I find a spot to conceal the vehicle among the trees, and we get our rudimentary weapons ready. Luke will remain in the Jeep, turn on the ignition, and let Poncho run free when he sees the first explosion. Poncho seems tranquil which means we have the clear to go. I don’t join the collective prayer that Rey directs. It’s too late to start to believe. Laboriously, we get out of the Jeep and hike our way along the railroad until we leave the woods and enter a valley.
We’re completely soaked and have a hard time advancing against the wind. The mud and the multiple times we have to slowly tread storm-formed streams don’t help much. Because of the storm, there’s a good chance that any security system around will record only blurry silhouettes, but just in case, our faces are covered with masks.
With the roar of the storm, we can’t hear one another and our bodies tremble harshly. The other Comanches are worried the violent movements will activate our homemade bombs but I trust my father’s designs. I know the bombs won’t explode on us.
After hiking a mile we reach the bottom of a high hill. At the top of it, there’s a section of the trail road that we follow until we reach a twelve-foot train overpass that hovers dangerously over a deep chasm. There are eroded steep slopes on each side of it.
Here we’ll set our bombs. We’ll make the bombs explode just when wagon number thirteen reaches the overpass. If my dad’s calculations are right, that’ll ensure the soldier-filled train derails.
It’s almost impossible to keep our balance while the wind is threatening to throw us off the cliff. My breathing is ragged but not because the height. I’m scared of being captured alive and raped.
Some soldiers will survive because the drugs, their armor, or the strength of their modified genes. They’ll know this is sabotage and will chase after us. Perhaps some of us won’t live to tell the story. Being seen by a soldier means torture, rape, and death. You can’t outrun a soldier. You can’t escape by climbing a tree; they’ll climb after you. Throwing ourselves to the nearby lagoon won’t do, they swim at incredible speeds. They’ll have the edge in a fight and will attack us if they survive.
Cara and Rey set the bombs while the rest of us cover them from the wind, forming a human cocoon.
A humming vibration startles us. The train is approaching.
Holly and Mathew glance down nervously the abyss below us. The bottom is far below and the trees at the bottom seem to be death traps. Not to mention there’ll be rocks and rubble falling. But we’ve trained hard in the Parkour techniques Aleksey taught me. We’re as fast and agile as non-soldiers can be. The rest will be in the hands of destiny.
Rey finally manages to work out the detonator just when the train is getting dangerously close. “Let’s get out of here!” We run some yards through the rail road with the train about to run over us.
The train is almost on top of me by the time I jump into the void.
The Parkour techniques pay off and we make our way through the slopes as if we were flying, taking on speed on some ridges and slowing our decent in others.
My stomach drops as I approach the bottom of the cliff at top speed. We finally roll on our shoulders at the bottom and make a dash for the place we left the Jeep.
Rey, still making his way through the slopes, activates the detonator just when wagon thirteen passes.
BOOM!
The wagon explodes and the 03631 battalion’s train rolls down the cliff, making a loud noise that overpowers the sound of the storm.
Rubble and metal fall from the sides of the cliff with the force of a bullet but we all managed to put some distance between the wreckage and ourselves. The traces of a provoked attack are going away with the strong wind and rain.
I tread the flooded trail, splashing noisily. The way the water slows me down only increases my desperation to reach the Jeep. I don’t look behind me to see how many are there, but I can feel them. Someone saw us. They’re chasing after us already.
When we get closer to the Jeep, Poncho runs past us, barking madly. He has sensed the danger and growls at an unseen enemy that only his acute instincts perceive.
Someone is coming in our direction from the trees.
The wind stops as if turned off by an invisible switch. The pouring rain turns into a soft drizzle. We can see it now. The place we left the Jeep. But it’s too late.
I turn my head and see them. They’re difficult to make out because of their camouflage capes and helmets, but I see them.
Two gigantic soldiers are following us, accompanied by two genetically modified dogs.
We hit the ground when the first shots sound and roll, trying to avoid the bullets.
Chapter 45
Surprise, their arrogance, and good luck work in our favor when Cara’s arrow disarms a soldier. My knife hits the hand of other before he can draw his gun. The guns go flying as both soldiers charge against us.
Cara, Holly, Divine, and Joey fight a soldier while Poncho makes his best to keep their dogs from attacking us. I throw another knife at one of the dogs. With a loud yelp it drops to the ground, retching. But I don’t have time to aim for the other dog as the biggest soldier barrels towards us. Mathew, Rey, and I avoid his strong punches and kicks. We try to hurt his legs but the soldier has inhuman speed and reflexes.
Luke has abandoned the Jeep and joined the fight. He’s brought with him a spear and a couple of wooden swords. He throws the spear that can’t penetrate the soldiers’ armor, but Luke’s attack gives a second of respite to the rest of us as the soldier raises his hands to intercept the weapon; we attack his flanks.
Poncho is snarling and snapping frantically and soon his opponent yelps in pain and stops moving.
I can’t manage to avoid one of the soldiers’ fast movements and I find myself flying backwards. I tuck myself into a ball in the air and try to break the momentum by rolling in the mud. Even so, I feel a searing pain in my shoulders as I roll.
From the ground I see Divine and Joey cover Cara so she can aim another arrow. This time she manages to insert her arrow in the soldier’s armored heel. It throws the soldier off balance. He hits the ground with a loud thud. While falling, he manages to hurl Joey to the ground. But Divine and Holly throw alcohol-filled balloons directly into the soldier’s face as Cara shoots another arrow.
My movements feel slow and my lungs burn painfully when Luke, Mathew, and Rey finally throw the soldier to the ground and cover him in alcohol.
At that moment a howl sounds when Poncho bites the other soldier’s hand. He seems to be in incredible pain. More than when he is doused in alcohol.
“The pills!” shouts Rey. We never thought a day will come when we’d get the chance to use them, but we force a pill in the mouth of each soldier. Cyanide and alcohol. We’ve never had the chance to use those pills on a soldier before and we won’t have time to see if we finish him off. We throw our weapons into the murky streams and make our way to the Jeep. More soldiers might get here soon
In seconds we’re hitting the roads as fast as the irregular roads permit.
But it’s not fast enough to lose a different pair of soldiers who are chasing the vehicle. Their cracked armors indicate that they’re survivors of the derailing. Their modified genes make them reach impossible speeds.
I accelerate, doing my best to ignore the sound of their guns. Unfortunately, the Jeep starts to act on his own and slows down even when I’m pressing the gas pedal with all my might. I know now what the strange buttons on the Jeep are for: remote control.
The soldiers have taken control of the truck and halt it to a stop.
Their armor looks cracked, and their helmets are missing, so their gray-skinned faces are on full display. “Get down, pigs!”
They register the Jeep in search of weapons.
We’re forced to lay with our faces and stomachs on the ground.
My muscles freeze in panic when the soldiers use knifes to cut our shirts in search of the tattoos that indicate our profession, place of birth, and citizen status
. Rey has one from his religious order. Luke has the tattoo that indicates that he’s about to gain Patriot citizenship. They might skip recruitment as punishment. But the rest of us won’t have that luck.
The tallest soldier points his gun at my cheek. Even his voice sounds artificial and has a robotic quality. “Do you have an ID, little girl?”
At that moment a second Jeep screeches to a stop near us, splashing us with mud and water. Three people descend. From the corner of my eye, I see their boots.
Chapter 46
“I’m General Fürst, representative of the United Neutral Nations Organization.”
Aleksey! My hearts beats at impossible speed. He’ll get himself killed by trying to save me! As strong as Aleksey is, he is a regular man who doesn’t consume tonics. He’s no match to two genetically engineered soldiers who survived an attack that would kill normal people.
Aleksey’s booming voice continues. “These people are civilians protected by the twenty-fifth Accord Unit under my charge. You! Stop pointing that gun at them. They’re unarmed.” The soldier must have obeyed because Aleksey orders us to stand up.
I look at him. He’s scowling at the soldiers as his red cape billows in the wind. Aleksey is flanked by Tristan and a beautiful, Asian-looking female cop. The Accord General emanates confidence, command, and power. The soldiers are not used to facing enemies who tower over them and they’re looking at Aleksey with a mix of curiosity and hostility.
The tallest soldier steps forward and yells, “I’m Sergeant McCarthy from the 03631 battalion, Sir. A Patriot States of America train has just suffered a terrorist attack. Every Nationalist-born citizen around the area will be interrogated properly.”
“Not happening, Sergeant. The international convention of Basel prohibits the use of torture to interrogate civilians.”
McCarthy eyes the gadget Tristan is using to record the scene warily. “No torture. But they’ll at least answer why they’re travelling in a Jeep. Vehicle usage is illegal for Nationalists in Patriot territory, Mr. Fürst.”
“Not when the life of a Patriot citizen is in danger. As you can see, the owner of the vehicle is a Patriot woman in no condition to drive.” He turns to Tristan. “Coronel Froh! Sergeant Wong!”
They step forward and salute Aleksey in military style. “Sir, yes, sir!”
“Take the civilians back to Shiloh.” Tristan and Sergeant Wong escort us towards the Accord Jeep. I stick my ear to the window, straining to listen. “I’ll take the Jeep’s owner to an Accord clinic.”
McCarthy frowns. “You’re interfering with national security procedures.”
Aleksey ignores McCarthy and strides confidently towards the Jeep we stole to check its owner’s vitals.
“Sir, those Nats—”
Aleksey looks at the soldier impatiently “You registered the vehicle yourself and found no weapons and as you can see these people are not genetically engineered. They pose no threat to your country.”
“You’re a foreigner. You have no jurisdiction over Patriot troops.”
“Wrong.” Aleksey’s ring-device projects the hologram of a map. “As you can see Patriot territory starts twenty feet from where we’re standing. These lands are entrusted to the UNNO until the Nationalists and Patriots reach an agreement.”
He turns his back to the soldier to walk around the Jeep. I see McCarthy’s features change.
Everyone in the Jeep gasps when McCarthy pulls out his gun and aims at the cop. But Aleksey grabs McCarthy’s arm and disarms him.
The soldier escapes Aleksey’s grip and hurls himself against the cop.
“No!” I open the Jeep’s door but Tristan stops me.
“He’s not in danger. He has never lost a brawl,” Tristan says reassuringly.
I look up again. Just like the time when he fought Rey, Aleksey seems to be putting little effort in blocking the soldier’s attacks. His speed is as inhuman as McCarthy’s.
McCarthy’s face contorts when Aleksey wraps his muscular arm around the soldier’s throat. In a swift movement, Aleksey tips the soldier’s head back and twists it forcefully to the left. The sound of his neck as it breaks makes me shiver.
My face is frozen in shock. Up until now I’ve never given much thought to why he’s so strong. I assumed he was naturally tall and long hours of training did the rest. I know he’s not on the drugs, but like Patriot soldiers, he must have gone through some sort of genetic modification.
The other soldier has his gun pointed against Aleksey, but it looks more like a defensive resource than an attack move.
“Look at me, Sergeant Stevens,” says Aleksey in a derisive tone. “Don’t you recognize me?”
The soldier’s tattooed eyes open wide and shine with recognition. “Sir! You are … Prince Aleksey.”
Aleksey murmurs something that my hurt hearing can’t make out before raising his voice again. “Remember the camera recorded everything. Now go!”
The soldier disappears and Aleksey strides confidently toward the Accord Jeep. He ignores everyone as he addresses me in a scolding tone. “The existence of a resistance group will remain hidden. But you’re playing with fire, Miss Velez, and you’ll get burned.” He grabs my arm. “Come with me.”
He pulls me toward the other Jeep, yelling orders. “Froh! Dispose of the body! Wong! Take the Starvillers back to town and straight to the clinic. Make sure only Dr. Velez treats their wounds.”
Aleksey takes a sip from his flask. He doesn’t talk to me during most of our journey to Shiloh. I’m used to his silence, but the fury brewing underneath that silence baffles me.
I look at him, arching my brows. “How did you find us? Where did you meet Sergeant Stevens? Why didn’t you tell me you’re genetically engineered?” He ignores my questions.
The only reason that I don’t get irritated myself is because I know he loves me in his own strange way. When someone has gifted you with one act of love after another, it’s only fair to ignore their bad moods and concentrate exclusively on the many things they’ve done for you. Acts and feelings should always prevail over moods and words.
We return the woman and her Jeep to their rightful place in Shiloh and board an Accord ambulance.
We’re passing Midian’s ruins when he finally speaks in an even tone. “I’ve just broke my neutrality pledge. I can’t call myself a cop.”
“Are you in trouble?”
He shrugs. “They may banish me from American territories if they find out. I shouldn’t have taken sides but—” He turns to look at me. “The side you support will be my side.”
I realize what’s eating him. Guilt. Neutrality is part of who he is. And now he has broken a very important principle that has ruled his life. For me.
“I’m not fighting for the Nat cause like the others. Nats have done nothing to deserve my loyalty. They started this mess of a war.” My hearing was hurt during the fight so I end up raising my voice to hear myself. “You’re not feeling guilty because you killed a man who would have raped me, are you?”
His clutch on the steering wheel tightens. “No. He was going to torture you.”
I haven’t given much thought to his feelings for me since yesterday. I could approach the situation in two ways: I can grieve that I’ve found a man I can fall in love with, when he’s not going to be part of my life. Or I can feel grateful that I met him so I can lose my V to him.
I know my next words might change his somber mood now. “You know why I asked you to wait some days before we have sex?” His eyebrows arch. “Because when we’re in that bed together tomorrow night, you’ll know that I’m not giving myself to you because I have to. Not because a threat hovers over my head. I’ll give you my body, my trust, my virginity because underneath that red cape and grim look there’s the only man that I want.”
He answers with a coy smile. I’m covered in mud and my hair is a mess and even so he’s looking at me as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight of me. Wide, shining eyes and dilated pupils illuminate his o
therwise sober face. I don’t think this is real love, but for now it’s enough.
By the time we reach the clinic the word has spread. Six days before recruitment, the majority of battalion 03631 is on their way to New Vegas hospitals.
Aleksey examines my hearing in one of the ER rooms; he says it’ll take some days before it heals. Although dirty thoughts attack my mind, he’s extremely professional when he makes me lay on my stomach to examine my thigh wound that has reopened during the fight. I want you to suck on that thigh. When he’s taking care of my bruises, he receives a call on his ring-device. Rocco won’t make the news official until tomorrow, but he calls to inform the leader of the Accord Unit about an important piece of news.
The recruitment ceremony has been cancelled.
I collapse into a chair and bury my head in my hands. Until next year, I’m free of the pressure of recruitment. I’m finally free to make love to a man who loves me.
I haven’t slept in two days and I’ve felt tense all along. A whirlpool of emotions replaces the tension. Relief, uncertainty, pride, joy, weariness. And the overall the feeling that this is too good to be true.
I don’t even realize tears are rolling down my cheeks until he cradles me in his strong arms.
“Shh, don’t cry, my kämpfer. Allow yourself to hope.”
And at this moment, I know that even if he moves on when another girl needs his help, I’ll never forget him. You usually can’t recall all the people you’ve shared laughs with. But you rarely forget the people you’ve shared your tears with.
Chapter 47
By the time my dad takes care of all the Comanches, it is way past curfew. The Comanches will have to spend the night at the clinic.
I’ve meant to be extra careful to make sure that no one notices when I sneak out to get to Aleksey’s room.
I cross the courtyard and I’m about to climb the scaffold to the cop’s room when I hear a voice.
“Lily, where are you going?”