by P. T. Hylton
He led them out of the area where the vampire army was gathered and down one of the tunnels.
When he was far enough away to be out of vampires’ earshot, he stopped walking. “Everybody hold up for a second.”
They stopped and turned to him, their eyes simmering with pain and fury. But as they looked at him, Firefly thought maybe he saw a tiny bit of hope there too.
“Look, this is bad,” he began.
“You think?” Hector asked. “Thanks for letting us know. I thought Resettlement was going pretty well until you said something.”
Sharon looked up at him, her eyes wide. “What are we going to do, Captain?”
He desperately wished he could tell her he had a plan, some way to get them out of this hellish situation, but he wasn’t going to lie. He owed them more than that. “I don’t know. But I promise you this. I will work like hell to find a way out.”
“A way out?” Hector said, skepticism clear in his voice. “What’s the best-case scenario? We get free of Mark and Aaron, we’ll still be freaking vampires, right? And with no blood to drink, we’ll eventually turn into those Feral creatures. That’s what happens to vampires who don’t feed, right?”
Firefly grimaced. “One step at a time. We have to figure out a way to get free of Mark and Aaron, then we’ll worry about the rest. But for now…” He trailed off, not sure how to continue.
“For now, we obey our masters,” Sharon said, her voice hollow.
“Yeah,” Firefly confirmed. “Let’s split up and spread out. It’s time to find Jaden and his vampires.”
Ed lifted the manhole cover and climbed out onto the street. The others quickly followed, scurrying out of the hole and into the safety of the sunlight.
Wesley stretched, an easy smiled on his face as he stood up on the road. “Ah. I never thought I’d be so relieved to be on a city street on the surface.”
Alex got to her feet, her eyes scanning the windows of the surrounding buildings. “Don’t get too relaxed. They’ve still got the vampire snipers.”
“Heh, I’m not worried,” Ed said. “If these vamps are Resettlers, that means they’re probably former badges. Those guys can’t shoot for shit.”
Patrick nodded. “You should know. You were the worst of them.”
“Maybe until I got to the GMT and Alex gave me a few lessons.”
“Yeah, now you’re just the worst shooter on this squad. You could probably even beat a few of the worst badges these days.”
No one laughed at the joke, and a heavy silence hung in the air. Though none of them said it, they all knew what was causing their melancholy. Ed had just pointed out that the vamps were former badges. Which meant every member of the GMT knew just about every one of them. There were friends and former coworkers among the enemy now.
Chuck turned to Alex. “Do you think there’s any chance of saving them?”
Patrick scowled. “You mean the assholes who tried to help Fleming settle his dumb city? They’re vampires now. There’s no coming back from that.”
“It’s not that simple,” Alex said. “They’re citizens of New Haven. Also, remember that Fleming staffed Resettlement with the people who opposed him. Hell, if you hadn’t made it onto the GMT, you’d likely be among them.”
Ed’s face darkened at that, but he couldn’t deny the truth of it.
“Honestly, I don’t know if there’s anything we can do to save them,” Alex continued. “If there’s any chance, we’ll try our damnedest.” She looked around at her team, meeting each one of their eyes. “That said, every one of them is a vampire and we have to consider them our enemies if we’re going to live through this. That means no hesitation if and when the time comes. Things could get ugly fast, and I want every one of you ready to take out any vamp who moves against us, even if they look exactly like somebody you used to know. Like Jaden told us, they’re not in control of their own bodies right now.”
Wesley frowned. “Do you really think they’d kill us? They haven’t been vampires long. Maybe there’s enough humanity left in them that they’d—”
“Stop,” Alex ordered. “We can’t afford that kind of thinking, Wesley.”
“She’s right,” Chuck said. “I’ve done a lot of reading on the infestation. People who’d been turned attacked their friends, their communities, and even their families. If there was a way for humanity to override the control of a vampire master, I’m pretty sure the world wouldn’t be the way it is today.”
Patrick stifled a yawn. “Good point. I’m convinced. Let’s kill every vampire that’s not firmly on the good-guy team. Now can we stop talking about it and start doing it?”
Alex nodded. “I’m going to check in on Owl, and then we’ll get to work.”
She contacted Owl on the radio, and the pilot sounded in good spirits.
“How are the repairs going?” Alex asked her.
“We’re cranking through them,” Owl answered. “George is one hell of a worker. Can I keep him?”
“I think Jaden might have something to say about that,” Alex said with a laugh. “Listen, we’re trying to contact two of Jaden’s vampires on the radio, but we’re not sure our signal’s reaching them.”
“Get somewhere high,” Owl said. “The signal will carry better.”
“Roger that. We’ll be in touch.”
“Good, because we’ll have this ship ready to go in a couple hours, and I’m really itching to go punch Fleming in the face.”
“That’s a relatable sentiment. Talk to you soon.” She lowered the radio and thought a moment. “We’re going to need a way to transport the two vampires to Jaden. Patrick and Ed, you two get the truck we drove from Agartha.”
“On it, Captain,” Ed said. “I’m driving, though.”
“Like hell you are!” Patrick replied.
“Work it out.” Alex turned to Chuck and Wesley. “You two, follow me.”
She climbed the nearest fire escape, carefully avoiding getting too close to any windows on the way up. Chuck and Wesley followed, serving as her backup as she climbed.
When she reached the rooftop, she turned her radio to the channel Jaden had given her and tried to hail the vampires.
It wasn’t long before a male voice answered. “Who is this?”
“It’s Alex Goddard from the GMT.”
There was a long pause. “Alex? This is Igor. What the hell are you doing in Denver?”
“Long story, but I just spoke with your boy Jaden, and he’d very much like to see you.”
Igor chuckled. “The feeling’s mutual. Natalie and I are stuck in this damn building and feeling a little isolated at the moment.”
“Well, give me your location and find something to cover up with. We’re coming to get you.”
18
Jaden cleared his mind and concentrated on his breathing. The tunnel around him seemed to fade as he went deeper into his meditative state. He’d found that meditation was the most effective treatment against daysickness other than actually sleeping. It didn’t make the symptoms go away, but it did make him less aware of them.
Then Robert spoke, bringing him back to reality. “What’s the plan for taking out Aaron and Mark?”
Jaden took a few more breaths before answering. “Removing their heads should do the trick.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes, Jaden. We need to find them, get past a small army, and take them out. That’s going to require a plan, which is sort of your department.”
“I’m aware.” Jaden still hadn’t opened his eyes. He hoped that if he kept them closed, a bit of the peace he’d felt while meditating would remain, pushing out the anger and aggression that always threatened to spill out when he was awake during the day.
“I’m not trying to push, but we suffered greater losses last night than we have in centuries. I can’t bear to think about it now. I just want to get the rest of us home safely.”
Jaden thought a moment before answering. When his mind was clouded with daysickness, i
t always took a bit longer to see the obvious. “We need to take one of their soldiers captive. Once we do that, we can use them to locate Aaron and Mark.”
A sound like a small growl escaped Robert’s throat, revealing his disagreement. “They won’t betray their masters. Even if they want to, they won’t be able to.”
“We don’t need them to betray their masters. In fact, we’ll use that forced loyalty against them. If we take them through the tunnels, they should feel more discomfort as we near Mark and Aaron, since they’ll feel some sense that they are betraying them. We can use their pain as a homing beacon. Then we break through their defenses and kill them.”
Robert grunted his approval. “We can send the humans in first. They will be a good distraction and they’ll buy us a few moments to get to Mark and Aaron.”
Jaden thought about that a moment before answering. “I think in this case we should try to keep these humans alive. They have a role to play in the future of our cities and the human race. I have a feeling Alex will be the bridge between our worlds.”
“You’re a soothsayer now? I thought you were too old to believe that bullshit.”
“Not a soothsayer. Just a creature whose instincts have had a long time to tune themselves.” He paused a moment. “I enjoy having her around. Her passionate recklessness… it reminds me of a part of myself that died a long time ago. Watching her makes me feel alive.”
“I didn’t think you were the sentimental type anymore.”
Jaden opened his eyes for the first time and looked at his old friend. “Neither did I.”
Robert frowned. “At some point, we have to talk about what happened. Vampires died. Our friends died."
Jaden looked down at the tunnel floor. Over the centuries, he’d gotten used to humans dying. Their short lifespan meant that saying goodbye to humans he cared about was a regular occurrence. But losing a vampire? One he’d been close to for centuries? And not just one, but multiple? It was too heavy a concept to think about right now. He was afraid it would crush him. “We will. But first, we have to live through today.”
“Get us as close as you can to that loading door,” Alex said.
Ed threw the truck into reverse and reached out the window, adjusting the sideview mirror. “Patrick, hop out and back me up.”
Patrick scoffed. “Really? I thought you were this big awesome driver. You need someone to wave you into a door?”
Alex sighed. “This really isn’t the time, guys. Chuck, you mind?”
“Not at all.” Chuck hopped out of the truck and ran to the back to wave Ed in. Alex joined him.
They were in the transport vehicle outside the building where Igor and Natalie were holed up. The two vampires had said they would be waiting somewhere near the loading dock door.
Alex crept toward the shadows covering most of the dock, her pistol in hand. She stopped at the edge of the shadows.
A moment later, two figures filled the doorway. As they stepped through the door, Alex vaguely recognized them as two of the vampires who had helped Jaden save the GMT on the road to Agartha. They wore the same pained, haggard expressions as Jaden and Robert had. Daysickness was no joke, apparently.
“Hey, Igor and Natalie. Glad to see you two are all right. Let’s get you back to Jaden.”
Igor smiled weakly. “You’re going to need to back that truck up farther unless you brought a fire extinguisher.”
“Sorry!” Patrick called from the cab of the truck. “My brother can’t drive for shit.”
Alex nodded toward the building. “Any Feral awake in there?”
This time Natalie answered. “Not currently, but if we hang around long, the human stink will waft in there and they’ll wake up fast.”
Chuck raised an eyebrow. “Human stink?”
“Oh, it’s not a bad stink,” she added quickly. “Sort of a combination of blood, musk, and citrus.”
“It’s quite pungent,” Igor agreed.
The truck rolled to a stop less than an inch from the edge of the shadow.
“That as close as I can get it, Captain!” Ed shouted.
Alex looked at the vampires. “That work?”
“I guess it’ll have to,” Natalie muttered.
“Okay, then follow me.” Alex leaped into the covered back of the transport.
Igor and Natalie quickly followed. The sunlight touched their skin for just a moment as they passed through the sliver of exposure. When they landed, thin tendrils of smoke rose from their skin.
“You all right?” Wesley asked.
“We’ll live,” Igor replied. “Where are we meeting Jaden?”
“They’re in the storm drains,” Alex answered. “We can access it through a manhole in an alley. It’s completely shadowed. Will that work?”
Natalie nodded. “Indirect sunlight stings a little, but it doesn’t burn us.”
Igor looked at her. “It’ll be good to see the others again. I wasn’t sure everyone would make it through.”
Alex felt a sinking in her stomach. These two hadn’t talked to Jaden or anyone else since last night. They didn’t know. She exchanged a glance with Wesley and saw from the sickened look on his face that he was feeling the same way.
“I’m sorry to tell you this, but not everyone made it,” she said softly. “Between the explosion and the rampaging Ferals, six of your vampires died.”
Igor’s eyes widened in shock.
“No,” Natalie whispered. Then her voice grew louder. “It can’t be!” Her fist lashed out, slamming into the seat in front of her, and the blow rang through the truck. The metal bench was left dented as she drew her first back.
The truck skidded to a stop and Chuck, Ed, and Patrick ran back, weapons in hand.
“It’s okay!” Alex shouted to them. “We’re fine! She’s just… taking in some bad news.”
Igor put a hand on Natalie’s shoulder and turned to Alex. “You’re in no danger from us. Emotions run higher during the day, and this… it’s a lot to take in. We haven’t lost that many vampires in a long time.”
Alex turned to Ed, Patrick, and Chuck, who were still staring dumbly at the vampires. “Get us moving. We don’t have time to waste.”
When the truck started rolling again, Natalie turned to Alex. “You said six died, but you didn’t say which six.”
Alex shook her head. “I’m sorry, I only know Jaden and Robert are alive. I haven’t had a chance to learn the names of the others.”
“They died trying to retrieve your ship,” Natalie said. “Perhaps you should learn their names. Learn them and honor their sacrifice.”
Alex couldn’t meet the vampire’s eyes. She knew Natalie was right.
Brian stood in front of the control panel, his tablet once again plugged into the system. “You sure we should be taking the time to do this, CB? Hacking in is going to take time. The security on the weapons systems is tricky. I’m talking heavy firewalls.”
“It has to be done,” CB growled. “If the GMT makes it back here, we don’t want Fleming’s goons shooting them out of the sky.”
Brian nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
Jessica glanced down the corridor behind them. They hadn’t seen any faceless GMT members since the team that got sucked out the ventilation system, but CB understood Jessica’s trepidation.
“It’s going to be okay,” he told her.
Jessica smiled. “Now, I know you can’t promise me that. Don’t start lying to me, Colonel.” She paused. “Shutting down the ship’s defensive weapons seems a little risky, doesn’t it?”
CB shrugged. “We’ve gone a hundred and fifty years without an aerial assault. I think we can risk it.”
Brian nodded. “Agreed. I just wish one of us had access. They stripped all three of our permissions an hour after we went rogue.”
“Here’s a thought,” CB said. “Try Alex’s credentials.”
Jessica nodded slowly. “Of course. They think she’s dead. Why would they bother removing her permissions? Tha
t’s brilliant.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Brian said. “Do we even have her password?”
CB chuckled. “She wasn’t big on cybersecurity. Her password is VAMPKILLERS2GO. All caps.”
Brian chuckled as he keyed in the password. Then his eyes widened. “Holy hell, it worked. I’m in!” He tapped at the tablet another moment. “All right… external turret defense systems are off…now. Normally, this would be setting off all sorts of the alarms, but I suppressed them. Honestly, they gave Alex way too high level of access. Totally unnecessary for her job.”
“You complaining?” Jessica asked.
“Not today.” He sighed as he unplugged his tablet.
CB gave him an appraising look. The poor guy looked even paler than usual. It was clear he’d pushed himself to the limit and was now attempting to go even further. And he was too proud to ask for a break.
“Hey, you two mind if we rest for a couple minutes?” CB asked. “I need to change my bandage.”
Jessica and Brian exchanged a glance that was mostly relief but also contained more than a little surprise.
“You sure it’s safe?” Jessica asked.
CB looked around. “This is as good a spot as any. No one can sneak up on us here.” With that, he sank to the floor and began unbuttoning his shirt. “You said you grabbed some food from Wesley’s, Jessica?”
She nodded. “Just some bread.”
“Well pass it around. Let’s refuel as long as we’re stopped.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes. The bread was stale, but CB thought it was just about the tastiest thing he’d eaten in months. An empty stomach could teach a tongue to love even mediocre food, he figured.
When Jessica had finished, she moved to CB’s side and reached for his shirt buttons.
“Um, should I leave?” Brian asked.
“I’m just helping him change his bandage. Relax.”
When she’d pulled the old bandage off, she let out a soft gasp she failed to stifle.
“That bad, huh?” CB asked. He’d known the wound was infected since checking it at Wesley’s place, but he’d been trying not to think about it.