| |
––––––––
BY THE NEXT MORNING, Hugh had his plan. It was risky, but it’d work. It had to. Him, Jackson and Tim had stayed up all night going over every possible obstacle. Tim had gone home about an hour ago and Jackson was passed out on the floor. He should try and get some sleep but he was too excited. He hadn’t felt this way since he’d envisioned the tracking device. He’d never thought that waging war would excite him. The General was probably trying to claw out of his grave, livid with the fact that all his knowledge and lessons were going to be used against the Almightys. Hugh had never felt happier. He got out of bed and moved quietly across the tent.
“Where are you going?” Jackson mumbled from under a pile of blankets.
He understood why the Guard didn’t trust him, but since he wasn’t leaving the camp and Jackson needed to sleep, he’d lie. “I’ve got to piss. I’ll be right back.”
He slipped out the door. The crisp air was invigorating. A few others were already moving about the camp. He nodded a greeting to them. Most of those here were early risers, having worked their entire lives, although the House Servants were the first to let their work ethics lag. The longer they lived without the rule of the Almightys the more they slept and sat around doing nothing except what they wanted to do and that was never work. A lot of the Guards were also getting lazier. The Producers and Grunts didn’t seem to know what to do in leisure so they worked, almost constantly. He’d have to do something about that. They all needed to do their fair share around camp. When they didn’t, it caused additional dissension among the groups and he couldn’t have that. Not now. In order to win this war they needed to be united.
The Producers who were up and working merged together into a couple of small groups. The few Guards who were awake stared into the forest. Something was wrong.
He walked over to Curtis. “What is it?”
Curtis had his head tipped back, sniffing. His eyes were worried. “Not sure, but something is coming. I can’t quite make out the scent.”
Trinity came out of her tent a wide smile on her face. After her tears last night, it was good to see her happy. It made him happy for some reason. He smiled back and then realized that she wasn’t looking at him. His good mood disappeared as he walked over to her.
“What is it? Curtis is worried.” His tone was harsher than he’d meant, but her eagerness to see someone other than him made him want to hit something, preferably, whoever she was so eager to see.
“Guards and their noses.” She didn’t seem to notice his irritation because her smile widened. “It’s Gaar.”
He pushed his annoyance away. Gaar was her friend. She should be happy to see him and the Handler would be a great asset on this mission, if he were willing to help. He walked back over to the others to let them know that it was Gaar. They all wandered back to what they’d been doing. A few minutes later, the Handler walked into the clearing. Hugh’s breath caught. Seeing Gaar come out of the misty forest was like being in the past, when the earth was young and mythical creatures roamed the lands—terrifying and deadly mythical creatures. Trinity’s smile widened even more as she raced across the camp. Obviously, she didn’t see the Handler the same way he did. He wandered toward them.
Gaar grabbed her, lifting her in the air and hugging her. “Little One, I missed you.” He put her back on the ground. “Have you been staying out of trouble while I was away?”
“How’s Mirra?” She ignored his question.
“Hi, Gaar. Good to see you,” he said.
Gaar acknowledged him with a nod. “Mirra seems to be doing well. A bit fidgety...”
“Many females are when pregnant.” He prayed that was the reason for the unease.
“It’s more than that,” said Gaar. “We need the serum.”
“I know. It’ll be the first thing I do once I have a lab.”
“The only thing you do.” Trinity raised her eyebrow in challenge.
“I’m aware of our deal.” He didn’t want to break his word to her but it was the only way to win this war. If she wasn’t so stubborn, he’d explain things to her, but she’d never agree because that’d be admitting she was wrong.
“We can wait a little longer, but not much,” said Gaar.
“I have two people working on getting me access to a lab, so it should be soon.” He hoped. He glanced at Trinity. “Until then, we have a mission we need to run.”
“Little One, what have you done now.” Gaar’s black eyes gleamed with humor.
“Nothing.” A hint of pink filled her cheeks.
“Nothing? That’s impossible. I know you. You can’t seem to avoid trouble. So, tell me what you’ve done.”
“And I thought I missed you.” She gave the Handler a playful slap on the shoulder.
Gaar seemed in a good mood. It was a good time to tell him their plan. “I...we could use your help, if you’re willing.”
Gaar’s smiled died as he turned toward Hugh.
He had to make his argument fast. “Let me tell you what we’ve been up to around here.” He winked at Trinity. “All the trouble she’s been in.”
“Hey!” she said.
Gaar groaned. “I knew it. I just knew it.” But there was laughter in his dark eyes. The tension had been broken.
Hugh relayed everything that’d happened since the morning of his first training session. It felt like a lifetime had passed but it’d only been about a week.
“I’ll help,” grumbled Gaar. “I don’t particularly like Guards but I like Almightys less.” He grinned at Hugh. “Not you, of course.”
“Of course.” Although said as a joke, he was pretty sure that the Handler did like him. Not much, but a little...maybe.
“Oh, let’s not forget this.” Gaar dug in his backpack, pulled out another small sack and handed it to Hugh. “Take care of these. They weren’t easy to get.” He rolled up his sleeve displaying several large gashes on his arm. “Those are the only ones I’m willing to show in mixed company.”
“I’ll be right back.” He went to his tent to put the samples of Tracker blood in a safe spot.
Jackson sat up as he entered.
“Would you get everyone together? It’s time to let them know our plan. Gaar came back and he’s with us.”
“That’s great.” Jackson stood. “I have a better feeling about this with him helping.”
“So, do I.” A Handler was one thing that the authorities would never expect.