Renegades, page 25
13
Jemma could hear footsteps outside her apartment. Her heart was racing. She held a printout of a confusing note she had received from Chuck two days before, and she glanced down at it again.
Jem, I’ll be back on Command in two days. Consider leaving your job, consider leaving the life you know. I will come talk to you about it when I arrive. Please, just think about it. Chuck
She had thought about it, and she was ready to quit that very day. She had not thought about it for long. Her job had become tedious and uncomfortable with Phillip still supervising her shift, and she was ready for a change. If that change included being with Chuck, she was excited about it.
The knock came at the door only a few seconds after she first heard the footsteps. She jumped up and pulled the door to her apartment open. Chuck stood there with a small smile on his lips, but he quickly grabbed her around her waist and kissed her. Her nerves exploded and at that moment, she decided she would go with him wherever he asked.
She led him into her small living room, and they both sat on the white plush couch. “So? Don’t keep me in suspense! What’s this plan of yours?”
“To leave Orris forever, and to convince you to go with me.”
Shock and suspicion rose on Jemma’s face. “Seriously?”
Chuck nodded and told her the full story of the Renegades and how his release from Rear Command duty had been denied. She interrupted him once to ask if he was being serious again, and he assured her he was. When he finished his pitch, she was already looking for alternative solutions.
“What if I quit my job and move back to Rear, so we can be together? Wouldn’t that be easier? A lot less dangerous?”
“I can’t work there anymore, especially not after everything that’s happened. Besides, we’d be missing out on paradise. I guess when they first started planning the escape, they were going to look for a planet when they got to the Milky Way, but they have since found the perfect one. It’s called Aila.”
“That’s a pretty name,” Jemma said, but she was frowning. “Chuck, it scares me. The idea is terrifying, if I’m being honest.”
“I understand. I went through all the same emotions when he first told me about it, but in the end, I was excited. We weren’t meant to live in a machine. Our bodies have never even experienced the things they were designed for! Real gravity, real weather, actual nature! We don’t really even know what these things are. We were born here, and they want us to die here, without ever knowing the true majesty of the universe.
“I know it’s short notice, and I know it’s a little sloppy. But Jem, one thing is for sure, we both want a big change, and this is a big change, and an opportunity that will never be available to us again. It will most definitely never happen again, at least in our lifetimes.”
Jemma kneaded her hands together and stared at her knees. “What are the chances? What are the chances that we’d actually make it? Does anyone know?”
“I asked the same question. They aren’t putting odds on it, but they are all extremely committed. What he did tell me is that once we are out of Orris’s sphere of influence, it’s all but guaranteed we make it to Aila. The whole escape mission is going to take about three hours, and then we make a bolt for the Milky Way. The whole thing will happen in the middle of the night, when everyone is asleep.”
Jemma looked up at him. “When do we have to decide? How long do we have?”
Chuck slumped in his posture and sighed. “For me, it is decided. I am going. I already committed to it.”
Jemma smiled but started to tear up. “Then it’s decided for me, too, Chuck. I’ve been looking for you all my life. I didn’t always know it was you I was looking for, but I do now. I’ll do it; I’ll go with you. I don’t want to be separated from you ever again.”
14
Todd was shaken awake by the vibrations in the transport as it banged into the dock clamps. He opened his eyes to see Mat spinning in his seat to face him.
“Hey, Todd. We’re only going to be here for a few minutes. We have to run up to the Yard offices and get a signature, and then we’ll be off.”
The three were on their way back to the Command cylinder. Todd had visited the Orris Interconnect facility on Holly-2 and waited three days for Mat and Trigg to pick him up on their way back through. The duo, with their carefully polished looks and their pristine outfits, claimed they had been delayed on what they thought was going to be a routine negotiation between two neighboring nation cylinders, but there had been complications. They finally picked him up at midnight on the third day, and other than the unexpected stop, they were heading home.
“Okay, but I’m exhausted. Is this really only going to take a few minutes?”
Trigg smiled as an interior dock operator pressurized the gap and opened the doors. “Ten minutes, max. Promise.”
“Okay, but I’m going back to sleep.”
His two traveling partners laughed as they exited the transport. Todd had only closed his eyes for three seconds when he heard his two friends talking on the other side of the open door with alarm in their voices.
“Hey! Who are you?” Mat said.
“Stop! No, you’re making a mistake!” Trigg said.
“No! Stop! Don’t…” Mat said, before making a guttural, choking sound.
Todd’s heart raced. He risked leaning forward to peer into the dock area, and he saw Mat on the floor, bleeding and motionless.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you… no! No!” Trigg said, and Todd heard a series of thumping sounds before Trigg fell on top of Mat, just as bloodied and with his throat pouring volumes of blood onto Mat’s lifeless shoulder and then to the floor.
Todd froze and held his breath. He glanced around to see if there was anything he could hide under, but there was nothing. He was trapped with a murderer just yards away from him. He closed his eyes tightly but had to breathe again. He tried to make as little sound as possible. His whole body clenched when he felt the weight of a man step into the transport, and he felt the crotch of his pants become hot with urine.
“Man, you are lucky I know you. Get up, Todd.”
Chapter 12
Escape
1
Ten minutes after Reggie and Petra’s marriage was official, Becca found her assigned seat at the head table. Ander’s place setting was to her left, and Jerrick was already sitting at his to her right. She sat next to him and smiled. Up to that point, the two had only exchanged pleasantries, never even approaching a meaningful conversation.
“Hello, Jerrick.”
Jerrick nodded but did not look at her. “Becca,” he said.
“Two days left. Are we ready?”
Jerrick sighed and shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. I’m worried about a lot of things, but I wasn’t on the team coordinating them, so I suppose I just need to put my trust in those who were.”
“Do you think we’re leaving too early?”
Jerrick shrugged, still looking out into the crowd and not at Becca. “I don’t know, but forgive me if I keep my opinions to myself. It’s not appropriate for me to criticize the Ambassador, least of all in front of his girlfriend.”
“Is that why you won’t look at me? Because I’m Ander’s girlfriend?”
Jerrick turned and looked at her then. “No, it’s because I don’t want to dig myself into a hole that I can’t get out of. Take from that statement what you will, but that’s exactly how I feel. It has more to do with me than you, so please don’t be offended.”
“I ask because I’d like to know that you understand that I’m much more than just Ander’s girlfriend.”
Jerrick stifled a laugh. “Oh, I know. I know that, Becca. I knew that from the moment I met you.”
Becca frowned. “Should I take that as a compliment or a slight?”
“Compliment,” Jerrick said, looking out at the crowd once again. “Why do you suppose Reggie did this now, so close to our escape?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s probably because in two days, he’ll be broke. I don’t think he’s ever even known what that means, but he is smart. He probably figured it out.”
“He may not have money, but he’ll still have wealth. I imagine he’ll be considered one of the richest in our population, just because of what he brings to the table. One’s inherent value is what will determine their worth once we’re gone. At least, that’s what I think.”
“You’re a pretty smart guy, Jerrick Yunis. Try to lighten up around me. Ander isn’t as scary as he seems.”
“It’s not Ander I’m scared of.”
“Compliment?”
“Compliment,” Jerrick said, and looked up at the large round clock on the wall above them.
“Do you have somewhere to be?”
“Yes, I have to get a yellow-box set for Ander. They’re under lock and key, and until 22:00, they’re guarded..”
“What is a yellow box?”
“Oh, um, that’s what I call them, because they’re all painted bright yellow. I think they’re actually called tangle-boxes. They’re communication devices. They come in sets, and they only work with each other. There is no delay in the communication, no matter how far apart they are. From what I understand, they would work clear across the universe. It seems impossible, but I guess they actually work.”
“You don’t know how?”
“Magic? No, I have no idea. Reggie could probably explain it to you.”
“Are they heavy?”
Jerrick frowned. “No, not especially heavy. Why?”
“Then I have two favors to ask of you. First, can you get me a set, too? Second, will you keep it to yourself? I’d rather Ander didn’t know I had it.”
“I can, but I’m not thrilled about keeping it from Ander.”
“If he asks, tell him. But I don’t think he will.”
“Okay, yeah. How do you want me to get it to you?”
“Once you have them, meet me in front of the building behind this one. The one on the wall. I’ll be waiting for you.”
2
Petra swung the door of their apartment shut and jumped into Reggie’s arms, kissing him. “That was amazing! I love you, Reggie! I can’t believe I’m married! And to such an amazing man. Thank you; it was so much more than I ever dreamed possible!”
Reggie kissed her and set her back on the floor. “I’m just sorry that we have to cut the celebration short. Ander and Becca will be here any minute. We have to start preparing.”
“I don’t care about that, Reggie. I don’t need any more than that. It was amazing, and now I have my whole life to look forward to with you, in a whole new world! I can’t believe it. It’s like I’m dreaming.”
Reggie took her hand and led her into the kitchen. “I’ve had many happy times in my life, Petra. But none as happy as every day since I met you. I have a surprise for you; I only wish it were less macabre. I believe it will satisfy your request,” he said, and took a clear, unmarked glass bottle from the cupboard. The bottle had a black cap and was filled with a transparent, colorless liquid. He set it on the counter between them.
“What does it do?”
“You don’t want to know what it’s called?”
Petra shrugged. “I guess so, but I know what it’s for, and so I’m more concerned with what it does.”
“Okay, well, it’s a paralytic. Once they consume it, they will feel weaker and weaker, until they can’t move at all.”
“That doesn’t seem that bad, I…”
“I should make myself clear. It is a powerful paralytic. Once they find themselves paralyzed, it will only be a matter of time before their diaphragms stop working, too. They will be awake when they suffocate.”
Petra sat hard on the stool behind her. “Yes,” she said, and dropped her gaze to the bottle. “Yes.”
“You still want to do it this way?”
“Yes. My entire childhood, Reggie. Even this is too good for them.” She reached for the bottle and Reggie grabbed her hand.
“Wait,” he said, and produced a light blue pair of synthetic gloves from a drawer in the counter. “Always wear these when handling this stuff. There is enough here to take out fifty people. It is very strong.”
Petra smiled and put on the gloves. Before she even touched the bottle, there was a knock at the door. Reggie crossed the room to let Ander and Becca in. Petra laughed at how she must have looked sitting on a stool in her kitchen, still wearing her wedding dress and a complimentary pair of surgical gloves.
Becca confirmed her suspicion when she entered the kitchen with a very confused look on her face. “What’s all this?”
“It’s my wedding gift from Reggie.”
Becca reached for the bottle.
“Don’t!” Petra yelled. “It’s dangerous.”
Becca looked more confused for a moment and then smiled. “Oh, is this for daddy dearest? And big bro?”
“Yes, it’s for all of them. Once and for all.”
“Do you want me to go with you?”
Petra shook her head. “No, this is very personal to me. I will do this. I want to be completely responsible for this.”
“Well, if you change your mind, just ask.”
Petra stood and kissed Becca on the cheek. “I will, thank you.”
“Girls?” Reggie called from deeper in the apartment.
Petra and Becca walked to the sound of his voice to find Reggie and Ander opening boxes and spreading pairs of black pants on the couch back. Ander opened a third box and started pulling out matching shirts and vests.
Reggie held up a shirt. “I couldn’t get enough of these fast enough for everyone, but I wanted to make sure that the four of us were protected. A few of the other big players too, but most importantly, the four of us. All of these garments have armor woven into the fabric. They can stop a blade and drastically reduce the impact of a baton. It will all still hurt, but you will be much better off than if you weren’t wearing it.”
Becca picked up a pair of the pants and felt the material in her hands. It felt soft but also like there was broken glass inside, or flakes of rock.
“It’s actually fairly comfortable when you get it on. There are many sizes to choose from. Make sure you get a set that fits comfortably,” Reggie said, and then started opening a much larger box, the largest of the lot.
Becca and Petra went through the clothing together, searching for the appropriate sizes for themselves and one another. Petra had gained even more weight and was hoping to require a bigger size than she would normally expect, if for no other reason than to feel the sense of accomplishment.
Reggie unloaded the large box full of pairs of black leather boots, complete with steel buckles and odd-looking clips on the outside step by the collar. “Boots next, ladies, these are important, and even more important that they fit well. Be sure they are comfortable.”
“We have to try these on,” Petra said, holding up the pants and shirts.
“In a minute, ladies. Pick out your boots first. There is one last piece we need to discuss,” Ander said, and lifted what appeared to be a small but heavy wooden box and set it on the couch table.
The girls selected their boots and laced them up. They each walked in a figure eight to assess their comfort. Ander opened the wooden box and removed two large blades. He held each by the steel and offered a hilt to both Petra and Becca.
Much less hesitantly than Petra, Becca took hers at once and studied it. The blade was polished to a near mirror finish, the bottom third of the edge was coarsely serrated, and the spine of the blade had sharp, hooked teeth cut into it. It was a weapon, and it was designed for maiming. The hilt was simple plastic, with a crosshatch pattern cut into it as a slip preventative.
“I would like to think that neither of you would ever have to use these, but we both want you to have them. A knife like this can get you out of many situations, whether you have to cut a cord, pry open a latch, or kill a man. These are tools as much as weapons. If you have to disable someone, be it a constable or a fellow renegade, do it in the gut. Usually, one time, in and out, will be enough to stop them, and they would likely survive the wound. The neck is much harder to hit effectively.”
