by C. B. Stone
“Funny,” he observes. “You don’t look like an Anthony Albertson to me.”
I look down at my nametag. While I know that my face is pretty feminine, I also know sometimes I can pass for a young boy. Apparently not this time. I curse inwardly, standing frozen, rooted to the spot, unsure of my next move. I can either kill the officer and possibly bring a lot of unwanted attention down on myself, or I can try to play the part, and pray to God the man doesn’t actually know Anthony Albertson. I choose to pray. Please God, here goes nothing.
“Yes, sir,” I assert, keeping my tone crisp and firm. “That’s my name.”
“Oh really? That’s interesting considering the fact I trained young Anthony Albertson myself,” he says slyly. Then he drills me with a look. “So tell me, who are you really?”
XXV
MARCUS
“I’ll be right back.” I say.
This time, it isn’t for something to eat. I’m not hungry any longer. Funny how adrenaline works, isn’t it?
“I don’t think so,” the other officer says with a sneer. “Ms. Blackwood may trust you, but I sure as heck don’t. So until I hear further orders from her, you’re staying put.”
I bristle. “Oh really? I’m not a prisoner, buddy, you have no right to hold me,” I say, making my way to the door.
Officer Know-It-All stands to his feet and moves in front of it, crossing his arms and blocking my way.
“You’ll have to get past me first.” He glowers, staring me down.
I reach for my weapon. I didn’t want to kill the man, but if I have to, I will. The other guard reaches for his gun at the same time. It’s a standoff.
“Seriously, man,” I say with a fake laugh. “I just have to use the bathroom. Isn’t that allowed?”
“I’ll call another guard to escort you,” he growls, glaring at me.
“Fine by me,” I say, taking my hands off my gun and holding them up in the air casually.
The man radios for assistance and as we wait, my heart pounds. Every second of delay means another second they could be hurting my Sierra. Or worse. I glare at the clock impatiently.
“Do you have somewhere to be?” the other man asks sarcastically, watching me.
Shooting him a dirty look, I mutter, “No, I just really have to use the friggin’ john, if you must know.”
I never thought I’d see the day, but for once I actually wish Grayburn were still here in this room with me. The guy is a tool, but at least he isn’t a particularly sharp one. If he was still in here, I could get away with a heck of a lot more. This guy is like a pit pull, right on top of my every move. If I didn’t know the man was right to be so suspicious of me, I’d be seriously offended.
A guard I know by sight, not by name, comes into the control room and seems surprised by the request. After all, this guard probably has no idea what’s really going on, or why I’m under scrutiny. To most everyone else in the guard, I’m still Marcus Rose, worthy of respect and deference.
“Guard,” the officer says, “You are to escort Mr. Rose to the restroom. No deviations. To the restroom, and straight back here.”
I sigh, shaking my head.
“And if he tries anything funny,” Officer Know-It-All continues, “You are to blow his head off. Am I clear?”
I’m actually quite surprised by Know-It-All’s orders... clearly the man thinks quite highly of himself, to give a command to kill one of Leora Blackwood’s top Ministry guards if I step out of line. The guard who is to escort me looks surprised too. He nods, but appears distinctly uncomfortable. Thomas, I think to myself. The guard’s name is Thomas.
I step out of the room with the guard, and when the door closes behind us, Thomas laughs, though to my ears it sounds somewhat forced.
“What’s gotten into him?” he asks.
“Who knows?” I roll my eyes, giving him a dry smile.
Everyone in the Ministry guard likes me. Most anyway. Even all of the lower level guards I’ve worked with adore me. There is a reason I’ve risen up through the ranks so fast. My professionalism and personality go a long way, and people naturally tend to follow me. I take the time to get to know the guards, and even if I can’t remember their names all the time, I always make them feel like equals.
“Do you mind if we stop by Ms. Blackwood’s office really quickly?” I ask. “I’d like to file a complaint on my new office-mate.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Thomas agrees, leading the way. “What do you think those alarms were about, anyway? It said to vac, but we were all told to ignore the command.”
“Yeah, nothing but a false alarm,” I lie.
I have no idea what’s going on, but I also know that under no circumstances would we be allowed to leave, even if we were under attack.
“Well, that’s good,” he says, as we reach Leora’s office.
“You don’t really have to wait for me, you know?” I offer the guard a friendly smile. “I’m sure you have other work to do.”
Thomas nods. “I really do,” he confirms.
“Go on, then. I’ll talk to Ms. Blackwood and get my office-mate relieved of his position so he won’t be bothering you with silly requests anymore.”
Thomas smiles, shakes my hand, and then takes off. I stand outside the door watching him walk away, struggling to get my racing heart under control. I take a few deep breaths, my mind racing as I try to collect myself.
Because I’m not here to present Leora with complaints. I’m here to kill her.
It’s a hasty plan, to be sure. An ill-advised plan. But it’s the only plan I’ve got at this point.
Standing outside her office, I wonder if she’s inside. I draw in another bracing breath. There’s only one way to find out.
I can feel the pulse in my neck throb as I press my fingertip to the screen next to the door. Very few people have access to her private quarters, and I happen to be one of them. I wait for the familiar beep and green light before the door opens up. I’m just stepping over the threshold and into her quarter when a familiar voice comes from behind me, freezing me in place.
“Officer Rose, what do you think you’re doing?”
Turning around, I stand face-to-face with Officer Grayburn, smiling as smugly as ever. With him is a young guard in restraints. The name tag says Anthony.
“I wanted to speak with Ms. Blackwood. In private.”
“No can do, friend,” Grayburn says, using that term again knowing full well we’ve never been anything close to resembling friends. “I have important matters to discuss with her first. Namely this intruder right here.”
“Intruder? What are you talking about?”
It takes me a second, but then it hits me that the prisoner Grayburn is holding isn’t a young guard named Anthony. She’s a girl. A young woman. Still, I don’t say anything else, I just meet her gaze and try to make sense of what is going on.
“Both of you, come inside this instant,” a voice calls from the bowels of the room. “And shut the door behind you.”
I can hear her mumble something else under her breath, but can’t quite make it out. With a sigh, I know I will not get the chance to carry out my hair-brained scheme. At least, not yet.
The three of us walk into Leora’s office, Grayburn dragging the girl along with him. Ms. Blackwood is sitting at her desk, surrounded by cameras. Bulletproof glass allows her to see outside into the field where the new guards often do their training. She likes to watch them suffer, is what she always says. The training is brutal, and many guards don’t make it. Not because they quit either, but because their bodies just give out. She enjoys those the most, I’m sure.
“Ahh, yes, our little house guest,” Ms. Blackwood purrs, standing up and walking over to the girl. She sticks her long, pointy nail into the skin beneath the girl’s chin and lifts, forcing her to look her in the eye. “My dear, I’ve been waiting for you. We’re going to have quite the fun time together.”
XXVI
FAYNE
I
stay calm. Being caught by the guard, while bad, isn’t the end of the world. At least it brought me here, to Ms. Blackwood. Otherwise I might never have found her on my own. So there is a bright side. I smile grimly, lifting my chin as I stare into Leora Blackwood’s beady eyes. Still, there’s the whole issue of restraints and getting out of them I have to contend with.
My only hope is the other man, the officer. His face looks familiar, but I struggle to place it. Then, with the intensity of a lightning strike, the realization hits me- he has Jaelynn’s eyes and lips. I turn to see his badge, and can barely make out his name. Does that say Officer Rose or is that only wishful thinking? I’d heard the guard call him something when we ran into him, but I’d been thinking so furiously about my plight and how to get out of it that I hadn’t really been paying attention.
The officer holding me tugs at my restraints, yanking me back against him. I wince, my wrists aching, and cry out.
“Oh, poor baby,” he coos, doing it again. And then again.
Gritting my teeth, I refuse to cry out a second time. They seem to enjoy it way too much. I will not reveal further weakness.
“What does this girl have to do with anything?” the officer I’m hoping is Marcus Rose, speaks up. “She appears harmless to me.”
“She broke in, and we’re at war, Rose,” Grayburn sneers, answering for Ms. Blackwood. “Do the math, it’s pretty simple.”
The man frowns. “Do we have proof she broke in? I mean, perhaps she borrowed another guard’s shirt for the day. Did you ever stop to think of that?”
Ms. Blackwood strolls past me with a smirk on her face. Being so close to the coldness that emanates from the woman makes me shiver.
“No, I don’t believe so. I believe this is the one who broke through our gates, Officer Rose.”
So he is Marcus Rose. If my father was right, this man is on my side. Unless he’s changed sides somewhere along the way, of course. But he’s the only hope I’ve got of completing my mission and making it out of here.
“She broke through our gates?” Rose scoffs. “Oh come on now, she’s nothing but a girl. She and what army?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Ms Blackwood states, staring me down. “I’d like to know all about her little army. Speaking of which, Grayburn, I believe you’re wanted elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere?” he asks.
“I was just on my way to summon you. We have some questions we’d like to ask you- about your duties in the control tower. You failed to warn us about the entire army sitting just outside the City, and since you also happen to be working on the very weapons that the enemy somehow managed to perfect before we did, I have every reason to believe that you sir, are a traitor.”
I can feel the man called Grayburn shift uncomfortably behind me.
Marcus laughs. “Seriously, of all people, Grayburn is probably one of your most loyal of servants.”
Great. I curse silently. Of all the people to capture me, one of Ms. Blackwood’s most loyal servants. A chill seeps through my entire body as I come to the realization this may not end very well for me after all.
But then, something happens to me that catches me off guard, and I freeze for a second, unsure of what is happening. I feel the guard let loose of my arms. And as he does, I realize the restraints around my wrists aren’t as tight as I remembered. Acting fast, I free my hands just as Grayburn reaches for his gun.
Grabbing for my own weapon at the same time, I know I can either get Grayburn or Blackwood, and Blackwood is the target. But of course, that means Grayburn is free to kill me. Tightening my lips, I don’t hesitate. If that’s the way it has to be, so be it. I’m more than willing to lay down my life to bring about the ruin of this evil empire.
I turn, BirdKiller raised, and my heart sinks when I see that Rose also has his weapon out and trained on Grayburn.
“Don’t you even think about it,” Rose barks.
“What do you think I’m doing Rose? I’m not an idiot. Put down your weapon!” Grayburn shouts.
But Rose doesn’t listen and Ms. Blackwood looks as pleased as punch, not even the slightest bit scared or concerned. After all, she has two guards against just one intruder. She doesn’t even draw a weapon of her own, just watches everything play out from the cushy seat behind her desk she’s perched herself on.
“Grayburn, put your weapon down and grab the girl by the wrists, it’s that easy. She’s not going to shoot me,” Leora orders. “And Rose, put your weapon away, Grayburn’s not going to do anything stupid.”
“Oh, but you’re wrong there,” I mutter, taking aim.
I’m ready to pull the trigger, and half-expect Grayburn to take me down before I do. But I’ll do my level best to take out Blackwood out first. Tensing my muscles, silently saying my goodbyes to this world, I jump when I hear an impossibly loud gunshot. Followed by another. And then another.
Ms. Blackwood slumps in her chair, and I stare in disbelief as blooms of crimson spread out across her chest, her black eyes staring vacantly at nothing. She’s dead. I half expect to fall over dead myself. I’m sure I’ve been shot too, despite the fact that I didn’t feel a bullet hit me. I have to be dying. There’s no way I’m going to make it through this alive. When I don’t fall over though, or feel any pain, I turn to see who else is hit, and both Grayburn and Rose are standing there, gaping at each other. Shock is written all over their faces.
“Grayburn, you-,”
“Rose, I didn’t think you had it in you,” Grayburn says at the same instant.
“But all this time-,” Rose marvels.
“Not all this time, only recently,” Grayburn mutters, putting his weapon away. “I’m glad to see you didn’t turn on your daughter after all. I thought you were a real dirt bag back there.”
I just stand there, mouth open, not even sure what just happened.
“Commander Pythe?” Rose asks, holding out a hand.
“Yes, sir,” I say, shaking it.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you at last,” he smiles. “Fine work, by the way. Your father always promised me you’d get the job done.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, still feeling a little shell-shocked.
“How’s Jaelynn?” he asks, his once blank face now creased with lines of worry. “Is she alive?”
“As far as I know,” I reply. “Just as soon as we’re done here, we’ll send a message to her and tell her it’s safe for her to return to you.”
“Is it though?” Rose asks. “I mean, Blackwood is only one person. Surely there will be someone to take her place.”
“She is only one person,” I agree. “But with her gone, who is second in command?”
Rose appears to think for a moment, mentally running through the Ministry chain of command. I see the man named Grayburn give him a rueful smile and a shake of his head as Rose looks as though he’s trying to figure out a complex mathematical equation.
“It’s you, Rose!” Grayburn bursts out, with a bark of disbelieving laughter. “As much as it burns my butt, you are next in command.”
My face breaks apart into a satisfied smile. “Exactly.”
Marcus Rose straightens, his expression still appearing somewhat bewildered. He looks at Grayburn. “I still can’t believe we’re on the same side.” He points at me. “Why’d you capture her and bring her here in the first place? Didn’t you know who she was?”
Grayburn nods. “I did. But I didn’t want her mission compromised. If she’d been caught by anyone other than me, she’d never have made it this far. She’d have been thrown in a cell and locked up, awaiting interrogation. Leora would have made mincemeat of her, and we’d be facing the Bethel army right now. It seemed more prudent to not give myself away and bring her straight to the devil’s lair, so the commander here could do what she set out to do.”
I gape at the man. I’d honestly had no idea he’d been playing me when he grabbed me in the hallway. But it’s obvious now our goal had been the same- find Leora, complete th
e mission, take her out.
Rose nods slowly, looking lost in thought. “Good thinking, Grayburn. As it is, we’ve still got a few hurdles to overcome. There are a handful here in the facility who I know will remain loyal to Leora, despite my best efforts at winning them over. They need to be detained in holding, until things are settled.” He grins at Grayburn. “You can start with Officer Know-It-All in the control room. Your lackluster replacement.” Rose chuckles, looking quite pleased with himself.
Grayburn’s eyes crinkle in response. Then he looks at Leora’s desk, scratching his chin contemplatively. “Maybe you should issue a warning over Leora’s announcement channel. Advise all Ministry guards to stand down. Make them aware that Leora is down, and as second in command, you have assumed control in Blackwood’s stead and the Bethel army has us surrounded. I’ll get a team together to round up those I know won’t be thrilled with the change in leadership.”
“Good idea. Great idea in fact. You continue to surprise me Grayburn.” Rose shakes his head. “Given our newfound predicament, it looks like there’s going to be an opening available for a new second in command. Interested?”
I watch as Grayburn’s eyes light up. Then Rose’s gaze lands on me. “Commander Pythe, while I make that announcement, you can use our radio to let your troops know it’s safe to move in. Just tell them to be on guard for any Ministry personnel who may miss our memo.” He winks at me.
I grin, the enormity of what we’ve just done and what it all means starting to hit me full force. “Yes, sir.” I look over at the slumped body of Leora Blackwood. “And her, sir?”
Rose and Grayburn both look at Leora. Rose smiles coldly, all light-heartedness wiped clean from his face. I imagine I’m now seeing Marcus Rose, the Ministry guard. No wonder he climbed the ranks so quickly. I swallow, unnerved. “She’s dead, Commander Pythe,” he states flatly. “Justice has been served. It’s now a matter of picking up the pieces.”
******