Advancing ((Advance Industries #2))

by K A Duggsy

  We’ve passed the rougher terrain which always heralds the fact we’re close to reaching the wall. Faith stops and looks around, I’m guessing to pick the best stop for us to rest at.

  We all shrug off our backpacks as she signals us over to the left and I start putting the tent together again. I’m eager to get tonight out of the way so we can start living the way we always should have been.

  We have surprise on our side, they have no idea tonight is the night we take a stand. Every possibility has been planned for and dissected to within an inch of its life but the fact remains – we’re going in blind. Exact numbers aren’t known but the new AIG can’t be much of a problem, they were plucked from the streets or their cushy homes and handed weapons. On the one hand, their inexperience is a benefit, on the other that means they might just get trigger happy when panicked and faced with a battle they never envisioned happening.

  Faith

  My Comm vibrates and I check I’m alone before peeking at the message. Only one person has the details so I know it’s Charlotte.

  I read the message:

  ‘I know your sisters’ location’

  I tap back:

  ‘Where are they?’

  Charlotte:

  You know information is valuable. In exchange, I need something from you.

  Me:

  Figures. What do you need?

  Charlotte:

  For you to stay out of this fight!

  Me:

  Why?

  Charlotte:

  ye is a damn good fighter but if he’s too concerned with your well-being he’ll let us down. He won’t focus. The first wave of fighters will be the newly signed up guards, they will be easy to apprehend, so therefore your team can handle them, but when I arrive they’ll bring out their longstanding guards and contrary to what Kye believes, I am not heartless. This has to play out without any disruptions so when I arrive I will Comm you with the location and one of my followers will meet you to take you to your sisters.

  Me:

  I can’t just slip away; he’ll lose concentration even more if he can’t see me.

  Charlotte:

  He will be too busy and you will only have one shot at leaving. I suggest if you agree to my terms you don’t dither when the message comes.

  What happened to people helping others just to do the right thing, to be kind? I forgot that that doesn’t happen in this city, everyone has an agenda. I don’t know whether she’s being honest but I know I can’t tell Kye and that sucks as I’d promised myself there’d be no more lies. I was going to be upfront and honest with him from now, after all he is with me, why wouldn’t I give him the same courtesy? I peek out of the tent to see if he’s close and breathe a sigh of relief when I can only spot Trask, he’s reading his Comm too as if it’s something important unless he’s just checking final details for tonight. I pull the flap back again and chew my lip. Can I take off in the middle of a fight? Just desert the team I’m meant to be leading? Of course I can’t! But I also can’t ignore the fact that I’ve been here for days and have got no closer to rescuing my sisters. Who knows how this will play out tonight, Fraser could be killed by a stray bullet before I get to question him. I could be hurt, unable to go in search of them and Kye wouldn’t go, he’d be glued to my side. I don’t believe her reasons for wanting me gone at all. Does she think I can’t fight? That I can’t hold my own? Because I can, I’m nowhere near as good as the guys but I can look after myself. They made sure of it. Does she just want me away from him so she can make her move? Is she really trying to help me and helping herself at the same time? Argghh! She’s so annoying.

  I lie back on the sleeping back and try to stop my mind running away with me with all the scenarios that could happen, her mouth on his keeps trying to fight its way to the forefront and I shudder. Are all powerful people evil? Did they start out well-meaning with well-intentioned goals and get swept away with the power rush?

  Kye walks in and I try not to look guilty, he sits down next to me, his hair wet.

  “You tired baby?” He asks.

  “No, just thinking about the plan for later.”

  “I don’t want you fighting, Faith.”

  “How can I lead if I’m not fighting, you put me in this power position?”

  He winces. “I know; I don’t regret it because you’ve been amazing but I wish I could take it back now.”

  “Huh?”

  “I put you in charge, the only way I can be again is if you voluntarily give it back to me and if I know you, you won’t be doing that until tonight is over. I can’t just say ‘I’m leader again’, you have to name me as the leader.”

  “Really? Interesting. You really didn’t think it through did you?” I laugh.

  “You were distracting me, Sweetheart, I couldn’t think straight.”

  “Kye, just in case... anything does go wrong later...”

  “It won’t, just please baby look after yourself, stay close to me and if we get separated stay close to one of the other guys. Give Charlotte a wide berth.”

  “Let me finish. I just want you to know that... it’s not that I don’t want to be a mum, I do. It’s just I’m...”

  “I know; I get it so you don’t need to say anything. I know you’re scared to embrace it, to be happy and feel excited just in case, but you can’t live like that Faith. What if’s are never ending. You’re not bad baby, you’re the best person I know. You weren’t being punished last time and if something happens, this time, it won’t be your fault. I won’t blame you and you can’t blame yourself. We’re in this together Sweetheart. You’re not alone, I’m with you and for us... the three of us.”

  He kisses my head and I’ve lost the ability to talk, my throat has closed up and tears are pricking my eyes. He peppers kisses over my eyelids, my cheek, my nose and eventually plants a soft kiss on my trembling lips. “Don’t cry baby, please.” He wraps his arms around me and I burrow into his neck. He pulls us down and wraps the sleeping bag around us. “Sleep baby, you need to rest.”

  “It’s time to go.”

  I hear it whispered gently but my mind disagrees. I’ve only just drifted off, how can it be time to leave already?

  “Baby, come on. Are you ready for this?”

  No, I’m so not ready. Planning it is one thing but actually carrying it out is nerve wracking. I can’t let him know this, though, he put me in charge, he believed in me so I have to follow through. I roll over to face him but looking into his eyes knowing I’m going to leave him to fight my battle for me shreds me. What if he’s hurt when I’m gone? What if he needs me and I’m off doing as I please just as always? I’m too flighty. If I am pregnant I need to consider my safety because regardless of what he said, if I purposely put myself in harm’s way and get injured he will blame me and I don’t want to hurt him again. He deserves his feelings to be acknowledged – it’s not all about me.

  “I’m ready babe,” I tell him solemnly.

  “You sure?” He squints at me trying to read me as always.

  “Yeah, I just need to pee first.”

  “Okay, I’ll go and talk to the guys. Meet us when you’re done?”

  “You know I will. Go. I’ll be over soon.”

  He leaves the tent and I throw my arm over my eyes. I’m being pulled in two. I have to find my sisters and if Charlotte is willing to tell me where they are I can’t ignore it. They’ve been through so much; they haven’t had anyone look out for them. Lying to Kye is my only option, he’ll be pissed but he will get over it. My sisters might not, if I leave them any longer. Who knows what their new home is like, what tests they’re undergoing? The body can take a lot but once the mind breaks there’s no fixing it. If the mind goes, that’s it, it’s gone forever. Except a broken mind is worse because it’s unseen, on first glance everything looks normal but scratch the surface and it’s apparent. Broken bones are visible, people are aware of your discomfort, your pain, but a broken mind is hidden. A snapped mind, a crack in th
e mind is how it starts but that crack grows, it splinters out, fracturing in larger quantities until insanity sets in. I couldn’t live with myself if they break and it’s all because I got there too late. If it was too late because I put a guy before them.

  I go out to the tree line just behind the tent, knowing the guys are out front. A lovely make-shift hole was made for me to squat over so I relieve myself quickly, drip dry and pull my hand sanitiser from my bag, the best I can do for cleanliness out in the wilderness. I roll on some deodorant, run my brush through my hair and tie it back. I grab the sleeping bag and pillow and stuff them into the bag they came in, then I start taking apart the tent.

  Trask appears at my side and silently starts helping me with my task. I can feel him flicking looks my way but I keep my head focused on what I’m doing. Once it’s down it also gets bundled into a bag and Trask picks both of them up. I turn to walk to the team and he stops me.

  “Faith?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You won’t do anything... stupid tonight will you?”

  “I hope not. It’s me though so I can’t promise not to.” I laugh but he doesn’t even smirk, he runs his hand over his beard.

  “I’m serious Faith. I know Charlotte Commed you.”

  I narrow my eyes at him and look around quickly checking Kye isn’t near. “How?”

  “She Commed me too. She wants me to distract Kye if needs be so you can slip away.”

  “Have you told him?”

  “Do you think I’d be talking to you if I had? You think he’d still let you lead if he knew what she was up to?”

  “Okay, fair point. Why are you telling me? Are you going to help?”

  “I haven’t decided. I don’t want you fighting either but I also don’t want you wandering off alone.”

  “I won’t be alone; she’s going to send one of her men to meet me.”

  He looks at me like I’m so naïve and it grates on me, all I’ve done is think about the why’s, I’m not as gullible as I once was.

  “Faith... She can’t always be trusted. She could be setting you up.”

  “For what?”

  “I don’t know I haven’t figured that out yet. Just be alert, okay?”

  “She wouldn’t do that would she? I mean I know she’s kinda crazy but surely...”

  “Faith, you ever find out how we got all our Comms and stuff when we came for you the first time when you had no memories?”

  “No, Kye just said he acquired them.”

  “Yeah from Charlotte, you know what she expects as payment. He did it, he was beaten pretty badly and she smiled through every second of it, she laughed and she drank and she enjoyed seeing him beaten black and blue. She has no good in her. Everything she does is because she’s gaining from it in some way and just because I haven’t figured it out yet doesn’t mean this is any different. Don’t trust her.”

  “But I thought she fancied him. I thought she wanted him. Why would she enjoy seeing him hurt?”

  He laughs. “She doesn’t want him. She has her pick of guys, a new one every day if she so chooses. She has no feelings. Any she was born with died years ago, she’s a nasty piece of work. Don’t search for that shred of humanity in her. There isn’t any.”

  “But she knows where they are Trask, she knows how I can find my sisters. If I can’t get to Fraser she’s my only hope.”

  “You ever stop to think she’s lying? Maybe she just wants you out of the way.”

  “I need to call her.”

  “Call who?” Kye asks over my shoulder. My eyes widen as I plead quietly with Trask to keep schtum.

  “Charlotte. I just want to check everything is set,” I lie, hoping I’m convincing.

  “It is. Don’t over think this baby, it’ll drive you crazy. If there was a delay she’d have been in touch.”

  I nod and give him a weak smile but my mind is racing. Kye looks at Trask with a hard unwavering stare and he takes the hint and walks away.

  “What were you talking about?” He asks me.

  “He was just checking I was ready and prepared.”

  “Was he?” His tone is cold.

  “What is up with you two? What’s happened?”

  “Nothing, it’s not important. Come on, they’re ready to go.”

  I blow out a breath, how many secrets are floating around in this team?

  Chapter 18

  Fraser

  It really is amazing how good a man can feel just from putting on a suit again. I immediately feel sharper, in control and ready for anything. Feeling small and inconsequential doesn’t suit me and doesn’t sit right.

  Tonight is the night they come and I have to look my best for Faith. I can’t let her see me again as the pitiful mess she encountered the other day. I’m back to standing proud, snapped out of my alcohol induced slumber. They think we’re unprepared and though I admit I was distraught and angry on learning she hasn’t come back alone, but with that man in tow, I still feel a spring in my step. Tonight I will make her see, I’ll convince her that she should be leading this city with me. Who could refuse such an offer? I’m aware my leg could hinder my chances but Faith isn’t like that, she will see past such flaws. After all, the rest of me isn’t a bad package. I’m easy on the eye, intelligent and rich. Everything most women desire in a life partner.

  Miss Bennett’s offer came at exactly the right time and I realised this city is mine. I will be elected. I have to step up and stop behaving like the residents of the streets, I’m not some lowly, poor and unworthy man. I’m Fraser Laudnam, soon to be President Fraser Laudnam. I will leave a legacy. My name will be known for generations to come. I will be adored, revered and envied. Even more so with the right woman standing next to me, giving me the heir I need to carry on the family name. Charlotte is a matter that needs dealing with swiftly though. In exchange for this set up with Faith she asked for something and I agreed. She is not a woman to be shunned but I have no intention of giving her what she craves.

  It’s a shame her sisters will have to be used as bargaining chips should she refuse but that’s neither here nor there. As always I will do what is necessary. My mind is set, my body ready and I’m pacing with anticipation, just waiting for the signal. I run over my speech in my head again. Women like Faith need the grand gestures, the promises and the wooing. First my apology speech has to be sincere and I am apologetic, not for experimenting on her because I still stand by the fact that those tests are needed for the betterment of the future generation. I’m sorry for misleading her, I’m sorry she doubts my devotion and I’m sorry she got away. Of course, I’ll have to put a new spin on it, that just wouldn’t go over too well I imagine if I was totally upfront and honest.

  My palms are sweaty, patience used to be my greatest trait but along with parts of my leg it’s gone. My patience disintegrated the same way my leg did, only my patience can’t be pieced back together by skin grafts.

  I check my Comm for the time and realise that they should be in by now. I made it easy for them removing my guards from the gate and getting the ambush ready. They won’t know what hit them. My one and only order was to leave Faith unharmed, uninjured and unblemished. I may expect her to look beyond my imperfections but I’m not so certain I could look past any of hers.

  Faith

  We reach the wall and fan out either side of the giant gate. Our phasers are at the ready as Walker and Arlen open them and we all push through.

  No guards.

  No one manning the gates.

  This plan hinges on the fact they should be training right out in the open and we’re hoping to take them by surprise. Without his new guards Fraser will have no way of defending himself, of barricading himself away from us. He will have no protection and that’s our ultimate goal.

  I gesture for Trask’s team to take the street to the right while our team goes left. We stay to the shadows remaining alert, eyes peeled for anyone outside past curfew. We don’t want any innocent bystanders caught in what�
��s about to go down. My palms are sweaty, my heart beating ten to the dozen and my stomach churning.

  My Comm vibrates and I look at the message. “Team two are on their way to us, the other end was dead,” I tell the team.

  Good, it felt way too soon to split up but this is all guess work for me. I’ve never led, I’ve watched Kye do it loads of times but he’s so self-assured and I’m not. I’m second guessing every decision I’m making. Waiting for the guys to laugh at me or tell me what I’ve suggested is stupid.

  We’re nearing the shacks and the old homeless section of the streets. Something doesn’t feel right. I don’t know if I’m wimping out or if it’s a strange kind of intuition. Or maybe it’s because I’m not cut out for this kind of adrenaline racing through me. I thought the new members trained here every night but the streets are deserted leaving me with an ominous feeling. I don’t want to be in charge, it was fun in the planning stages but now it just feels like way too much responsibility. I can’t do this. I don’t know what Kye was playing at giving me this power, I imagine he’s trying to prove a point somehow but he’s wrong. Whatever he thought this would achieve has had the opposite effect. I’m starting to panic, feeling sick and I just want to run. I promised him I wouldn’t though, that I’d only ever run to him.

  While the guys are busy clearing the area around the shacks I pull Kye to the side.

  “Kye I can’t do this.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “No babe, really. I’m not cut out for it, it’s making me anxious.”