The boy continued to stare at me. “The major will answer your questions.”
“Major? Who are you?” Nothing made sense to my cotton-filled head. I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus.
Clip clop, clip clop, clip clop.
The horse’s footsteps were my only response.
“Please.” My voice sounded desperate, even in my own ears. “I don’t understand.”
“We are not allowed to converse with prisoners.” A voice behind me replied, also sounding young. I widened my eyes and looked at my escort. They were all young. None of them even had facial hair.
Maybe Peter Pan is their major? I scratched my head. “Prisoners?”
The youth riding ahead of me turned in his saddle. Dark eyes glared at me under brown, unruly eyebrows. “Yes. Now shut up, or we’ll have to shut you up.” His lip curled up in a sneer.
I shut my mouth and focused on my horses soft, velvety ears, silently praying.
The mysterious horsemen led us into a large camp, bustling with activity. It looked like an anthill, where all the insects wore camo and carried guns. Each person seemed to be going out of their way not to look at me, and I wondered just how much trouble we were in. The place smelled of campfires, food, and too many people living without indoor plumbing. I hoped we wouldn’t be staying long, and questioned whether or not Ashley and I would live through the visit.
We rode to a large tent in the center of the camp. One of the men unloaded Ashley, draping her sleeping form over his shoulder. I dismounted, and another man grabbed my wrist. Someone motioned for us to enter.
The flap closed behind us, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the change in lighting. I closed them to help the process along. When they opened, the first thing I saw was Connor. He leaned against a table beside Gina. She gave me a wicked smile then slid closer to him.
Yeah, you may have won, but is he really a prize?
Connor wasn’t bound, gagged, or forced against his will. He popped something into his mouth and chewed, frowning at me as he whispered something to Gina.
“You!” I shouted. Breaking free from my captor’s loose hold, I lunged at the man who’d abandoned us. The tent erupted in chaos. I tuned everyone out and focused on the memory of pain in Ashley’s eyes when she awoke to discover Connor’s betrayal. Her voice played through my mind, reminding me of how she defended the pig who’d abandoned her. I wanted his blood. I reached behind my back for my gun, but it wasn’t in my waistband.
Pity. It didn’t matter. I could still strangle him. My hands were just closing around his neck when the soldiers reached me. It took three men to pull me off Connor. I struggled—kicking, shouting, and throwing punches—determined to get free. “How could you?” I was inches from him, and tears of anger and frustration streamed from my eyes. My captors held my hands firmly behind my back. “I trusted you! She trusted you!” I squirmed, ignoring the painful pull on my shoulders.
Loud, eerie laughter shook the tent; one part mirth, two parts malicious, a hundred parts creepy. The type of laugh you’d hear from a mad scientist right before he revealed his evil plan to take over the world.
My shoulders stooped as Connor’s betrayal sunk in. What has he done? “This is a Progression camp, isn’t it?” I asked.
Connor’s blasé expression stared back at me, making me feel each foolish moment I’d wasted trusting him. You! I wanted to scream at God. You told me I could trust him!
“I see our reputation precedes us,” said the man with the creepy laugh. He was short and thick around the waist. Thinning brown hair with streaks of grey highlighted the many angles of his face. There was nothing intimidating about his appearance, but his laughter was a whole different story; it sent shivers down my spine. Finally his mouth closed and looked me over for a moment before turning to address Connor.
“Do you always have this effect on women, Commander Dunstan?” he asked.
Connor stiffened. “As I said before, I am no longer a commander.” I could see sparks of anger igniting in his gaze, but they were not directed at me.
“Yes, you said that.” The sinister man clasped his hands behind his back and paced. “. And yet—” he motioned toward the back of the tent and the soldier carrying Ashley stepped forward. The girl still wasn’t moving and the soldier had her cradled in his arms like a baby. Hair fell across her face, but the major tucked it behind her ears and studied her like he was sizing up a prize, trying to determine its worth. Then he looked back and forth between Ashley to Connor, chuckling. “This one resembles you quite a bit. It appears we have found your price of admission.”
Little bells and whistles went off in my head. I looked to Connor for some sort of clarification, but he was busy glaring at the major.
The major didn’t seem to care about Connor’s scowl, though. He turned and held out his hand to me. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced, m’dear. I’m Major Jack Thompson.”
I looked at his hand, and then glanced at my arms which were being held tight by his goons.
The major chuckled. “It’s alright boys. She promises to play nice now. Don’t you?”
Do I? I glanced from Connor to the major. This was a decision I was not prepared to make. Luckily, my response was unnecessary. My captors released me, and the major grabbed my right hand and raised it to his lips.
“Liberty,” I whispered. My eyes felt trapped by his. I was disgusted, terrified, and completely enthralled.
“Liberty? What a charming name. And such a charming lady.”
Charming lady? Where?
Connor stirred. “You’ve made your point. What do you want from me?”
I pulled my hand away from the major and watched the two men for clues about our situation.
“The Progression always has a use for talent from Special Forces.” The major’s words threw a bone to my ravenous curiosity about Connor’s past. Puzzle pieces swirled around in my head as I blindly struggled to fit them together.
“I. Am. Not. Military.” Connor continued to calmly stare at the major.
The major dismissed him with a wave of the hand. “So you say. And I do hate to sound melodramatic, but there is no revolving door here. You don’t enlist, you don’t leave.”
Yep. Classic nut-job wannabe evil genius.
“The military shut down the Progression once before.” Connor stepped forward, making the Progression goons tense and do the same. “They will do it again.”
“Oh, really?” The side of the major’s mouth turned up. “Where’s your military now?”
Connor dismissed the major’s question and glanced at the sleeping Ashley. “You’re using human collateral to force enlistment? Do you really expect to get away with this?”
I stared at Connor and mentally scratched my head.
Forced? Human collateral? I glanced at Ashley and felt another puzzle piece pop into place.
The major shrugged. “We have so far. And there’s no need to be judgmental. We do have very good benefits.”
The way the major eyed me made me glad my stomach was empty.
Connor opened his mouth, but the major spoke first. “There are much worse things than dying, Commander.” He looked pointedly from Ashley, to me, and then finally back to Connor.
“Lieutenant Jensen.” He motioned and one of the uniforms stepped forward. “Perhaps we should find more … comfortable accommodations for Commander Dunstan’s lovely traveling companions while he considers his options.”
Connor took a step forward, but Gina pulled his arm back. She leaned against him, standing on her toes, and whispered into his ear. Her mouth stretched into a grin that reminded me of a certain green Santa, well known for stealing Christmas. As her frosty-blue eyes landed on mine, fire poured into my veins.
That’s it you she-Grinch, you’re going down! I mentally poured all my anger, frustration and pain into my right leg as it pushed off the ground toward Gina’s grin. The force behind my roundhouse—as it connected with her jaw—was enoug
h to jar my entire body. Gina went down hard.
I barely had time to cheer before my own lights went out.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
A SNAKE TATTOO twisted up the left forearm of the Asian man who’d knocked Liberty unconscious. He smiled at Connor and raised his arm again; preparing to throw another swing. Connor’s body tensed. He could feel the major’s gaze upon him, watching and analyzing, daring Connor to show weakness and react.
Another hit. Then another. Liberty’s body jerked with the force. Connor watched, silently promising to repay each of the soldiers tenfold.
“That’s enough boys.” The major walked over and inspected her. He nodded to the Asian with the snake tattoo. “That’s one way to prove your loyalty.”
The man nodded and replied, “I do not see why man should not be as cruel as nature.”
“Indeed,” the major said, seemingly pleased.
Connor wondered if all the recruits quoted Hitler and beat women, or if that privilege was reserved for a select few. He was too worried about Liberty to ask. She’d gotten in one good kick, but then the four surrounding soldiers fell on her like a group of inmates going after a prison guard. The first swing had knocked her out, but her unconsciousness hadn’t even slowed their assault.
“I like this one, Commander,” the major said, tapping Liberty’s arm with his foot. “She’s feisty.”
Connor tried not to notice the way blood dribbled down Liberty’s cheek. Her lip was split, an eye was already darkening, and judging by the blows, she probably had a few cracked ribs. Lying on her back she seemed to struggle for each labored breath. But at least she was breathing.
The major kneeled beside Gina and gently touched her jaw, moving it from side to side. “Of course the next time she touches my daughter, she dies.”
“I’ll kill her myself,” Gina said.
Connor pretended to care about Gina’s wound while watching Liberty in his peripheral vision. She’s okay. He reassured himself. With that temper, I’m sure she’s taken harder knocks than that. Frustration and unease weighed heavy on him. He’d caused Ashley and Liberty pain for nothing. Despite his best efforts, they’d been captured and were now in very real danger.
Jeff emerged from the shadows and checked Liberty’s vitals. He glared at Connor, and then gently straightened out her limbs. Sliding his hands underneath her, he lifted and cradled her form. As she hung, lifeless in his arms, he carried her from the tent, followed by two soldiers.
The major watched until his son exited. “Well, well, Commander. It appears my search for your currency has gained me my son’s as well.” He chuckled. “Most convenient. Reassuring too. I was beginning to wonder if he preferred his own gender.”
The major signaled, and the man holding Ashley left, followed by the other soldiers.
Gina spoke quietly with the medic. The major leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You should go too, honey. Get some rest and I’ll be in to check on you soon.”
“Connor, I—” Gina stood with the help of the medic. “You’ll like it here with us … with me.” She leaned on the medic as they walked out of the tent.
The major watched Gina leave, and then shook his head. “You’re playing with my daughter, Commander.”
Connor said nothing.
“You may have her fooled, but I can see where your true affections lie.” He limped over to stand in front of Connor.
Connor watched the major, wondering how fast he could kill him. Wondering how fast the soldiers outside would react. Wondering what would happen to him and the girls afterward.
The major’s thin lips spread into a sneer. “I’m going to be frank. I’ve heard that you’re a practical man,” he said. “The Progression can use you, and that’s why you’re not being held accountable for the actions of your traveling companion. Nor am I going to punish you for the way you’ve led my daughter on. You see, I’m a practical man as well. So I’ll give you a very generous hour to think over your options. Join us and live. Refuse, and well … being practical men, we both know what will happen.” He glanced at his watch. “Your hour starts now.”
Then he left.
Alone in the tent, Connor started pacing and reminding himself of all the reasons why he couldn’t accept the offer. He cleared his throat and recanted the words that had been drilled into his head years ago. “I, Connor Dunstan, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”
Even though the US no longer had a president, Connor owed a lot to his country. At sixteen, the death of his parents had rocked his world. After his grades plummeted, colleges weren’t exactly knocking on his door. He and his brother had been young and without resources or options. The military had offered Connor the chance to be something other than “that poor boy who lost his parents.” They granted him the opportunity to become autonomous; expected to perform regardless of his past. And perform Connor did, scooping up all the college credits he could schedule around his training.
By age twenty, he had been selected for the Green Berets. At twenty-three, he was commanding his own Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) team. But the third year of command was brutal. He was twenty-six when he led the botched mission in Afghanistan that took the life of two friends and a young Afghani boy. Once that tour ended he retired and focused on his education.
With the recommendations of his superiors and military tuition assistance, he was able to complete his law degree at Stanford. The country had given Connor much, and deserved more than his betrayal in return. Joining the Progression would be worse than treachery. He would be a tool used to further the extinction of decent human beings—a knife wielded to cut down those who opposed the savage methods of the Progression. He couldn’t accept the offer, but couldn’t decline it either. The price was too high. If he refused to join, Liberty and Ashley would live plenty long enough to hate him for abandoning them to their fate.
This is my fault. I let us get captured. Connor questioned why he didn’t turn around the moment he first suspected they were being followed, but he knew the answer: pride. He’d been so sure he could take care of the group and handle any situation. It was just like Afghanistan all over again. He’d allowed himself to grow overconfident and this time the price tag of his arrogance was epic.
No options.
Connor’s stomach roiled from foul-smelling, sour-tasting, putrid-feeling defeat. He still had one option.
No. Too terrible to even think of. No options.
But there was always an option. He could almost see Death as it stalked him from the border of his consciousness. Death was like a loan shark Connor had cheated too many times. Now it came with muscle, preparing to take him out for good. He and the girls were dead, but Connor could still control how they died. One option. I’ll sign on with the Progression.
He gritted his teeth against the plan, wishing, hoping for another way. But there was none. No. It has to be like this. I’ll sign on, then the first time I get the girls alone, I’ll kill them both and take my own life. I won’t serve the Progression, and I won’t allow Liberty and Ashley to be tortured.
He could almost hear Death’s laughter as he accepted the plan into his heart and mind, knowing it would be better than any alternative. “It looks like you’ll get your payment yet.”
He closed his eyes and sought his brother in the darkness.
Jacob appeared, frowning. “Connor, where there is death, there is also life.”
Connor’s eyes squeezed tighter and he welcomed the memory of Jacob at age eighteen, trying to make sense of their parent’s death.
“There is no night so dark that the light can’t pierce it.” Jacob said as he messed up Connor’s hair. “I know it’s hard
now, but it’ll get better. One day you’ll understand.”
“No.” Connor shook his head. “I’ll never understand why they had to die. You say God is all-powerful. Well why isn’t He powerful enough to stop death?”
“You need to talk to Him about that.” Jacob faded.
“Come back,” Connor whispered.
Darkness was all that remained.
He opened his eyes and wondered if he could actually kill Ashley and Liberty. No choice. I have to. With that realization came anger. It started in his toes and spread like a wild fire, feeding on the oxygen in his blood until his face felt like it was burning up. Furious with defeat, he paced, each footfall sounded harder, and more heated than the last. Clenched fists, gritted teeth, he turned his attention beyond the roof of the tent. “Is this what you want, God? You stripped everything from me except them. Now will you hold the gun as I pull the trigger and end them too?”
Every muscle in Connor’s body tensed as his fury raged at God. First, for the death of his parents, then that God had sat back and watched as he’d killed Jacob and Cathy, and now for the duty that loomed before him. Accepting that Ashley and Liberty would die by his hand, Connor asked, “Enjoying the show? Sitting up there on your fluffy throne watching everyone suffer? You could stop this. And yet, as always, you choose to do nothing. Nothing!” His anger grew with each word. “Are you planning on stepping in, or will you watch me kill everyone I love? Damn You! Intervene! Do something.”
He collapsed, falling to his knees in the very spot where Liberty had been beaten. He hunched over and pounded on the ground until his hands split open and his blood mingled with hers. Then he raised his injured hands toward the sky. “Is this what you want? How much blood has to be spilled until you decide to climb down from your throne and do something about it?”
He lowered his fists to the ground and slumped under the weight of failure. “I can understand you turning your back on me. But Liberty follows you. And Ashley’s just a child. Surely their lives mean something?”
Rescuing Liberty: Perseverance Book 1 Page 19