Advance: (Advance Industries) (Book 1)

by K A Duggsy

  I turn my head when I hear the door open and see him stood in the doorway, eyes full of pity and sorrow. He’s staring at me so intensely as if I’m the only other person in the room. His eyes convey pain but also a love burning so brightly that I’m entranced. I stare back unblinking hoping that he can see my love for him reflected back. Seconds pass but it feels like eternity. He doesn’t seem able to move forward. I blink at him and try to call him.

  “K... KY...” I turn my head away from him, frustrated and embarrassed. I don’t want him seeing me like this.

  Seconds later and he’s at my side, stroking my hair. I don’t turn to see him. How can he still be so tender and loving when I’m useless? It’s my strength he fell for. I’m not exactly a picture of strength now though am I? My whole body is tingling like it has pins and needles, it hurts but at least I feel something, progress I guess.

  “Sweetheart, you’re going to be fine. It’ll wear off soon.” He strokes my face before pulling me into him. My arm hangs limply at my side. He curls his hand around my neck holding me in my favourite way.

  I try to talk to him again but a whimpering sound is all that comes out. I relax into his arms and inhale all that is Kye, feeling safe again. He plasters me with gentle kisses and I can almost feel his relief... relief that I’ll be back to normal. As scary as this is for me and as much as I’ve told Kye about what went on here, experiencing it first-hand must be awful. I know if it were Kye like this I’d feel helpless not to mention murderous.

  Kye is so used to being in control but he does have an awful temper when crossed. It rarely raises its head but it’s an unpleasant side of him to behold when it does. I wish I could calm him... offer him comfort in return and talk him down. He’s bristling with unleashed fury and I start to panic about his next move. He needs a hazardous sign hung above him. I smile though remembering how shocked I was when I first heard his cursing. It didn’t take too long for me to become foul-mouthed after all the time I spent with those men. Swearing became a natural part of my vocabulary, it was freeing to vocalise the same way they did.

  I take some deep breaths, sucking up all the spare air in the room and working up the courage to attempt talking again. I flex my fingers, hoping to aid the returning of feeling. Kye gently lies me back down and speaks into his comm-rec, “Saunders I need you in the girl’s room now.”

  He starts pacing again and it puts me on edge. I have no idea what’s going on. Hope has told me what she knows up to now but the girls have stayed in here with me. What’s going on out there? Have Kye’s team gained control of the labs?

  The door swings open and Saunders walks over to Kye where they talk in urgent whispers, flicking looks my way before Saunders strolls over to me.

  He inspects the side and back of my head, cleans it and applies gauze. He flashes a light in my eyes and asks me to follow it. He asks me to hold up three fingers, to make a fist. He runs something over my foot to check for sensation. He times my heart rate and asks me a series of questions.

  “It’s a case of waiting. Her reactions overall are good. I don’t know why her speech is delayed. I’d like to sedate her; the rest might speed up her recovery.”

  Kye sits at the side of the bed and I manage to prop myself up so I’m sitting. I shake my head and stare into his gorgeous eyes, the flecks of gold winking at me. He understands, he always understands.

  “No, we won’t sedate her,” he tells Saunders, “I have to go and check on Walker and Palmer they haven’t checked in. Stay with her please?”

  Saunders agrees and Kye rests his forehead against mine. He doesn’t want to leave me but I understand he’s in charge; he can’t just drop his responsibilities for me.

  He kisses my nose. “I’ll be back soon, Sweetheart. I love you.”

  Kye

  I have an uneasy feeling; it started off small but has gradually crawled its way through my body before settling in the pit of my stomach. My team is split up completely. Saunders watching Faith and the girls, Callan and Trask watching the Advance employees we’re holding captive. Palmer and Walker clearing the rest of the labs, and Jonah and Arlen? I have no idea where they are. Jonah was watching the girls last time I saw him but slipped out I’m guessing when Saunders arrived. I look in on the scientists we’ve captured and grin noticing that they’ve all put distance between themselves and that woman. I update the men on how Faith is and my movements and tell them to stand by. I have a feeling this isn’t over yet. It was too easy and that doesn’t sit right.

  I try reaching Palmer and Walker again on their comm-recs. Nothing!

  Even if I do get my men out safely, how will we rescue the girls? We can’t leave them here. Hopefully Saunders can find a way to remove their chips otherwise I’m stumped. The labs are silent; I check empty room upon empty room. We’ve only cleared one end of the labs and that’s where we’ve set up and are keeping the prisoners and the girls. The other men went to clear the rest and that was a grade A mistake on my part. We had no idea of numbers and I let three of my men go alone, unprepared with nothing more than a drawing. It’s starting to feel like a trap and I’m getting edgier by the minute.

  Comm silence is never a good sign and I shouldn’t be investigating alone. As a leader I’m doing a shit job today and that weighs heavily on me. I know it’s because my judgement is clouded over Faith but I also know my men are well trained. I might be a fuck up but they certainly aren’t. I keep telling myself this, again and again.

  The labs are deceptive, from outside they seem on the small side but inside there are side rooms and eleviews, hidden rooms and turns every way I go. It gets to the point where I believe I’ve re-traced my steps over and over again. The drawing Hope gave me was with Palmer so I’m going from memory and clearly I don’t have a good one.

  Finally, and by accident I enter a room and see my men restrained. Palmer, Walker and Arlen. Each on a bed trolley, all of them strapped and their mouths covered. I ignore them while I check the rest of the space. There is a cleverly concealed eleview at the end of the room and I keep eyes on it as I make my way over to Palmer. I pull the tape from his mouth. “Get out!” He hisses. “It’s a set up!”

  Shocked at his vehemence I step back. The door I entered this room in slams shut and I whip around to see three AIG and a fat man.

  I press the button on my comm-rec.

  “Don’t!” A guard warns.

  I drop my hand but know it’s activated so speak anyway. “I’ve located Palmer, Walker and Arlen, we’re all detained. I repeat we are all detained. Jonah is now in charge.”

  I don’t get any further as I’m hit with a phaser, thousands of electrical jolts running through my body. I feel my neck strain and my back arches as I fall to the floor where I writhe in agony.

  Chapter 19

  Faith

  Hope is an angel. As soon as my shaky legs were firm enough to stand she aided me to the shower and helped me get clean. I feel so much better now I’m refreshed. She even got me a clean pair of clothes, some jeans and a t-shirt and brushed my hair. Small gestures really but I’ve missed being looked after, missed having someone care for me. I did feel like a child though when she had to lace up my boots for me.

  We enter the room Kye left us in and I sit on the bed before my clumsy limbs fail me again. Once seated it quickly becomes apparent.

  Something has happened.

  Kye’s men burst into a flurry of activity and then Saunders leaves us before returning with Trask and Callan and all of the Advance scientists.

  The scientists are thrown to the end of the room, their hands and feet bound. The girls are at this end with me, their eyes wide and the corners of their mouths turned up in slight smiles at seeing our tormentors so helpless. Karma really is a bitch.

  The three men are stood in the middle of the room acting as a barrier between us, talking rapidly and all seeming agitated as their voices become higher and they start arguing amongst themselves. My pulse rate spikes. I’ve been on missions with
these men enough times to know something has gone wrong. As the leader Kye should be here keeping order and strategizing. As he isn’t I know whatever has happened concerns him and the men are lost.

  I rise on slightly unsteady feet and walk towards them. I’m getting great at communicating with my eyes and Trask takes pity on me standing before him. “He’s captured,” He tells me sullenly.

  Just two words but the most powerful words I’ve ever heard before. My man has been captured and all because of me. We’ve only just been re-united and now I’ve lost him again. I want to sink to the floor and wail but won’t show my weakness to the men. They’re looking for direction and I’m going to take it. I can’t let Advance Industries hurt Kye. My resolve takes over; my body is co-operating... kind of. My speech is still hiding but I’m not going to let anything hold me back. It’s my turn to save Kye.

  “Jj... ona... h?” I ask.

  “Comm silence.” Trask answers.

  That explains the men’s confusion, their leader and second in command are MIA. I look to the end of the room. Fraser is slumped in a corner with dried blood around his face. He looks completely defeated. I gesture to him and Walker follows my meaning. He strides over, pulls him up and settles him in a chair. I pull a chair over to sit before him and pray my speech won’t let me down. The men flank either side of me while Saunders keeps the girls company. We’ve done this before, the typical interrogation; I pretend to be sweetness and light while the men are my enforcers. Most men hate a woman interrogating them but they also crave the compassion a woman offers. We have this down pat and although I haven’t done this with them for a while I’m grateful they trust me still. I repeat the words Kye taught me over and over again. ‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have’.

  I sit quietly for a moment just staring at him, he won’t meet my eyes. I compose myself and take a deep breath before asking, “Why?”

  “Hmmm, why what Faith? Which particular question would you like answered first?”

  He’s smug and it throws me. I’m confused as to why seeing as he’s in no position to be. He shows no remorse whatsoever.

  “Why is... the Aadv... ance invent..tion sooo importtt... ant?”

  “Really? I’m surprised at you Faith. Are you sure you don’t want to know if your speech will ever be the same again? Extraction is still a new test; the relaxant is a little... problematic. Some never return to how they were before.”

  Trask smacks him upside his head, then returns to my side. Is it true? Might I really be a stuttering imbecile forever? Fraser grins menacingly and I wonder how I ever fell for his act. I need to get back in control, he’s goading me and I’m letting him. I need to shift the power back in my favour. I need to remember how he used me for his own ends and channel my pent up rage.

  “T-they’re goi-ing to k-k-kill you, ya know?” Okay so that didn’t sound as great as I expected, stuttering is not helping me. He grins again as if he’s in on a secret I’m not privy to.

  “And they’re going to kill your leader! I believe he’s a bargaining chip, don’t you?”

  I fly from the seat and slap him across his face, then feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see Trask at my side, he takes my arm and slowly leads me away. My hand is stinging but I welcome the pain. I enjoy feeling the burn and hope his face is on fire too.

  “Faith you’re not up to this. Let us question him, okay?”

  I release a pent up breath and look up at his concerned face. “I c-can do i-i-it, I can.” I can get myself under control. He knows my weakness now but I can’t let my feelings for Kye cloud my judgement. We’re his only chance of recovery and I need to get to him before they hurt him. Or before they hurt him more than they already have. I can’t let them use him as another test subject. I’d never forgive myself.

  Trask nods reluctantly and I’m grateful he’s letting me take the lead. Out of all of the team Trask was my closest friend. Despite his overbearing appearance he has a dry sense of humour that always entertained me. I rub his arm and tell him, “I m... iss...ed y...ou.”

  “Me too, girl. Me too.” He gives me a hug and my eyes fill with tears again. I do have friends, people that care for me, I’m not alone. Having my memories back is a blessing in some ways.

  He clears his throat, our quick display of affection something he’s unaccustomed to. I pull back and smile at his uncharacteristic emotion. “Jonah…h needs to be f-f-found,” I say.

  “I know but there’s not enough of us, splitting up now isn’t wise. I’ll keep checking the comm. Okay? It’s the best we can do for now.”

  I nod knowing he’s right, all we need is for another man to go missing or get captured, plus only having two guys here to watch the scientists and the girls is beyond stupid. I shake my head and take a deep breath. Get it together Faith!

  I pour myself a drink of water. My vocal chords feel so strained and are burning. The cool liquid eases some of the heat and I hope my voice won’t be as scratchy. As I’m returning to Fraser an alarm starts blaring and we all look around at each other, hoping someone has the answer to what the hell that noise is all about. The panel above the door clicks and the light changes from green to red. Walker walks over to the door and pulls the handle, it doesn’t budge.

  We’re locked in and the alarm still blaring sounds like it’s laughing at us.

  Kye

  I roll over and rub my hand across the back of my head. Shit it hurts like a motherfucker! I roll back and forth like a damn tortoise that has toppled over before I find the leverage to hoist myself to a sitting position. I’m in the same room, my men are before me but their beds have been raised to an upright position so they’re strapped in almost standing.

  Arlen’s eyes keep darting behind me and I realise he’s communicating with me the only way he can. Why haven’t I been tied up? Do they have something else planned for me? I turn around slowly so my pounding head doesn’t cause me to spin, and see the fat guy from earlier seated on a chair with the three AIG stood behind him.

  “Ah, how nice of you to join us,” Fat man says.

  “Yeah, sorry about that, I needed a nap,” I reply.

  “A sense of humour? How refreshing.” He states, “Allow me to introduce myself. Johnson Franks.” He bows mockingly. “I believe you’ve been looking for me?”

  “Sorry to disappoint but it’s not you I was looking for,” I lie.

  “Yes I know,” he drawls, “You have an interest in our Faith. I can see why, she’s quite remarkable. But then how would you know that?”

  Seeing as he’s settling in for a long conversation I get comfy. I sit cross-legged on the floor before him, letting him think he has the advantage as he looms over me.

  “Why don’t you just ask me what you really want to know?”

  “Ah straight to the point, no games. A man after my own heart, I like that. I respect that. What is your name?”

  I grin; I shouldn’t answer any of his questions. It’s interrogation training 101 but I’m feeling like I need to have some fun with this jerk.

  “Buz.”

  He doesn’t miss a beat. “I see. Hebrew?” He questions.

  I didn’t consider that someone like him would be familiar with biblical names or their meanings and the dig I was trying to get in against him feels like it’s gone against me.

  “A nickname? Surely your parents wouldn’t have labelled you so harshly?”

  Great now he’s playing with me. I chose that name as it means contempt. It felt apt as I feel nothing but contempt for him, this lab and everyone who works here. But now I look stupid. I’m finally getting my one on one with Johnson Franks. The man responsible for the pain of my baby. The man I want to hurt more than I’ve ever wanted to hurt before. I have plenty I want to say to him; plenty I want to do to him. How can I turn the tables?

  “I guess you’re the expert on ridiculous names?”

  He appears to think over my statement then says, “I think the
girls were all aptly named. Especially Faith. Don’t you? I have great faith in her. I always knew she was special; after all she is mine. I’m proud to call her my daughter.”

  I jump up and fist my hands. His guards step forward, phasers at the ready and I stand down.

  “I knew you were deluded. To do what you do here you must be but you’ve really lost it now.” Sure Advance adopted the children legally but to have the gall to tell me she is his daughter and he’s proud of her has bile rising in my throat.

  He smiles and it transforms his face. “She is mine. My wife, God bless her soul was barren. She couldn’t give me the children I desperately wanted so I made it happen with the reproduce trials. Faith has always yearned to know where she comes from, to feel wanted and loved. I could give her everything she’s ever craved, and in the end that is why she will give me her loyalty.”

  “You’re crazy! She hates you! She is wanted and loved and not for what she can achieve as a test subject but because of who she is. She would never accept you as her father and if it’s true, you’re the worst father in the history of the world.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t go that far. The world’s history is a rather long timeline. I believe there have been worse fathers in all that time. I shall look into it just in case I can claim that title.”

  I shake my head. He really is bat shit crazy. There’s no reasoning with someone who has fucked up ideals and dreams of grandeur. I decide to let him keep doing the talking, he obviously wants me to know certain things and I don’t care to question why. Knowledge is power and as I’m on the back foot for now I’ll lap up everything he wants to share.

  “You know, you’ve impressed me. I’m not easily impressed but you’re a man of talent. I have use for a man like you to train my guards. I will house you in Zone 1 and... let you keep Faith. If you come and work for me.”