Chapter 14

Dave

People were rallying outside as Dave walked back to Dr. Simms’s office with Alan. Dr. Simms had left the auditorium as soon as she had finished informing everyone of the danger, and Dave wanted to check in with her one last time before he left. Everyone else thought they were going to a designated crisis shelter, but Dave knew what he had to do. He just wanted to make sure it was absolutely necessary.

"Why aren´t you gone yet?" Dr. Simms asked without turning from her computer. Alan stood just a bit straighter; the scientist commanded respect in everyone, especially now that they knew what she would do if she had to.

"I just got another update," she continued, not expecting an answer to her previous question.

"High Command was taken out by Covenant special forces twenty minutes ago. Our people managed to transfer a lot of the software. Selma from Intel is running the show now. Our hackers are in the process of regaining control of some of our missiles." Dave didn´t need an explanation. Total war was going to erupt, with forces rolling through the Dead Zone, aircraft flying across the Rift, and missiles in the air carrying their deadly loads.

"Enemy soldiers will be here sooner or later, and make no mistake: War Order Five will be carried out. So get out of here while you can, and bring everybody except for the security detail. One of our airships is coming in from the North in five minutes to take you away. Get everybody on board, Dave, and get out." Dave looked at her. She looked amazingly determined for a woman who had probably less than an hour to live. He had always respected her, but never so much as in that moment.

"Don´t worry about us, Doctor. In fact, I know exactly where to take everyone." Dave hesitated, but then he figured she had earned the right to know.

"Alan, would you excuse us, please?" he said. Alan nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. Dr. Simms cocked her head and looked at him.

"I want you to know something only I know about. As soon as the aircraft comes, I´m taking these people to see something. Or rather, to see someone who just might be able to save them." Dr. Simms looked puzzled, and Dave managed a smile.

"I´m taking them to see our visitors from Aurora."

The scientist didn´t reply, but she slowly got up from her chair. She hugged him, and when they released, Dave saw her wet cheeks. She smiled at him.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Thank you for making it all worthwhile."

 

 

Sue

Sue and Renee were walking through the early morning streets, trying to resist the temptation to start running. Renee set the pace, and Sue realized they were on their way to the outskirts south of Charlestown.

"Stop," she said, panting. Renee stopped and turned, a stern look on her face.

"We really do need to hurry," the French woman said. Sue shook her head.

"I will not leave Jason and Mom behind." Renee looked at her for a few seconds before nodding.

"Alright, we can still make it. Follow me."

Renee stepped onto a side street, and they began to run through the shadows.

"Through here and to the left will get us over to your house in five minutes," Renee said over her shoulder. Sue had just enough to keep up with her.

"A stealth airship from Buchanan is picking us up in twenty-six minutes. If we´re not there, they have orders to depart without us."

They walked the last few meters to Sue´s house and knocked on the door. Jason opened the door, eyes wide when the two women entered and closed the door behind them. Beth came to stand beside Jason, clearly waiting for an explanation. Renee opened her jacket and produced three small handguns. She checked each one before tucking one of them back inside her pocket. She handed one to Sue and another to Beth.

"Don´t use them unless you have to. We´ll try to get out without anyone noticing. These are just for insurance."

"What about me?" Jason said, puffing himself up. Renee acted as if she hadn´t heard and peeked out the door.

"Not now, Jason," Sue said.

"Is there another way out? A back entrance or something?" Renee asked.

"Yes, come with me," Beth said.

They followed Renee without question, and they were outside moments later, passing through back alleys and sneaking through empty streets. Ten minutes later, they were leaving Charlestown behind. Sue looked back at the city that had once been her home. No one said a word. They were past that.

 

 

Renee

When Renee saw the officers approaching, they were already too close to turn away from them. There were two men, both English. She knew of this type of officer, and she knew they had a reputation for being ruthless killers, willing to do anything for their privileges. Mostly used to hunt escaped Corpus slaves, they wouldn´t be used to seeing a woman of the Moon blood. She motioned for the others to stop and stepped out in front of them. She still wore her Moon people outfit, and if she played the arrogant master-race card, she might be able to pass these guys.

"What´s this?” she asked before the officers had a chance to say anything. She raised her chin to give the effect of looking down on them, even though both were slightly taller than her. It worked more often than not.

"IDs please. You too, ma´am," one of the officers said. Renee grumbled and produced her ID. Her mind raced as one of them studied it. The ID might hold up, but there was no way they would believe the rest.

The shot was louder than anything she´d heard, and she felt the searing heat of the blast on the right side of her face. The officer´s head exploded in a red mist, and Renee leapt to her left while fishing her gun out of her jacket. She looked back and saw Beth with her gun drawn. Though Renee was unable to hear anything in her right ear, she´d been through enough gunfights to know this one would be over in seconds. She pointed and squeezed off several rounds at the remaining officer, more to gain the initiative than to actually hit anything.

She was too late. The officer sank down, clutching his bloody chest while holding his smoking gun leveled at Sue´s mother. A single shot to the head dropped him. Sue lowered her gun, and Renee looked over at Beth, who had dropped her gun, and was clutching the growing dark patch in her stomach.

"Mom!" Jason screamed as he rushed to her. Sue stood, narrow eyes scanning their surroundings, with her jaw set. Renee realized Sue was remembering. Not an event or any particular memory, but something more basic: she was a Janissary again, a combat veteran who had seen unspeakable horrors and survived, and who knew exactly what it looked like when death reared its ugly face.

"Jason, she´s already…" Renee began. Sue walked over and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"We have to go, Jason. She would want us to," she said. Her brother looked up at her, tears streaking his face. He nodded and got to his feet.

"Should we bury…" Jason began.

"There´s no time," Renee said, and he nodded. They all knew that the aircraft would leave without them unless they hurried. There were only a few minutes left. Sue hugged her brother, and Renee stood close enough to hear her whispered words.

"Let´s get moving, Jason. If we don´t make it, this will have been in vain. She gave her life for us, so let´s make it worth it."