It took several hours for his mobile phone to charge entirely.
Ash spent the remainder of his morning discreetly checking the phone as Ivy napped in the master bedroom.
Just yesterday he had wanted to dispose of his deployment chip, but now that he knew it also doubled-up as a SIM card, he would treasure the prized possession.
Ash was certain the British Army could still track him, but he was just an insignificant commando in comparison to the bigger picture. Plus, his army had already moved on from the area.
During the afternoon, Ash had spent a lot of time inside his own head, working out his next plan. He desperately needed to pull more information from Ivy’s brain and learn more about Operation Endurance. He would then use his mobile to make contact with the Brits, offering classified details in exchange for an honourable discharge and secure his freedom. Ash would also keep Ivy in the dark and drive her to Canberra, only to hand her over as a prisoner.
Although Ash had always shown his utmost loyalty to his army, he wanted out. He had grown tiresome of the war – especially after nearly dying multiple times – and he longed to be back home.
He missed the life he once had. At times he had felt dissatisfied with the mundane, but now he could see he’d had it good. If Ash could have his time over again, he would cherish it. Every second. His insecurities ruined the best thing he’d ever had.
Shaking his head to himself, Ash entered the study for the final time that afternoon and unplugged his mobile and charger. He hid the device on the back row of the bookshelf, placing many other books in front of it.
Even though Ivy was already aware Ash had acquired a mobile phone on the island, she could never learn of its secrets. For these reasons, he had to keep it hidden.
At a quarter past four, Ash made his way down the hall and into the downstairs bathroom, closing the door behind him. The water had been back on for most of the day, yet he hadn’t showered yet. After fetching himself a fresh towel from the cupboard, Ash undressed, turned on the taps and let a fresh stream of water burst through the showerhead.
He cranked the hot tap. The bathroom quickly filled with steam.
Ash stood under the water and let it cascade down his body. He closed his eyes, revelling in the simplest of pleasures. Enjoying a rare moment of solitude, Ash took full advantage of the body wash and shampoo. He had only just washed away the residue from his hair when he heard the bathroom door slide open.
Ash jerked his head around to see that Ivy had awoken from her slumber and had rudely invaded his privacy.
Tapping her walking stick through the door, she approached the shower and pulled open the glass door.
“Hey,” she said. “Mind if I join you?”
Ash gave no reply, but she began to rip off layers anyway.
He flashed his eyes away as she stripped and stepped into the shower with him. He wanted her gone, but he couldn’t deny this was a golden opportunity to get closer to her – despite the fact it went against every thread of his being.
Ivy stood under the showerhead. Ash stepped back. He’d seen her naked a few times now, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her – not that she would see his discomfort anyhow.
“Ash, something is bothering me,” began Ivy, stepping out of the spray. “Why are you being so precautious?”
He remained still, but his breathing quickened.
“You and I aren’t strangers anymore,” she continued. “We’ve been through a lot together and I’m not just talking about our survival. I mean, we’ve made love, slept in the same bed and now we’re showering together – but you still haven’t kissed me yet.”
Ash had his back pressed up against the shower tiles. He didn’t want to touch her, but he knew strengthening their bond would be crucial in his mission. Maybe, if she felt loved, she would open her soul to him.
Pushing away his morals, and everything he stood for, Ash clasped both hands around her bare torso and pulled her body in front of his. He kissed Ivy, pressing his lips onto hers. She immediately took control.
Ivy threw her hands around his back, losing herself in the moment just as Ash kept conscious of every movement. He didn’t feel lust or desire; the act was purely beneficial for his own cause.
However, when she pinned him against the glass, gliding a hand down his chest, Ash felt his blood surge to all the right places.
Ivy stole another kiss and then went down on him.
He forced his eyes shut. Ash’s head lolled back, trying to fight feelings of pleasure, but he was losing the battle. Every nerve in his body seemed to ignite. Ivy teased him for some time, but gradually climbed back onto her feet and smiled, fluttering her milky eyes.
“Bedroom?” she asked, playfully.
Ash, still trying to catch his breath, tapped out a reply on the glass,
Slow tap, quick tap followed by two slow taps. Quick tap. Three quick taps.
They barely made it to the top of the stairs before she pounced on him again.
***
They fell asleep for several hours, missing the six o’clock transmission.
Ash awoke in an awkward embrace, his body completely entwined around hers. He gently shifted Ivy’s body off his arm and wondered about supper.
She stirred a little as he stood from the mattress, but she seemingly fell back asleep as he dressed. Surprisingly, Ash didn’t feel as guilty as he did before. Maybe he needed the release, but still, his objective remained unchanged.
Ivy was no more than his plaything.
He left the master bedroom right on dusk. The last of the sun’s rays shone through the windows, and then the warmth was gone. A cold breeze rolled in from the coastline, forcing Ash to close up the house.
Just as he began to fix himself a bowl of soup, a light beamed from the darkness, pouring through the rear kitchen window.
Shielding his eyes, Ash dropped down as the light scanned the room. Before he had time to investigate, the light was gone. He risked a glance outside the window seeing nothing but blackness. Once his eyes adjusted to the scene, he could only see the faint silhouette of decaying palm trees – nothing more.
Alarmed, Ash sprang into action. Maybe it was just his paranoia rising to the surface, but he couldn’t ignore it. Something was wrong.
He switched off the house lights and waited. He checked every window, locked every door and kept a keen eye out for any sudden movement.
There, in the stillness of the early evening, Ash heard a loud whistle echo just outside the house. The sound was brief – there and gone within a fleeting second – but it continued to ring through his ears for some time after.
“Ash!” cried Ivy’s voice from upstairs. “Did you hear that? Where are you?”
He remained frozen, breathing harder than ever. Pounding thuds, or the sound of heavy footsteps passed by the left side of the house. Something was out there, and Ash had a fair idea he knew what it was.
Heartbeat on a sharp incline, Ash darted to the study and grabbed his phone and charger. He stuffed them into his pockets and then scooted back to the lounge room. He grabbed his gun, packed up his Skye-Scroll tablet and slung a backpack over his shoulder, mentally working out the best possible escape route.
The front door seemed like the best option, but he would never get far on foot. Then he remembered about the car. It was still parked out the front, untouched for several days, if not longer.
Ash had spied a collection of keys hanging on a hook by the front door earlier in the day. Although he hadn’t taken a great deal of notice, Ash was hoping one of the keys might unlock the Skye-car parked outside.
He jetted down the hall and grabbed the bundle, just as another light beamed through a rear window.
Ivy. He couldn’t go anywhere without his most valuable prize.
He legged it, dashing up the staircase just as she screamed out his name. She was now dressed, yet still sitting on the edge of the bed, screeching as a bright light shone onto her dead eyes. Ash threw an arm around her and pulled her out of the way, just as the first fireball burst through the window.
Flames engulfed the bed, roaring towards the door just as Ash and Ivy slipped out.
He carried her down the stairs, feeling the inferno behind him build with intensity.
A second ball of fire burst through the backdoor. There really was only one option now – escape. He ran, feet barely touching the ground, holding Ivy in a secure lock. Ash had her hoisted over one shoulder and held his shotgun out in front of them.
Breaking through the front door, he moved towards the car hearing mechanical noises whirling nearby, cloaked by the darkened trees.
Ash placed down Ivy by the car, shielding her as he fumbled with the bundle of keys. He found the chunkiest of the lot and hit the unlock button. The Skye-car flashed its lights and the doors popped open. Just as Ash shoved Ivy into the passenger’s side, a Baibot emerged into the clearing.
Its purple eyes pierced through the blackness. It began to raise a fist.
Ash cocked his gun and took a shot. The bullet ricocheted off the machine, barely making a scratch.
The droid began to walk closer, its feet pounding onto the ground below.
Ash slid across the car’s bonnet and climbed into the driver’s side. He tossed his backpack and shotgun in the backseat – seeing no use for the weapon anymore – and pushed the engine button. The car came to life in a magnificent roar, but it was still locked onto self-drive mode. Ash flicked the switch for classic mode and the steering wheel revealed itself as it opened from its compartment.
The droid was only metres away now. Ash was still adjusting the gears.
Just as the Baibot raised its fist again – in point blank range – Ash unlocked the handbrake and slammed his foot on the accelerator. The car skimmed by the machine just as it opened fire.
Risking a glance in the rear-view mirror, Ash saw that another two Baibots had stepped out into the clearing, standing in front of the burning house.
He feared they might give chase, but they didn’t move. Ash watched as the machines faded into the distance as he turned onto the main road.
“Ash!” cried Ivy, running her hands along the car interior. “Where are we? What’s going on?”
Just as he tried to give himself a moment to breathe, another Baibot stepped into the middle of the road, aiming its fist directly at them.
Ash jerked the wheel to the right, narrowly missing another burst of flames as it thundered by the car. The droid turned around and began to follow, but gave up when it realised it couldn’t match the car’s speed.
Panting, feeling his heart almost in his throat, Ash continued to steer through the darkened roads. He still only had a vague idea of where he was heading, but that was the least of his troubles right now.
Ivy leaned across and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Ash,” she wept, “what just happened?”
He took another glance in the rear-view mirror. He could see an ominous orange haze in the distance. No doubt the house would be burnt to the ground.
Once he found himself on the southbound highway, Ash switched the car back on self-drive mode and punched in some coordinates. The car casually cruised along, barely making a sound. Ivy was still pestering him for an answer. He leaned over, grabbed his backpack from the backseat and pulled his tablet from the bag.
His message was brief,
“We were ambushed by Baibots. We had to flee.”
“And what, they throw fire?”
“Yes. The machines would’ve burned us alive. We escaped from the house and took the Skye-car parked out the front. We need to keep moving for now. If we stop, the droids might find us again.”
“This war,” began Ivy, in between heavy sobs. “It truly is the end of us.”
“What do you mean?”
Ivy took a moment to compose herself.
“Mankind was never meant to last,” she explained. “We’ve built machines more adaptable and intelligent than ourselves, and someday, we will succumb to defeat.”
Ash wanted to disagree with the harrowing statement, but he stopped himself. Maybe there was some truth to it? It seemed like even the British Army had lost control of their own creations. He could only hope somebody would be able to pull the machines into line.
“I heard a gun blast before we fled. Does that mean you’re armed?” asked Ivy.
“Yes. We have a few supplies – water, food, a first-aid kit and a few other items. Everything else was left behind.”
“I don’t have my boots,” she winced. “I can’t get around barefoot.”
Ash had noticed, but it was a minor problem compared to the bigger picture. Ivy, however, seemed quite distressed over it.
“I will carry you until we find some new ones.”
She seemed somewhat relieved about that, but she didn’t remain quiet for long.
“But where are we going, Ash?”
“To Canberra, but we’ll make stops along the way.”
She exhaled deeply and crossed her arms over her chest. Ivy then felt a bulge in the top left pocket of her tattered windbreaker. She unzipped the pocket and fished out her sunglasses. Ivy opened up the temples and placed the lenses over her eyes.
Although she made no sound, Ash could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. He watched her, and after only a second of hesitation he put an arm around Ivy and pulled her into his chest.
As if unmasked, she began bawling into his shirt.
While Ivy cried into his arms, he subtly patted down his own pockets – his mobile phone and the charger were still there.
Ash suspected he would need to make the call to his army sooner rather than later.