by Mark Lingane
Sebastian kept a low profile. Everyone seemed to despise him, and the only explanation he could think of was because he was an outsider, like Memphis had said.
One day, after they had been with the 49th for several months, he found her sitting at a table in the mess hall. She was pushing vegetables around on the tin plate.
Sebastian slid over the wooden bench and sat down next to her. He’d managed to avoid the greenish section of the food line, although the chef had threatened to tackle him if he tried to skip what the man called “three and five.” Sebastian was very cautious about this mysterious eight. Eight only ever added up to trouble in his book. His mother had never been happy when he brought an eight home from school.
“Do you know what day it is?” Memphis said.
“No.”
The actual date and day had lost all meaning for him. Although there had been routine over the previous months in the form of constant battles and running from the enemy, it had never mattered what day it was. All those mundane details had ceased to matter for Sebastian when the cyborgs had destroyed the tesla school.
“Eleven years ago, my mom was killed.” Memphis continued to play with her food as the hubbub of the mess spilled around them.
“You talk about your mom a lot.”
“Is that wrong?”
“No. But, well, I focused on mine so much I ended up losing friends over it. I nearly killed them. One thing I’ve learned is that sometimes you need balance, even if it hurts you more than anything.”
“She was all I had.” Memphis’s voice was full of hurt. “At night, when I close my eyes, I have that image of her on her knees with the gun to her head, but she still turned and told me to run.”
“I know how you feel. I lost my mom so many times, and each time it hurt just as much. You never get over it.”
“You’re about the only person I know who knows how I feel.” She held out her hand on the table. He reached out and their fingers intertwined.
Will and Edward came blundering past and knocked against Sebastian’s back. They spilled some of their food onto him. Memphis’s expression turned to anger. She went to stand up. Sebastian held onto her hand and winked at her.
He blinked and Will’s tray suddenly shot up into Edward’s face.
Edward was furious at Will. “What did you do that for?” he yelled.
“I didn’t,” Will said. “It was …” He looked at Sebastian, who was slowly turning around. “It was her,” he said, pointing at Memphis.
Will threw his tray at her, catching her on the chin. The food cascaded down her clothes. “Look at her, she can’t do anything,” he said. “Can’t catch. Only good for one thing.”
Sebastian stood up, diminishing their presence. “That’s not how we talk to a lady,” he said.
Will shrugged. “Lucky I can’t see one.”
“Get out of here before I let the center know about your lack of respect, and inciting violence. You want to be blacklisted?”
“Too late, loser. We got into the Forty-ninth this morning,” Will said.
“She can never join because she’s useless at everything. Probably a complete disgrace to her mom,” Edward said.
Sebastian closed his eyes. This wasn’t going to go well.
“How dare you.” Memphis jumped up and leaped over the table, tackling Edward to the ground.
Sebastian picked her up by the waist and held her behind him.
Edward scrambled up and bounced back. “You’re lucky your boyfriend was here to help you,” he shouted. “Otherwise you’d be dead now.”
Other soldiers were paying attention, some standing up. Sebastian’s physical presence was enough to threaten the two young men and they backed away, facing him until they could turn and leave without losing face.
Memphis was on her knees. He held out his hand, but she stood up without his help. He put his hands in his pockets awkwardly.
“Why do you let them get to you? They’re just idiots,” he said.
“Everyone’s an idiot. What does it matter if I’m a girl, or I’m no good at their stupid sport?”
“It’s only important if you let it be.”
“They said ‘boyfriend,’” she said quietly, too quietly for Sebastian to hear.
“I used to have a friend who came up against people like them all the time,” he said. “Big, lug-headed guys who thought they were kings and she was just there to serve them. They soon learned the error of their ways.”
“How did she deal with people like that? They don’t respect anything or anyone.”
“Melanie had a burning belief in herself, and no one could change that. In fact, the more they tried, the more she fought back. No one was going to tell Melanie to be anything other than what she wanted to be.”
He put his hand on Memphis’s shoulder and looked into her face. It was the kind of thing Melanie used to do just before smacking someone around the head. “Find the image of what you want to be,” he said. “Look at your skills and use them to define your path.”
“I like blowing stuff up. What about that?”
He shrugged, indicating it didn’t matter what she did. “Melanie was an unstoppable death machine. That’s the world we live in now.”
Memphis paused before asking her next question. Her stomach churned as she prepared it. “Was she your girlfriend?”
He laughed. “No.”
She sighed with relief. “Did you want her to be?”
He thought for several moments. How did he feel about Melanie? Other than the utter, crippling emotion he felt now that she was gone, she had been his friend. They were bound together forever. They had both promised to each other, until death, and even then …
“Did you … do you have a girlfriend?” Her heart raced and she held her breath.
He looked down. “Not really. I did have once, but she got ripped apart in front of me because she was my friend. The last time I saw her, she didn’t know who I was.”
“Is she dead?”
“No, but she’s dying. All the cyborgs are going to die soon.”
“Why?”
“I freed them from an evil overlord, which apparently I created. Iris kept the various chemicals in their bodies balanced so they could live as part human, part machine. When Iris died, the chemicals started to poison the cyborgs.”
“So, you killed her twice.”
“That’s a pretty harsh way of looking at it, but yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Maybe you should stick with your own kind. We’ve got heaps of stuff in common, you and me.”
“Yeah, maybe we should hang out more. It’s better than being with those guys Edward and Will.”
And then, for the first time, she considered not going to Denver. She doubted the Master would turn up anyway. Together, she and Sebastian could …
21
THERE WAS A knock on the apartment door. Sebastian opened it cautiously.
Tackle Jeffry Rice said, “You’re requested directly by the QMRD.”
“What’s a QMRD?”
“Quartermaster Kaplan, R and D.” After noting the blank expression on Sebastian’s face, he added, “Research and design. He’s the guy with all the cool stuff. Come on.”
He led Sebastian across the grassed area toward a windowless building. Several guards were stationed in front of a small steel door. Inside, Jeffry led Sebastian to what he called the “conference room.” The steambike had been wheeled into the room and several soldiers were circling it. The bike had been repaired and polished, and was now looking as good as new.
Maybe even better than new, Sebastian thought. “Gosh, you’ve made it amazing,” he said. He ran his hand over the smooth, shiny surface. Every part of the bike gleamed. He smiled. “Good to see you back, old friend.”
A man stepped forward. “We have some questions about this vehicle,” he said. “I’m Dr. Kaplan, head of research.”
The door opened and Alan Finchley came in. All the men stood to
attention until he “at-eased” them. “Sorry I’m late. I see the bike’s here. Excellent.”
Sebastian noticed Brad momentarily deflate when Alan spoke.
“Did you design it?” Alan asked Sebastian.
“Most of the work was done by my teacher, Albert. But he taught me plenty about the science.”
“You have twin turbines set up sequentially, one compounding on the other,” Dr. Kaplan said.
“Yes, there’s a boost stepper between the two that multiplies the overall effect. It takes the pressure from the first, then forces it into the second.”
“So, are you saying it’s jet powered?” Dr. Kaplan asked.
“Not really. Just hydro.”
“Like the dam,” Alan said. “San Francisco is powered by hydroelectricity.”
“You have a dam? I’d love to see it. The Steam Academy was powered by two underwater turbines.”
“What’s this … Steam Academy?” Dr. Kaplan asked.
“That was where I lived back home in Australia. It was a walled city designed for research into water and steam-powered technology. The whole city was powered by two underground water turbines sitting in these great subterranean rivers.”
“The whole city? Do you know the megawatt capacity of those turbines?”
“Yes, Albert told me they were twenty-five thousand.”
“That can’t be right, that would mean they’re twelve and half thousand each.”
“No, I meant twenty-five thousand each.”
“Fifty thousand megawatts! How big were these monsters?”
“Oh, they must’ve been a good twenty feet across,” Sebastian said. He spread out his arms trying to represent the general shape.
“I think I need to sit down,” Dr. Kaplan said. “I don’t feel very well.”
Alan looked at Dr. Kaplan. “How much does the Lafayette dam generate?”
“About three or four thousand,” he mumbled.
“And that’s with the ‘wonderful new refinements’ you told us about.” Alan let out a snort. “How fast does your bike go?” he asked Sebastian. “Eighty or ninety miles an hour?”
“I don’t know. It just needs to outrun whatever’s chasing me.”
The room fell into darkness, lit only by the muted light that came through the window. The men scrambled.
“No one panic,” Brad shouted. “It could just be a relay failure.”
There was a moment of uncertainty.
“The backup should kick in soon,” Brad said, “and, if not …”
The moments ticked by with everyone in complete silence. The sounds of breathing filled the room.
“Okay, this is a full red alert,” Brad said. “Q-backer, we need to get you to a safe point.”
“What’s happening?” Sebastian said, as they were evacuated from the room.
“The gate locks in the walls surrounding the city have been released,” Dr. Kaplan explained. “We’re completely unprotected.”
Two guards led them to another small building, down a level, and into a reinforced room.
“Q-backer, your instructions?” Brad said.
“Form a team and investigate, Center.”
“But shouldn’t we form defensive teams?” Brad said. “Secure the perimeter?”
“Is that what your brother would’ve done?”
Brad’s face colored. The two men looked at each other, unflinching.
Brad turned to the escort guards. “You two stay here and guard Dr. Kaplan and the q-backer. You”—he pointed to Sebastian—“come with me.”
“Can I investigate too?” Sebastian said.
“No, I’m taking you back to your apartment for confinement, and safety. Probably ours,” he added. “Let’s go.” Brad led the way out of the building.
“I know a few things about power,” Sebastian said, running to keep up with the striding man. “Why can’t I come too?”
“It’s too dangerous. No civilians on missions. They’re unpredictable.”
Sebastian stopped. “You know what? I’ve been living with war for a few years now, and I’ve been involved in some covert operations.”
Brad spun on his heel and looked at Sebastian. “How could you be? You’re still a child.”
Sebastian shrugged. “The rules were different in Australia. When you’re on the brink of losing everything and you’ve already lost a lot, you try desperate tactics.”
“How do I know I can trust you? I can’t protect you, and I don’t want to. If we run into Chargers out there, how do I know how you’ll react?”
“If we did run into Chargers, you’d find out pretty quickly that neither of us is working for them.”
“Will you stop talking to me if I let you come?”
Sebastian smiled and nodded.
Brad looked out over the city on the other side of the bay. It was completely dark. “Saddle up, the enemy’s already in our land.”
Brad’s orders bounced around the departure area as he organized a team to go out and investigate. Sebastian was disappointed to see there weren’t that many soldiers, considering how important and potentially dangerous the mission was. Not even a dozen. He was even more disappointed to see Will and Edward among the ranks.
But the truck made up for it. It was big, with six wheels. Only half of it was covered; a dark green canvas was wrapped over the center. There were thick steel roll bars positioned at various points. Large guns were bolted to the top. They bundled into the truck and headed toward the Bay Bridge.
Sebastian watched the water streaming under the bridge, and then looked at the soldier sitting next to him. He looked smaller than the other men. His cap was pulled down over his face, and his uniform didn’t fit as neatly as the others. Something was up with him. Sebastian tried to look under the peak of the cap, but the soldier kept turning his head so he couldn’t see. In the end, he grabbed the cap and tilted it back.
Memphis glared at him and pulled it back down. She looked around. None of the others had noticed. “I’m not going to be left alone in that place. You’re meant to be looking after me.”
“I don’t think we had a contract in blood. And it’s a military base. You’d be much safer back there.”
“I don’t feel safe. There’s no freedom.”
“Well, it’s great that you’re coming. It’ll be good to have someone to talk to. Have you got enough guns?”
She winked. “I have five.” She gave him a satisfied smile.
“Melanie used to have two hidden up her sleeves—the arm-mounted Gatling guns on her exosuit. She had a knife tucked in her right boot, and her short sword in the left. And a concealed blade in her boot sole.” He smiled. “And a sharp tongue. She used to carry more weapons, but she had to give some up so she could carry the ammunition. She painted flowers on her guns so they’d look more feminine. But that was after Albert said he wouldn’t make pink ones.”
Memphis was quiet. “It’s …” she started. “It’s hard to compete with a ghost.” She turned her back to him, folded her arms, and stared out the front.
The sea air rolled in as they sped across the bridge, blowing away the diesel fumes. Sebastian stood up and held onto the truck’s roll bar. He held up his arms, closed his eyes and felt the wind on his face. Brad shouted at him. Memphis stuck out her tongue at Sebastian as he sat back down next to her.
They bumped off the bridge onto the mainland, and sped along a wide road that led up toward the hills. Plants had been waging their own war against the concrete, which was splitting apart with vines and erupting trees. The truck slowed to navigate the obstacles, and the team in the back of the truck bounced around as it crawled over the uneven slabs. Most of the buildings they passed had crumbled, leaving little in the way of remains. The greenery was claiming back everything humankind had built.
Sebastian flashed back to his school days, where the teachers told him it had all gone wrong. Civilization had turned on itself. Manmade creations got too smart and rebelled. And then there was the
war, where there was only ever going to be one loser—everything.
After the war, in Australia most of the people made the decision to turn their backs on all the high-tech drama that had got them into the mess in the first place. But other people decided they couldn’t live without the tech, and their dependence on technology drove them to become more advanced and less human.
But here in North America, at the heart of the destruction, it was like they hadn’t changed from the day of their nuclear disaster. It had wounded the population so badly they hadn’t wanted to forget, so they lived their empty lives among the ruins of the battles, moving from one day to the next with nothing to look forward to.
Many years ago, one of the boys at school had joked that North America was full of zombies and vampires. The boy had been joking, but still, Sebastian hadn’t expected it to be full of ghosts and ghost towns.
The truck came to a stuttering stop. The road had been ruptured completely by the vegetation, and several large trees had fallen across the road and blocked the way forward. Brad jumped out to examine them, but announced that he couldn’t see a way through, either by clever maneuvering or simply by smashing their way forward. He shouted for the men to disembark.
As Memphis landed on the ground, her cap fell off and her hair fell free.
Brad was not impressed. He shouted at Memphis for a bit, then threatened to make her walk all the way back to the base.
“She’s great with explosives,” Sebastian said.
“What?”
“I’ve seen her use explosives really well. Do we have a munitions expert here?”
Brad paused before becoming tight-lipped.
“And I’ll look after her,” Sebastian added.
Brad glared at him. “She’s your responsibility. If she slows down my men, I’m cutting your girlfriend loose.”
Memphis smiled, feeling her face flush slightly.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Sebastian shouted after Brad’s retreating figure. “Hey! She’s not …”
He sagged and turned back to Memphis. She was hiding her face. He thought she’d taken it as an insult. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean … even if we … it complicates the command if …” He went silent. “Sorry. But that doesn’t mean if … you know, under different circumstances … and you are very pretty …” He lapsed into awkward silence.