The Change: Episode one, page 17
Network
“That’s it. He’ll have them now. Turn on the locator device and send the bomb.”
“Not yet. Give them time to get to the others. He won’t have their base so close.”
The screens behind the Network Council members showed a variety of locations - The Swamps of lower Georgia and Alabama, the Arkansas Borderlands hub, a crumbling bridge over the crystal clear Ohio River in the Recovery Zones. Some of these places had small Network outposts, but most of the screens showed things the Network were monitoring for possible or known trouble.
Like Atlanta, where nature had taken over completely. The Kudzu plants grew a foot per day, and on the screen, there was little to see but twisting vines and insects the same size of the purple flowers they nested in. The Network didn’t control that area. No one did.
The next small screen showed the Deserts of Nebraska. Once an area of lush growing crops, it had been covered in ash in the 2013 eruption and still hadn’t recovered. The ash, which was actually tiny bits of crushed glass, was slowly spreading east with the winds.
One monitor showed a dilapidated nuclear power plant in the Missouri Quake zone. They were still watching it for high levels of radiation from the minor meltdown of 2099, when the temperatures had stayed below freezing and stopped the flow of water to cool the reactor. Another square screen revealed part of the wall that divided New America from Canada. On the other side of the heavily armed wall, was a mob of protestors that grew in number daily.
One of the council members waved a hand. “We don’t have much longer before it all blows open.”
The head of the Eastern Network gave a pacifying grunt. “The meeting is two months away. Our orders for the vaccine are being shipped to the other countries very slowly. It’ll hold them that long, and then it won’t matter. But let the Hounds out. Clear the hiding places we know of. It won’t help us to be caught unaware.”
“Do we capture the Pruetts if we find them at one of the Dens?”
“No, and don’t hurt any of them either, if you can help it. Their duty to the Network isn’t over yet…”
C
“Candy.”
There was that hated name, and a painful flash of the one who had been too weak to stop Daniel from being taken. “What!”
“Remember the deal we talked about?”
I didn’t come awake all-at-once at the concern in Baker’s tone, but I registered it. “What deal?” I was very comfortable against his heat. I wanted to sleep.
“The one where you tell your new man I’m off limits.”
I struggled to think, groggy in his arms. “What about it?”
“Now would probably be a good time.”
Baker’s tone finally sank in. Daniel.
My eyes snapped open to see his glaring face, to feel his fury and reason warring for control as he pressed his new knife to Baker’s throat.
I sighed, flipping into alertness now. “It’s gonna be one of those days, I guess.”
I could see what Daniel was thinking and why not? I was wrapped in the convict’s arms, and we’d clearly passed a long night. “So do it.”
“What?”
“What?”
I yawned sleepily at their reactions and closed my eyes. “I’ll tell you once, Daniel. I do as I please. It’s not his choice either.”
Everyone was stunned, even my parents watching from across the room, and I snuggled deeper into Baker’s tense embrace, needing to prove the point. “Get a medical transport cover ready. We leave in half an hour.”
I wasn’t totally sure Daniel wouldn’t do it anyway, and I was ready to take another wound for the rebel convict to make my mate understand his place with me. I was the lead, always.
D
I couldn’t help the jealousy that drew my blade to my hand. Finding out I would have to share her was a blow I hadn’t expected. My hand trembled, wanting to push, but then she’d be done with me… and even sharing was better than not being at her side.
I lowered the knife in misery, heartbroken. I had thought she would be mine! I moved to a far corner and waited for instructions, as I’d been taught.
C
“Damn. Remind me of that the next time I invite you over.”
Baker’s tone was condemning, but his body said he was mine if I wanted him, and should that level of servitude be required, he would pay the price.
“You fit for a trip to Atlanta?”
Baker nodded, not surprised to learn I would escort him home. “I’ll be good as new in a day or two. We rollin’ or glidin’ in?”
I grinned widely against his big chest. “Neither.”
He rumbled under me. “More water. Great.”
I reluctantly pushed myself up and out of his arms, sure I’d be sore. And I was, but not so much that it would get in the way. I nodded in thanks when Angelica held out a small pouch of supplies. All of the Pruetts were fast healers. Within a day or two, only a sore place and a scar would remain. It was one of the few benefits of this agony. It was also another way we differed from the average New Network citizen, but not from the other Changelings. They also healed fast, and it made learning to kill on the first shot a necessity.
I dug through the pouch quickly and tossed a small jar onto Baker’s lap. “After you’ve used it on the places you can reach, Daniel will do your back.”
“Like hell he will!”
Daniel’s gasp echoed through the room at Baker’s blatant refusal of an order.
“Fine. Angel?” I triggered her heat intentionally. It would be a test of her new control and she nodded tensely.
“I’ll do it myself.”
“You’ll do as you’re told!” My Father’s commanding tone had Baker backing down.
“Whatever.”
It was a childish response that sent a tiny smile to the female standing guard in the back of the room. I moved to the small table and waved Daniel to the chair beside me. My Father joined us as Angelica went to Baker.
“I’m taking him to Stone Mountain.”
Silence met my words, but it was easy to see they were all expecting it.
“We’ve already sent notice of an assignment withdrawal due to injury.”
I watched Angelica get close enough to extend the jar while Baker dipped his fingers into it. She was holding her breath and so was he. We had met along those lines. Now that I was taken, maybe Baker could help her for a while.
I turned back to find Daniel’s eyes watching me, and I grinned harshly. “So how was your first night without me?”
His mouth opened, and I willed him to fight back with me like he would have Baker.
Daniel’s head dropped. “Long.”
Instead of giving into the urge to comfort him, I fell into making the plans with my parents.
C
Once we had things sorted out, we moved Baker from the den to the medical cart and towed his chained body behind us like it was only a corpse to be turned in. Under the cover of a heavy fog, and the noise of the rushing water from the open watershed provided us cover as our small group slipped out of the area.
This was Frogtown, where the Network had declared Martial Law in response to the riots over the height restriction for a breeding pass. The Network wanted only perfect specimens to reproduce, and the short, squat females of the Bama Swamps weren’t happy about it in the least. The Network Hub near here, that oversaw the only train to the West Coast outpost, had been in their control for a few days last year. The Network still hadn’t let up even though the murk-dwelling females were mostly conquered now. The Hounds had taken care of that.
As if my thought had conjured them, I saw three smaller sets of ears raise from an under the nearby stacks of cut hay. Sure there were more now behind, I made sure my voice only carried through our group and not to the Hounds set to ambush us. “Males in the cart on my order.”
Tension crackled as they understood we had trouble, and then a slobbering Hound bounded from the trees to my right and I was reacting.
D
“Now!”
I scrambled into the cart with her father, Baker making room for us. It was attached to Angelica’s Mopar and she sped up, drawing her gun.
Candice opened fire, showing me where the threat was, and I cringed back in horror at the Hound running along side the cart.
“Down!”
I ducked as she fired, blowing the head off the slobbering animal, but a second Network dog lunged overtop its fallen pack mate, and latched onto my arm.
I jerked backward, pulling the Hound off too, and fell from the cart in an ugly sprawl. My body ached as I scrambled to my feet. The Hound’s face stopped inches from mine as we both recovered from the impact.
I was aware of Candice trying to get a clear shot, but at that moment, staring into the creature’s vivid red eyes, I could feel its pain. Unlike the Changelings, though, I sensed these animals needed comfort and attention, more than sexual relief. I extended a hand that didn’t shake.
The Hound didn’t move and I slid my fingers through its rough fur without flinching. So soft. I murmured the same and felt the animal relax under my attention.
“They used to obey commands…”
I took Candice’s meaning. “Go on now. And take your friends with you, please.”
The Fire Hound responded in a way none of us were braced for. Its huge tongue slid over my jaw in affection, and it gave a gentle, playful growl. Then it left, and the other huge dogs followed with curious sniffs of their merciful leader.
I looked up to see Candice and her family sharing surprised looks. I could tell that they thought I should be dead right now, and I let myself open up a bit to them. “It’s one of the ways I’m different. The Network doesn’t know.”
C
Still stunned by what we had witnessed, as we cleared the city limits, Angelica and I took the road that would lead us to the nearby train. My parents turned for the wild path that would take them north so they could pick up the other fugitives and appease the Network’s anger against us for failing to turn in the quiet Convict currently bumping along behind Angelica.
Daniel was back behind me on the Mopar, his grip a warm comfort and a reminder that once again, I had almost lost him. My choice to help the rebels or not, would be influenced by his weaknesses… and his strengths.
We arrived at the Network hub short minutes later. The train was ready to go when we rode up to the cargo car, with no line to board. A short haggle with the tall redhead minding the wide bays got us all three back rooms of a fancy car. People were staying clear of this area, taking other means of transportation, and the Network guards were lax from boredom.
Not wise, I thought. This area was just as wild as the few people who dared to venture through it. Towering trees and winding paths branched off in every direction and it took a full crew to keep the tracks clear of debris. The reason we’d chosen to take the train was lurking within that dense forest. The Pythons in the southern areas had taken over even the crocodile populations. The effects of the War were uncountable, immeasurable.
The Hub was at the center of three states: Tennessee, where we had captured Baker. Alabama, where Baker and I had denned. And Georgia, where we were now headed. It should have been a busy place, but never had been, as far as I could remember. It was almost as if the Network didn’t want to encourage people to head into any of the areas near the Borderlands…
Once we had Baker secured in the storage car and boarded, the train departed immediately. Later, we could bring him up to our rooms. When the Pruetts rode the rail, they did it in style. It was no coincidence I’d had Angelica book us an extra seat in case he was caught. Baker would appear to have been cleared, given a ticket, and subsequently ignored except as a male wandering on his own. When he mentioned who he was with, he would be escorted back to us and then forgotten about. We often had unregistered males in our company, and were known for enjoying the train’s rentable men. The guards weren’t aware that rather than using their services, we were slipping them food and medicine during our hour.
There was a lot the Network didn’t know about the Pruetts. We tried hard to keep it that way, but I had a feeling that would change soon. My rage wouldn’t allow me to keep playing these games by their rules for much longer.
Chapter Seventeen
D
I loved the train as soon as I saw it, and remembered not to say so at the last second. Although I saw only Network women around, I could feel their eyes on me. It was clear they hadn’t seen a male in a while, and I was careful to avoid their leering eyes. Unlike my crate ride to Candy’s home, I thought I might enjoy this trip.
Long, black, and sleek, the train had silver lining and a feeling of total luxury that was enhanced by the sight of deep red chandeliers in the windows. It rumbled softly, hardly as loud as I’d expected from such a massive machine, and I stepped closer when Candice did, eager to begin this newest leg of our adventure.
I was no longer worried for my safety on the trip - my owner was quite adept at reclaiming her property, and they all knew it. She’d been recognized by at least three of the black-and-silver clad females. I could tell by the way those three watched her and not me.
The cars were lined in silver and black, with red carpet and red velvet draperies to match those fragile light fixtures. The couches were plush, the kind that encouraged a sweet night’s sleep, and they came with cute pillows in all three of the themed shades. After all the paleness and isolated wilderness, it was a little overwhelming.
Our room was the length of a full car, and the silky looking bed took up half of it. I swallowed the lump in my throat and put away the things I thought Candice would want. She was standing watch in the doorway when I slid the cuffs into the top drawer, and I could feel her eyes burning holes into my back.
When I finished with my chore, I looked toward the small washroom and then to her for permission. She stared back without answering, and I went to do as I wanted, understanding what she hadn’t said. My choices, my freedoms, would be as many as she could give me.
The washroom was small, but well-stocked, and I took advantage by using many of the samples provided. I liked to be clean and to smell good, and it was safe enough to do so now. Before, the opposite had made a decent defense. Now, that wasn’t necessary. I wanted to be taken.
C
An hour after checking into the luxurious Network train, we were gathered in the dining area, Baker lying on a couch in the far corner. Angelica was by the door, not eating, and I understood why. The smells in this car were… tempting.
Both males had showered, and the scent of freshly washed meat had my nerves tingling. It wasn’t as bad now, though. I was noticing the subtle differences, but for Angelica, being around them was torture. I could see the fire; feel her heat as she waited for this run to be over. She didn’t realize I was doing it to her intentionally. I could have sent her with my parents, but she needed this. My success at the Games had convinced her, but seeing Daniel had made the final choice. She would probably sign up when we got home and I was determined that she would survive.
Daniel was looking out the window at the darkening landscape. The slight breeze coming from the cracked glass was sending his scent directly toward the door, where it swirled around Angelica before wafting toward me. Her hands clenched at a fresh whiff, eyes flickering from pink to red, and I recognized the moment.
“Get out.”
She was moving a second later, and I waited until she was clear before looking at Daniel. “You too.”
He moved for the door next, understanding I wanted time alone with Baker. His eyes were full of pain, and I clamped down on my comforting words. He would learn to trust me. If I’d wanted them both, I would have told him that up front. As it was, the sight of Baker’s freshly-washed skin held an appeal, but there was little heat behind it for me. I’d made my real choice a long time ago.
As Daniel quietly closed the door to our bedroom - that I could see through the mirror on the back railcar door we’d left open - Baker sat up. “You’re a real bitch to them, you know that?”
I ignored the attempt at conversation. When it came to their safety, I was. She couldn’t be so distracted. It would get one of us killed.
“What’s it like?”
I looked over to see Baker staring at the muted wall screen with loathing. A new episode of the Bachelor Battles was just starting.
“Are they safe?”
My mind flashed back to the sight of the bachelor cells, of the blood and bruises. “No.”
Baker wanted details, but more than that, he wanted to ask me to help.
“Let’s get this straight. I owe you one for the lies, and I’m paying for it by delivering your injured ass to Stone Mountain. Anything else will have to wait until I see who you’ve drafted to replace the Network you’re hoping I’ll destroy.”
I tried to shut it down, but like him, I suspected it was already too late for that. Instead of silence at all the truth, his voice was a low plea I couldn’t ignore.
“We’re good men, Candy… and they’re dying so fast!”
My grip tightened on the chair. His tone said I would find so much desperation that not helping would hurt me more than facing the Network. “Why were you there, really?”
This time, Baker gave me the truth.
“You won. You can get us inside.” His eyes demanded my assistance. “We have a right to live, too.”
The conversation had gotten more emotional than I had expected from him, and I understood this wasn’t just one of his many challenges or a bought-and-paid-for service he needed handled. He cared for them...
My eyes widened, and there was no stopping the shift to pink. “You’re more than a rebel…”
Realizing he’d given himself away, Baker leaned back against the seat, but didn’t look away. “I’ve been leading them for the last year. Since the Network killed my father for interrupting a live broadcast.”
