“Take a wild guess.” The darkness clouding his eyes was answer enough. Saul was always a hard man to read, but he was a different person sitting across the table from me. He’d seen too much, dug too deep, in his efforts to stay in the cult’s shadows.
“Now you understand why we have to eradicate them,” Roger said.
Evan was drinking a coffee too, and so far, he was avoiding adding anything to the conversation. I squinted, blinking away my tiredness. “Evan, how much have you told them?”
“Everything. Well, almost.”
I wondered if the exclusion was the part about his wife being one of the cultists. Judging from his expression, that was it.
“Roger, what can you tell us about the Unknowns?” I asked.
“That there might be no such thing,” the big leader of the Freedom Earthers said.
“And have you seen dead groups of people during your travels?”
“Of course. And I’ve heard a few things through the grapevine.” Roger pulled a flask from his vest and took a lengthy drink. He offered it to Saul, who accepted it quickly.
“Like what?” I inquired.
“Toledo is a mess. Dead people everywhere.”
“And you still don’t believe there are aliens coming for us?” I almost laughed. The evidence spoke for itself.
Roger stared me in the eyes and cracked his knuckles. “I’ve witnessed a lot in my life, Rexford. Terrible things. Nightmarish events I wouldn’t wish on my greatest enemies. And do you know why I set my focus on the Believers? Why I put so much time, money, and energy into the Freedom Earthers?”
I kept silent.
“Because humans are evil. The way we treat one another. The horrors we inflict. Even the innocent are guilty. We sit back, let it all happen, because it’s not us doing the harm. It’s someone else’s concern. We set our alarms, wake up, shower, put on our suit and tie, send the kids to school, and come home to eat a bland meal. We watch the news not to make a difference, but to feel better about our own situations. We’re like energy vampires, sucking the plight of our people to fuel ourselves, so we can set that alarm and do it all over again.”
I looked around our small group, and I didn’t think I’d ever seen such a grim bunch. “And how does this pertain to our current dilemma?”
“It pertains because I’m not surprised by this cult. They’ve managed to convince a lot of people that they’re worthy. That there’s another race coming for Earth. Powerful people. Those same members are behind the deaths. Chemical warfare. It’s not the first time in our history we’ve resorted to such terrors.” Roger’s cocky attitude had diminished, replaced with a passionate anger. “I won’t stand by while they destroy the world.”
Bill cleared his throat, and we all looked at the radio personality. “Roger, correct me if I’m wrong, but you mentioned the aliens during our first interview on the airwaves.”
“I will correct you, Bill. You mentioned aliens. I said we’d defend our soil against any offenders, not only aliens. Plus, our web views spiked after that little chat. We connected with some great people.” Roger had the flask back, and he eyed it before putting it into his pocket.
“That’s semantics, Roger.” Bill lit a cigarette and passed one over to Evan.
“Call it what you will, but I would have said anything to secure more bodies for this war.”
“What do you expect to find tomorrow?” I asked him.
“Believers. Lots of ‘em. They’ve been funneling here for weeks. I came when I first heard about Black’s secret hideout. I couldn’t find it, not until we procured that piece of paper. But I’ve seen a lot of action. Black SUVs, motorcar brigades rolling in like they own the state,” Roger said.
Saul played with an empty cup on the table. “What do they number?”
“Couple thousand.”
I almost stood up. “Two thousand. Are you insane?”
“Rex, calm down,” Saul said.
“No. We can’t possibly fight that many of them. How many Umir do they have?” I asked.
Lewen was at the end of the table, and so far, no one had addressed her.
“What’s an… Umir?” Roger asked.
I laughed, a deep belly noise that cascaded into something louder. “You have no idea what you’re about to face.”
Roger glowered. “Enlighten me.”
Lewen rose, and Roger looked at her with his head cocked to the side. “The Umir are an ancient weapon, but they are much more. Their primary purpose is to create a transmission, connecting the Zalt to the minds of your population. This will happen soon. My guess is within two days.”
“What makes you say that?” Roger asked.
“Because the Zalt need to be closer. Once in orbit, the transfer will be much smoother.”
“Lewen is a Rodax. She’s not human, Roger. Why can’t you trust us on this? The Believers were right. Their Unknowns will be at Earth soon, and they’re trying to prepare for the arrival. Dreen allono reespenlen.” I said the phrase and regretted it.
“That’s the same crap they talk in.” One second Roger’s hands were empty; the next a gun appeared as if from thin air. “I knew I couldn’t trust you guys.”
Evan stubbed out his cigarette. “Roger, I can vouch for them.”
The gun aimed at Evan first, the barrel as steady as I’d ever seen.
I sensed Tripp tensing beside me, so I rose slowly. “Roger, put that away. There are some important facts we need to discuss.”
He kept the weapon pointed at Evan. “What are they?”
“One: The Believers will do anything to help the Unknowns succeed. Two: The Unknowns are called the Zalt, and they won’t give up unless we destroy their ships. Three: We need a Book that’s in Alan Black’s possession. Four: We have to stop the Umir hub from powering up.”
“That’s one hell of a laundry list.” Roger returned the gun as quickly as he’d grabbed it. “What’s this book about anyway? Not the ideal time for reading, is it?”
“The Book teaches the strongest of the Believers how to bring the leaders of the Zalt into their minds. They consider it an honor. But what they don’t realize is…” Saul pointed at me to continue.
“The Book actually tells them how to reverse it.”
“How so?” Bill asked.
“Someone strong enough can control the Zalt. On the Objects.” I watched as most of the jaws in the room dropped.
3
Claude’s army grew exponentially. After that first night, when he’d slept in the very same chamber as a few of the Bourbon line had hundreds of years prior, he woke feeling better than ever. And the flock of people at Versailles surpassed three thousand, or so he was told.
Claude was destined for the leader of the Unknowns, which meant the others could deal with the mundane tasks of an administrator. He walked to the room’s balcony and flung the heavy curtains wide. Dust shook free, and he brushed it from his shirt. The doors opened, and he stepped out, smiling at the sight.
The people looked happy. He heard their voices, all speaking the tongue of the Unknowns. Their constant chants had slowed after the luster of finding the Umir wore off. He was pleased to see another two of the robots had arrived during his slumber.
The Objects were nearing Earth. The power was out, and still no news reached them. Claude assumed the Umir were to blame. They were probably sent to destroy anything resembling a power plant or electrical substation. He almost wished he could witness their destructive strength.
The people looked up at him, and he waved. This was his calling. He was to be the ultimate vessel.
Claude closed his eyes, scanning for the hidden thoughts, that strange sensation of another poking and prodding, sitting as a bystander throughout the last thirty years. But he wasn’t active. That was a good sign. It made room for his true occupier.
Claude peered up and noticed the red skies in the distance. The clouds reflected the angry crimson stain. The sight caused his brain to itch. There was something
wrong about it. Terribly wrong.
The Objects were close. He could feel the Unknowns. They were anxious to find their new home. He heard the word Exodus echo in the recesses of his mind. Their energy was palpable.
The red blotches spread over the sky like blood, and Claude’s stomach suddenly heaved. He shut the doors, tugging the curtains closed. The view didn’t sit right with him, and for the first time in his life, Claude second-guessed the intent of the Unknowns.
____________
Veronica lay close to me, her breathing a small comfort in our tent. My left arm was wrapped around her, and my shoulder was going numb. It was a small price to pay for falling asleep beside the remarkable woman.
We’d been so distracted that there hadn’t been time for our budding relationship to grow past that single moment in Boulder. We’d let our inhibitions go, and for that brief moment, we’d been free of obligations and stress.
Light seeped through the tent’s zipper, enough for me to guess it was probably close to eight in the morning. We’d been up until five, meaning I’d gotten three hours. It was better than nothing.
I shifted, trying to get comfortable, and Veronica woke.
She stretched out like a feline. “Morning.”
“Morning. Sleep okay?” I asked.
“Probably the best rest in weeks,” she admitted.
“We were tired. Still am.”
Veronica turned and didn’t even cringe at what I suspected must have been my bad breath. She kissed me on the lips, held it for five seconds, and broke away. “It might have had something to do with your body against mine.” She was in her underwear and a t-shirt, and it took all my willpower to give her space.
“We’ll have all the time in the world when we’re living on Kabos together,” I joked.
She jumped into her jeans and buttoned the top up while spinning toward me. “Together?”
“I didn’t mean together. Just that we’d both be…” I stopped. “I’m stammering. You’re the only woman who’s ever been able to make me do that.”
“It’s a skill.” She winked at me and tossed my pants onto the bed. “Hurry up.”
“Do you think there’s any resolution that actually has us fulfilling our end of the bargain with the Rodax?” I asked.
“Way I see it, if we stop the invasion, the Rodax didn’t do much to help.” She brushed her teeth with a tiny toothbrush, using a bottle of water in a makeshift sink.
“They did bring us back,” I told her.
“Have our odds even increased by using the Bridge?” she asked.
That made me pause. I took the second toothbrush and thought about her question. “If there was no Bridge, our fathers wouldn’t have left. We wouldn’t be concerned about the Believers, I suppose. Neither of us would be involved. Which means Bev and the kids would be at home. Come to think of it, Fred wouldn’t have been sent to spy on the Walkers, so Edith and Carson wouldn’t exist…”
“Without hurting our brains, let’s consider it. The Rodax were supposed to protect us. They left Seedlings, and we grew into their Children. They’ve failed us.” Veronica glanced at the tent flaps, like Lewen might be on the other side listening.
“I guess time will tell.” I spat and rinsed. After applying some military-grade deodorant, I was ready.
Veronica went to unzip the doors, and I stopped her. “This might be the last day we have together.”
She swept aside a strand of her hair, meeting my gaze. Her brown dye was dulling, and blonde showed from the roots. “Let’s not tempt fate. Positive thinking, Rex.”
“I’m positive I want to see tomorrow with you,” I said.
“That’s better.” She went outside. The entire area was a flood of activity. A dozen camouflaged soldiers stared into the east, and one pointed. I followed the path, and saw what had their attention. The sky was blood-red.
“It looks like the gates to hell have finally been breached,” Bill McReary said.
“What is that?” Veronica whispered.
Roger walked ahead of the group, turning to face everyone. “And upon this I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.”
His people clapped and cheered.
“We are at a precipice in our history,” Roger said, stalking the campground road. The gravel crunched under his weight, but his voice was clear and concise. “This”—he jabbed a big finger at the sky—“is an evil. A scourge on our land. The Believers have brought it to us. Called their devils from the depths of hell and dragged them here, kicking and screaming.”
Roger glanced at me, and I could tell he was putting on a show. I doubted he had a religious bone in his body, but he knew how to play it up for his people.
“Today, we will do our part. Kill the Believers, purge our land from the vile humans. The wolves in sheep’s clothing that have been infiltrating us for decades. As a group, the Freedom Earthers will assure that our minds are our own when the Objects come.” More cheering erupted. Most of the camp was gathered, and seeing them united made for a powerful image.
“Is this guy for real?” Tripp bumped into me. A toothpick hung from his lips.
Bill shushed him. It seemed like the radio guy was really buying in to this rhetoric.
“When the clock strikes eighteen hundred hours, we begin. All across this great nation”—he stopped and pointed at Bill—“the Freedom Earthers are prepared to attack the Believers. This will be unlike anything the country has ever witnessed. We will not fail. We won’t give them a chance to communicate with one another.”
“What does that mean?” I asked Tripp.
“Sounds like their sectors each have a target in sight, and are planning a collaborative endeavor to hit them at the same moment.” Tripp shrugged. “If they actually have real Believer camps to strike, I say go for it.”
It hadn’t even occurred to me that this isolated mission was a small piece in a bigger effort. I couldn’t worry about whether their intel was accurate or not. For all we knew, some of the militia groups could be targeting innocent people.
Saul bypassed the crowd and found my side. “I know what you’re thinking, Rex, but we have to roll with it. We need the Book.”
“If you were aware of the Book, why didn’t you mention it?” I asked. “You had ample opportunity.”
“I was looking for it in Palm Springs. For a second, I hoped you’d found it, but that was the generic version. The edited translation for every fifth-level Believer to read. As far as I understand, there’s never been a copy made of the true Book.”
“And Jessica let Black have it?”
“It was sent with the former Sovereign’s things to Jessica when she took the reins,” Saul told me.
“What happened to that man? The previous Sovereign?” Veronica inquired.
“He was found dead. Rumors were someone close to him did it, thinking they would be named in his stead. When the guy was questioned, he denied it.” Saul glanced at Roger, who was still giving his speech, attempting to fuel his people for the impending day.
“He was in Paris?” I asked, thinking about the man my father kept seeing each night when he slept on Rimia.
“That’s right,” Saul replied.
“Do you ever feel like there are too many connections circling around you to be a coincidence?” I asked them.
“Not really.” Tripp laughed.
“Every day, Rex.” Saul sipped from a paper cup. “We have a lot of preparations. Let’s leave Roger to his soliloquy.”
Our group walked away, finding Evan near Roger’s tent. He paced in front of the flaps, smoking like it was his last cigarette.
“I’ll meet you guys in a sec,” I said. “You okay, Evan?”
His eyes were red-lined, his cheeks gaunter than ever before. For the first time, he looked like a fraud. A washed-up man, wearing a suit for a job he didn’t have any longer. “What if they kill her?”
“Who… your wife?”
He nodded, taking another drag.
/>
“It’s been ten years, Evan.” That probably was the wrong thing to say, but he did seem to relax.
“I know… I’ve been such an idiot. Wasting my life on this crap, when I could have been doing real work. I haven’t been able to sleep in weeks. I keep expecting some damned alien to jump into my head if I rest my eyes.”
“I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“Give me a break!” His voice rose, and he glanced over apologetically. “Why do I feel this need to save her?”
“Because you loved her. You never had closure. She left you high and dry, and you’ve been worried about her every day for the last ten years,” I said.
“Thanks for not being a jerk. God, I need to pull it together,” Evan said.
“Come inside. Get some coffee, and let’s figure this out.” We entered the tent, and found Lewen already at the table.
“Roger suggested it would be best not to be seen in the middle of camp.” She smiled, but the gesture fell flat.
Saul didn’t wait for us to sit before starting.
“These guys are trigger-happy. You can see it in their eyes. Their nervous posture. They’re ready for a fight. We’ll use the distraction to access the house.” Saul looked to each of us. “We need this Book, people. Or we lose everything.”
____________
Bev woke drenched in sweat. Her pillow was damp, and she brushed back a few strands of hair that had clung to her face. The kids had already meandered to the opposite cot, and she watched them, curled up like puppies at the pound. She’d been dreaming again.
This time, she’d floated in space, observing the Earth. The moon was to the side, the sun hot and powerful in the distance. Her thoughts came to her as another’s voice. It was powerful, beckoning her.
Waking up in the cramped bedroom of this old estate house almost took the breath from her lungs. It was like the walls were closing in on her, and she sealed her eyelids, attempting to fight the mounting panic.
You’re fine, Beverly Walker. She flinched at the use of her maiden name. Fred was dead.
Bev peered at her kids, looking at Carson. He was the spitting image of his father, the man she’d killed. When they eventually learned what happened on that fateful night near the Bridge, they’d never forgive her, but that didn’t matter. Only keeping them safe did.
Lost Hope (The Bridge Sequence Book Three) Page 15