Jim squirmed in his seat. “I don’t see that we’ve got much choice.”
“You’re wasting your time with him,” Alec said with a smirk. “Clennan hasn’t got the—” He stopped abruptly, his words cut short by a pulsing alarm, its high-pitched warbling tones ringing through the compartment. Alec turned to Sue and Thaddeus. “Is that a beacon?”
Thaddeus leaped to his feet and hurried to one of the truck’s workstations with Sue right behind him. “You’re right, Alec,” he said, his voice strained. “It’s an emergency beacon. From truck one.” He scanned the display panels in front of him, his expression grim.
“What does it mean?” Connor demanded, but his question was almost drowned out by the noise as another workstation burst into life, its speaker blasting out a harsh buzz. Sue darted across to a control panel and muted the sound, but a third alarm bleated out its discordant warning.
Everyone stood and rushed to join Sue and Thaddeus, all jostling for position and talking at once.
“Quiet!” Parry yelled, and Siobhan saw that he had his rifle in his hands. “Somebody, talk to me,” Parry insisted. “What the hell’s going on? Are we under attack?”
“No,” Sue called out. “It’s nothing like that. Here, let me…” She reached up and tapped a button on the control panel, and instantly, the noises died away.
Thaddeus turned to face them, his features drawn and lined with worry. “It’s a level six emergency beacon—from truck one.”
“Oh no,” Sue whispered.
“There’s no doubt,” Thaddeus said, “no doubt at all. Truck one is down.”
CHAPTER 5
The Hill
Nothing! Calum thought bitterly. I can’t see a damned thing. He kneeled down and peered into the dark space beneath the floor of Mac’s house, screwing up his eyes, but all he could see was the top of a rickety metal ladder, the lower rungs lost in the impenetrable darkness below.
“It looks bigger than his goddamned house,” Alan whispered. “How the hell did he dig so deep?”
Calum frowned, but he didn’t raise his head. “There are caves all over the hill. Perhaps he found this one and had his house put over it.”
“Maybe, but even so…”
Calum looked up. “What?”
“I was just thinking. There’s no way Mac did this on his own. He must’ve had help. A lot of help.” He paused as if to let his words sink in. “Whatever Mac’s getting into here, he must be taking a whole lot of people along with him. And that means trouble, Cal. Trouble for everyone.”
They looked at each other, wide-eyed, then a slow grin formed on Alan’s lips. “You know we’ve got to see what’s down there, right?”
“No,” Calum said quickly. “We’ve done enough already.”
But Alan was already crossing the room and heading for the cluttered kitchen counter. “I saw a flashlight here somewhere. Yeah, got it.” He lifted his prize triumphantly. “Fully charged and ready to go.”
Calum stood, shaking his head. “We haven’t got time. Come on, we’ve seen plenty. We’ve got to go.” He picked up the trapdoor and lined it up against the hole, but Alan stepped forward and took hold of his arm, his fingers pressing into Calum’s biceps.
“I’m going down there, Calum,” he stated. “If you don’t want to come, that’s fine, but I’m going down to find out that the hell Mac’s been doing. We might never get another opportunity like this.”
Calum held his gaze. There was no arguing with Alan when he got like this. All he could do was try and keep his friend from getting into too much trouble. Gently, he pulled his arm free from Alan’s grip. “All right. I’ll keep watch in case anyone comes. I’ll give you one minute, then we’re out of here whether you’ve found anything or not.”
Alan nodded, then he switched on the flashlight and positioned himself over the hole, lowering himself down onto the ladder until his feet found the rungs. The ladder creaked when Alan transferred his weight, and Calum held his breath.
“It’s fine,” Alan said as if reading his friend’s mind. “Feels solid enough.”
“One minute,” Calum reminded him. “Not one second longer.”
“Got it,” Alan replied, then he climbed down quickly, disappearing beneath the floor in a matter of moments.
Calum glanced nervously at the rear window, but there was no way he could cover the front and the back of Mac’s house at the same time. “I must be out of my mind,” he whispered, then he crossed to the front window and stood to one side, trying to get the best view of the approach to Mac’s house. Not much of a lookout spot, he thought. The window was small, and if he stood right in front of it, he’d be seen from outside. He hovered at the window’s edge, moving from side to side, but he could only see a thin strip of ground at any one time. It’s the best I can do, he told himself. There was no better vantage point; he had no choice but to stay alert and listen to his instincts.
From below, came the sound of Alan’s boots grating against the cellar’s stone floor, so at least he’d made it to the bottom of the ladder, but the thought gave Calum no comfort. Mac, or one of his friends, could appear at any second, and it wouldn’t be easy to get away in time. All he could do was trust that Alan would stick to the plan and climb back up before anything happened. Come on, Alan, he thought. You must’ve seen enough by now. What the hell are you doing down there?
And then, as if in reply, Alan gave a sharp gasp, the sound echoing up from the space below. “Alan!” he hissed. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
But Alan did not answer.
CHAPTER 6
The Hill
Mac bowed his head a little as Una answered his knock and appeared in her doorway. “Una, I’m so sorry for your loss. Poor Finn. He was a good man.”
Una nodded. Her eyes were moist, but she held her head high, accepting his words with an air of quiet dignity. “Thank you. So many folks have stopped by to pay their condolences. People have been very kind.”
“Quite right, quite right.” Mac lifted his head and tried a respectful smile. “Do you mind if I step inside for a minute? It’s hard to talk properly out here. And it’s not easy, this. Not easy for a man like me.”
Una stepped back. “Just for a minute then. I’ve the children to see to.”
“Of course.” Mac moved swiftly over the threshold and pushed the door closed behind him. “They’ll be missing their father, the poor kids.”
Una shot him a sharp look, and Mac made a show of withering beneath her glare. “Sorry. Dumb thing to say.” He cleared his throat. “You know, Finn was a friend of mine. A good friend. He was always loyal, and that’s a rare quality around here. Very rare indeed.”
“That’s true enough,” Una said. “He wasn’t always the sharpest tool in the box, bless his soul, but he stood by his friends.”
Mac nodded as if deep in thought, but he watched Una carefully. She was a tough customer, that was for sure, and she wouldn’t thank him if he took too long to get to the point, but this was a delicate business. Una was a respected member of the community, and if he could get her on his side, others would follow. “It’s a damned shame,” he murmured. “A damned shame. A tragedy really. His loyalty was his downfall.”
Una sniffed. “I wouldn’t say that. He joined the patrol of his own free will. He knew the risks, but he played his part. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.” She folded her arms and stood tall. “I know what the gossips are saying, but my Finn was no coward. He did his best. And at least he was prepared to put himself in harm’s way, unlike some people.”
Mac held up his hands, his fingers spread wide. “Like I said, Una, he was a good man. But I can’t help wondering…” He broke off and let out a remorseful sigh. “That is, I can’t help thinking that his death could’ve been avoided. If only he’d been led by someone worthy of that loyalty.”
“Oh no, you don’t,” Una snapped. “I won’t have you using my poor husband’s name to fuel your grudge against Connor, so you’d better
not even think about it. Connor has always been good to Finn and me. He was the one to bring me the news even though he’d just seen his own daughter taken from him. He came here himself and explained. He told me everything.” She blinked and dabbed at her eyes with the back of her hand, but her cheeks were flushed with anger rather than sadness. “So don’t you dare say another word against Connor. He would’ve saved Finn if he could, we all know that. Connor stands by his people. He always has and he always will.” She took a step toward Mac and jabbed her finger toward his chest. “But where were you when the fighting started? Skulking in your bed that’s where. Hiding under the covers like a child, content to let others do the dirty work.”
Mac scowled, his sympathetic smile forgotten. “I came here in good faith, Una. Good faith. I wanted to help, but I can see my concern was misplaced.” He shook his head in pity. “I’ll take my leave, but I won’t forget this, Una. So when your precious Connor finally sinks the whole lot of us, you needn’t come running to me.”
Una jutted her chin in defiance. “You know where the door is.”
“I do. I’m just sorry I ever bothered to knock on it.” Mac turned on his heel and marched across the room, letting himself out and slamming the door shut as he went. “Stupid woman!” he growled, then he walked away, his face like thunder. I should’ve known, he told himself. She always was a piece of work. His stomach roiled angrily, bringing the bitter taste of stale beer to the back of his throat. He stopped walking and turned his head to spit on the ground. His throat was dry and his headache was getting worse, making itself felt behind his eyes. He glanced back at Una’s house. Was she watching him from her window? Let her watch, he thought. Let her stew for a while until she realizes the mistake she’s making. He wiped his mouth with his hand and stifled a sour belch. “The hell with her,” he muttered. Una was no great loss. There was bound to be a few who were too slow to see the writing on the wall, a few who were misguided enough to place their trust in the likes of Connor. But these people were nothing. Sheep, he thought. Not one original thought in their heads. He pitied them, pitied their small minds, their faint hearts. They didn’t deserve a single second of his time.
He turned on the spot, scanning the surrounding houses. He’d planned to call on half a dozen more people before returning home, but arguing with that ignorant woman had dulled his spirits and stirred up his thirst. He’d had enough of talking for the time being, and there was still a drop of beer in the jug on the counter. Why not? he asked himself. He’d earned it, and then some.
Mac took one last look at Una’s house, then he stepped out smartly, heading for home.
CHAPTER 7
Truck Two
Connor clutched the armrests of the co-pilot’s seat and kept his lips pressed tight together as Jim threw the truck into a banking turn. He stared out through the windshield in silence, watching the landscape speed past at a disorienting angle, and when the truck leveled out, he leaned forward and grabbed hold of the navigation panel, pulling it toward him on its extendable arm. He hadn’t had time to familiarize himself with the display, but the icon showing the position of truck one was clear enough. It was dead ahead, and they were closing fast.
“Jim, I want you to slow down,” Connor said. “I need to get ready before we get too close.”
Jim cast an annoyed glance in Connor’s general direction. “I don’t want to waste any time. They could be in real trouble.”
“Or it could just be a trap.” Connor undid his safety harness and eased himself out of the chair. “Just take it easy, okay? If it is an ambush, they’ll likely target the pilot first.”
Jim frowned thoughtfully, running his hands over the controls, and the roar of the engines dropped a semitone as the truck began to lose momentum.
Connor allowed himself a wry smile and let himself out into the main compartment. The others had gathered near the back, and all of them had suited up. Even Siobhan. Connor stopped in front of his daughter and shook his head. “Shiv, you know what I said. I don’t want you outside. You should stay and look after Milo.”
“Not necessary,” someone said, and when Connor looked around in surprise, he realized Milo was standing near the door to the decontamination chamber. Milo was wearing a suit borrowed from the truck and it looked like he was almost ready to don his helmet. He’d been facing the door while Thaddeus fussed over his suit, but now he gave Connor a mock salute and a broad grin. “I’m ready to go. My head’s fine now. Thaddeus fixed me up and gave me a couple painkillers. I’ve never felt better.”
Connor gave Milo an appraising look. The dressing on the side of the young man’s head was neat and clean, but there was a manic gleam in his eyes that just wasn’t right. “It’s no good, Milo. You need to rest. You look spaced out. What did you give him, Thaddeus?”
“It’s all right,” Thaddeus replied. “I gave him some biomaxinol. It’s a standard painkiller, and he’s only had a tiny dose—just enough to take the edge off. But I guess he isn’t used to it.”
“Sure beats herb tea,” Milo said. “Man, I wish I’d had this stuff when I broke my ankle.”
Connor folded his arms. “Siobhan, Milo, you’re to stay in the truck.”
Alec separated from the others and stood at Connor’s side. “He’s right. We haven’t been able to raise truck one on the comms, so we don’t know what we’re going to find. If they’ve crashed or suffered a breach, they could be badly injured, and whatever’s happened, it’s safe to assume the crew will have been burned by the symbiont. It’s not going to be pretty.”
“We can handle it,” Siobhan insisted. “We handled you didn’t we?”
“Knock it off, Siobhan,” Parry called out. “This isn’t a high school outing. This whole thing is almost certainly a trap, and we need to leave someone inside to defend the truck.”
Siobhan narrowed her eyes. “Jim can stay here. He’s the pilot—he knows the truck better than anyone.”
“He’s not one of us,” Parry replied. “I want you to stay here and watch our backs. If we have to make a retreat, I don’t want to find the door locked, all right?”
Alec let out a grunt. “This is ridiculous. I told you, this isn’t a trap. Doctor Teare would never do a thing like that. The crew must be in trouble.”
“You may well be right,” Connor said, “but we’re taking no chances.”
“Is that why we’ve slowed down?” Alec asked.
Connor nodded. “We’ll approach carefully and assess the situation.”
“You’re wasting time,” Alec grumbled. “Why would they try and lure you back? The fleet let the truck go. That’s protocol. The mission comes first.”
“They did not let us go,” Siobhan protested. “They sent drones to take us down. They practically smashed into the cockpit for God’s sake.”
Connor fought down the anger rising from the pit of his stomach. This Doctor Teare and her crew had tried to harm his daughter. They’d put their precious mission before the lives of a young woman and everyone else on the truck. But they wouldn’t get another chance. He’d made plans with Parry, and if everything went down as they hoped, he didn’t want his daughter anywhere nearby.
He looked over at Parry and gave him a nod. “You figured out the weapons?”
“Sure.” Parry plucked a rifle from a metal cabinet then stepped forward, holding the weapon out to Connor. They’d decided that while their sonic rifles were reliable, the truck’s armory of plasma weapons offered more firepower.
Connor took the unfamiliar weapon and checked the controls. “Anything I need to know?”
“It’s all straightforward,” Parry replied. “Only thing you really need is this switch on the side. I left it in safe mode, for now, so be sure to change it before we hit the ground.”
“No!” Alec snapped. “For God’s sake, leave the safety on. I told you—”
“Save it!” Parry interrupted. “I’m sure you’d like your friends to get the drop on us, but that isn’t going to happen.”
Without warning, Alec lunged at Connor and wrenched the rifle from his grip. Parry shouldered his own rifle and aimed it at Alec’s head. “Drop it! Put it down or I’ll blow your goddamned head off!”
“Go ahead,” Alec sneered. “Blow a hole in the truck if that’s what you want. I’d rather take my chances with the symbiont than put up with any more of your bullshit.”
Connor held out his hands and gestured for them to calm down. “Come on, guys. Take it easy.”
But Parry did not lower his weapon. “Put it down!”
Alec was breathing hard, his knuckles white against the rifle, but he held the weapon across his body, the barrel pointing down to the floor. “You have to leave it in safe mode because the trigger is very sensitive,” he said slowly, the words escaping from between his clenched teeth. “If you disembark with a live weapon, it could discharge and hit someone, and I don’t want that someone to be me, all right?” He held the gun out to Connor, his arms stiff. “Take it, before I change my mind.”
Connor took the rifle slowly, maintaining eye contact with Alec. “If you try a stunt like that again, we’ll take you down. We won’t hesitate.”
Parry lowered his rifle. “We still have our sonic weapons, and those we can fire in here. They wouldn’t do too much damage to the truck, but they’d make you wish you’d never been born. Understand?”
Alec glowered at Parry, but he didn’t acknowledge him in any other way.
Thaddeus broke the silence. “Sounds like we’re stopping.”
“We must be close,” Connor said. “I’m going up front to check. You guys get ready.” He set off across the compartment, heading for the cockpit and with every step he felt the truck juddering to a halt beneath his feet. What the hell is Jim playing at? he wondered. He should’ve warned me. Connor let himself into the cockpit, a stern reminder on the tip of his tongue, but when he saw the view through the windshield, the words died on his lips.
Jim had taken them into the mouth of a narrow ravine, and no more than a hundred yards away, another truck blocked their path. The hover truck faced them at an angle, and its front was ramped up on a rocky outcrop. The truck’s hover panels were inactive and its tail was partially buried in the ground. Around it, the scrubby vegetation was pressed flat and scorched in places, and a few wisps of gray smoke curled up from the burnt undergrowth and hung motionless in the still air.
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