Insurgency, page 9
part #2 of V-War Series
"Damn right, I do."
"It's amazing, right? Who is your favourite fighter?"
"Oh, you know, I can back anyone who takes my fancy, but that Luca sure was a hell of a man."
"He's a beast. Can't wait to see him back in the game."
"Back?" Luna asked.
"You didn't hear it from me, but sure. He's almost good to go."
Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing, but Nui was keen to shuffle her along.
"Come on. Let's get this done. I want to catch some fights while I’ve still got the energy to keep my eyes open," said Nui.
"I hear you. I’ve got four hours left, and the only thing these eyes will be seeing is my bed."
"It’s got to get pretty boring back there."
"Oh, yeah."
He approached one of the doors and slid through his access card. Everything was done manually there. It wasn't because any of it was antiquated, far from it. It was a security measure to keep out remote access and system overrides. The sort of systems Zippo could have gotten through in no time at all. The heavy reinforced door slid open into a narrow corridor. The guy who had let them in was still isolated from them. It was a smart security protocol, but also a worrying sign that they were stepping inside a well-kept cage.
Luna wanted to ask more questions, but she dared not. Nui had prepped her well for this. She was a good fighter, but she had no idea when it came to the sort of job being asked of her now. They were completely unaware as to what kind of surveillance would be on them. Two staff members passed and casually greeted them. At any moment they expected to be caught. They had to hope the right person would not be watching. They continued on through several more doors, finally reaching their target, the highest security ward in the hospital.
"Ready for this?" Nui asked, as they took up positions either side, their passes at the ready to simultaneously swipe. They didn’t know if Zippo's work on the cards would be enough to gain them entry. They had gotten this far, and so they had to keep faith.
"Three, two, one..."
The cards passed through the scans. There was a bleep sound, but neither knew whether that was a good thing or not. Finally, the door slid open, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ready?" Nui held up a small electronic device with her thumb placed over a switch.
Luna nodded.
"We've got a couple of minutes, that's all."
She pressed the switch and stepped through. The door rapidly closed behind them. There were four cells inside, but two were empty. The other two were occupied, facing one another. Luna smiled as she recognised both of the prisoners, but they hadn't even looked up yet, as neither of them were aware of what was going on.
"Carter?"
He looked up in surprise. He leapt up from the bed he was sitting on and to the bars.
"What the hell are you doing here, Nui?"
"We're here to get you out," replied Luna.
"You know they've got a dozen cameras in this room alone?" Axel asked, as he got up more cautiously.
"Yeah, and right now they can't see a thing we're doing. They're on a loop." Nui held up the device she had activated when they entered.
"You better have a pretty damn clever plan to get us out, or you're gonna be filling these cells with us," said Axel.
"You think we came in here without a plan?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, of course, your last rescue attempt sucked."
Luna wanted to be offended, but somehow tried to be light-hearted, despite the situation.
"They lied about this. Zenner, and Terminal. It's all a lie. Axel won that fight."
"We know. We were there," snapped Luna.
"And yet we are still alive, why do you think that is?" Axel asked.
"Zenner has bigger plans for you, I am sure for both of you. He didn't need you dead. He just needed you to lose the fight. As far as the world knows, that is what happened. But we're here to get you out, and let the world know the truth."
"Yeah? You're gonna need an army to get us out of here, Nui."
"Not an army, just enough explosives."
"What?" Carter was astonished.
But she replied with a broad smile, and seconds later a deafening explosion ripped through the building. They all ducked for cover as they felt the foundations rock. Moments later they heard an almighty crash, as if the whole building was coming down around them. A wall was blown out, and an armoured truck burst through. It had a huge steel plough welded to the front in a ramshackle fashion. It crashed into the bars of Axel's cell, setting him free. It was careless and wild driving, and he loved it. He stood there, a huge smile forming on his face. The driver's door swung open.
"Get in!" Ava shouted. She was sitting in the driver's seat.
A side door swung open, and Victor ushered them in. Axel rushed to the door to be with his friends. Nui drew out a charge and placed it on the lock of Carter's cell. She stepped back as it blew, but at exactly the same time the door to the ward opened, and a grenade was tossed inside. She looked away and ducked down for cover. It was a flash grenade. She had avoided some of the worst effects, but it still blinded her for a few seconds. She was disorientated, almost like in a dream, and down on her hands and knees. She hadn’t even remembered falling. She felt sick but was desperately reaching for something to grasp onto and get her back on her feet. For a moment she forgot where she was, but she remembered she was in danger.
“Nui!” a voice called out.
Flashes of light darted past her as Victor opened fire on two soldiers in the doorway where they had come in. The first was hit. She was trying to lift her rifle to take aim, but was seeing double, and her body not responding the way she wanted it to. Someone suddenly grabbed her from behind and hauled her back. Victor and Axel dragged her to the door of the armoured vehicle. Ava and Juan returned fire from the cover of the open doors.
Nui was thrown roughly through the doorway and crashed into Luna who was already inside. Luna pushed her aside and was trying to climb out the door but froze when a Liberator drone entered the room. Carter was on his feet but stopped as he noticed the hulking war machine step in beside him.
“Oh, shit,” Ava mumbled.
“Get inside!” Juan pushed Luna back inside, and Victor pulled the door as automatic gunfire rang out. Several shots came through the open doorway just before it was sealed shut. The wheels of the truck spun as they backed out of the breach in the building.
“Carter’s still back there. We have to go back!” Luna screamed.
“We can’t go back!” Juan shouted.
She looked to Victor for help, but he merely shook his head as bullets bounced from the armour, causing her to flinch.
“Guys, we’ve got bigger problems!” Ava called out.
Axel stuck his head through the open hatch to the driver’s seat. He could see the Liberator had stopped firing and was running after them as she continued in reverse at high speed. They both knew what those machines were capable of, and it was terrifying. They were rocked slightly as they hit the back end of a car and blew straight through it, and that allowed the Liberator to close further.
“Hold on!”
Ava spun the steering wheel and hit the brakes to put them into a J-turn. The hulking vehicle swung around and crashed into the side of a van so that they were running in parallel. She put her foot to the floor once again, and there was an enormous scraping sound as they tore along the side of the other vehicle, and finally got clear. She looked down at the rear-view screen. The Liberator was nowhere to be seen.
“What the hell?”
There was dull thud on the roof as something heavy landed on top.
“Some rescue this is,” said Axel.
“Bite me!”
Nui was coming around when there was an almighty crash at the rear door of the vehicle. Moments later a door was ripped from its hinges and flew off into the road. Sparks flew as it bumped down the road. She was still lying flat in the bed of the vehicle but kicked back to the far end beside Axel. He reached through to the cab to grab Ava’s rifle, as Victor and Juan readied themselves for the inevitable. The drone swung in from the roof and landed perfectly in the doorway. The three of them had opened fire before it had even righted itself. Sparks flew, and some of the rounds seemed to find openings, but they had no effect. The drone lifted its weapon arms as if to fire, and they were powerless to act.
Luna held her breath as if expecting this to be the end, and yet the humanoid looking war machine did not move, as if it were analysing them, or whoever was controlling it was taking a good look.
“What do we do?” Juan whispered.
“There’s nothing we can do,” replied Axel.
The drone reached up to the roof and leapt out onto the top of the vehicle where it had just come from. They heard the crash of heavy footsteps along the roof. It was making its way forward.
“What the hell is it doing?” Nui asked.
“It’s on the roof. Shake it!” Axel shouted.
Ava swerved, rocking the vehicle left and right. The drone hunkered low, and its feet seemed glued to the roof with every step it took. Its gyro stabilisation was keeping it upright and fluid with the movements of the truck, in a way no human could manage.
“What the hell is it doing?”
“They don’t want to kill us, Juan.” Nui was beginning to fully regain composure.
“They want us alive?”
The Liberator climbed over the screen and down to the front of the vehicle.
“What is it doing? What the hell is it doing?” Ava asked worriedly.
The drone lifted one arm while holding on with the other. It smashed its fist down on to one of the hinges.
“It’s going for the CPU. They’re trying to kill the power!” Juan hollered.
Ava swerved, and it slowed the drone down as it swayed back and forth, but it delivered another heavy block, and the hood of the vehicle buckled inwards. She looked around desperately for some other way to stop the drone, and that’s when she spotted a construction truck parked ahead. She turned the wheel and upped their speed.
“What are you gonna do?”
“Everyone hold on. This is gonna hurt!”
“Oh, shit!” Axel realised what she was going to do.
The truck had a large overhang on the rear end of the chassis. The drone had time to take one more strike that opened up the hood. But as she drew close, she hit the brakes hard. The wheels shuddered as the ABS tried to control their stop, but they still slid hard into the back of the truck. There was an almighty crash, and those in the back were thrown about. Ava didn't have her belt on, or helmet, and so her head smashed into the wheel, opening up a big cut on her forehead and nose. But she quickly looked up to check on the Liberator.
The machine had been smashed apart. One arm and part of the torso lay on the front of the vehicle where the hood had been ripped off. She could see sparks and part of the machine’s torso was trapped between them and the truck.
"Is it finished?" Nui asked.
"Bet your ass it is." Ava wiped the blood from her head with her sleeve.
"We gotta move, now," said Juan.
She backed the truck away, leaving a trail of debris. The whole vehicle rattled and vibrated as if it was trying to tear itself apart. It was a miracle it was even still running.
"How far to the rendezvous?" Victor asked.
"We're a little off course, but we can still make it."
Chapter 8
"It's them!" Zippo yelled.
Dia rushed to the door control of the scruffy old warehouse they had been hiding in. But Hud reached for his shotgun and was more cautious. The shutter slid open, and the truck squealed and rattled in. It rocked to a halt, as if it had finally died a death. The driver's door creaked as it opened and dropped on its hinges, while the others stepped out the open back. Dia was looking in horror at where one of the rear doors had been ripped off.
"What the hell happened out there?" she asked as the shutter closed behind her.
"Things didn't exactly go to plan," said Juan.
But she was relieved to see Axel.
"Where is Carter?"
They looked solemn, and she had her answer.
"Why did you leave him behind? Is he alive?"
"Look at us. We got our asses kicked," said Ava.
"They sent a Liberator in. We were lucky any of us made it out," said Juan.
"A Liberator? That's crazy."
"Yeah, but that's the way it went," replied Victor.
"He's still alive, though, right? Carter? He made it?"
"As far as we know. He was stunned when we saw him last, but still alive," replied Luna.
Dia breathed a sigh of relief, but it was not the result she had been hoping for.
"You know how much one of these things costs?" Hud approached and kicked the front of the truck. A huge armoured panel broke off and crashed down to floor.
"It did the job, but we can't stay here long."
"Were you followed?" Dia asked.
"No," replied Ava confidently.
"Then we’ll lay low for a couple of days."
"A couple of days?"
"Yes, Axel," replied Hud, "The roads will be covered, so on the move is the way we are most likely to get spotted, and Zenner will think we’ll want to get as far away as possible. He’ll expect us to run."
"Isn't that what we've been doing?"
"We've been surviving, Luna, and now we've got help." Dia pointed to Axel and his team. That was a reminder to Ava of just how much they had gotten back.
"We thought you were dead. How could we know?"
"Zenner cheated us. All of us."
"He cheated the whole world. He promised a fair challenge to decide the fate of Terminal, and you won," added Dia.
"You really thought he would let go of all that power? That he'd risk it all in one fight?"
"Yes. If you didn't, then why did you fight?"
"It was that, or my friends would live out their lives behind bars."
Ava was astonished. She had not realised he had knowingly sacrificed himself.
"But Terminal, and Zenner trying to take power?"
"I don't give a shit about that game or that asshole. So what if he takes power? How would he been any different than what we already have? Hell, he might even be better!"
Axel sighed and shook his head, as he paced over to a few old sofas. There were camp beds set up around, and a makeshift kitchen. It was clear they had made it home for now.
"Got any beer?"
"You kidding? This is a safe house, not a bar," replied Dia.
But Hud pulled out a can from behind one of the beds and tossed it to him, before throwing one out to each of them.
"Seriously?"
"Man's been behind bars, presumed dead, Dia. You don't think he deserves a beer?"
"And the rest?"
"A good day’s work, I'd say."
"Leave him be. It's a waste of time," said Nui.
Hud held up his beer and nodded his head in a salute to her. Luna turned on the news. A large screen projected before a wall at the far end of the room. A news anchor was going through the day’s stories. They were mostly about Terminal and the violent riot in New York.
"Nothing about your breakout," she said in surprise.
"You think Zenner would want that breaking? That a top secret facility was breached?"
"No, but he doesn't run this country, or the news agencies. How could nobody have noticed? We blew out the side of the building, and fought a Liberator drone out in the streets for God's sake."
"Yeah? And Zenner has the money and contacts to kill any story he wants," replied Nui.
"You think he'd do that? What has he got to gain?"
"I guess we'll find out." Victor pointed to the news screen.
Zenner was being welcomed on a news interview by the anchor.
"What has that bastard got going now?"
"Shh, Hud, I wanna hear this," said Nui.
"Welcome back, Mic. It’s good to see you."
"It's a pleasure to be here."
"Asshole," muttered Luna.
Axel nodded along in agreement. He didn't care much for the politics of it all, but he did care about being incarcerated.
"Turn it off. I've heard enough from this asshole."
"Just listen to what he has to say, Ava. We could learn a lot," replied Dia.
They fell silent as they watched the interview go on.
"So, Mic, we hadn't expected you back here so soon, but I have been informed that you have some breaking news for the folks at home. Sounds pretty exciting, would you care to elaborate?"
"Yes, of course." He turned to the camera to address the public.
Nui shook her head. It annoyed her that he was so good at manipulating the citizens of the UAN. He was positively Presidential in everything he did. Better than that in fact, because he was able to create a scenario where he was relatable to the common men and women watching. It was absurd, because he was nothing like them, but somehow he had become a hero to them. He went on.
"Terminal has been a rollercoaster since release, and I mean that in every sense of the word. It has been exciting and thrilling. It has felt dangerous and terrifying, but remained controlled and safe. The update for the Terminal app has been massive. People across the world are playing, and that brings joy to my heart. Not everyone agrees with the game, and I understand and respect that. But as a believer in personal liberties, I believe people should have the right to do with their own bodies, whatever they choose. If you don't like something, don't do it, and nobody should be able to force you to do so."
Cheers rang out in the studio as many watching cheered at his words.
"They’re like sheep," muttered Nui.
"This is what we have been fighting against all these years, and I wonder why we bothered?" Dia added.
Finally, the outcry in support died down, and they let Zenner continue.
"Look, in years past, the government of this nation, and many others, has called upon its people to go and fight, without a choice, and often without a reason. Called up to go and fight some people elsewhere in the world. People that the individual had no fight with. If the freedom and defence of your country is at stake, then I can understand how such extreme measures may be needed. But it's been a long time since we saw a threat like that. A long time since things have been desperate that we've had to call citizens up to fight. If people want to serve, and want to fight, good on them! Terminal gives them that same choice. Nobody is forced to do anything, and you know exactly what you are getting yourself into from day one. In fact, in Terminal you can stop any time you like. This is about consent. You think a soldier fighting on the battlefield can do that?"
"It's amazing, right? Who is your favourite fighter?"
"Oh, you know, I can back anyone who takes my fancy, but that Luca sure was a hell of a man."
"He's a beast. Can't wait to see him back in the game."
"Back?" Luna asked.
"You didn't hear it from me, but sure. He's almost good to go."
Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing, but Nui was keen to shuffle her along.
"Come on. Let's get this done. I want to catch some fights while I’ve still got the energy to keep my eyes open," said Nui.
"I hear you. I’ve got four hours left, and the only thing these eyes will be seeing is my bed."
"It’s got to get pretty boring back there."
"Oh, yeah."
He approached one of the doors and slid through his access card. Everything was done manually there. It wasn't because any of it was antiquated, far from it. It was a security measure to keep out remote access and system overrides. The sort of systems Zippo could have gotten through in no time at all. The heavy reinforced door slid open into a narrow corridor. The guy who had let them in was still isolated from them. It was a smart security protocol, but also a worrying sign that they were stepping inside a well-kept cage.
Luna wanted to ask more questions, but she dared not. Nui had prepped her well for this. She was a good fighter, but she had no idea when it came to the sort of job being asked of her now. They were completely unaware as to what kind of surveillance would be on them. Two staff members passed and casually greeted them. At any moment they expected to be caught. They had to hope the right person would not be watching. They continued on through several more doors, finally reaching their target, the highest security ward in the hospital.
"Ready for this?" Nui asked, as they took up positions either side, their passes at the ready to simultaneously swipe. They didn’t know if Zippo's work on the cards would be enough to gain them entry. They had gotten this far, and so they had to keep faith.
"Three, two, one..."
The cards passed through the scans. There was a bleep sound, but neither knew whether that was a good thing or not. Finally, the door slid open, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ready?" Nui held up a small electronic device with her thumb placed over a switch.
Luna nodded.
"We've got a couple of minutes, that's all."
She pressed the switch and stepped through. The door rapidly closed behind them. There were four cells inside, but two were empty. The other two were occupied, facing one another. Luna smiled as she recognised both of the prisoners, but they hadn't even looked up yet, as neither of them were aware of what was going on.
"Carter?"
He looked up in surprise. He leapt up from the bed he was sitting on and to the bars.
"What the hell are you doing here, Nui?"
"We're here to get you out," replied Luna.
"You know they've got a dozen cameras in this room alone?" Axel asked, as he got up more cautiously.
"Yeah, and right now they can't see a thing we're doing. They're on a loop." Nui held up the device she had activated when they entered.
"You better have a pretty damn clever plan to get us out, or you're gonna be filling these cells with us," said Axel.
"You think we came in here without a plan?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, of course, your last rescue attempt sucked."
Luna wanted to be offended, but somehow tried to be light-hearted, despite the situation.
"They lied about this. Zenner, and Terminal. It's all a lie. Axel won that fight."
"We know. We were there," snapped Luna.
"And yet we are still alive, why do you think that is?" Axel asked.
"Zenner has bigger plans for you, I am sure for both of you. He didn't need you dead. He just needed you to lose the fight. As far as the world knows, that is what happened. But we're here to get you out, and let the world know the truth."
"Yeah? You're gonna need an army to get us out of here, Nui."
"Not an army, just enough explosives."
"What?" Carter was astonished.
But she replied with a broad smile, and seconds later a deafening explosion ripped through the building. They all ducked for cover as they felt the foundations rock. Moments later they heard an almighty crash, as if the whole building was coming down around them. A wall was blown out, and an armoured truck burst through. It had a huge steel plough welded to the front in a ramshackle fashion. It crashed into the bars of Axel's cell, setting him free. It was careless and wild driving, and he loved it. He stood there, a huge smile forming on his face. The driver's door swung open.
"Get in!" Ava shouted. She was sitting in the driver's seat.
A side door swung open, and Victor ushered them in. Axel rushed to the door to be with his friends. Nui drew out a charge and placed it on the lock of Carter's cell. She stepped back as it blew, but at exactly the same time the door to the ward opened, and a grenade was tossed inside. She looked away and ducked down for cover. It was a flash grenade. She had avoided some of the worst effects, but it still blinded her for a few seconds. She was disorientated, almost like in a dream, and down on her hands and knees. She hadn’t even remembered falling. She felt sick but was desperately reaching for something to grasp onto and get her back on her feet. For a moment she forgot where she was, but she remembered she was in danger.
“Nui!” a voice called out.
Flashes of light darted past her as Victor opened fire on two soldiers in the doorway where they had come in. The first was hit. She was trying to lift her rifle to take aim, but was seeing double, and her body not responding the way she wanted it to. Someone suddenly grabbed her from behind and hauled her back. Victor and Axel dragged her to the door of the armoured vehicle. Ava and Juan returned fire from the cover of the open doors.
Nui was thrown roughly through the doorway and crashed into Luna who was already inside. Luna pushed her aside and was trying to climb out the door but froze when a Liberator drone entered the room. Carter was on his feet but stopped as he noticed the hulking war machine step in beside him.
“Oh, shit,” Ava mumbled.
“Get inside!” Juan pushed Luna back inside, and Victor pulled the door as automatic gunfire rang out. Several shots came through the open doorway just before it was sealed shut. The wheels of the truck spun as they backed out of the breach in the building.
“Carter’s still back there. We have to go back!” Luna screamed.
“We can’t go back!” Juan shouted.
She looked to Victor for help, but he merely shook his head as bullets bounced from the armour, causing her to flinch.
“Guys, we’ve got bigger problems!” Ava called out.
Axel stuck his head through the open hatch to the driver’s seat. He could see the Liberator had stopped firing and was running after them as she continued in reverse at high speed. They both knew what those machines were capable of, and it was terrifying. They were rocked slightly as they hit the back end of a car and blew straight through it, and that allowed the Liberator to close further.
“Hold on!”
Ava spun the steering wheel and hit the brakes to put them into a J-turn. The hulking vehicle swung around and crashed into the side of a van so that they were running in parallel. She put her foot to the floor once again, and there was an enormous scraping sound as they tore along the side of the other vehicle, and finally got clear. She looked down at the rear-view screen. The Liberator was nowhere to be seen.
“What the hell?”
There was dull thud on the roof as something heavy landed on top.
“Some rescue this is,” said Axel.
“Bite me!”
Nui was coming around when there was an almighty crash at the rear door of the vehicle. Moments later a door was ripped from its hinges and flew off into the road. Sparks flew as it bumped down the road. She was still lying flat in the bed of the vehicle but kicked back to the far end beside Axel. He reached through to the cab to grab Ava’s rifle, as Victor and Juan readied themselves for the inevitable. The drone swung in from the roof and landed perfectly in the doorway. The three of them had opened fire before it had even righted itself. Sparks flew, and some of the rounds seemed to find openings, but they had no effect. The drone lifted its weapon arms as if to fire, and they were powerless to act.
Luna held her breath as if expecting this to be the end, and yet the humanoid looking war machine did not move, as if it were analysing them, or whoever was controlling it was taking a good look.
“What do we do?” Juan whispered.
“There’s nothing we can do,” replied Axel.
The drone reached up to the roof and leapt out onto the top of the vehicle where it had just come from. They heard the crash of heavy footsteps along the roof. It was making its way forward.
“What the hell is it doing?” Nui asked.
“It’s on the roof. Shake it!” Axel shouted.
Ava swerved, rocking the vehicle left and right. The drone hunkered low, and its feet seemed glued to the roof with every step it took. Its gyro stabilisation was keeping it upright and fluid with the movements of the truck, in a way no human could manage.
“What the hell is it doing?”
“They don’t want to kill us, Juan.” Nui was beginning to fully regain composure.
“They want us alive?”
The Liberator climbed over the screen and down to the front of the vehicle.
“What is it doing? What the hell is it doing?” Ava asked worriedly.
The drone lifted one arm while holding on with the other. It smashed its fist down on to one of the hinges.
“It’s going for the CPU. They’re trying to kill the power!” Juan hollered.
Ava swerved, and it slowed the drone down as it swayed back and forth, but it delivered another heavy block, and the hood of the vehicle buckled inwards. She looked around desperately for some other way to stop the drone, and that’s when she spotted a construction truck parked ahead. She turned the wheel and upped their speed.
“What are you gonna do?”
“Everyone hold on. This is gonna hurt!”
“Oh, shit!” Axel realised what she was going to do.
The truck had a large overhang on the rear end of the chassis. The drone had time to take one more strike that opened up the hood. But as she drew close, she hit the brakes hard. The wheels shuddered as the ABS tried to control their stop, but they still slid hard into the back of the truck. There was an almighty crash, and those in the back were thrown about. Ava didn't have her belt on, or helmet, and so her head smashed into the wheel, opening up a big cut on her forehead and nose. But she quickly looked up to check on the Liberator.
The machine had been smashed apart. One arm and part of the torso lay on the front of the vehicle where the hood had been ripped off. She could see sparks and part of the machine’s torso was trapped between them and the truck.
"Is it finished?" Nui asked.
"Bet your ass it is." Ava wiped the blood from her head with her sleeve.
"We gotta move, now," said Juan.
She backed the truck away, leaving a trail of debris. The whole vehicle rattled and vibrated as if it was trying to tear itself apart. It was a miracle it was even still running.
"How far to the rendezvous?" Victor asked.
"We're a little off course, but we can still make it."
Chapter 8
"It's them!" Zippo yelled.
Dia rushed to the door control of the scruffy old warehouse they had been hiding in. But Hud reached for his shotgun and was more cautious. The shutter slid open, and the truck squealed and rattled in. It rocked to a halt, as if it had finally died a death. The driver's door creaked as it opened and dropped on its hinges, while the others stepped out the open back. Dia was looking in horror at where one of the rear doors had been ripped off.
"What the hell happened out there?" she asked as the shutter closed behind her.
"Things didn't exactly go to plan," said Juan.
But she was relieved to see Axel.
"Where is Carter?"
They looked solemn, and she had her answer.
"Why did you leave him behind? Is he alive?"
"Look at us. We got our asses kicked," said Ava.
"They sent a Liberator in. We were lucky any of us made it out," said Juan.
"A Liberator? That's crazy."
"Yeah, but that's the way it went," replied Victor.
"He's still alive, though, right? Carter? He made it?"
"As far as we know. He was stunned when we saw him last, but still alive," replied Luna.
Dia breathed a sigh of relief, but it was not the result she had been hoping for.
"You know how much one of these things costs?" Hud approached and kicked the front of the truck. A huge armoured panel broke off and crashed down to floor.
"It did the job, but we can't stay here long."
"Were you followed?" Dia asked.
"No," replied Ava confidently.
"Then we’ll lay low for a couple of days."
"A couple of days?"
"Yes, Axel," replied Hud, "The roads will be covered, so on the move is the way we are most likely to get spotted, and Zenner will think we’ll want to get as far away as possible. He’ll expect us to run."
"Isn't that what we've been doing?"
"We've been surviving, Luna, and now we've got help." Dia pointed to Axel and his team. That was a reminder to Ava of just how much they had gotten back.
"We thought you were dead. How could we know?"
"Zenner cheated us. All of us."
"He cheated the whole world. He promised a fair challenge to decide the fate of Terminal, and you won," added Dia.
"You really thought he would let go of all that power? That he'd risk it all in one fight?"
"Yes. If you didn't, then why did you fight?"
"It was that, or my friends would live out their lives behind bars."
Ava was astonished. She had not realised he had knowingly sacrificed himself.
"But Terminal, and Zenner trying to take power?"
"I don't give a shit about that game or that asshole. So what if he takes power? How would he been any different than what we already have? Hell, he might even be better!"
Axel sighed and shook his head, as he paced over to a few old sofas. There were camp beds set up around, and a makeshift kitchen. It was clear they had made it home for now.
"Got any beer?"
"You kidding? This is a safe house, not a bar," replied Dia.
But Hud pulled out a can from behind one of the beds and tossed it to him, before throwing one out to each of them.
"Seriously?"
"Man's been behind bars, presumed dead, Dia. You don't think he deserves a beer?"
"And the rest?"
"A good day’s work, I'd say."
"Leave him be. It's a waste of time," said Nui.
Hud held up his beer and nodded his head in a salute to her. Luna turned on the news. A large screen projected before a wall at the far end of the room. A news anchor was going through the day’s stories. They were mostly about Terminal and the violent riot in New York.
"Nothing about your breakout," she said in surprise.
"You think Zenner would want that breaking? That a top secret facility was breached?"
"No, but he doesn't run this country, or the news agencies. How could nobody have noticed? We blew out the side of the building, and fought a Liberator drone out in the streets for God's sake."
"Yeah? And Zenner has the money and contacts to kill any story he wants," replied Nui.
"You think he'd do that? What has he got to gain?"
"I guess we'll find out." Victor pointed to the news screen.
Zenner was being welcomed on a news interview by the anchor.
"What has that bastard got going now?"
"Shh, Hud, I wanna hear this," said Nui.
"Welcome back, Mic. It’s good to see you."
"It's a pleasure to be here."
"Asshole," muttered Luna.
Axel nodded along in agreement. He didn't care much for the politics of it all, but he did care about being incarcerated.
"Turn it off. I've heard enough from this asshole."
"Just listen to what he has to say, Ava. We could learn a lot," replied Dia.
They fell silent as they watched the interview go on.
"So, Mic, we hadn't expected you back here so soon, but I have been informed that you have some breaking news for the folks at home. Sounds pretty exciting, would you care to elaborate?"
"Yes, of course." He turned to the camera to address the public.
Nui shook her head. It annoyed her that he was so good at manipulating the citizens of the UAN. He was positively Presidential in everything he did. Better than that in fact, because he was able to create a scenario where he was relatable to the common men and women watching. It was absurd, because he was nothing like them, but somehow he had become a hero to them. He went on.
"Terminal has been a rollercoaster since release, and I mean that in every sense of the word. It has been exciting and thrilling. It has felt dangerous and terrifying, but remained controlled and safe. The update for the Terminal app has been massive. People across the world are playing, and that brings joy to my heart. Not everyone agrees with the game, and I understand and respect that. But as a believer in personal liberties, I believe people should have the right to do with their own bodies, whatever they choose. If you don't like something, don't do it, and nobody should be able to force you to do so."
Cheers rang out in the studio as many watching cheered at his words.
"They’re like sheep," muttered Nui.
"This is what we have been fighting against all these years, and I wonder why we bothered?" Dia added.
Finally, the outcry in support died down, and they let Zenner continue.
"Look, in years past, the government of this nation, and many others, has called upon its people to go and fight, without a choice, and often without a reason. Called up to go and fight some people elsewhere in the world. People that the individual had no fight with. If the freedom and defence of your country is at stake, then I can understand how such extreme measures may be needed. But it's been a long time since we saw a threat like that. A long time since things have been desperate that we've had to call citizens up to fight. If people want to serve, and want to fight, good on them! Terminal gives them that same choice. Nobody is forced to do anything, and you know exactly what you are getting yourself into from day one. In fact, in Terminal you can stop any time you like. This is about consent. You think a soldier fighting on the battlefield can do that?"
