Metal and Ash (Apex Trilogy)

by Jake Bible

  “Oh, please, Ms. Isely,” Mr. Continental said, noticing where her attention lay. “This tent is more secure than you think. We wouldn’t willingly put ourselves in harm way.”

  “But to dine in the wasteland on the eve of our total victory is just something we couldn’t pass up,” Mr. Brown Eyes stated. “You can understand, I’m sure.”

  “There is a lot of ground to cover before victory, gentlemen,” Ms. Isely said. “You may be getting ahead of yourselves.”

  “Your lack of confidence is troubling,” Mr. Plain noted.

  “I can assure you all that confidence is never something I lack,” Ms. Isely replied. “Neither is justified caution.”

  The Three watched her then Mr. Brown Eyes nodded. “Well then join us for a drink and maybe some of that caution will rub off.”

  “Maybe,” Ms. Isely said as a guard brought her a gin and tonic. “Let’s hope it does.”

  ***

  The maintenance tunnel was dank and wet, just as it had always been. The Great Maker proceeded along, careful of the slick flooring beneath his feet. He found the hatch he had been looking for and quickly undid the bolts. He set the hatch plate aside and peered into the cramped space beyond.

  He slowly lifted himself inside then reached out and lifted up the hatch plate. He carefully set it in place and then warped the metal just enough to wedge the plate into the hatch opening. Unless someone happened to come by and do a thorough inspection of the tunnel and the hatch itself, the Great Maker expected no one to know he was in the Stronghold. And where he was going.

  ***

  “Get some sleep,” Talaria said as the Mayor watched the wall of vid screens. “You’re going to overload that mind of yours. You’ll be useless tomorrow.”

  “I won’t be able to sleep,” the Mayor said. “I’m better use here.”

  She grabbed his hand and pulled him from his seat. “You are of no use here. Not right now. You listen to me, Young. Go get some rest or I’ll knock you on your ass and carry you to bed.”

  The Mayor grabbed her up and kissed her hard. “I am not against that scenario.” He kissed her again and she cupped his ass, giving it a hard squeeze.

  “Come on, old man,” Talaria said as she took him by his hand and led him out of the control room. “Let us find some happiness before the hell that will be coming.”

  “Yes,” the Mayor smiled. “Let us.”

  ***

  The nightmares didn’t come for Capreze as he thought they would.

  Instead, all he saw in his dream was a stretch of wasteland before him and a far off figure walking away.

  He knew that figure, he knew that walk, and he knew why she was walking away.

  He didn’t break down in his dream and cry. He didn’t fall apart. Something in him knew it was just a dream and that any sorrow or grief he felt would just be empty. The real pain would be when he woke up.

  “Hey, Papa Bear,” a voice said as it floated on the wind to his ears. “Don’t you worry. I’m coming home. Juts hang on, okay?”

  “Okay, Baby Girl,” he whispered as he turned away from the fading figure. “Okay.”

  Fifty-Two

  The hangar was the only place everyone, including the new arrivals, could all meet together. And it was exactly where Capreze wanted everyone before he sent them off to what could easily be their last moments on Earth.

  “We’ve got a lot of new faces here,” Capreze said as he looked about the hangar. “Some of you know the wasteland as well as anyone. Some of you have no idea what you are in for.”

  He tried to catch the eye of everyone in the hangar, even the mechs that stood just outside in the wasteland dawn.

  “But know that no matter who you are or where you came from, I am thankful you are here now,” Capreze continued. “When we first took this Stronghold I had sent out a broadcast to the entire wasteland. I had sent an invitation that those that wanted to join us could and those that wanted to oppose us would die.” Capreze paused and took a deep breath. “I was wrong.”

  The mech pilots and Railers that had been there for that broadcast all looked confused and worried.

  “It wasn’t my place to threaten anyone,” Capreze said. “I am not the judge or jury. I have no right to put myself up as the executioner of the wasteland. I am a mech base commander. That is my training, that is my calling, that is my job. Anything else and I’m stepping into dangerous waters.”

  The Pope stood to the far side of the crowd and smiled. Capreze noticed him and nodded.

  “That isn’t to say that I will let brutality and cruelty rule,” Capreze said. “I have no intention of just sitting by while the insane terrorize this land. While my duty has always been to protect the people of the wasteland against the undead, and let the humans be, the world has changed. In fact, we now know there actually is a world.”

  A couple people laughed and Capreze took a hold of that and pressed forward.

  “So this is my promise to you and everyone in the wasteland,” Capreze announced. “When we kick the ever loving shit out of the Three I have no intention of taking any type of leadership role, other than what I’m doing right now. I’ll keep the Stronghold in place in order to maintain the new ranks of mechs and pilots that will come forward. I will swear to protect the freedoms of all that live in the wasteland.” He swallowed hard and gave the Pope a stern look. “Even the deaders. When this is all said and done, it will be up to you, all of you, to decide how the wasteland shall be governed. And while I cannot take away all the danger the wasteland and the world present, I can assure you that I will do everything in my power to protect your rights to build something new from the rubble of society we struggle with. No more UDC, no more Three, no more Councils or Control or whatever the fuck else wants absolute power. This wasteland will be yours and you will be safe, secure and protected so that from the ashes can rise up a place to live that we can all agree with.”

  The silence was thick, but Capreze knew it wasn’t empty.

  “And that is all that I can tell you. Today will be hard. Many will die. But for all of you that fight today you can know that you are fighting for something. Not just survival. Not just for your slice of Hell. You are fighting for the future of us all and for generations to come. Because as fucking insane as this wasteland is, it’s our home, all of ours, and we won’t give it up for nothing.”

  The hangar erupted in cheers and applause while Capreze just stood there and nodded.

  “Now, I need key people to meet with me right now,” Capreze said as the hangar finally calmed down. “We have a war to win.”

  ***

  The sea of deaders was beyond intimidating, but Dog had been assured that he could get through them unmolested. As soon as the cyces had appeared a whistle blew and a wide path was created for the riders of Eden. Slowly, cautiously, Dog and the others rode up to the Stronghold just as everyone was breaking up and heading to their duties.

  “Damn,” Dog said as he got of his cyce and walked into the hangar. “What’d I miss?”

  “There you are!” Jenny shouted as she sprinted at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What took so long?”

  “Had to make sure we didn’t lose anyone,” Dog replied. “Had a few riders nod off back there and had to get them up and going. It’s not easy riding all night long. My ass hurts and I could use about ten hours of sleep.”

  “I can’t help you on either of those,” Capreze said as he walked up and offered his hand. “Good to see you…Dog, is it?”

  Dog shrugged. “That’s the name I was born with. Sucks ass, but it’s mine all mine.”

  “Well, glad you could make it back,” Capreze grinned. “Come on, we were about to meet and get this ball rolling.”

  “Sure thing, Commander,” Dog replied. “Let me get the riders squared away with Immy and Agnatha and I’ll be right there. Give me ten minutes?”

  Capreze smiled at Dog’s tone of authority and nodded. “Ten will be fine. But don’t be longer.
”

  “Not planning on it,” Dig said. “Thank you, sir.”

  Capreze nodded and walked off.

  “Huh,” Dog said as he looked around the hangar at all of the different people that were hustling about. “This is different.”

  “Isn’t it?” Jenny replied. “Ranchers, Railers, whatever the Eden people are, mechheads, the Styleses, even freaking thinking mechs. All together.”

  “Not what we were expecting when we left on that train to go back to my village, huh?”

  “Not at all,” Jenny replied as she squeezed Dog’s hand. “When this is all over are you still going back to Eden?”

  “That depends,” Dog said.

  “With what?”

  “Well, with whether I’m alive or not,” Dog replied. “I get past that part and then I’ll know for sure.”

  “You? Die?” Jenny laughed. “I don’t know if you can.”

  “Don’t fucking jinx me!” Dog exclaimed. “Jeezus!”

  “Oh, calm down,” she said as she kissed him. “You’ll live through this or I’ll kick your ass.”

  “I bet you will.”

  “Hey! Rookie!” Jay shouted as he walked over, not giving a shit whether he was interrupting or not.

  “It’s Dog now,” Dog replied.

  “Fuck you, kid,” Jay smirked. “I’ll call you Rookie for the rest of your miserable life. Fucking get used to it.”

  “I guess I’ll just have to,” Dog grinned.

  “Damn fucking right you will,” Jay said. “So what’s this I hear about you riding some fucking tricycle to war? You’re a goddamn mech pilot, kid! You telling me one of my mechs isn’t good enough for you anymore?”

  “I would never say that,” Dog replied. “At least not to your face.”

  “Ha ha, asshole.”

  “But, yeah, I’m gonna be on a cyce when we move out,” Dog continued. “I have about three hundred crazy motherfuckers that will be looking to me to take the lead.”

  Jay eyed him for a minute the shrugged. “Then I guess you better show me these cyces. I’m not gonna have you going out there with some piece of crap between your legs. You already got one of those!”

  “You’re wrong there,” Jenny laughed.

  “Ah, shit,” Jay frowned. “I don’t need to hear that. Come on, kid. Let’s make sure those two-wheeled freak shows have enough boom in them to make a difference in this fight.”

  “Oh, they do, don’t worry,” Dog said as he followed Jay out of the hangar.

  “Yeah, yeah, I’ll decide that,” Jay replied.

  ***

  “Clear me for duty,” Mathew snapped at June. “I’m not fucking around here!”

  “And neither am I, Matty,” June said. “You nearly got your ass blasted apart out in Monterey. My job is to make sure you don’t get in a mech and do more harm than good. It’s not about you, it’s about the safety of everyone else around you.”

  “Themopolous wouldn’t think of benching me,” Mathew argued. “We need every capable mech out there on that battlefield. You don’t clear me and how many people will die because I’m not there to back them up or protect them? Huh?”

  “Problem?” Capreze asked as he stepped into the infirmary.

  “Yeah,” Mathew growled. “June’s being a total cunt and won’t clear me for duty.”

  “Hey!” June shouted as she slapped Mathew across the face.

  Capreze raised his eyebrows as Mathew and June looked at each other, stunned.

  “We done here?” Capreze asked. “Got that shit out of your system?” The two barely glanced at him. “Good. I know you are hurting, trust me, I know, but you two need to put whatever it is that’s going on behind you and get your heads straight. June? Clear him. Mathew? Apologize for being an asshole and go get prepped.”

  “Fine,” June said as she checked off the clearance on her tablet. “He’s set to pilot.”

  Mathew looked at her sheepishly. “Sorry for giving you a hard time.”

  “It is what it is,” June said. “Now get the fuck out of here and go get yourself killed.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Mathew said as he got off the exam table and started out of the infirmary.

  Capreze grabbed him by the arm. “You’re being cleared because I need you. But if you don’t feel up to the challenge at any point then you hustle back here and work support. Got me?”

  “Yes, sir,” Mathew nodded. “I got you.”

  Capreze nodded back and let him go. Mathew hurried out of the infirmary to the hangar.

  “What was that about?” Capreze asked. “You know we can’t spare a single pilot.”

  “You can spare me,” June said.

  “Is that what this is?” Capreze asked. “Are you pissed because you can’t get out there and fight?”

  “No…yes,” June replied. “Maybe. I don’t know. It’s all just so fucked up.”

  “You have a job to do here,” Capreze said. “And with Themopolous gone I need you more than ever.”

  “I’m not a doctor!” June yelled. “What can I do? I know a little more than basic first aid, for fuck’s sake!”

  “True,” Capreze grinned. “There are Railers that have way more medical knowledge and skills than you. But I don’t trust a damn one of them to be in charge when the shit hits the fan. I need you to make sure that those with the right skills are in the right place at the right time. Understand?”

  “So I’m administration? Great,” June frowned.

  “You’re leadership!” Capreze barked. “And wipe that sulky look off your face! This is hard on everyone, got that? Suck it up!”

  June took a deep breath, held it then nodded. “Okay. Fine.” She watched Capreze look about the infirmary. “She’s in iso room 3, sir. The American girl is in there with her.”

  Capreze turned his attention on isolation room 3 and slowly walked forward.

  ***

  “I…can do it…Papa Bear,” Beth mumbled just as Capreze walked into the isolation room.

  “What did she just say?” Capreze asked, rushing to Beth’s bed.

  Melissa jumped up from her chair and blocked Capreze. “She’s not your daughter! Back off!”

  Capreze saw the dangerous look in Melissa’s eyes and took a step back. “I know that. I just wanted to know what she said.”

  “I don’t know,” Melissa said. “She’s been mumbling ever since the shield generator. I don’t know half of what she’s saying.”

  Capreze watched Beth for a moment, but the girl didn’t speak again.

  “She doesn’t have the scars,” Capreze mentioned.

  “What?” Melissa asked.

  “She doesn’t have the scars that Rachel had,” Capreze explained. “Otherwise she looks just like my daughter did at her age.”

  “But she’s not your daughter,” Melissa insisted.

  Capreze turned his focus back to Melissa. “Yes, Ms. Bretton, I am painfully aware of that. Thank you for pushing the point. My daughter is dead and that is not her. Couldn’t be more clearer.”

  Melissa plopped into her chair. “Sorry. It’s been a bad few days.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Do you?” Melissa asked. “No offense, but you’ve been here in this Stronghold while I’ve been on a ship for months. I’ve watched my friends and fellow Americans die by the scores as we’ve been chased halfway across the globe.” Melissa choked back tears. “There’s a man I love that I have no idea if he’s alive or dead.” She pointed at Beth. “She’s all I have left. She’s it. She isn’t blood, but she is family. And she won’t wake up. So I’m sorry for your loss, but don’t even pretend to know what I’ve been through.”

  “You’re young and hurt,” Capreze responded. “So I’m not going to argue with you. But do know I understand what you are felling 100%. You need to talk with someone just come find me.”

  Capreze stood there and watched Melissa for a minute.

  “What?” Melissa snapped. “Is there more?”

  “Yes,�
� Capreze said. “I’ve had some time to talk with Mr. Styles, the First. He says you have skills with that biochrome that could be useful. I need to ask for your help.”

  “Yeah, I’m good with BC,” Melissa said. “Fabrics, outfits, uniforms, stuff like that. You need body armor? I’m your girl.” She laughed and the new look in her eye worried Capreze. “But that takes BC! You see any in this wasteland of yours? I fucking don’t! All you have is fucking rust. Tons and tons of rust.” Melissa shivered. “Fucking disgusting.”

  “Nice speech,” Capreze said. “You like to hear yourself talk, don’t you? Makes you feel tough and important.” Capreze held up a hand before Melissa could respond. “Shut up. Just shut your spoiled fucking mouth. Yeah, lot’s of rust. Tons of it everywhere. That’s life in the wasteland. And guess what? We’ve gotten by without your fucking precious biochrome.” He moved in close, towering over Melissa. “But now we could use that biochrome and any help it can give. More importantly we need you. Because from what I know it sounds like a whole hell of a lot of biochrome is coming at us. I need you in the fight so you can use your skills to take some of the BC down.”

  “Whatever,” Melissa said as she turned away and put her feet up on Beth’s bed.

  Capreze slapped her feet down. “Not whatever, you little bitch!” He grabbed her by her uniform and yanked her to her feet. “You are going to help. Got it? Styles says he’ll sacrifice a couple of the BTTs for scrap. You get to make some of the body suits he told me you can make. I have three hundred riders from Eden that will be exposed out there. They could use a little assistance.”

  He tossed her back into her chair. They stared at each other, neither of them blinking.

  “Fine,” Melissa said. “But you won’t get three hundred suits out of two BTTs. Not the kind that those riders will need. We’ll need more BC.”

  “Then we make it,” Capreze said. “There are parts of this Stronghold that can handle the production. In fact, I almost have a feeling the UDC was about to get into the biochrome business. It would explain a lot.”