EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set

by K. J. Chapman

  Grayson audibly gasps. I wish I could see his face, judge his reaction. Two ghosts at once might be a bit too much for the man.

  “I would say that you are looking well, but that would be a lie. You look positively exhausted old friend,” Rafe says.

  Muffled laughter and the familiar slapping of a man hug carry out of the room.

  “Guv? How?” Grayson asks, clearly lost for words.

  “By the skin of my teeth, Gray.”

  I’ve never heard Grayson called Gray before now, but Rafe says it naturally.

  “You’re here to take Syndicate,” Grayson states, the edge returning to his voice.

  “That was the plan, yes. Now, however, I reckon that outcome depends on you, Gray. Adam might be set on pulling the rug from under your feet, but I’m not. Not like this. I do want to offer an opportunity to anyone within your base who is willing to fight. A fair compromise, is it not? Adam, can you agree to this?”

  There it is, the ruse in all its glory. Rafe playing his part as the trusted, lenient governor, offering Grayson a rope to grasp at.

  Adam sighs loudly. “We won’t have the numbers we originally came for, but I guess we don’t have the means to feed and house those who can’t fight: elderly, kids. Yeah, I can agree to that. We only take those who want to fight.”

  Grayson sucks in a loud gulp of air. “Fight and die, you mean? These people are safe here, and I intend to keep them that way.”

  Rafe scoffs. “Safe for how long? The only way to secure our safety - anyone’s safety - is to fight for it, take the country for our own. I see the great things you have achieved here, and you may continue to provide your sanctuary, but I will be recruiting from your numbers. I will be commandeering your resources and addressing your people. If we can agree on this, then you can keep what you’ve built here and continue to be a safe haven for those not fighting, the Non-EVO, and the children. I’m being generous here, but it is vital that those who want to fight get that chance.”

  “How do you know you are not leading these people to a slaughter?”

  “We don’t, but it’s a risk we will all take for our family and friends, our kids and grandkids.”

  “I’m sorry about Theyda—”

  “I’m going to stop you right there,” Rafe says. “Kiddo, you’re up,” he calls to me.

  Adam appears at the door with his hand outstretched and leads me into the room. I remove the wig from my head, and Grayson staggers backward, his hand finding the table for stability.

  “Teddie,” he gasps. He crosses the room and embraces me, taking a moment to look me over. “Now, I see,” he says. “There are people here who will follow her blindly.” He looks at me as he speaks, but his words are meant for Rafe. “No, I can’t agree to this. People will follow her like she is some kind of Pied Piper. Using her to lead people to their deaths is wrong.”

  “They will not know that she is alive,” Adam states. “They will join because we are offering them the opportunity to fight back. You won’t breathe a word of Teddie’s existence to anyone. We are insistent on that. We are biding our time before we expose her.”

  “This isn’t a negotiation.” Rafe’s voice is level, but his eyes are challenging Grayson, and I’m sure the man physically recoils.

  “It wasn’t so long ago that you were fighting back,” I interrupt. “You used my name in your campaign, so don’t be a hypocrite.”

  “My campaign came to an end because I could not have any more blood on my hands. I see the faces of every Shift member I betrayed when I close my eyes, every person affected by my careless campaign. I can’t keep adding to that reel of faces.”

  “And that is why we’re not asking you to. Give your people a choice- their choice. We will take responsibility thereafter,” Rafe coaxes.

  “I suppose you think that I owe you?” Grayson asks Rafe. His body postures slumps like a dog waiting to be scolded.

  Rafe gets to his feet and holds Grayson’s shoulder. “You are not my enemy, Gray. You owe me nothing, and if you are after redemption, I’m pretty sure that you’ve paid your dues with everything you have done for these people. We are fighting those who have over-shadowed our lives for far too long. The people who killed Nadine and the baby.” Grayson bristles at his wife’s name. “Will you help us by stepping aside on this one? That is all we’re asking.”

  Grayson looks from face to face, and then rubs a hand over his unshaven chin. “Syndicate remains mine. That name will not be tarred. Syndicate is safety, and I shall ensure it stays that way. You can recruit, take what you need within reason, and then I will be left to run my organisation how I see fit. I am only doing this because it’s you who is asking. My duty is protection of the innocent and vulnerable. Can you agree to that?”

  Rafe looks to Adam, and I’m fairly sure they’re having a private, telepathic conversation. “Thank you. I hoped for this outcome. I didn’t relish the idea of taking Syndicate from you, and I’m glad we could come to an alternative arrangement.”

  Grayson is clearly deflated, but he knows as well as we do that resistance won’t be in his best interests. This option will hopefully keep everyone happy, and keep Grayson sweeter than if we just took what he had built from him.

  “All I can say is good luck to you. I sincerely hope that the tides will change for us all. But you should go into this with heavy hearts, and any blood spilt will be on you all. You will never sleep easy again. Especially you,” he says, pointing to me. “Understand what you represent, Teddie. Understand that you must live up to the name, otherwise the sheep are just following another sheep in wolf’s clothing.” Standing, he straightens his suit jacket. “I shall call a meeting.”

  Grayson offers a stiff bow of his head and leaves the room with a little tremor in his legs.

  “You didn’t ask about the threat. You knew about it, didn’t you?” I call after him.

  Both Adam and Rafe perk up with realisation.

  Grayson steps back into the room, lifting his eyes to meet mine. “The E.N.C file,” he admits. “We found it a few weeks ago, but my Technokins are not skilled enough to open it safely.”

  “Then, you’re lucky we turned up when we did,” Yana speaks up, her voice bitter and hard. “You say that your people are safe here, but not acting upon that threat has left your base more vulnerable than our being here. Think on that when you sleep easy in your bed tonight.”

  Grayson leaves the room in silence.

  “He’s only one man,” Jude reminds her.

  Standing beside Yana, I use her confidence to fuel my own. “One man who has responsibility for hundreds of lives. This is a wake-up call for him, and rightly so. He should be relieved that someone has saved his skin.”

  Rafe shrugs. “His motivations matter little. We’ve got what we wanted, so let’s get to it.”

  I don’t get the honour of listening to Rafe, Adam, and Grayson address Syndicate. I’m left alone in Grayson’s offices, door locked to prevent any wanderers from stumbling upon me. Through the small, rectangular window that I have to levitate myself up to in order to see out, I watch men and women greeting Rafe and Adam. Grayson looks sullen as these people accept the invitation to fight back. Yana, Jude, Bo, Brick, and Rio help the TORO organise the growing mass of volunteers.

  Eventually, I get bored watching other people being proactive and take to pacing Grayson’s office, straightening up his desk, and then leafing through papers. Technically, I’m snooping, but he has locked filing cabinets in here, so the chance of me stumbling across anything left lying about is slim, and he wouldn’t have left me in here with private documents on show. It’s not that I expect Grayson to have something to hide, but the untrusting nature in me can’t help itself.

  Grayson lets himself into the office. “I see you’ve tidied,” he says, smiling. “Thank you, saves me a job. I needed a break from it all. I hope you don’t mind.”

  I shrug.

  “The angry Shift lady has been filling me in on the threat.”
/>
  “Bo?” I chuckle. “She’s full on, but don’t let her intimidate you. I reckon she was born scowling.”

  Grayson smiles a little. “The E.N.C suspect that you are alive. Thank you for agreeing to give them what they want. You’ve saved lots of people here- myself included.”

  “Of course. I thought you knew me better than that.”

  He holds his hands up in submission. “You’re quite right, my apologies.” He scuffs the floor with his shoe. “Rafe and Adam have plans with the E.N.C, don’t they?”

  “If you haven’t been filled in, then it’s not my place to say.”

  Grayson scrunches his eyes shut. “I wish I could do more. There is a cowardice in me, and I’m not half the man that your grandfather is, or Adam for that matter. I see that now. I can’t ask people to fight, Teddie, because I am a sheep in wolf’s clothing. All I can do is try to provide safety- that is my service.”

  “Do what you got to do. You’re the one who has to live with yourself and your choices, just don’t judge me on what I have to do, because I have to live with myself too.”

  “Although I now see that my campaign was futile, I’m intrigued as to what has changed with you? You would not allow me use your name to further my cause.”

  “I’ve found a leader to believe in.”

  Grayson lowers his eyes. “Ah, yes, I believe you have. I had to look that man in the eyes today after betraying him all those years ago. I saw no hate.”

  “Rafe isn’t fuelled by hate, but by what’s right.”

  “Well said. I best be getting back. I have been informed that you shall be heading back almost immediately. A convoy of thirteen vehicles, no less.”

  “Immediately? But I haven’t seen Ingrid and Silvain.”

  “I’m afraid that both Adam and Rafe agree that is not wise. Only those who have signed up to their plight will know of your survival. Both Ingrid and Silvain have chosen to remain. Ingrid is much needed here, and Silvain is an elderly Non-EVO. They are quite well, I can assure you.”

  I guess it’s for the best, but I was sure they’d come back with us. Why, I don’t know? Of course, Ingrid is needed here, and Silvain can’t aid our fight.

  “You better keep them safe, Grayson.”

  He nods his head. “It hass been good to see you.”

  “And you,” I say. “Take care.”

  He waves over his shoulder. “Good luck, Theyda Leason.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  It was decided that the safest way to transport the two hundred and ninety new members was in three transfers over the course of a week. Rafe remained at the Syndicate base to organise the second transfer, and Adam escorted the first wave of people back to Shift Headquarters. He then left almost immediately whilst it was still dark with Cooper and a squad of fresh TORO to return the vehicles for transfer two. I worry when I’m not with him, especially as I’ve only just got him back. Rafe shall escort transfer two back, and Adam will remain with Syndicate until the vehicles return for their final pick up. I won’t be content until everyone is back here and out of harm’s way.

  “How did I guess you would be in here?” Leoni says, entering Adam’s tent with Yana. They both wear the grey TORO uniform with TORO stamped across the chest.

  “The thought of sleeping underground for another minute makes me claustrophobic.”

  Yana sits on the bed and showers Darcy with attention. “I know what you mean. That place is creepily familiar. I even called The Tomb the Therapy Suite earlier.”

  “Honourary TORO? I say, adjusting Yana’s collar and swiftly changing the subject.

  “Rafe and Adam want a clear divide between us and Shift. We’re grey, they’re black. The new members will all be Shift, and will set up base in the other field. TORO Squad is to be seen as specialised,” Leoni states.

  “What am I, grey or black?”

  Leoni shakes her head. “Neither. You can’t be seen to take sides, especially when we have to approach the E.N.C. If you wear grey you undermine Shift, and vice versa. Teddie Leason has to be the face of all EVO.”

  “Wow, the Face of the Rebellion, and the Face of All EVO. Lucky me. Do you have to wear them at all times?”

  “Only when we’re on duty or on a mission,” Leoni says. “Yana and I have just finished watch duty.” She heads to the door. “I’m going to get some coffee, who wants some? It’s bitter, but it does the job.”

  We both graciously accept her offer.

  “I didn’t know you drink coffee,” Yana admits, as the door flaps close once more.

  “Even EVO need coffee. Besides, I am to be a lab rat for the next however many hours.” Yana narrows her eyes. “While Adam is hundreds of miles away, Kesh and Lizzie are going to be testing our link against drone technology and the like. Lizzie is pretty certain that only kinetic abilities can be detected with the government technology, so I have volunteered to play guinea pig. They even brought their own drone.”

  “Makes sense,” she replies. “Do you want company?”

  “I’d love some, but Crow will be there.” She looks down at her hands. “Look, it’s none of my business, but I think you should know that he was cut up about leaving you. It wasn’t supposed to go down the way it did.”

  “Maybe not, but it did. I just… Maybe I… I can’t get over the fact that he left me behind… again.”

  “You two have history. He loves you.”

  Feelings swim behind her eyes. “When men love me they either die or disappear.”

  Grabbing my sketch pad from the floor, I rifle through and pull out two sketches. “I did these for when we finally met again. With everything that has gone on, I forgot to give them to you.”

  Yana takes the sketches from me. One is of Haydn and her, how I remember the way they’d look at each other. The other is of Golding. She doesn’t cry, but a huge smile stretches across her face. “I was scared that I would forget their faces.”

  “They’re clearest in my dreams, so I usually sketch in the middle of the night,” I admit. “We never forget, Yana.”

  ***

  “Me again,” I say to Adam.

  This is the fifteenth time we have linked, yet still, Lizzie and Kesh fiddle and type at computers. They’re monitoring my brain activity during a link, compared to when I read someone or communicate telepathically. Apparently, the distinction is substantial. The link is so subtle it could be misconstrued as normal brain activity. It is virtually unnoticeable compared to when I use my telepathy on anyone else, then my brain activity goes off the charts.

  A cuff is clipped to my wrist and a collar to my neck. The sedation needle has been removed for obvious reasons, but regardless, my telepathy doesn’t activate it. Using my telekinesis to levitate Yana from her chair makes both devices activate.

  “Any new findings?” Adam asks.

  Telepathy doesn’t activate the cuffs and collars, so most mental/ psychological based abilities probably won’t either. The drone technology only picks up readings over a certain level. Levitating a glass, nope. Levitating a person, yep. So, the no abilities rule if a drone is spotted will have to stand just to be safe.” He doesn’t reply. “You still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here, Baby. Rafe’s here, and I’m relaying all of this to him verbally. I can’t have the both of you in my head.”

  “When are you coming home?”

  “Really soon actually. We think it’s safer to roll transfer two and three together and risk one journey rather than two. We’re setting off in a few hours after refuelling. The illusionists want the cover of darkness to aid them with the convoy the size it is. Tell Crow and Mum that they have to be ready for a double intake.”

  “They’re coming home in a few hours,” I tell Crow. “Both transfers. They can’t risk two trips.”

  Crow jumps to his feet. “Yana, you go and tell Leoni to gather Adam’s Counsel, and I’ll get Rafe’s Firsts. We’ll meet in the office in fifteen minutes to organise a plan of action.”

  Yana do
es as she is asked, despite not uttering a word to him for the past hour.

  “Rafe’s asking if Crow is getting his knickers in a twist? He’s already planned a very important meeting, right?”

  I laugh to myself. “Spot on, but he’ll get it done.”

  “I’ll see you soon, Baby.”

  “Be safe. Hurry home.”

  “Don’t wish the time away too quickly. Once we’re back, the D.N.A profile is to be sent to the E.N.C.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  What feels like an eternity later, the first headlights breach the valley. I’m soaked through to my skin, but I’ve been perched in a look-out since Crow and Leoni had sorted the adjoining fields for the new recruits.

  “You know, you’re not technically supposed to be taking watch duty,” Wheeler calls up.

  “Leoni cleared it. My routine has been to eat, sleep, train, eat, sleep, train. I can see why people want jobs around here. I never thought I’d say it, but I’d clean the toilets if Rafe would allow Teddie Leason to be seen cleaning toilets.”

  “Seen anything interesting?” He shakes his wet curls out of his face and climbs the ladder, plopping down on the platform beside me.

  “They’re back,” I say, pointing to the miniscule, black vehicles in the distance.

  “Next, the E.N.C, right?” He pulls a chocolate bar out of his pocket. “This didn’t come from me,” he warns, flashing me that broad smile of his. “Emi is in charge of stock, and she will shoot me if she finds out that I’ve messed up her counts.”

  “My silence is easily bought,” I say, taking a chocolatey, fudgy bite.

  “Why are you really up here? And don’t say a job, or waiting for Adam. You could link with him if you were that worried about him.”

  “I like the quiet. I’ve always got at least one set of eyes on me. Rafe has put a stop to me wandering out of base. It’s like I don’t fully own my life. It sounds weird, I know, but when people follow you - offer to fight and die for you - your life has a worth that isn’t really yours to spend.”