by P. L. Camery
“You don’t say,” Caleb responded, -was there a hint of recognition in his eyes? No, he was imagining things- “So my friends call me Cal, but you should stick with Caleb, or Sir, or Mr. Short, or even Master Short if you prefer.”
Despite himself, Roland smirked. But the smile faded as he caught a glimpse of Kara in the mirror behind the bar, sitting on the lap of a bald man. She had her arms around his neck, chattering away and leaning into him as his hand trailed around her waist.
“I know the type,” Short said, follow his gaze, “Pretty as a picture, makes you think she cares but only cares about what she can get out of you.” Casually he picked up Roland’s new drink and took a sip. “Ugh!” Short grimaced, “How can you stand that stuff?”
Roland took the drink back, “If you had my life,” he inhaled a deep swig, “you’d need a strong drink too.”
“But that isn’t strong it’s nasty!”
“So, you sound like you’ve had some experience with the type,” Roland said, motioning as the reflection of the girl lead the hungrily leering bald head away.
“Me? No,” Short responded, “but I’ve seen enough of them; they strip you of your dignity and wrap you around their little finger before you even realize what’s happened, or so it seems at least from an outsider’s perspective.”
Roland gave a humorless laugh, “That’s Kara for you.”
Short tilted his head in curiosity, “You know her?”
“Yeah, she’s my girlfriend.”
“My condolences,” he patted Roland on the shoulder, “You still hopelessly in love with her?”
“No, no,” Roland paused, thinking of Mavis, “I’m in love with someone else.”
“So why don’t you get rid of her?”
“I wish,” Roland shook his head, “but my dad loves her, he even got her a job in the army as an Exterminator. That’s what she’s up to right now actually, trying to find rebels. She convinces them to sleep with her then gets a confession video recorded when they are alone.”
“No idiot would give himself away just to score!” Short exclaimed in disgust.
“Ha, you’d be surprised how many executions she’s responsible for,” Roland took another swig, “I’m just glad those happen to be private executions, most of them are just stupid and don’t really deserve their fate. But the pleasure of the moment seems to override the instinct of self-preservation in today’s day and age.”
“I can guarantee none of them are real rebels.”
Roland shrugged, “The numbers she brings in are good for publicity, keeps the superiors happy. Keeps my dad happy, I guess by default it should keep me happy.”
“Once again, why don’t you get rid of her?”
Roland shrugged again, “It’d only cause trouble. Plus, the girl I love is with some guy in this high end first cast program. He has a lot more power than a half rate one star general.”
“Careful now,” Short cautioned, “I’m in that program.”
“Then tell me Mr. Caleb Short, would you or anyone you know in their right mind do anything to jeopardize your status there?”
“Um, no?”
“So, you wouldn’t do something that could say get you expelled like entering a serious relationship right?”
“No, I suppose I wouldn’t.”
“Then he’s playing her!” Roland muttered more to himself than to his companion, “I told her as much. He doesn’t care, he doesn’t! But I do. I take risks for her, I…”
“Hold on now, what’s that about taking risks?”
Roland looked up, as if just remembering Short’s presence, “Yes, risks. Just today I challenged the dean of the school and prevented a mob of jealous students from harming her.”
“Why aren’t you the hero.”
“I’m serious,” Roland nearly growled.
“Okay, okay,” Short held up his hands in defense, “but if that’s all true, why can’t you take the leap of dumping what’s her name?”
“Cause my love doesn’t want me. I tried. I offered. But she refuses- So bottom line,” Roland finished, “there’s no reason to change my current situation.”
“Here’s a reason,” Short responded with a smirk, “your current girlfriend is a shallow bitch.”
“I never said that…”
“But it’s written all over your face.”
At this Roland laughed, “Not a good enough reason to justify it.”
“Well I disagree,” Short tried taking another sip of Roland’s drink and made a face, “you seem to have a lot of trouble with women, have you ever considered having a male partner?”
Roland raised his eyebrows, “Are you implying something?”
“What you and me?” Short deliberately tapped him on the cheek, “I’m flattered but hell no! I’m not allowed to have relationships remember.”
Roland was about to respond when Kara slid into his lap, her hair tasseled from her work, “I think I’m going to turn in early Roland baby, three confessions today and I’m exhausted I…” Short coughed loudly and she turned to look at him, eyes narrowing, “Who is this?”
“No one to you,” the sharpness in his tone took Roland aback.
Kara simply rolled her eyes them returned her attention to her boyfriend, “So are you going to take me home Roland dear? Maybe I’m not too tired to do a little something special,” she slid her hand down his chest, “for my brave general.” Kara gave him a wink then turned and began to bound away. Roland sighed, then giving his companion an apologetic shrug hurried after her.
Caleb Short watched them leave as he organized his thoughts. Then he raised his glass in their direction, “Here’s to freedom of entertainment.” Chugging the contents of his glass he turned to the bartender and muttered, “Doesn’t take much to sell your soul these days.”
*****
When Mavis entered the lab, she was surprised to see Cal at one of the long tables staring at his hands. “What happened to going to the bar and relaxing for the night?”
“I went,” the boy snapped his head up and responded with a flair of nonchalance, “but I had a bad drink and instantly changed my mind.”
Mavis laughed, “That’s good. I wouldn’t want you to have a hangover for tomorrow.”
“Haha, yeah.”
Mavis studied her friend, then pulled a chair and sat next to him, “You seem abnormally serious Cal, is something bothering you?”
“No, I’m just nervous for the mission tomorrow I guess.”
“I don’t think so,” the girl leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, “that sounds more like an excuse than the actual problem.”
“But why do you assume there’s a problem?”
“Cal,” Mavis gave him an amused smile, “really, we’ve known each other far too long for discretion. Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”
The boy blew out a breath, “There’s no getting by you is there?”
“Afraid not.”
Cal laughed, “I don’t know how Lawrence can handle your all-knowing self. A man can’t even keep his thoughts from you.”
Forcing a smile through her insult she responded to Cal, “He manages, now are you going to tell me, or should I leave you to brood in peace?”
“I was just thinking,” Cal began then laughed at her mocking expression, “a dangerous pastime I know… I was thinking, don’t understand human complacency, how willing people are to let others dictate their lives as long as they lead a comfortable existence. And so many people…”
“I don’t get it myself, but there are enough of us who know better, who want our lives to mean something,” Mavis reassured him, “and I believe by the end of this, when we show people that they are more than livestock, more will join us.”
“Assuming they believe it,” Cal responded bitterly.
The girl considered him and asked, “What put you on this tangent?”
He looked away, considering w
hat to say. Finally, he spoke, “I saw Roland today, had a little chat. It struck me that he’s half good at thinking for himself but still lets other people’s opinions dictate his actions.”
Mavis considered this then said, “Cal honey, what you have to understand about Roland is that what he thinks and who he is are two different things. He only plans far enough ahead to survive day to day. For example, the choice to go into the army. Logical thinking says those morals aren’t what he believes in and he will end up in difficult situations, kill or be killed scenarios. But his way of thinking, if it can be called that, says if his father is proud of him then he will be happy, so he joins he army. Do you see what I mean?”
“Makes sense, it’s just, it seems to me a lot of people might be like that.”
For a moment they stared at each other. Finally, Cal said, “On a less philosophical note, I gathered he knows quite a bit about Lawrence.”
Mavis felt a chill go up her spine, “I think he knows the precarious situation Lawrence has put himself in by being with me. I don’t know if he’s in a position to do anything about it though.”
Cal nodded, “Probably not- or at least not yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s hard to prove that an individual is in a serious relationship with someone, just rolling around doesn’t cut it. If it did there’d be a whole revolution among upper cast males. Roland needs proof, a pattern of behavior, and he doesn’t yet have that.”
“Well,” Mavis paused, her expression the lifter of concern, “there was that incident of Lawrence showing up to fight with Roland…”
Cal shook his head, “One incident does not make a pattern.” The boy paused hen lowered his tone, “But between you and me, Lawrence isn’t exactly at the top of the rankings anymore. He’s been under a lot of pressure from all directions. Refuses any help from his peers or me. I can see it’s wearing down on him, and if Roland accuses him, if an investigation happens, I’m not sure he’ll have the energy left to fight it.”
“You underestimate him Cal, he…”
Cal shook his head, “You aren’t there around school Mavis. With you he could wipe out an army with a flick of his wrist, but without you his performance is subpar. I may be two years ahead of him, but I’m still his best friend. I know him. And I wonder if he is secretly hoping they give him a second tattoo.” Cal, he held up his wrist, fingering a line under the single bar displayed there.
Mavis was silent. She could hear the truth in his words yet couldn’t fathom her love ever giving up without a fight. It’s just not him. “I disagree.”
“Were you planning on telling him about what Roland said?”
“Of course. He…”
“Well don’t, no I’m serious Mavis. If you know what’s good for him, you’ll keep this off his plate.” The girl was about to rebuttal when they heard the lab door slide open.
The first thing she notices was how drained he looked. Fatigue had formed shallow half circles below his eyes, his shoulders were slightly hunched, his hair looked wet, matted down, and the normally bright green eyes were dull, and half shut. But the moment those eyes fell on her they filled with light as he straightened to attention. “Hi guys!” As he spoke, Mavis was simultaneously pleased and alarmed by the effect her presence had on him. “What’s up?”
“What’s up with you?” Cal shot Mavis a final warning glance before bounding to his friend and ruffled his hair, “Why’s your hair all wet?”
Lawrence smiled, swiping his friend’s hand away and heading towards Mavis, “I was in the game room. I wanted to be alert tomorrow, so I was running assassination simulations.”
“So now you’re all sweaty,” he older boy concluded with a smirk.
“No!” He went behind his love and pressed his lips to her neck, “I took a shower before coming.” He draped his arms around her and she smiled, squeezing, “I wanted to be clean for my baby.”
Cal shook his head, closing the gap between them, “What for? You two are just going to get sweaty again.” He winked at them.
“Shame on you Cal!” Mavis exclaimed. “You have such a dirty mind.”
He held up his hands in defense, “Just saying, so what’s the agenda for tonight?”
“A nap!” Both Mavis and Cal looked to Lawrence in confusion. “A nice long nap for tomorrow, there’s nothing else to prepare for infiltration of Dr. Lance’s lab. And if I stay awake, I’m just going to go into a fit of nerves.”
“Well count me out,” Cal said heading for the door. “You’ve done your training for today but I think I’ll head to the shooting range and work on my aim.” He glanced at Mavis, “You are welcome to come if you like.”
As the metal door slid open Mavis was moving to follow but Lawrence held her back, “Wait,” he paused until the door slid closed then moved to the utility closet and fished out a massive sleeping bag and pillow.
“So, you’re serious about the nap?” Mavis teased.
“Yes,” he gave her that shy smile that never failed to ignite a pang of affection, “and, if it’s okay with you, I’d like you to stay. I just want to hold you. I- I’ll be able to rest better if I know you’re safe in my arms. Is that okay? I promise I won’t do anything else, I…”
She closed the gap between them and shut him up with a kiss, “Its fine Lawrence. I trust you won’t defile me as I sleep.”
Grinning, he spread sleeping bag on the floor and crawled inside. When she joined him, he positioned one arm under her neck and the other draped over her. Within minutes she could feel the rise and fall of his chest grow slow and deep. Then she brushed the wet hair from his face and whispered, “I love you Lawrence,” before closing her eyes.
*****
“So, are we clear then?” Lawrence asked hunching slightly as the tunnel became smaller, “this passage should surface about a mile from the Federal Research Facility. We’ll have some cover from the forest when we go ground side but after a quarter mile that disappears.”
“And that’s when the suicidal part of this mission begins,” Cal grumbled.
“Are you sure the end to this tunnel still exist, or that there isn’t some giant bolder covering the door, or that there hasn’t been a cave in before now?” Destiny asked, incredulous.
Mavis flinched at the thought of a cave in, but Lawrence took her hand a looking into her eyes said, “Don’t worry; I checked the tunnel a few days ago. For this part of the plan at least, we’ll be fine.”
“But the tunnels are more than a hundred years old!” Destiny protested, “Built by a much worse equipped rebel force to infiltrate a much newer and less advanced Facility. It’s been practically forgotten; it could collapse at any minute!”
“Relax Destiny,” Lawrence growled, tearing his gaze from Mavis and directing it over his shoulder, “nothing’s going to happen.” Destiny pursed her lips, obviously annoyed with her brother as they glared each other down. Cal and Mavis exchanged nervous glances but said nothing.
Finally. Lawrence returned his gaze to the path before him. The Facility was located 25 miles away from the main city. Its distance from any major city as well as its proximity to four special forces Army bases were meant to ensure its security. The elite soldiers housed in those bases could be a concern, much more disciplined as a result of their isolation and stricter protocols, special forces personnel were trained to be optimal in every way, better endurance, better hand to hand combat, higher shooting precision, the full package. Most concerning however, they were trained to manage automobiles and aeronautical vehicles, two modes of transportation virtually wiped out two hundred years ago by the need to control mobilization of the populous, which was now confined to walking and the occasional subway for long distance travel. Although both Cal and Lawrence had run archaic simulations of operating such vehicles, it would take a great deal of dumb luck to survive outrunning trained operators.
Also built with the tunnels, was a small cart situated on ruste
d tracks which had carried them most of the distance. Although the tunnels gave access to several army bases and IP training centers, the threat of a quick full forced counter attack to largest most populated rebel base in the nation kept the tunnels almost completely unused. Avoiding detection would be critical.
Rather than dwell on the difficulty of the mission ahead, Mavis turned her attention to her boyfriend. The hood of his black jacket, which they all wore over black single suits, was up, so she could just barely make out some of the familiar features. His hand was warm and strong around hers, reminding Mavis how his arms had encircled her the night before. She drew up the memory and clung to it. She indulged in the memory for a moment then stopped herself, No, no distractions. Focus Mavis, you need to focus. She turned her gaze straight ahead, then, seeing the darkness beyond the glow of the small flashlight Lawrence held, cringed, gripping his hand tighter. Why did the only entrance have to be underground?
“Are you okay Mavis?” Lawrence asked, his tone dripping concern.
“Yeah I’m fine,” and when her eyes met his steady gaze, she felt it was true and her muscles relaxed.
“Good,” Cal chimed in, “cause now would be a hell of a time to get cold feet.”
“It’s not the mission,” Destiny said impatiently, “Mavis is claustrophobic.”
“I know that,” Cal rolled his eyes. “It was a joke.”
“Ignore them,” Lawrence shot both a warning glance, “we all need to start focusing on the mission. We are almost-” as if on cue the light revealed a wall of rocks before them with a ladder leading up, “-there.”
Lawrence turned to face Cal, pressed on a small microphone on the collar of his jacket and whispered, “You two still hear all right?”
“Loud and clear,” Mavis heard Cal’s hushed voice though her earpiece.
Her boyfriend nodded, “Now remember, when Mavis and I tell you we’ve made it through the east entrance, wait at least ten more minutes before you penetrate from the north so…”
“You can tell us if there’s any trouble,” Destiny snapped, “Yeah, got it.”
Mavis watched as Lawrence struggled not to retaliate then shoot Cal an apologetic glance. The older boy shrugged with a half-smile then said, “Guess we’d better get started.”