frank is a breaker. He’s one of us now. There’s no going back for him.
I glance at the monitors. The cellblock doors are all opened and crowds of breakers are freely roaming around. Guards escaping the fire are now trapped and greatly outnumbered by the inmates. They have given up trying to reestablish an orderly retreat back into the cells and are firing into groups of attacking breakers. The breakers can’t use hypnosis because of the blocking collars, but they fight fiercely, disarming and killing many guards.
I get a strange feeling that everything I’m watching on the monitors isn’t real. It looks like something from a movie, not reality. Pure chaos with plenty of killing. I turn away.
Kitty is listening to the radio. Her smile fades. She stares at me in horror.
“I can’t believe it,” she says. “Browning has ordered all breakers shot as well as their imprisoned relatives. He’s planning to kill everybody.”
I stare at her, dumbfounded. I didn’t see this coming.
“Why would he order that?” Frank asks.
“Browning must have realized this is the only way to prevent inmates from escaping,” Jessie says. Her expression becomes worried as well. She’s scared for her parents, I realize.
“The guards won’t follow through with this type of order,” Frank says.
“Really?” I ask. “Wouldn’t you have followed that kind of order a year ago?”
Frank doesn’t answer.
“The guards are brainwashed,” I say. “Breakers are monsters to them and relatives of breakers are the next worst thing.”
A blood chilling image comes to mind: officers shooting unarmed prisoners, whose only crime is being related to a breaker. I shiver and blink the thought away. We won’t let that happen.
“We have to stop them,” I say. “We need to find Browning and make him give the guards another order.”