by Jake Bible
“Respect has nothing to do with this, Blue,” Fitzroy said calmly, his hand resting casually on the pistol. “I will shoot you in the fucking leg if you don’t start talking.”
Blue looked from the General’s eyes to the pistol and back. “You’re actually going to do it, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
Blue hesitated, thinking the situation through. “Where in the leg?”
The General grinned. “Does it matter?”
Blue returned to his chair. “Okay. I’ll tell you one thing.” Fitzroy began to protest, but Blue held up his hand. “I can’t tell you more, sir. If this gets any worse, which it probably will, I have certain safeguards in place. You are just going to have to trust me. Agreed?”
The General studied Blue’s face for a long time, saying nothing.
“Sir? Are we in agreement?” Blue asked.
“Fine, Blue,” General Fitzroy sighed. “I trust you. What can you tell me?”
“The LOM has obtained tech that could possibly match our Ghost abilities, sir.”
“Full integration and control of BC? Is that even possible without American genetic coding? ” the General asked in alarm. “They are forbidden to even try to do that under the Articles of Sanctuary!”
“Yeah, well, those articles are flying out the window right now,” Blue laughed. “And mainly because of this tech.”
“This is what Heather has?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And what is this tech, Blue?”
“I don’t know the scientific specifics,” Blue said, rubbing at his face, the day, the weeks, the years catching up with him. “But, it’s some type of nanotech. Different than the BC molecular computing. More autonomous. Potentially more deadly.”
“Great. So basically the fate of the Americans’ place in this world is in the hands of Heather Walton?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘place’…” Blue began, but waved off the General as he started to ask another question. “But our survival certainly is in her hands. If she can pull this off then I think our future, at least, will be solidified.”
Fitzroy locked eyes with Blue and the two men stayed that way for some time.
***
Melissa stood there fuming in the dark as the puddle of human waste at her feet grew with each drip and drop coming off of her ruined clothes. “I fucking hate you, Billy.”
“Go jump in the Thames. That’ll get you rinsed off,” Billy said as he helped Heather to her feet. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Heather said weakly, but certainly sounding better than she did before they all started their nasty journey through the sewage tunnel. She looked down at herself and the state she was in. “At least the shit covers the blood.” She reached around and took off the case, carefully inspecting it for damage. The BC it was made out of was programmed to seal instantly should the case be breached. As far as Heather could tell it had done its job.
“You gonna let us know what’s in there?” Billy asked, eyeing the case.
“Nope,” Heather answered curtly. “I was supposed to take this to Suffolk BOP, but now that I have been compromised I need to get this out of the Kingdom.”
Billy lifted Beth from the raft and set her gently on the ground. “Where are you thinking of going?”
“Tibet,” Beth whispered.
“What did she say?” Heather asked. “I couldn’t hear her.”
“I think she said Tibet,” Billy said. “She’s out of it. Where are you thinking of going?”
“Tibet,” Beth whispered again then came fully awake, thrashing about, kicking Billy in the back of the legs and knocking him off his feet.
“Hey! Fucking watch it!” he yelled.
Heather knelt next to Beth. “Why Tibet?”
Beth blinked several times, not comprehending the question. “Wha—What? Tibet?”
“Billy was asking me where I was going and you kept answering ‘Tibet’. Why?”
“I said that? I don’t remember saying that at all.”
“Yes, you said that. Why? Think hard.”
Beth’s brow furrowed and she looked as if she was in great pain. “It seems…right? Does that make sense? I can actually see Tibet in my mind. Like a full blown holo.” She shook her head, trying to clear the image. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a holo of Tibet. Not even in school. What does it mean?”
“I don’t know why you would see that,” Heather said suspiciously. “Tibet is my backup in case this whole operation gets blown to shit, which it has.”
“They couldn’t have thought of a closer location as a backup?” Billy sneered. “Hey! How about instead of just a few kilometers down the road we send you thousands of kilometers away through very unfriendly territory and realistically get you killed before you get there. How’s that work?”
“I’ve been to Tibet quite a few times actually, without a scratch,” Heather said with confidence. The confidence was quickly replaced by pain as she was doubled over with a racking, wet cough.
“You okay?” Billy asked with concern.
Heather fell to her hands and knees and heaved up glob after sticky glob of thick red-black liquid.
“Oh my God!” Beth said. “She needs a doctor!”
“I’ll…be…fine,” Heather croaked, wiping her mouth, the heaving over. “The BC is just repairing the damage that bullet did. I’m lucky to even be breathing.”
“So, Tibet then,” Billy said, clapping his hands together. “With the noise we’ve all made on this side of the Channel, I don’t think just getting out of the Kingdom is going to keep us safe. The LOMSD will be waiting for us on the other side and there’s a lot of country to cover to get to Tibet.” Billy turned and watched Melissa pull herself from the Thames and onto shore, her clothes not really clean, but no longer coated in filth. “And with the condition you are in, plus the girls’, the roads aren’t an option.”
Heather sighed. “Amsterdam?”
“Amsterdam,” Billy nodded.
“Amsterdam?” Melissa asked ringing water from her hair. “What’s in Amsterdam?”
“Not what, but who,” Heather said. “Someone completely off everyone’s radar and that has a special gift that can get us to Tibet.”
Melissa stared at Heather for a moment. “Tibet? Wait…what? I thought you just said Amsterdam? What the fuck did I miss?”
***
“Just got a ping on their location,” Reginald said.
“Huh?” Mr. Stone opened his bleary eyes. “They aren’t at the plant?”
“Nope. Looks like they came out at a drain pipe two miles north of the plant,” Reginald replied. “We’ll be there in less than two minutes.”
Mr. Stone rubbed his eyes and sat upright. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his pistol. “Three magazines. Matrix bullets, fine powder,” he said. After a moment there was a beep and Stone retrieved the magazines from a compartment in the dashboard. “Need anything, Reginald?”
“Nope. Already have my L9 set to go in the boot,” Reginald answered. “I figured I’d take a sniper position once we get there since these Jacks like to run.”
“That’s a fine idea, Reggie,” Mr. Stone nodded. “Just don’t hit me.”
“Mr. Stone, you insult me!” Reginald cried.
“Just taking the piss, Reginald,” Mr. Stone smiled.
Chapter Seven
From the moment Corporal Stephens received word that Commander Arthur Lefonte of His Majesty’s Royal Guard was at the front gate until the moment the man walked in to General Fitzroy’s office, the entire base went from everyday readiness to full alert. To the casual observer, the change wouldn’t have been evident, but to the trained eye of Commander Lefonte, it was alarming and quite impressive.
“I’m just one man, General,” Lefonte said, extending his hand as Stephens shut the office door behind him. “I think the call to arms might be a bit over the top, don’t you think?”
“We’re Americans, Commander,” the Ge
neral responded, giving the man’s hand a good pump before dropping it and offering Lefonte a seat next to Colonel Masterson. “Over the top is how we’re born.”
“Yes, quite,” Lefonte grinned coldly. He turned to look at Colonel Masterson. “It’s good to see you again, Colonel.”
“Commander,” Blue nodded. “Still drinking that crappy 18-year-old ass squeezings you call scotch?”
“Not anymore,” Lefonte laughed. “I’ve since found a twenty-year-old that has extra taint flavor. Just the way you like it.”
The room filled with the hollow laughter of the three veteran soldiers. Then silence.
“So, Commander Lefonte, the Prime Minister has informed me that you are here to take command of my base?” General Fitzroy said. “Will this be after you pry my dead cold hands open or before?”
“Preferably neither, General,” the Commander responded. “We don’t want bloodshed or violence. We all know what you Americans are capable of and no one wants to go to war with you. Plus, the King hasn’t coordinated this with any of the other Monarchies, so as far as I know, all bases on the Continent are active and without restriction, which would put us at a great disadvantage should you call for reinforcements.”
“That’s a lot of info to throw our way, Commander,” Blue said, not buying any of it. “I’d think your higher ups would want you to be a little more discreet.”
“On the contrary, Colonel Masterson,” Commander Lafonte responded. “I’m here in the spirit of openness. Since there is the distinct possibility that Americans are involved in the earlier violence of today.”
“I assure you…” Fitzroy started.
“Let me finish, General,” Lafonte insisted. “I am not going to be taking over your base. I am here to facilitate the recall of all Family Combat Units from the field and to oversee their speedy return to your base. That is all we are asking while these issues are being investigated.”
“Bullshit!” Blue snarled.
“Blue,” Fitzroy warned. “I understand what you are saying, but let’s not kid each other, Arthur. While you aren’t taking control of the base, you are taking control of our jurisdiction and confining us to our base. Really, we’re just saving you the hassle and expense of building a new prison.”
Lefonte smiled slightly, debating his response. “Oh, why cock it all up? Yes General that is exactly what is happening. I have six divisions at the ready if I need them. I am hoping I don’t need them.”
“Six divisions? I wasn’t aware the King had that manpower at his disposal.” General Fitzroy leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers precisely one at a time. “You won’t have any resistance, Commander. I give you my word. Corporal!”
The Corporal was in the office before the last syllable of his name was off the General’s lips. “Yes, sir?”
“Please set up Commander Lafonte with whatever he needs. And make sure there is a room ready for him in the officers’ complex.”
“Already done, sir,” Stephens responded. “Commander Lafonte’s trunk has been placed in his quarters and we have a data station set up in the office next door for him to use.”
General Fitzroy smiled and extended his hand. “I hope that is adequate, Commander?”
“More than, General,” the Commander said, shaking Fitzroy’s hand once again and giving a quick salute. The General returned the salute. “Thank you, General Fitzroy. I’ll be sure and keep you up to date on the findings of our investigation.”
“Yeah. You do that,” Fitzroy said. “Oh, and Commander? Let’s not forget I have lost people today also, okay? That really sticks in my craw, understand?”
The Commander nodded and left the room, Stephens closing the door after him.
“This is total bullshit!” Blue cursed. “We’ve been grounded like little fucking kids!”
“Actually, this is perfect, Blue,” the General smiled. “Now everything is out of our hands. We don’t need to make a single move except to defend ourselves. We’ll have everyone at the ready if this all goes south.”
“You mean further than it already has?”
“Yes. Now let’s hope you know what the fuck you’re doing and all your plans work out the way they are supposed to. And get whatever Ghosts you have out there ready to respond at a second’s notice.”
“Will do, sir,” Blue said, saluted and left, leaving the General to his troubled thoughts.
***
“Wow,” Beth said in awe. “That is incredible.”
They all stood on the riverbank admiring Billy’s handiwork.
“You sure that thing will stay afloat?” Melissa asked, skeptical of the small watercraft Billy had put together from the scrap BC they all scrounged along the waterfront.
“It’ll float and it’ll move,” Billy said. “I’m useless in combat nowadays, but I used to while away the hours between fixes by studying people’s cast off dataplasts. I’m up on pretty much all the new vehicle designs. I’ve always kept that part of me sharp. The drive engine I put in this thing will outrun anything the LOMSD might have out there patrolling.”
“Speaking of fixes, how are you feeling?” Heather asked. “Can you drive this thing?”
Billy shrugged. “I just took something. Nothing big, but it’ll keep the edge off.”
“What did you take? You aren’t going to sink us out there thinking you’re fighting sea monsters or anything, are you?” Heather smiled.
“Nah,” Billy’s eyes grew sad and his shoulders dropped. “I’m so far gone, Heather, that it doesn’t really matter what I take. It’s all just to keep me from getting sick. I haven’t actually been high in years.”
“Good,” Melissa snarled. “I’d hate for a worthless piece of shit like you to get any pleasure from your life.” She stepped onto the sleek, metal boat. “You guys coming?”
Beth put her hand out and Melissa helped her aboard. Billy put his hand out, but Melissa ignored it. “Really?” she snapped.
Billy jumped awkwardly on and went to help Heather, but the Ghost was already next to him before he could even turn. “I’ve forgotten how fast you are,” he laughed.
“Never fast enough,” she said quietly and they shared a short, sad look.
“Let’s go!” Melissa barked.
“Yes, boss!” Billy responded. “Right away, boss!”
Heather began to cough.
“You okay?” Beth asked.
Heather once again doubled over and heaved more thick fluid. Twice as much came spewing from her mouth and Beth had to actually grab onto her to keep her from falling over the side of the boat.
“Move!” Melissa snapped, shoving Beth aside and helping Heather sit on the deck. “What’s going on, Heather?”
“I don’t know,” she gasped. “This isn’t BC repair. This is something different.”
“You think?” Melissa responded with a mix of sarcasm and concern.
“Could it have to do with what’s in the case?” Beth asked. “Maybe whatever was in there got in you when you were shot.”
“The case seals itself up,” Melissa said. “Weren’t you paying attention?”
“Stop it, Mel. She’s just trying to help,” Heather said, her breathing coming more even. “Go see what’s taking Billy so long to get the engine going.”
Melissa glared at Beth and Heather and then stomped off into the cabin.
“She didn’t always used to be Queen Bitch,” Heather said, getting to unsteady feet.
“She has as long as I have known her,” Beth said.
“That’s right. You two go to school together,” Heather said taking a slow deep breath. “I think she’s mentioned you before.”
“She’s mentioned me?”
“Don’t ask for details. I’m always a little preoccupied with, um, work, so I don’t pay attention as much as I should.” Heather’s face grew alarmed. “Jesus fuck! What about your parents? They must be freaked out by now!”
“Foster parents,” Beth responded. “They don’t give a shit
unless the Kingdom changes their credit allotment.”
“Oh, sorry…”
Beth shrugged. “It is what it is. Kinda weird finding out I’m an American. Sorta like those old fairy tales.”
“Hopefully this one has a happy ending,” Heather smiled.
“None of the real ones ever did,” Beth said solemnly. “Usually somebody ends up with their eyes plucked out or near death in a glass casket.”
“Hello there!” a voice called from the riverbank. “Going somewhere?”
Beth and Heather looked to the shadowed figure on the bank waving. The first shot went just wide of Beth’s head, taking a short lock of hair with it. Heather shoved her to the deck. “Billy! We need to go now!”
***
Reginald had Beth in his sights for the last minute and was just waiting for Mr. Stone to give the signal. “Oh, such a waste of a young life. Sigh.”
When Mr. Stone began to call out and wave, Reginald took his shot. To say he was embarrassed that he missed would be an understatement. He hadn’t compensated for the undulation of the boat on the Thames as another boat further out went by.
He chambered a second round, but Beth was already out of sight. He switched targets to the Ghost and squeezed the trigger.
***
Heather’s head rocked back as the bullet tore into her left eye and exited out the back of her skull. Beth screamed as she was sprayed with blood and grey matter.
Then Beth’s scream caught in her throat as she watched the massive hole in Heather’s head quickly close up and a milky orb replace the green one that had just been vaporized. Heather sank to her knees as Billy got the drive going and the boat rocketed forward.
***
Reginald pulled the scope away from his own eye and frowned. “That was strange. Did I miss again?”
Mr. Stone opened fire, not sure why Reginald’s shot didn’t take the Ghost out. He ran along the bank, replacing one magazine with another as fast as he could, hoping at least one of his shots would find a mark.
He stopped as soon as the boat was clearly out of range, his lungs burning from the exertion. He watched the boat fade away into the night mist.
“Reginald?” he called over his com.