by N. W. Harris
“Yeah, that would suck,” Shane agreed. “But I don’t think that’s part of Greenie’s plan.”
“It’s not,” Kelly flatly said.
“You say it like you know for certain,” Laura said. She had her finger near the trigger, ready to bring her gun off her shoulder and aim at any enemy ahead of them. Even with only one arm, Shane knew she’d be better in a firefight than most of the new kids behind them.
“I feel like I do,” Kelly replied, sounding unnerved. “There’s this voice. It keeps telling me stuff.”
She met his gaze, her eyes communicating that she wasn’t losing it. Shane felt sick looking at her. He worried he’d never get her back completely, that her mind would always be fragmented because of her enslavement by the Anunnaki and now the manipulation by Greenie. Worse still, if Nat wasn’t okay, how would Kelly ever be her old cheerful self again?
“Jules, you alright?” Shane asked, speaking in a quiet voice. “Maurice?”
“I’m cool,” Jules responded.
“Beyond her usual crazies,” Maurice teased, “she seems fine.”
“I’ll show you crazy,” Jules returned.
Though their teasing seemed forced and out of place, it caused the rest of the team to chuckle. The excess tension that he’d felt in his chest since the children had been nabbed lessened a bit. They had to stay calm, crack jokes and even try to laugh once in a while. Otherwise, they would all lose their minds.
“That’s Fifth Street Plaza,” Jules observed, pointing at the bridge crossing over the freeway ahead. “We’re coming up on the tricky part.”
“Why is that?” Shane asked.
“The freeway makes a loop around downtown,” she replied, reminding him she grew up here. “It’ll take us off the direct path to the Anunnaki ship.”
“Will Greenie mind?” he asked Kelly.
“I don’t know,” she replied.
“Maybe we should go straight through downtown,” Maurice suggested. This was his home too.
“Way too much opportunity for ambush down there,” Tracy said. “The freeway has been clear so far.”
“We still have a half mile until we need to decide,” Maurice added.
They felt their way through the darkest area underneath the plaza. As they came back into the moonlight, Shane glanced across the freeway at the others. He weighed the options given to him. He knew the freeway would grow even wider in areas, sometimes by more than a football field’s length. They hadn’t seen any sign of Greenie since fleeing the fiery wall that swept south. He sensed it was out there, still closing on them, but they had put some distance between them. So many bad memories lay in the downtown area ahead—he had no desire to revisit that place. Just before they came to the bend in the road he made his decision.
“We stick to the freeway,” he said. “We’ll move fast around the loop and keep an eye out for Greenie.”
Perhaps because neither option seemed all that much better than the other, no one agreed or disagreed. He stepped out into the road and signaled to Anfisa, and then guided them around the bend. Along with searching for any threats hiding in ambush ahead, he kept an eye to the northeast, expecting that would be where he would see Greenie’s wall first.
“The loop doesn’t bend that far east,” Maurice reassured, sounding hopeful. “I think we’ll be fine.”
Shane expected he was right. It only took about twenty minutes of walking for them to come to the easternmost part of the loop, where it turned southwest back toward the pyramid-shaped ship. As grateful as he was that they hadn’t encountered any opposition, Shane worried this was just the calm before the storm.
“Son of a…” Steve said. “We better pick up the pace.”
Shane stepped next to him, looking over the guardrail. They were on an overpass elevated above the street below. He followed Steve’s gaze and saw the six-foot-tall wall of green fire flowing down the street that ran under the freeway, coming directly toward them. Shane glanced north and south. Between the trees and buildings, he could see the wall was continuous, stretching out of sight.
“It’s not moving too fast,” Tracy said. “We can outrun it.”
Shane spun and looked across the freeway. Anfisa must’ve sensed something was wrong, her eyes fixed on him. He gave the signal to run. The Russian responded immediately, turning and getting her group to charge down the freeway. Shane and his half of the teenagers kept pace.
He’d been prepared to shush his new recruits, expecting they’d lose control upon seeing the green glow. Glancing back at them as he ran, he could see the terror in their eyes. Many of them returned his gaze, and he tried to convey confidence through his expression. They needed to believe they could survive this if they were to have a chance. He returned his focus to the road ahead, and they headed around the left turn that pointed them directly at the pyramid.
Signaling to Anfisa to slow down and survey the area, he dropped off to a walk. His rifle over his shoulder, he studied the freeway and the city beyond. The moon cast shadows on a baseball stadium and hotel. He searched those dark areas, and Tracy whispered for the teenagers to do the same. They’d passed three quarters of the way through Atlanta and hadn’t seen a soul. The entire city seemed deserted.
“There!” several of the kids exclaimed in unison.
Shane saw it too. Northeast of them, probably a mile away, the green wall rose over a tall building, incinerating it before dropping back down and out of sight.
“Still moving slower than us,” Shane observed.
When he glanced across the road toward Anfisa’s group, he saw another building get devoured.
“We ain’t stopping any time soon,” he said.
“I’m betting they landed that ship at Hartsfield,” Jules said, nudging her gun to the south. She walked next to Shane, Tracy on her other side.
“How far away is that?” he asked, grateful for her knowledge of the area.
“About ten miles,” she replied.
“Won’t take long to walk that far,” Laura ominously said.
“Fine by me,” Steve replied. “I’m ready to get this shit over with.”
With the wall of death chasing them, and an army of Anunnaki waiting for them up ahead, Shane could see why his big friend was getting agitated.
“Yeah,” Kelly chimed in. “I’m getting sick of being played with.” She tilted her head to the sky and said louder in an angry tone, “I want my sister back.”
Chapter Thirty
The officers guided Pelros to a park where some of the humans who were loyal to the Anunnaki tended a few horses. Thousands of Earth years ago, they had imported these beasts to Anu, and he’d ridden them while playing a sport stolen from Earth before he attended the academy.
“Where did you find these?” Pelros asked, excited by the opportunity to see one of the Earth-born horses in the flesh, much less the chance to ride one. Likely due to the higher gravity, they were shorter than the ones he used to ride, but they looked like they might have more muscle.
“Our allies provided them,” the officer said, nodding toward the humans.
“They were from the police department,” a human teenager said, making eye contact with Pelros.
He appeared to be a cocky human, one who didn’t respect the superiority of the Anunnaki people. Free will was the only flaw with these genetically engineered soldiers, and it was corrected when their slave gene was active. The Anunnaki created these humans, and they belonged to his people. To have this one speaking to him as if it were his equal made him furious. Pelros knew well enough they needed these humans if they were to survive. He’d have this boy diverting his eyes down when this was all over.
“Very well,” he said, stepping next to the horse. “Give me a boost.”
One of the other humans laced his fingers together to form a step. Pelros used it and tried to pull himself onto the horse. Pain flashed from his side, starving his arms of the strength required to lift his body in the excessive Earth gravity. The
boy pushed him by his foot over the horse’s back.
“Your injuries, sir,” one of the officers said with concern.
“Injury,” Pelros corrected, glaring at the soldier and catching his breath. The kids had a curious expression on their faces. He didn’t like the officer’s remark and hated that he’d shown any physical weakness. “It is healing quickly. I shall be fine.”
The expressions dropped off the humans’ faces, and they went about their business. Only the oversized human with the smug expression of excessive confidence still stood by, holding the bridle of the horse.
“This is John,” the officer said, sounding like he regretted making the comment. He held his hand toward the human. “He’ll guide you to the Pegasus.”
“Very well,” Pelros said.
John grunted and released the bridle. He gave one last suspicious glance at Pelros and climbed onto the neighboring horse.
“This is probably the best weapon for you to carry on your ride to the ship,” the officer said, handing Pelros a pistol. “We control the entire city, so you won’t need it.”
“Thank you all the same,” Pelros replied, taking the pistol. “Ready when you are,” he said to John, trying to seem friendly. He hated having to treat these humans like anything other than what they were, the property of the Anunnaki people.
John nodded and nudged his heels into his horse’s ribs, trotting toward the Pegasus. Pelros looked back down at the officers and rolled his eyes to express his discontentment with having to play these games with the humans. His horse, apparently a follower, took off after John’s.
Riding the Earth beast was a bit different from riding the taller, lankier version they had on his planet, but the commander adjusted quickly. They weaved through the downtown area of the city and came out on a wide, straight road that led directly to the ship. They passed groups of humans who headed toward the ship, amassing the force around the base of the Pegasus to fight off whatever the green enemy intended to throw at them.
“Slow down, John,” he shouted, leaning forward on the horse. He wanted to get to his uncle as soon as possible, but every step the horse took made the wound in his side ache. His legs were so tired he feared he wouldn’t be able to hold on at a gallop.
John gave a mischievous grin. He brought his horse to a slower canter, and Pelros’ beast matched the pace. Lying forward, the commander focused all his attention and fading strength on staying aboard the animal.
The recruit ship looked sad without its golden outer skin, the skeleton of a once-powerful man of war. It towered above anything the humans had ever built, designed not only to hold whole armies of slaves, but also to intimidate. The species the Anunnaki harvested could not doubt the superiority of their new masters. Awe and fear made them obey even in the absence of genetic manipulation.
Even at the slower pace, it did not take long for the animals to make it to the Pegasus. Pelros brought his horse to a walk, riding out of the darkness and into the light shining down around the base of the ship. A camp with thousands of humans was organized in the warm glow reflected from above. Straight paths between the makeshift shelters led to the ship. Pelros couldn’t help but smile, though he tried to maintain the stoic expression of a soldier. Even without power, his people maintained control over the humans. More proof the Anunnaki were destined to rule them.
“Commander Pelros,” a Shock Trooper said, beaming down upon Pelros from his post on the ship’s steps.
“Sergeant Telof,” Pelros replied, happy to see one of the more seasoned soldiers trusted by his uncle.
He brought the horse alongside the base of the ship and slid off its back onto the steps, trying not to grimace at the discomfort it caused him. John took the bridle and led the steed away. Sore from the pounding his body had taken on the ride down, Pelros climbed to the sergeant and plopped down on the steps next to him. He rested his elbows on his knees and sighed, relieved to finally be home.
“It’s a blessing from the gods to see you alive and well, sir,” the sergeant said, studying him as if he expected to find some injuries.
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say well at the moment. I’ve had a bit of a rough journey, but I’m glad to be back,” Pelros replied with a pained chuckle. “What news of my uncle?”
A grim expression replacing his joy from seeing Pelros, the soldier sat down next to him. Unlike most soldiers who were careful about how they talked to Pelros and what they said to him, Telof was someone who would give him straight answers. The sergeant had been his mentor on field excursions while he’d been in the academy, and he’d served alongside Athos for much of his career.
“Well, sir,” he began. “It’s not all bad. The general is safe.” He rubbed his chin, gazing out across the camp. “It’s those aristocrats, sir.”
“I know. They’re not letting him leave the council building,” Pelros said. “What do the other soldiers think?”
“Most of us want to charge up there and force them to release him,” Telof replied. “But the general’s senior staff has been allowed to confer with him and say the council is still allowing him to act as the commander of the military. They just don’t want him to control everything.”
“Martial law is the only way we’ll survive this situation.” Pelros punched his open hand with his fist. “And the general must be allowed to come and go as he sees fit.”
“Yes, sir,” the sergeant agreed. “I’m certain you’d find plenty of soldiers to follow you up, if you want to put the council in their place.”
The light shining down on the sides of the ship and on the camp surrounding her dimmed. Pelros looked up toward the Pegasus’ city, watching the mirrors rotate. It was genius, using the light as a form of payment to the slaves. His people could survive anything. They could beat this green entity, but not if they were fighting among themselves.
“As much as I’m tempted to make a show of force,” he said, “it would be unwise. General Athos would’ve done that already if he thought it the right course of action.”
“Then what, sir?” The sergeant seemed confused. “We’re going to need General Athos down here when that green wall hits us.” He pointed toward the horizon.
“That’s what I have to convince the council of when I get up there,” he replied.
“Using politics to break him out.” The sergeant grimaced. “Better you than me. I’m more a fan of force.”
“Which is why I’m glad to know you sit on these steps, facing our enemy,” Pelros said, putting his hand on the sergeant’s shoulder. He used the soldier to steady himself as he stood and glared up at the climb he had ahead of him, feeling a bit dizzy from exhaustion. “This is going to be frightfully unpleasant.”
“Not to worry, sir,” the sergeant said. “We’ve rigged an elevator.”
He pointed at the side of the staircase. A bench attached to an angled frame rested on the smooth wall that ran up the side of the staircase. Stepping closer, Pelros noted rollers under the frame and ropes running up the ship.
“Crude,” the sergeant said, “but effective, I assure you.”
Pelros climbed on and took a seat. The sergeant whistled, and a soldier several steps above them waived a torch in the air. The chair jolted and began crawling up the wall.
“Far superior to walking,” Pelros said, smiling at the soldier.
“Farewell, sir,” the sergeant said. “Just say the word if you want us to assist you in freeing the general.” He patted the primitive Earth gun he had slung over his shoulder.
“Pray to the gods it doesn’t come to that,” he replied, returning the sergeant’s salute.
The bench moved at a steady though slow pace. He had plenty of time to survey the land to the north, and the moonlight was sufficient to see far. When he was a third of the way up the ship, he spotted the green wall the soldiers had mentioned. It curved around the Pegasus for as far as he could see, and he expected it was closing on them from all sides, tightening like a noose. The green wall fluctuated in
height, rising to devour taller structures and then dropping back down so low he could barely see it.
His eyes half closed, he dozed while wondering if the wall was sterilizing the planet, killing all life so it could start again. Was this how his people would be made extinct, a green flame incinerating them such that even their DNA would be destroyed? The sad thought resonated in his head.
Biting his lip, he tasted blood. The pain helped him break free of the dismal conjecture and woke him up. That wall might stop once it forced the humans and Anunnaki into a tight arena together. Perhaps the enemy liked coliseum sports as well. The Anunnaki might be tested as they tested their slave soldiers. That would be sweet irony. With the army of loyal humans surrounding the ship, he was confident they could survive any assault by other humans the enemy forced upon them.
The bench entered the sunlight, coming to the top of the steps and stopping. Soldiers tending the elevator noticed the rank on Pelros’ collar and saluted him. He didn’t know them personally, though he guessed most soldiers would recognize him. After he saluted back, they helped him off the bench. His knees almost folded under him when he stood, but he managed to keep from crumpling to the ground. The soldiers eyed him with concern, and he returned their gaze with an expression that warned them not to ask about his condition. They continued about their business, lowering three soldiers who took his place on the bench down the side of the ship.
Surprised no one tried to stop him, Pelros walked away from the edge, through the soldiers stationed around the top of the ship. Most of the military personnel were around the perimeter of the city, and as he walked toward the center, he saw the citizens going about the business of performing supporting roles. Some were working in outdoor kitchens, cooking food for everyone, and others were organized into platoons, training to defend themselves if, gods forbid, the city was overrun. Pelros made it all the way to the circular council building before being challenged.
“Commander Pelros,” the guard blocking the archway he tried to enter through said. “It is a blessing to see you safe.”