Authors: Natasha Knight
She had exactly zero options. What she’d said to Hayden back at his office, she didn’t believe it. She didn’t truly believe he’d been using her. And she knew he was doing what he thought was best for the majority. Her sister just didn’t fit in that equation—or at least she didn’t stand on the right side of it.
“What about my collar? I can’t get close to the gates.”
He looked at her, confused for a moment.
“Hayden told me…” She shook her head. There might have been a GPS in the thing, but there had never been anything that would hurt her if she walked too close to the fence. He’d just told her that to scare her from trying.
“What’s your plan, exactly?” she asked.
“We drive to Magnus One—can’t take the jets, we want to sneak inside, not arrive with a bang, if you will. Will you be able to get us safely inside once we’re there?”
She nodded. She knew the ins and outs of Magnus One. “How can I be sure this isn’t some trap? That you aren’t going to try to hurt me when we’re out of here?”
“I won’t lie and tell you I’ve had a change of heart, Olivia. Magnus took away some of the most precious things in my life.”
She kept her expression neutral.
“I need your help. That’s the only reason I’ll make a deal with you.”
“How can I trust you to get us out, keep your end of the deal after I’ve done mine?”
“I think your options are as limited as mine. I give you my word. Decide.”
She studied him, knowing he was right. Knowing this was the only option she had. If she didn’t take it, Katie could die. That was all there was to it.
She nodded and he unlocked the door.
“Jeep’s at my house,” he said. “Follow me, act normal. No one knows you were locked up except the men in Hayden’s office.”
“Ok,” she said, glancing back at headquarters once they were out. She touched a hand to her sore bottom. Her betrayal would cost her and it might be more than another hiding. She forced herself to turn away. She had no choice.
* * *
Hayden walked to the jail, hoping Livvie would have cooled off by now. He’d let her sit there for just over two hours. Night was falling and the men had gone home to get some rest. They’d planned their attack to take place in two days. It would be just enough time to finalize all plans, get all of the fighters ready. The only way they had a chance in hell of not being blown up before their ships even came close to the city was to surprise them. The plan, of which there were two aspects, remained the same. First, bomb the lid off the city, expose its citizens to clean air, and wait for the drugs to wear off. Second, destroy as many of Magnus’ fleet of airships as possible and get the hell out of there. Hayden knew they’d be attacked and was well aware that many of the fighters wouldn’t return to camp. But this was for the greater good. What did his life count when that of so many others could be saved?
But what about Livvie? What about putting her in danger along with himself?
He slipped the key into the lock to unlock the front door of the jail house, but when he turned it, he realized it was already unlocked. His eyes narrowed briefly, but he wouldn’t entertain the thought that crossed his mind. Instead, he pushed the door open. When he was met with an empty cell, however, he fisted his hands and muttered a curse.
* * *
They drove for nearly two full days before the giant dome of Magnus One came into view. Marc had packed supplies and gasoline. He was ready for this mission and she wondered how long he’d been planning it.
“There it is,” Livvie said as Marc slowed the car to a stop. They both stared up at it, Livvie with a sense of anxiety like nothing she’d ever felt before. She was here, she’d done it. Katie was inside and against all odds, she’d made it. She glanced over at Marc, whose expression she couldn’t quite read. It wasn’t what she’d thought it would be though, it wasn’t anger. It was more sad, an aloneness.
“I don’t even know if they’re still alive,” he said. “I haven’t seen them in almost twenty years and they were so young then. Even if we manage to get inside, they won’t even recognize me. Or even want to leave with me.”
Livvie could understand his pain. “Marc, you came this far for them. You must have had a strong bond. I did with my sister. They’ll recognize you, I’m sure.”
He turned to her, his expression hardening a little. “There are no guarantees, Olivia. I know that. You’d better know it too. Your sister may not leave with you either—who knows what they’ve told her.”
“Katie will leave with me.” And if she won’t do it willingly, I’ll drag her along, she thought.
“I have uniforms in the back,” Marc began, all business again. During the entire drive, they’d only spoken about their plans to rescue, Livvie describing the layout of the city—the heavily guarded areas and those that were less guarded. As she’d done it, she’d realized how difficult it would be to get inside, get everyone they came to get, and leave without detection. Every time her thoughts wandered to Hayden, to Jenna and her baby, the camp, she’d shut them down. She knew there was a real possibility she’d never see any of them again.
“We’ll wait until dark to enter,” Marc said. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ll need all the strength we can get.”
* * *
As Commander, Hayden’s decision had to be made for the greater good. Two days had passed since her escape and Marc’s disappearance. A guard at the gate had confirmed that Marc had driven off in a Jeep, but that he’d been alone. Of course Marc would have hidden Livvie; he wasn’t completely stupid.
Hayden’s mouth hardened into a thin line. When he got his hands on Marc, on Livvie….
Not when. If.
“Commander, we’re ready to go on your word, Sir,” came Shane’s voice over the receiver.
The seven ships of their fleet were lined up, ready for takeoff. Hayden led the pack at the front of the line. As much as he’d wanted to go after them when he’d found out what had happened, he hadn’t. He was Commander of this camp, the leader of the Resistance Fighters. That was first, it had to be.
The other camps had called in as well, all ready. Both Magnus One and Two would be attacked at the same time.
Setting aside all personal emotion, Hayden gave the word and they launched into the night sky.
* * *
Livvie knew of one place where she could get Marc inside undetected. It wouldn’t be an elegant entrance; it would be downright filthy, in fact.
“It stinks,” Marc said, keeping close behind her.
“It’s going to get worse,” Livvie answered as they approached the large dump where Magnus One disposed of its waste product.
The two were in uniform, albeit a five-year-old, and in her case, ill-fitting, version, but it would have to do. It was late in the night and most of the residents would be sleeping. The only ones they’d have to avoid would be the soldiers who patrolled the city. Curfew was strictly enforced and Livvie had only ever known of a handful of citizens who’d broken it. They’d been taken away for a time and then returned to their homes. She hadn’t thought much of it then, but she realized as she looked back now how different they’d been, how sedate, almost to the point of being vacant. A shudder ran through her.
“Stay close,” she said, fingering her brother’s pocket knife. Dana and Beth lived close to where Livvie had lived with Katie and Livvie only hoped they hadn’t yet moved her sister. Once near enough, Marc and she would split up. He would collect his sisters and she, Katie. They would meet back where the Jeep awaited them. The keys had been left inside the vehicle in case things went badly.
Housing was determined by the government of Magnus One, each resident given a specific square footage of space. Siblings were kept together, but when Simon had died, they’d moved Katie and Livvie to smaller quarters within weeks of his death. They hadn’t even been allowed to bring his clothing or anything else of his; all personal items were removed and disposed of almost immediately after death.
As she remembered these small details, Livvie wondered at herself. How drugged had she been to think this was all ok, all normal?
The first set of footfalls came almost immediately when they were through the waste area. Livvie remained calm somehow, guiding Marc quickly into a corridor to hide. She knew this city inside and out. Simon had made sure of that years ago. Katie had never been as adventurous as the two of them.
She felt Marc’s hand move to his gun and covered it with hers, shaking her head. Undetected would be the best way to go. She worried enough as it was over Katie’s and his sisters’ reactions.
Once the guards passed, they continued.
* * *
Before shutting off all radio activity as they neared the large city, Hayden had one thing he needed to do.
“This is Commander Hayden Hawke. Effective immediately, I relinquish my position and pass on the title and power of Commander to Officer Shane Dawson.” He could imagine Shane’s face as he did this, but Hayden had made sure Shane wouldn’t be able to break through and voice his rebuttal. He’d shut down the system just after his announcement.
“Effective immediately, Commander Shane Dawson is the leader of the Ouray unit as well as the head of this mission. Hayden Hawke signing off.”
All was silent as he veered his ship just off course. He’d need to go on foot if he had any hope of finding them. He and Livvie had spoken at length about the current layout of Magnus One. He’d updated the existing map and even knew the weak points of the city, as well as the one she would have used to get inside.
He’d have to walk a good hour after landing his ship and he set it down as close to Magnus One as he could without risking detection. From there, he switched on the tracker he had on her collar, checked his weapons, and headed into the night.
Chapter Thirteen
The explosion came just as Livvie and Marc turned the corner to Livvie’s old residence. They were thrown against the wall and huddled there as another and then one more shook the city.
“They’ve started early!” Marc called out over the now panicked screams of the citizens who’d been woken by the blasts.
Doors opened and sleepy people looked out, confused, some frightened. From another direction, people ran as another blast sent debris down upon them.
“Get Dana and Beth, Marc. Go! Go!” Livvie disappeared into the thickening crowd of people. More explosions shattered the dome overhead and she covered her head as screams filled her ears. Someone ran into her, a woman, screaming, with a wide gash on her forehead. Livvie looked at her then pushed her away. She needed to get Katie and get out of here. A squad of soldiers, guns ready, ran past her. She froze, hoping to disappear into the crowd until they passed. And she did; nine of the ten ran by without giving her a second glance. But when the tenth one stopped and turned to look at her, all she could do was stare back.
“Soldier,” he said, taking a step toward her, his gaze sweeping her ill-fitting uniform from what seemed like a different era now. He raised his gun and aimed at her, but before he shot, he flinched and his body crumpled to the ground. She looked up, imagining it to be a piece of debris, but when a large hand closed over her shoulder, she screamed and turned to meet Hayden’s eyes.
“Hayden,” she said, relief washing through her.
“This might have been the stupidest fucking thing you’ve ever done, Olivia. Move, let’s get Katie and get the hell out of here.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, turning to lead the way.
Livvie slowed as she approached her old door, which was still closed. Both Hayden and she looked up at the sky when they heard the smooth sound of Magnus’ sleek airships overhead.
“Fuck,” Hayden said.
Livvie turned to him. She knew the resistance fighters had no chance in an aerial battle. They were outnumbered. By a lot. Hayden met her gaze.
“Go,” he said.
She reached for the handle of the door, realizing how her hand trembled as she did. It turned easily although she’d expected to find it locked. She pushed it open. “Katie?” she asked into the dark space.
There was no answer. Hayden came in behind her to shine a flashlight into the space. They scanned the empty room, noting all of Katie’s possessions.
“Her bed’s not been slept in,” Livvie said, touching the pillow.
“We have to get out of here, Livvie,” Hayden said to the sound of more strikes overhead. He took hold of her hand and tried to drag her out. “We need to go.”
“I know where she is. They must have her in the lab.”
Hayden looked at her, but all she could do was take in the room one last time before turning to walk back outside.
Livvie led the way, grateful now for her years of walking these streets, of investigating every nook. They pushed their way through the crowd that was headed in the opposite direction. Panic was all around them, but she felt Hayden at her back as they approached the lab, which was nearer the center of the city. Most people had fled this area already so they were able to move faster to get to the large, heavy doors.
Just then a huge explosion overhead was followed by the crash of what looked to be a ball of fire falling from the sky.
“It’s a ship!” Hayden said.
Livvie pushed the door open and was met with a soldier who stood trembling inside. Without hesitation, she took out her knife and walked straight up to him, stabbing him quick and deep in the stomach. She then watched in horrified silence as the man leaned on her, causing her to stumble backward, before he fell to the ground.
“Oh, my God!” she said, looking at her bloodied hands.
“Find Katie, Livvie. Now,” came Hayden’s voice.
That was all she needed. Livvie ran through what looked to be an office where they’d come in and opened the next door. For a moment, she stood frozen, shocked. Six steel tables lined the large room. Upon them, what appeared to be sleeping women lay, straps across their chests and thighs. All were naked. All were young. Four were ashen.