Though Ivy had been shivering moments ago, now she’d gone still.
Selene’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked over Ivy’s shoulder, and her heart stopped.
“My two favorite girls.”
Selene’s skin crawled as she stared down the man that had ruined her life, and had sentenced her to weeks in penthouse purgatory. Her hand flew to her hip, and she ripped her pistol from its holster, pointing it directly at former president Pate’s forehead.
“Now, now.” Pate chuckled. “Is that any way to greet me?”
Ivy stepped back, and Selene took her place. Ivy was unarmed. It was Selene’s job to end it.
“You’re lucky you don’t have a fucking hole in your forehead.” Selene flipped the switch on her pistol and it whined loudly. Something was wrong. Why was Pate standing alone in the middle of the hall? He had no guards, no weapons in sight. This was way too easy.
“Tsk tsk… such a foul mouth for a lady.” Pate’s amber eyes darkened. Though he sported his typical slanted smirk, only anger swelled in his gaze. He wasn’t happy to see them. Not one bit.
Selene didn’t reply. Her heart raced faster, trying to come up with a thousand possibilities—logical reasons why Pate would just stand there.
“Kill him,” Ivy whispered. Her hot breath brushed Selene’s hair from her neck.
Selene risked a glance back at Ivy, who narrowed her eyes at Pate, refusing to look away. Selene understood the impulse. Every fiber of her being told her to pull the trigger, but something stopped her.
She looked back at the former president, trying to figure it out. “Why did you take the Icarus?” she asked, genuinely curious.
Pate smiled. “They’re my army now.”
Ivy scoffed. “You’re torturing us.”
Pate shook his head. “You don’t understand, child.”
“Then explain it,” Selene snapped.
Pate’s cold gaze shifted back to her. “The few I have aren’t enough, so I need my scientists to create more.”
Selene’s heart dropped. “More Icarus?”
Pate tilted his head. “Not like you, kitten.” He smirked and nodded at Ivy. “Like her.”
“You’re only using us to further your own agenda,” Ivy growled.
“Of course.”
Ivy stepped forward, and Selene laid a hand on her shoulder. She shook her head slightly. Now wasn’t the time to rush into things. Something was up, and Selene wasn’t going to fall for it.
“Why do you need an army?” Selene questioned.
Pate’s jaw twitched. “To take back what’s mine.” He took a step forward.
“The United Americas?” Selene guessed.
Pate laughed. “Smart kitty.”
“You’ll never get back into office,” Selene mocked. “Not after what we showed the world about you.”
He adjusted his tie stiffly. “They’ll come around when I save them from the aliens.”
So that was his grand scheme. He wanted to use the Icarus to take out the Dominion government, and seize control for himself. Selene had to admit, it wasn’t a terrible idea, though it was definitely foolish. The Dominion would see it coming a mile away, and he would be taken out by snipers before he could even set foot on a stage, or holostation set.
“You’re a fool.” Selene couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew you were a sadistic bastard, but I never thought you were an idiot too.”
Pate froze, his nostrils flaring. “We’ll see about that, kitten.” Pate reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small silver device before holding it to his mouth. “Activate security protocol seventeen.”
Selene’s eyes widened and she took a step back. What the hell did that mean?
Ivy tensed to run, but Selene didn’t budge. “Last ditch effort, huh?” She couldn’t resist getting in another jab.
Pate only smirked as the ceiling two feet in front of his head suddenly shifted, sliding away like the hull doors on the cargo hold of the smugglers cruiser. A metallic grinding pierced her ears, and she slapped her palms over them.
Pain stole her senses for several long seconds before the sound stopped and a black gatling gun dropped from the hole in the ceiling. A red light flashed just above the multiple cylinders that were the barrels. A loud whine filled the hall.
Selene gasped. “Run!”
Ivy spun first, and Selene wasn’t far behind as they fled the way they’d come. Pate’s malicious laugh echoed behind them as the whine of the gun reached a high point, and then bits of laser fire tore linoleum and plaster to shreds, inches from her heels.
“Go!” Selene screamed, tearing around the corner with Ivy inches in front of her.
Her heart pounded faster and her legs pumped as they raced down the corridor, laser fire splitting the wall behind them in half. Selene risked a glance over her shoulder, only to see the gatling turret reach the end of the hall and turn, facing them before the ceiling parted to let it continue after them.
“Shit!” Selene hissed.
“Left!” Ivy barked, and skidded into a sudden turn down a hall with labs behind frosted glass.
Selene turned after her, using the wall to swing her out of the turrets path. “We need to get off this floor, now!”
Ivy nodded, glancing back to meet Selene’s eyes. Determination burned in their green depths, the same look Selene was sure reflected in her own. They would get through this, and get the others to safety. But first they had to get the hell off the third floor.
“There’s another stairwell on the south side.” Ivy turned right suddenly, and Selene nearly flew past her before catching the wall and swinging back. “We can make it.”
As if tempting fate with her words, laser fire sliced through the floor behind them. The turret was gaining fast.
“I hope you’re right!” Selene said through gritted teeth.
Ivy swung another left, then right, calling out the directions seconds before. Then they were in another hall identical to the one they’d met Pate in. Doors lined the corridor, but Ivy flew for one in particular. She slammed against the metal bar to push it open. It was an emergency door and couldn’t rely on power to whoosh open.
Nothing happened.
“Damn!” Ivy shouted. “It’s locked!”
Selene stopped beside her. “Wait, I have this!”
The peppering of plaster, linoleum and cement hitting the floor sounded at their backs. Selene’s heart hammered as she ripped open her utility belt pocket, and produced the keycard bracelet she’d snatched from the lab technician.
“Thank Aldar!” Ivy cried.
Selene flashed the card across a panel beside the door. They both held their breaths as a red line zipped around the outside of the panel. Then it flashed green.
With a wicked grin, Selene slammed the door open, and both of them leapt inside just as a laser nipped at the floor inches from their heels.
The door shut, and they leapt down the stairs two at a time. Selene had no idea if the turret could follow them inside, but she didn’t want to find out.
They reached the second floor, heaving for air, adrenaline racing through their veins. When they slammed open the next door and heard no laser fire behind them, they took deep breaths, and righted themselves against the wall.
“That was close,” Ivy panted.
Selene nodded in agreement, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Close one was an understatement. She’d been able to feel the heat of lasers there at the end.
“The Icarus aren’t far,” Ivy added. She took a few more deep breaths, and straightened, glancing down each side of the strangely empty corridor. Her eyebrows furrowed, and Selene saw the question in her eyes.
“We created a bit of a distraction before we came inside,” Selene explained.
Ivy nodded, accepting her answer. “Let’s go.”
Ivy led the way down the hall, drying ginger hair bouncing around her shoulders. They took a few turns, passed empty labs and offices before a tall man with black skin stepped i
nto the hall from a doorway.
Selene’s heart leapt with relief as Sav turned to face them. Ivy skidded back, her fingers rushing to her sides like she hoped to find a weapon there. Selene knew the feeling well.
“Ivy, this is Sav,” Selene explained.
Ivy’s darkened gaze softened to understanding. “You’re an Icarus, too.”
Sav nodded, his grimace creasing the lines of his face, making him look older. “That I am.”
“He’s here to help. Are the others inside?” Selene asked.
“Yeah. We’re almost ready to go.”
Selene bit her lip, the turret they’d encountered flashing in her mind. With such intense security protocols they needed a better plan of escape. “Back inside,” she said. Sav quirked an eyebrow, but turned as the door disappeared back into the wall.
The trio stepped inside a long white room with dozens of small cells with glass walls lining what seemed to be a long hall. There had to be at least thirty or more cells, and from what she remembered, this wasn’t the only place like this on the schematics.
Selene gulped.
“Selene,” Rikkard said. He looked up from the far side of the room. He knelt on the floor beside Jared and another man, who Jared held the shoulders of while Rikkard wrapped gauze around the man’s leg. Upon seeing her, he ripped off the end of the gauze and pinned it to the rest of the bandage before he crossed the room. “Everything all right?” He glanced at Ivy.
“Yep.” Selene smiled. “But the security is a lot worse than we thought.”
Rikkard’s forehead wrinkled with worry. “What do you mean?”
Selene quickly explained the turret she and Ivy had evaded. Flik joined them as she regaled their escape, and so did a few other Icarus. Determination set their green gazes, making Selene’s heart pound faster. Though logically she knew none of them were going to hurt her, she still remembered the faces of her Icarus tormentors all too well.
“We need to split up,” Flik said.
“That’s a bad idea,” Selene said.
“Maybe not,” Rikkard cut in.
“He’s right,” Sav added. “If we split into two groups there will be less security after each team. While the cameras are out we shouldn’t have to deal with many guards, but if what you said about these turrets is true, there might only be one on each level. Having two groups might be enough to confuse it.” Sav looked like he wanted to continue, but his jaw hardened and he cut himself short. Whatever he wasn’t saying, Selene had a feeling it wasn’t good.
“And at least one group might get out alive,” Rikkard said. His normally bright eyes were dark, and from the look Sav gave him, Rikkard had said what he wouldn’t.
Selene closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was no way she was losing any of them on this trip. This was her mission. Her responsibility. They’d only come along because they knew she needed them. But they did have a point. Splitting up might at least confuse the turret enough for them to all to get away. There were two stairwells, one on each side of the building. If half went to one, and the other half went to the other, they could meet on the top floor and head to the rooftop exit together.
“Okay,” Selene said after a long pause. Rikkard regarded her with raised eyebrows, as if surprised she agreed. She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t look so shocked.”
A ghost of a smile slipped across Rikkard’s lips, but was gone before she could really enjoy it.
“Okay, two teams,” Ivy mumbled. Her gaze darkened with suspicion.
Selene had a feeling Ivy was worried they’d leave the Icarus behind. “Do you know much of the building?”
Ivy shook her head. “Just this floor and the one above.” Her jaw worked with unspoken words.
“Then we’ll split right down the middle.” Selene turned to the crew. “Flik and Sav, you’ll take half, along with Jared. He’s been here for some time, at least he’ll know the two worst floors.” Flik and Sav nodded. “Ivy, you’ll come with me, Rikkard, and the rest of the Icarus.”
Ivy’s shoulders sagged with relief. “All right.”
“Can you split everyone up?” Selene asked. She didn’t want too many injured on one team, or too many fighters. They needed a good split in case things went wrong and it came to a fight.
“You got it.” Ivy stepped away, her voice ringing high as she barked out orders.
Selene couldn’t help the smile that tilted her lips. She remembered the first time she’d met Ivy. The woman had literally thrown her across the room. They’d come so far since then.
When Ivy came back a few moments later, she nodded. They were ready.
Selene looked around at the expectant gazes of at least thirty people. She hadn’t realized until now just how many of them there were. Her heart squeezed. She’d known this was the right thing to do. Not only were they saving Ivy, but they were saving the rest of these poor people, who’d known nothing but torture for half of their lives.
“All right. Ivy has divided you. Any that are too weak to walk should be supported by two able-bodied on each team.” Selene glanced at the few Icarus who still remained on the floor, one: a girl curled into the fetal position, another: a man staring sightlessly at the wall. She wasn’t sure if they were hurt or had just given up. “The rest of you, keep up as best as you can. No one is getting left behind today, but I won’t lie to you. This is not going to be an easy escape. If a turret spots us, you need to dig inside yourself and find every nerve you have left to run like your life depends on it.” She met the eyes of each of them. “Because it does.”
The Icarus began to nod, and separate into their groups, huddling together, one half on each side of the room.
Selene exchanged a look with Rikkard. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his icy gaze darted at the door to the hall. He looked as nervous as she felt. “Let’s go.”
Sav opened the door, holding his rifle to his shoulder as he peeked out. His eyes scanned the hall for several long moments before he nodded back at her. “Clear.”
“Sav, take them to the northern stairwell,” she said. “The rest of us will go south.” Right back to where they’d left that damn turret. But at least if her suspicions were correct, the turret couldn’t get into the stairwell. That meant they only needed to get to the stairwell, and back to the top floor. Once they were there, they only had a few halls left to get to the rooftop.
“You got it.” Sav nodded and left into the hall. Flik was close behind, leading a dozen Icarus behind him. Two of them paused to lift the vacant-eyed man off the floor, and then they were gone.
Selene looked back at the others. They were already ready with the woman previously in the fetal position now cradled in the arms of a man with broad shoulders and a wide set chest.
“Stay close,” she said, giving Ivy and Rikkard a meaningful look before stepping into the hall. Ivy came out beside her, and Rikkard followed, Ivy sticking to her left, and Rikkard her right.
She drew her pistols and handed one to Ivy. “Take this.”
Ivy’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t argue. She took the pistol and adjusted her grip. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” Selene led the way down the hall, back the way they’d come, ignoring Rikkard’s disapproving glare. He still thought Ivy was bad news, just waiting to kill them all. But he hadn’t seen Ivy’s relief when Selene pulled her out of the vat. He hadn’t seen the tears in her eyes or heard the gratitude on her lips.
They weren’t enemies anymore. In a world that constantly fought to tear the Icarus apart, there was no reason to fight each other when they had so much else to war against.
Selene and the others raced down the hall, their boots and bare feet slapping the floor. There was no stealth in the way they ran, only urgency as Ivy tried to hurry the others along.
It was slow going for Selene’s liking, especially as they carried along a few at the back. She ground her teeth as they rounded a hall. She’d been glancing over her shoulder, and when she looked b
ack to see where she was going, three black-clad security guards stood at the far end of the hall.
“Get back!” Rikkard shouted.
The others froze at the corner and quickly shuffled back, while Selene raised her pistol and took aim at the closest guard.
Shouts rang from the guards, but Selene took the first in the chest, while Rikkard sent the second to his knees, kneecapping him before shooting through the skull. Selene’s heart hammered faster as she dove back around the corner, Rikkard pressing himself against the wall at her side.
“That was close,” Selene panted.
“Too close,” Rikkard growled. Selene assumed he was mentally chastising himself from the sounds of it.
“Back up! Back up! I need back up!” the last guard shouted around the corner. She had to assume he had some sort of comset to speak to the other guards.
Shit. That wasn’t good.
Selene leaned out, peeking around the corner. The guard was gone, his footsteps racing away. Damn. She regretted not taking him out with the others, but he had been the only one to react in time, raising his rifle almost in time to shoot her or Rikkard in the ass.
“We need to move,” Ivy hissed, leaning around Rikkard.
Selene nodded. “We’ve got to chance it.”
Rikkard huffed. He didn’t like that she was right. “Slowly.”
Selene brought her pistol back up and carefully stepped around the corner. Her heart raced as she took another step down the hall. They were so close. Only two more hallways and they would reach the stairwell.
Ivy took a deep breath at Selene’s shoulder, and Rikkard stepped up to her other side. It was odd to have them flanking her as a team, watching her back like they had some kind of silent truce going on.
Selene flashed a smile as she inched down the hall, the slap of the barefooted Icarus following them close behind.
“Back up is on its way!” the buzz of coms echoed down the hall.
Damn! Selene ground her teeth. Forgoing this silent death march, Selene took off, racing quietly down the hall until she reached the corner where the sound had come from.
The Darri Commission: A Sci-Fi Dystopian Adventure (Dominion Rising Book 3) Page 6