“I need a team to secure level four,” Avery said.
“Sir, I’ll take a squad,” A Master Sergeant said.
“Get moving,” she replied.
The Sergeant marched for the door, shouting orders and names. Matos was now eating a bar of chocolate. He threw one across the room at Logan and it bounced loudly on the table. Logan snatched it up and opened the wrapper.
“Sean, are we ready to make contact?” Avery asked.
“We’re ready.”
Logan watched the screen rhythmically change colours until the image of a woman seated behind a desk appeared. She was dressed in a military uniform in front of a white background. Logan detected surprise in her face as she faced the group.
“Commander Avery?” Rodeen asked.
“Captain Rodeen.” Avery replied.
For a moment there was silence. Avery seemed to be waiting for Rodeen’s opening words before making any further comment.
“Arrest the Commander,” Rodeen said, looking round the room.
Rodeen watched impassively as no one made any movement. She glanced away from the screen for a split second.
“Bunker twenty two is under my command,” Avery said.
“Where are the command team?”
“Most of them are dead. I want to speak to the President.”
“Have you lost your mind? The entire operational command could be undone by your actions.”
“Whoever is in charge, I want to speak to them.” Avery replied.
“Our future depends on how quickly we can get back to a controlled-”
“I’m in full control,” Avery interrupted
Rodeen continued to stare out from the screen. Her gaze scanning across others in the room. For a moment her eyes flickered away from the camera.
“Logan Quinn, our missing nuclear engineer.” Rodeen said. “After Doctor Cain injected you with fourth gen nanos, you disappeared.”
Logan blinked, rubbing his eyes, the focus of the room suddenly upon him. His mind dried up as he struggled to form reason and words. He glanced at Sean then Matos who was staring back at him. If the look was meant to give advice he couldn’t discern any.
“I think,” he began. “That you should disconnect Haarp.”
“Major Daniels have-.”
“I’ve spoken to it,” Logan interrupted.
Rodeen smiled and nodded. Her head flickered to the side, communicating with someone off screen.
“We all speak to Haarp in a way.”
“You have to listen to me,” Logan said. “Turn it off.”
“Haarp lacks the capability to communicate.” Rodeen said, pausing to listen to outside communication. “You’re receiving nano feedback.”
Logan looked down at the table. Nano feedback could be a genuine explanation. He was underground without any signal from Haarp and talking to himself. It also seemed more likely than direct contact with a machine.
“Your control doesn’t work. Avery said. “I broke it and so did others.”
“This is a government sanctioned emergency policy to ensure maximum survival and continuation of society. Hard choices were needed for survival. You’re killing your own side in the name of freedom.” Rodeen asked.
Avery shifted in her chair and rolled her shoulders. This wasn’t going the way she expected. She turned to look at Matos, who slid behind the consoles and began whispering to Sean.
“We know everything. We developed billions of hypothetical projections for the future of humanity. The results were absolute. The human race had less than one percent chance of reaching 2100. Eximus evolved to ensure survival of the human race.”
Avery swallowed and brushed back her hair. “You’re brainwashing. What happened to freedom of choice?”
“The world tied itself up in knots trying to ensure freedom and liberty. In the US, fifty percent of people used that free will to plug into a virtual world to escape the one they were in.”
Rodeen glanced at the people around the room. Her lip curled as if disgusted by their lack of understanding. “Assault teams are on-route to your position. Lay down your weapons and we can have a discussion about what happens next. Sound fair?”
“Excuse me.” Sean said.
Rodeen’s eyes blinked towards him. Logan turned with everyone else as Sean made his way from behind the terminals.
“I don’t dispute your logic. Makes sense that post apocalypse the government would jettison the dead weight to keep going. I can see that.”
“Who are you?”
“What happened to the universal declaration of human rights? If the government had knowledge of an apocalypse why didn’t you try to protect the people? Why keep it secret and make your preparations in secret? Why disconnect the nanos?”
Sean stopped by the side of Logan, hand leaning on the table. His fingers picked up a pen and wrote ‘lying’ on the table.
“It’s a survival algorithm.”
“It’s with our taxes that you built your survival bunkers and created your new nanobots.” Sean glanced around the room, face bright red and eyes wide, he turned back to the screen and screamed. “Your plans should have been for everyone.”
Rodeen shook her head. “Matos kill them all and bring us that man,” Rodeen said, pointing at Logan.
Matos stared at the screen and raised his rifle to a shoulder position. His head tipped slightly as he took aim down the sights. The movements were frighteningly slow as if controlled by unseen forces. Logan flinched as Matos fired once into the Rodeen’s forehead.
“This is your last chance. Walk back to the surface unarmed and I promise that no one will be harmed,” Rodeen said.
“We don’t negotiate with terrorists,” Avery replied.
The screen faded to black and the room was silent.
Chapter 29
Avery leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. Every breath she took was accompanied by a crackling noise and pain in her ribs. Everything ached, her neck, back, arms and legs. The calf wound throbbed in time with her heartbeat.
The conversation with Rodeen wasn’t what she expected. The justification and arguments had struck a chord, not just with Avery. Whispered conversations in the room confirmed it. There was a kernel of logic in Rodeen’s explanation.
Despite the uncertainty and danger, aches and pains, she was back where she belonged. Her new Command Team sat or sagged in their chairs around the conference table. Blood splattered clothes, faces bruised and beaten. As crazy a collection of people there could be. But she wouldn’t swap them for the old team.
Logan stared into empty space. Did he realize his connection with Haarp was their only link to a plan. Sean chatted away with a group of soldiers behind him. Explaining how he liberated the bunker and what he knew of Eximus. Matos stared at her from lidded eyes. Sat relaxed in a chair and chewing gum. Daniels struggled to stay upright, leaning heavily on his right elbow. A red patch stood out on his neck bandage. Ortiz's face was ashen, his eyes bright red in contrast to his skin.
Intermittent firing outside the room confirmed they were still not completely secure. The command centre hushed at the sounds. Everyone likely trying to comprehend what they had done and the death trap they were now stuck in.
It was time for Avery to become the leader she always pretended to be. No more orders to follow, no command structure to ask for help. They were on their own.
“Daniels organize the troops. I want to know exactly who we have here. Station a squad on each floor and ensure traps are set in the entrance tunnels. Ortiz, find a medic and get your wound stitched. Matos, have the pilot prep your transport. Sean, I want the Haarp locations pinpointed on a map. Logan with me. Everyone get cleaned up and changed. Back here in thirty minutes.”
Sean and Logan helped Ortiz to stand and guided him from the room. Matos zipped past them through the doorway. Daniels called for a briefing and slowly the command centre emptied.
Logan walked back into the room and slid into a chair op
posite her. A blood smear across his cheek and ear, hair flattened to his head. He forced a weak smile and pushed a bottle of water and candy bar towards her.
“Nano feedback?” she asked.
His head dropped into his hands. “If its nano feedback, how do I know about Haarp?”
Avery took a sip of water then bit into the candy. “I need to be sure we have the right plan.”
“There is a connection.” He said, staring with earnest green eyes below furrowed brows. “I just can’t figure out what it means.”
“We know they use Haarp to control nanos.”
Logan closed his eyes, head resting against the chair and fingers laced across his stomach. “What was it like when you were under its control?”
Avery shook her head. “I don’t remember anything. When I became conscious, it was like coming up for air.”
Logan leaned forward and cupped his chin. “The Eximus evolution is to lose your consciousness? It doesn’t make sense.”
“It does if you lose governmental control but want to keep order.”
#
Avery activated the door to her quarters then peered inside. The room was ransacked. Sofas upside down, table and chairs strewn across the ground and kitchen cupboards emptied. In the bedroom, her sheets were gone, mattress slashed and clothes scattered.
She collected up a combat uniform and underwear. Stripped off and hopped into a steaming shower, groaning in pleasure as the hot water flowed down her body.
Once dry, she smeared antiseptic over the calf wound and applied a new bandage. Slipped into a new uniform, tied up a new pair of boots and slicked back her hair.
Logan answered the door in Pritchard’s old rooms. His brown hair still wet and he wore the combat uniform of a Captain. He smiled at her in a disarming way and looked ten years younger than when they had first met.
“Ready to go?” she asked.
He nodded assent and followed her to the staircase. They reached the command centre to find Matos and Sean already seated. Their conversation broke off as she walked into the room. Matos threw a final glance towards Sean as Avery settled into her chair.
Daniels and Ortiz entered together. Ortiz limping, Daniels strode like a cat. His eyes glinted at them as he took a seat. A clean bandage was fixed to his neck and his skin had regained its color.
“Don’t we all look better,” Sean said.
Matos flicked his eyes towards Sean, Daniels let out a laugh and Ortiz gave him a friendly punch on the arm.
“Have you traced the signal?” Avery said.
Sean unfolded a map on the table. “There are two locations within flying distance from us.”
“Where?” Matos asked.
He drew two large circles on the map and then drew an X at their location in the bunker. “Long Island and Colorado.”
“Long Island’s closer. We can slip in quietly and get the job done.” Matos said.
“Are you insane?” Logan asked.
All eyes swung across to Logan. He was staring at Matos with an open mouth and shaking his head.
“She’s probably right about nano feedback. When you crawled out of whatever hole you came from, your nanos were scrambled,” Matos said.
“We’re just about alive after the last twenty four hours. Now you want to go charging into another base?”
Matos only grinned in reply.
“I have to say,” Daniels began. “Talking to Haarp. It’s pretty unbelievable.”
Sean stood and gave a mock exam of Logan. “Now stick your tongue out.”
“Knock it off,” Logan said.
“He’s fully fit and healthy.” Sean said. “No doubt about it. He’s talking to Haarp.”
Matos gave a small grunt. Avery let the chatter die down before speaking.
“We have a bridgehead into their organization. With this as our base we need to disrupt and damage. Matos, Logan, fly to Haarp and see if you can take down the machine or at least part of the grid. We’ll stay here, face them head on and make contact with other bunkers.”
Logan shifted in his chair. “Listen, I don’t know what it wants with me but flying into the unknown sounds like suicide. Haven’t we got a better plan?”
“We need a distraction.” Matos said. “Send a shuttle towards Colorado, drones across to Hood. I’ll fly close to the ground so they won’t see us coming.”
“I can’t see any other option,” Avery said. “You can communicate with it, Matos can destroy it. If we go in numbers we’ll be exposed.”
“I’ll look after you,” Matos added.
Logan pressed his thumbs against his forehead. “Every time I make contact with it something different happens. It’s drawing me towards it and I’m scared.”
Avery bit back a reply. They were asking him to go on a suicide mission only a few hours after their last. It was no wonder he was scared. Anyone would be. “The only way any of us are going to survive, is to disable Haarp.”
He looked up and scanned the faces around the table. “I can’t see this ending well for me.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sean said.
“No,” Matos said.
Avery held up a hand towards Matos while looking at Logan. “Look, I’m sorry. We’re all sorry that any of us wound up in this mess. But you’re our only hope of causing a serious disruption to Eximus. They’re going to hit us hard here. There’s no escape in the bunker. You’ll be mobile. Use your connection, get close to it and Matos will protect you.”
Logan stared at the table, finger wiping a crumb from its surface. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“Take what you need and get moving, if we’re all outgunned then RV at Logan’s bunker.”
“It’s a saltmine,” Logan said.
“You have to be joking?” Matos said. “How the hell did you stay alive in a saltmine?”
“With difficulty,” Sean said.
Logan pulled out his pack and placed it on the table. “If we’re going then I’m wearing this.”
He pulled out a Ghost cloak and let it hang.
“You’re full of surprises.” Matos said.
“I found it,” Logan replied. “Haarp won’t see me coming in this.”
He let the body suit hang and fastened the cloak around his neck leaving the hood down. Daniels reached out a hand to stroke the material.
“Graphene polymer.” Sean said.
Logan held out his hand. “If I don’t make it back, please protect the mine.”
“I promise,” She said, squeezing it tight then letting go.
Ortiz tried to stand but collapsed in his seat. Logan patted the man’s shoulder and embraced him. Ortiz’s hand snaked up to hold Logan’s in return. Sean hugged Logan like a little brother. She marveled at how they were so bound to each other.
Leaving them to say goodbyes, she led Matos into a meeting room opposite, glass crunching under their boots as they entered.
“You know what you’re doing?”
“I’ll get Logan to Haarp. He can have his chance talking to it. When that fails I’ll blow it up.”
“It could be a one way trip.”
“I’d rather be out there than in here.”
Avery held out her hand. Matos eyed it, then walked forward and folded her in an embrace. She let herself be encased by his hard body. “Look after yourself,” she said.
“I will. I’m coming back for you.”
For an instant, she allowed herself a daydream of a future with a sudden urge to hold him tightly and stay in the moment. He released her, walking away without looking back.
Avery watched the two men enter the stairwell, door swinging closed behind them. They were weaker without Matos. He was an exceptional fighter and his presence charged them with energy and fear like a battery. With threats from inside and out she would need everyone to fight even harder. She watched the door for a moment longer then strode into the Command Centre.
“You heard what Rodeen said?” Avery began, once they were all seated. “They’
re coming for us, so let’s show them we’re ready for a fight.”
Sean paced behind the four bunker staff, bobbing between them like a mad scientist. He seemed to have an innate understanding of technology and quickly grasped the detail of the control protocols.
“I’ve launched a, what did you call it Potato head?” Sean said, nudging Lucas.
“We’ve launched the high altitude surveillance drone,” Lucas said.
“On screen,” Avery replied.
The screen showed a helicopter view of the area. Two figures emerged from the bunker, floating forward together, Logan and Matos, walking towards the shuttle.
“Raise cannons,”
Grassy lids flipped up around the bunker then black cannons rose out of the ground.
“Raise SAM one.”
In the centre of the bunker area, a surface to air missile launcher rose. It was the shape of a bin, with eight missiles hanging on each side.
They repeated the exercise with Heavy Machine Guns. These were her contingency, to hold back in case they survived an air assault.
“We’re ready,” she said.
The first assault would be a feint. A test to confirm they had an operational weapons system. Other than an air dropped, bunker busting munition, they should be able to hold off most conventional attacks. That capability would degrade if the weapon stations were targeted.
She willed Matos and Logan to succeed. They made an odd couple. Even though both were somber and mysterious, they were markedly different. Matos steamed like a boiling kettle while Logan seemed to hold the universe in his green eyes.
“It’s a funny thing,” Sean said, breaking her concentration.
“What is?”
“Rodeen asked Matos to kill us and take back Logan.”
Avery nodded a reply, staring at the screen.
“Well here we are in the bunker waiting to die and he’s taken Logan right to the heart of the enemy. It’s a funny thing.”
Avery didn’t see the funny side. She opened a medi kit and picked out two aspirin. Popping them in her mouth then swallowing with water. Matos was taking Logan to slip in quietly not to turn him over. She replayed her interactions with him. He never gave her a complete answer, only half truths and subject changes. He rescued her from the bunker but somehow Cain survived both incidents. He knew both Ghosts and Eximus and neither seemed to trust him.
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