She saw very little of Seth, Trinity, or Tripp during this time. Seth was busy with the rest of the communications team working out a strategy to coordinate attacks with the rebels from the North Pacific Region. Trinity spent most of her time socializing with others in their housing unit, her old, modified CyberLink always at the ready to take down notes on anything that might make a good story. Tripp was so busy working out last-minute issues with the device meant to unlock the compound gate that he woke earlier and went to sleep even later than Zira. She missed his company, but they all had more important things to do right now.
One evening as she was finishing dinner, Tripp plopped down in the seat beside her. “I want to show you something,” he said.
“What?”
“You’ll see. Come on.”
She finished her meal and returned her bowl to the table, then followed him down to a platform. He hopped off the edge and offered her a hand. She regarded him suspiciously, but gripped his palm and jumped down. “At least tell me where we’re going.”
“Just to another housing unit.”
She sighed. “I promised Sam and Aiden I’d work with them after dinner.”
“And I told them you couldn’t do it tonight. You’re off the hook.”
He pulled out a flashlight to light their way as they walked along the tracks. They passed their own housing unit and kept going. “How far is this place?” Zira asked.
“It’s just the next unit down. Come on.”
They reached their destination and hoisted themselves up over the edge of the platform. Aside from a few minor layout changes, this area looked the same as the one they lived in.
Tripp led her through the maze of makeshift rooms to one in the very back corner. A piece of plywood had been dragged over the entrance like a door, and he rapped on it softly. “Come in,” said a man from inside. His voice sounded familiar, but it wasn’t until Tripp pushed the wood aside and Zira saw him that she knew why.
Grant Steele stood behind his wife, who was seated in some kind of makeshift rocking chair that had been cobbled together from pieces of wood and scrap metal. Natalie held a small bundle wrapped in a blanket, which both of them were so fixated on that they didn’t even glance up when Tripp and Zira entered. “Zira, you remember the Steeles, don’t you?”
She nodded. The peaceful, happy expressions on the couple’s faces were a far cry from the worried and desperate looks they’d worn when she had seen them last. And they had a new addition to their family, it seemed. Zira was glad to see they’d made it to safety and that their baby had been born healthy, but Tripp could have told her all of that without bringing her here. He probably wanted to show her that their efforts hadn’t been for nothing, that it mattered, that they’d made a difference, and all of that other sentimental nonsense. It was good of him to want her to know her that, but Zira couldn’t help thinking that if she hadn’t asked Aubreigh to step in and help the Steeles that night, she might still be alive.
Tripp took a few steps forward, and when Zira didn’t follow, he turned and gave her an encouraging smile. She approached the rocking chair slowly, quietly, worried that even the slightest noise would make the tiny thing in the blanket scream. Natalie pulled the covers away from the baby’s face to give them a better look.
“She’s beautiful,” said Tripp.
And she was, in a delicate sort of way. Her small mouth was downturned, lips slightly parted as she exhaled softly. Dark hair covered the top of her head, and the fingers curled around Natalie’s thumb were unbelievably small. “Would you like to hold her?” Natalie asked.
Zira shook her head. She didn’t know the first thing about babies, and this one was so little, so fragile, so uncorrupted. It terrified her.
“Go on,” Tripp said. “You won’t hurt her.”
Natalie stood and held the bundle out to her, and seeing no other way to get them all to just leave her alone, Zira reached for the infant. “Just put your arm under her head,” said Natalie. “There—you’re a natural.”
Zira pulled the baby in close to her chest and lowered herself into the chair Natalie had vacated. She rocked back and forth, staring down at the tiny face as she did so. Something warm and soothing settled over her. “What’s her name?” she asked.
“Madeline,” said Grant. “Madeline Aubreigh Steele.”
Zira’s chest tightened. She looked up.
“That was the name of your friend, wasn’t it?” Natalie asked. “The one who helped us get here? We owe her everything.”
Zira nodded, unable to speak thanks to the lump in her throat. She looked down at the baby again. Tears dripped onto Madeline’s blanket and vanished as they seeped into the fabric. Tripp put a hand on Zira’s shoulder and squeezed as she continued to rock. Back and forth, back and forth, the peaceful feeling grew.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
On the day before the strike, Chase called everyone together for one final pep talk. Those who had a working projector in their housing units were directed to remain there while the rest gathered in the concourse. It was the first time Zira had seen so many of the rebels in one place. They stood shoulder to shoulder and filled every corner, but this wasn’t even all of them. It gave her hope. Maybe they had a real chance of making this work after all.
Chase stood on a chair in the center of the concourse. A camera drone hovered in front of him, broadcasting his face to every hologram projector throughout the entire subway system. Tripp and Zira stood somewhere towards the outer edge of the crowd. Zira could barely see Chase through the throng of people, almost all of whom were taller than her. She shifted to try and get a better view, but it was no use.
“You should think about carrying a stool around with you for times like this,” Tripp said.
Zira rolled her eyes at him as the hum of the crowd began to die down. “Oh, ha ha. Short jokes.”
Tripp winked. “He’s starting. Shh.”
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this day,” Chase began. “Some of us have been living down here for over a decade, biding our time, building our numbers, waiting for the right time to shake off the chains the Project has put us in and take our country back. That time has finally come. America was once known as the land of the free, and we shall be free again.”
Cheers erupted throughout the station. Tripp clapped with the rest of them, but Zira remained still. She could only imagine what this moment must feel like to them. It was the start of the new beginning they’d all sacrificed so much for. They’d devoted their entire lives to this cause, and many had died just trying to get to today. The radicals she and Jared had killed in a factory over a year ago. The Project members Ryku had executed at the compound. Aubreigh.
An increasingly familiar ache tugged at Zira’s chest. If she were here, Aubreigh would have cheered just as loud as the rest of them. She would have felt right at home among the rebels in a way Zira never could. Zira understood their ideals and admired their devotion to reforming the country, but for her, it had never been about that. It was about stripping Ryku of his power, not having to hide anymore, finally feeling safe, and maybe even getting revenge. Maybe that made her selfish. But if she could help them achieve their goals, did it really matter what her motives were?
“We’ll start heading out tomorrow morning,” Chase said. “Some of you will be going to regional distribution centers and military bases around the country, so talk to your squad leaders about specific instructions. You’ll be coordinating with groups from the North Pacific Region. The rest of us will go to the compound. We’ll leave in small, staggered convoys in order to avoid attracting attention. I’m sure Chairman Ryku will find out we’re coming before we get there, but we don’t want to give him any extra time to prepare. Your squad leaders know which convoy you’re in, what time you’ll leave, and which route to take. It’s going to be a long drive for most of you, so try to stay rested. The first group leaves at six o’ clock sharp.”
“That’s me, with the six o’ clock
crew,” Tripp whispered. “I just wanted one day to sleep in while we were here. One day.”
“I’ll sleep a little extra just for you,” said Zira. “I don’t think we’re leaving until midnight.”
Tripp shook his head. “Some people have all the luck.”
Zira shrugged and nodded to Chase, who was still talking logistics. “I don’t think he wants me down there any sooner than I have to be.”
“Probably still worried you’re going to storm the castle all by yourself.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Zira said.
“We’ll rendezvous at noon on Sunday” Chase continued. The weekend had been specifically chosen for two reasons. First, it would be easier to take over other important Project sites around the country when fewer people were working. Secondly, with the regional distribution centers closed, the rebels hoped there would be fewer people around to interfere, unintentionally or otherwise. The last thing they needed was to have to explain a bunch of accidental civilian injuries and deaths.
“After that,” Chase said, “it shouldn’t take us more than two hours to move to the compound. Once we arrive, we’ll set up outside the gate and ask the chairman to surrender. He probably won’t. Everyone should take cover and wait for the attack to begin. Do not draw your weapons or fire a shot until I give the order. Listen to your squad leaders.”
A photo of Chairman Ryku appeared on the projector behind Chase. “I’m sure you all recognize this man,” he said. “Capturing him is our primary objective. I know he’s hurt many of you personally. I know some of you would like nothing more than to kill him and be done with it, but it is imperative that we capture the chairman alive and unharmed. Once we’ve gained control, we’ll put him on trial for his crimes. He will receive the punishment he deserves, but the citizens of this country need to see that happen. They need to see justice, not vengeance. Many of them still respect Chairman Ryku and the authority he holds. If we kill him at the first opportunity, we’ll look like a ruthless mob and he’ll become a martyr. We don’t need that.”
It made sense, but Zira still would have preferred a scenario that ended with Ryku’s death. As long as it happened eventually, though, she could wait for a trial.
Jared’s photo replaced Ryku’s, and Zira sucked in a sharp breath as Chase continued. “This is Ryku’s direct subordinate, Jared. We believe he was being groomed to take Ryku’s place eventually. He’s a big man—you should be able to identify him easily. He recently had a falling out with Ryku and may even be in Project custody somewhere inside the compound. If this is the case, you are to contain him and report directly to me. However, if he appears to be a threat, you may shoot to kill. He’s a dangerous man with extensive skills, so approach him with caution.”
Shoot to kill? Jared wasn’t a threat to them. Zira clenched a fist and resisted the urge to storm through the crowd and confront Chase right then and there. She’d known this was going to happen, though; Alma had told her Jared was one of Chase’s targets. Protesting it wasn’t going to change his mind and might just get her locked up again. The best thing she could do to help Jared now was to make sure she found him first once they were inside the compound.
She turned her attention back to the projector as Revolver’s photo was displayed. “This young man is known as Revolver, and he is also incredibly dangerous,” said Chase. “Those who have encountered him say he is faster and stronger than any human they’ve ever seen. Do not attempt to take him into custody if he appears resistant. If he surrenders and you’re able to safely apprehend him, do so, but don’t take any unnecessary risks. Anyone else you see wearing a black armband should be approached with extreme caution and preferably in pairs or teams. These people work directly under Ryku. They’ve all been trained extensively in combat and will likely do everything they can to protect him.”
He paused to let that sink in before moving on. “Our other main objective is to collect information. The Project keeps many of their records on paper, but we also want to gather any data disks, CyberLinks, and computers we can find. We’ll win public support by exposing the Project’s corruption, and that will be easier if we have the evidence to back it up.”
He put his hands behind his back and stared solemnly into the camera. “I want you all to know how important each of you is to this operation. You’ve come here from all walks of life, but together we’ve united under a common cause. Some of you will not survive the events of the next few days, but you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t already know and accept that. Your courage and dedication is admirable. It has been my pleasure to work with you the past several years, and I look forward to working with you for many more years to come. Get a good night’s rest, and stay sharp. I’ll see you all again after we’ve won.”
* * *
Zira woke up early to see Tripp off the next morning. He pulled her into a quick hug at the edge of the station platform. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Be careful,” said Zira. Tripp nodded, hopped onto the tracks, and gave her one last wave goodbye. She watched him go until the darkness of the tunnel swallowed him up.
Trinity was part of the next group to leave, followed by Seth and the rest of the communications team. The others who’d escaped the compound were all gone before noon, along with several more from their housing unit. Some carried out their belongings when they left, hoping to never have to return. Most things were left behind.
Zira was taking everything she owned—the clothes she was wearing, an extra shirt in her backpack, a half-empty box of ammunition, and the necklace and pocketknife Jared had given her what seemed like a lifetime ago. Alma still had her pistol and, under Chase’s orders, would only return it once they were on their way to the compound.
She was so used to being on the run that she didn’t even regret all the material possessions she’d lost along the way. She wasn’t sure how well she’d adjust back to normal life when all of this was over—if her life had ever really been normal to begin with. Where would she go? Where would she live? What would she do to sustain herself? She pushed the questions away. One step at a time. First, she had to survive the next few days.
The base continued to empty as the day went on. Zira sat with her legs dangling over the side of the platform and watched groups walk by on their way outside. They all carried mismatched weapons scavenged from the remnants of the war-torn city above and were sometimes accompanied by platoons of soldier-bots. Many of them had missing plates and fairings, leaving their inner components exposed. They bore the colors and insignias of different countries, but they all marched together now as part of the same human rebellion.
Eventually, only Zira and one other member of her squad remained in their housing unit. They walked together down to the concourse, then to the station that would take them above ground. They met Alma and the others in the same parking area Ezekiel had brought them to when they’d first arrived here. Alma divided the team between the few remaining vehicles. As Zira put her bag in the trunk of the car she’d be sharing with Alma, Warren, and two others from their squad, Alma returned her pistol. Zira pulled it from the holster and checked the magazine—it was loaded—then stuck it in the deep pocket of her jacket. They all got in the car and led a train of vehicles through the deserted streets and out of the city.
For the next twenty-four hours, they drove almost non-stop. They got out of the car to eat and relieve themselves every five or six hours, but had barely enough time to stretch their legs before getting back in and driving some more. Each of them took a turn behind the wheel. When she wasn’t driving, Zira tried to pass the time by sleeping through the long journey.
They arrived at the rural truck stop that was their preliminary destination late the following night. “We’re ahead of schedule,” Alma said cheerfully. The rest of them just grumbled as they climbed out of the car and looked for a place to lie down. Alma called Chase to check in and confirm that everything was still going according to plan. When she disconnected, she turne
d to the rest of them and nodded. “All the other teams are in place. We’ll meet up tomorrow morning on our way to the compound as planned. It’s going to be a long day, so get some rest while you can.”
Having slept most of the trip, Zira wasn’t tired. Endless thoughts circled through her mind as she stared up at the stars, dreading the events of the day to come. She worried about her friends, the other members of her squad, and all the rebels who were putting their lives on the line to do this. She knew how to handle herself in a fight, but what about the others? What about Tripp? And then there was Jared. What if someone else got to him before she did? What if they killed him?
What if this whole operation failed?
Before she could stop herself, she imagined a hundred different ways things could go wrong. This, of course, only increased her anxiety. She hadn’t slept for more than an hour or two by the time the sun began to rise, but it was enough. She helped Alma wake the others, and they ate a quick breakfast before getting back into their vehicles to finish the last part of their journey.
Within fifteen minutes, they met up with another convoy. A third joined them just a few miles later, then another. After that, Zira lost track, but it seemed that every time she looked out the back window, there were more of them. Chase and a few others led the way in an old, armored Humvee. They drove towards the compound in rows across the entire width of the highway. Traffic was minimal, as it always had been on this road, and the few cars they did come across could do nothing but pull off on the side of the road and allow them to pass.
It wasn’t long before they attracted the media’s attention. “Wave to the camera,” Alma said as a news drone flew past their window. The footage it was capturing would probably be showing all over the country soon. “If Ryku didn’t already know we were coming, he does now.”
“Good,” said Warren from the back seat, but he didn’t sound quite as brave as he seemed to want to be. Zira rolled her eyes. He talked big, but she still wasn’t sure he could handle what they were about to face. If it were up to her, he would have been assigned to another squad weeks ago—perhaps somewhere more towards the back, in a relatively protected position in one of the other military vehicles the rebels had repaired. Unfortunately, that wasn’t her decision to make.
Renegades of PEACE (Secrets of PEACE Book 2) Page 24