Warriors

TWENTY-FOUR

The group of warriors filed through the library to a loft area, where X stood at a wood balustrade with Imulah and Sergeant Wynn. Miles moved up beside X, pushing his muzzle through the bars.

Below, Colonel Forge and Lieutenant Colonel Ranker made their way through the maze of dimly lit tables, their black capes fluttering behind them. The Hell Divers came next, in their jumpsuits and armor, ready for whatever orders awaited them.

Seeing them had X reconsidering his decision. He worried that many of these warriors would leave the Vanguard Islands to do their duty, and never return again.

Captain Mitchells towered above the group with Eevi by his side. The woman had suffered much over the years, losing a child and, most recently, her husband.

X had considered ordering her back to the Hell Divers, but she was needed more on the bridge of Discovery.

“Welcome, everyone,” X said. “Let’s get started. Imulah, bring me the maps.”

The scribe returned, and Wynn helped him unroll the large scroll and spread it over the table. Mac and Felipe came in and joined the rest of the group at the table.

“This first map is of the Outrider, once called Aruba,” X said. “I need to know how long it will take to get there, how much fuel we have, and what we expect to find when we get there.”

“It’s about a two-day sail to Aruba,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ranker. “We’ve already combined our fuel, and it should get us there if we don’t push too hard.”

“So how do we get back home?” Arlo asked.

“Outrider is another refinery,” Imulah said. “If you are victorious, you will have access to a new fuel source.”

“Precisely why I don’t want to have Discovery just blow the place up,” X said. “We still don’t know if the Iron Reef in Belize is destroyed. If it is, this is our only known source of fuel.”

“What about sending Discovery?” Rodger said. “We could dive in and surprise the skinwalkers. It’ll be a slaughter.”

“Yeah, it could be a slaughter—of us,” X said.

Rodger wasn’t thinking logically, and his comment proved it.

“I’ll kill ’em all,” Rodger said. “Every last one of them.”

“Sending in a diving team isn’t a bad idea, Rodge,” Magnolia said. She rubbed the bandage on her head. “But don’t forget about the machines.”

“What about sending out Renegade to Belize, to check on the fuel outpost?” Wynn asked. “Do we have the time?”

“I thought about that, but we can’t risk sending out one of our warships,” X said. “We’ll need them to defend the Vanguard Islands and for the mission to the Outrider, which brings me back to my original question: What should we expect to find there?”

Ranker interpreted for Forge. He was the highest-ranking soldier left at the islands, but as far as X knew, most knowledge of the skinwalkers had died with General Santiago in Rio de Janeiro.

“We know that Horn killed half the crew of Raven’s Claw,” Ranker said. “That puts his numbers at anywhere from a hundred to a hundred and fifty. Minus however many he lost in the attack here, and on the ground in Rio.”

“We saw at least thirty there,” Michael said. “Maybe more.”

“We know he has two more submarines,” said Wynn, “and while they are small—probably some sort of research sub—they can do real damage.”

Imulah went to another table and brought back a green hardcover book with an octopus logo engraved on the spine. He dusted off the cover—also marked by an octopus—and handed it to X.

“Most of us were children when the colony was abandoned,” Ranker said.

“Very little is known now,” Imulah said. “I found that in the archives, but the other books were missing—probably destroyed by el Pulpo.”

“So what do we know about it?” X asked.

“Colonel Forge said it was another training facility for warriors,” Ranker said. “In fact, he went there when he was a teenager and was stationed there for a few months.”

X looked to Forge, who simply stared at the map as if recalling memories of long ago. He glanced up and caught X’s gaze.

“Lieutenant Colonel Ranker, ask Colonel Forge why it was abandoned,” X said.

The two Cazador officers spoke for several moments. Ranker then stiffened slightly. “The metal gods found it, sir.”

“What!” X blurted. The secrets these people held continued to infuriate him. “Look, I still haven’t figured out how you forgot to tell me el Pulpo had a bastard son, or that Moreto was the mom, but not revealing this…” For the moment, words failed him. “I want to know everything you know,” X said. He glared at Imulah. The muscles in the scribe’s cheeks trembled slightly.

“While some of us suspected Moreto was Horn’s mother, speaking this would have been treachery,” he said.

Ranker nodded. “The scribe is right. Moreto would have killed anyone who spoke such truth.”

X scratched his beard. It didn’t matter now anyway. What did matter was that the machines had found the outpost, so maybe Horn wasn’t lying about working with them.

“That’s why they wear people’s skins,” X said. “They must worship the machines. It makes total sense now.”

“I suspected that myself when I was in Rio,” Michael said.

X took another look at the map of the former colony. What he was about to order must be done. The soldiers and divers all waited for what many of them knew was coming.

“Sergeant Wynn,” X said.

The Asian man stiffened. “Yes, sir.”

“You’re being promoted to lieutenant and will oversee defenses at home while we send Shadow and Renegade to the Outrider. The warship Elysium will remain here to guard our homes.”

Wynn nodded. “Thank you, King Xavier.”

X looked to Forge and Mac next. “Mac, I’m assigning Renegade to you and the Barracudas and promoting you to colonel,” X said.

“That would be my honor, sir,” Mac said, bowing his hunched back.

“Ranker, I want you to relay this to Colonel Forge,” X said. “Colonel Forge, I’m promoting you to general of the combined armies of the Cazadores and sky people,” X said. “Your first orders are to sail Shadow to the Outrider.”

Ranker translated the first part.

“I will join you on this mission, along with a select group of my people,” X said. “Together, we will destroy Horn and the skinwalkers.”

Several people seemed surprised by the order, but X realized now more than ever that they needed the Cazadores all in on their cause, and the best way to do that without Rhino was to give his position to another Cazador.

After listening to the orders, Forge thumped his armored chest, and X nodded back. He didn’t fully trust the man, not as he had trusted Rhino by the end, but Forge had helped save his life with the nanotech gel and had also kept the truth about what happened to the warship Lion under wraps. He had also helped them clear the capitol tower of Sirens. If he was a collaborator with the skinwalkers, he was doing a lousy job.

“That takes care of one threat, but what about the machines?” Les asked.

X had a feeling this was coming. “I’m getting there, but first, what’s the status of the airship?”

“Sir, Discovery should be ready in three days if all goes to plan,” Les replied. “Samson managed to locate some parts thanks to Tomás Mata.”

“Good news.”

“Pedro has briefed us on everything he knows about the base in Africa,” Les said. “We are still working up a strategy, but I won’t need a full crew—just enough to run the ship, and two teams of Hell Divers.”

X considered the request again. They had no idea what they would find at either location—only that both would be heavily guarded by human warriors and probably machines as well.

He missed the old days of fighting Sirens and bone beasts.

“If you can get the airship ready, she’s yours, Captain,” X said. “And you will have your Hell Divers.”

“I also need an XO now that Ada is deceased and Layla is sitting this mission out,” Les said. He looked down to Eevi. “Ensign Corey, how do you feel about joining me in Africa on—”

“I’d be honored.”

“You understand the risks,” X said.

“All due respect, King Xavier, but I’m well aware, and I’ve got nothing to lose anyway.”

X gave her an empathetic nod.

“There’s a lot of work to do before we depart,” he said, “but I want everyone here to spend time with their families. That’s an order.”

He looked at Michael, then Les.

“All right, dismissed,” X said. He reached down to pet Miles.

The room started to empty, but Les lingered. Ton and Victor remained on guard.

“Sir, a moment of your time,” Les said. “Michael, you too.”

They took seats at the table and waited for everyone to leave the library. When the doors clicked shut in the distance, Les spoke.

“I need Magnolia and Rodger on the mission to Africa,” he said. “I know that Rodger wants to avenge his parents and that Sofia will want to kill Horn, but—”

“I don’t think Magnolia is going anywhere without Rodger,” Michael said.

“We have a dozen divers,” X said. “Can’t you make do without those two?”

“A dozen divers who have either never dived or dived only a few times,” Les said. “I need veterans, not greenhorns to screw things up like Arlo did.”

“I know, and you’re right,” X said. “I’ll talk it over with them.”

“Thank you, sir,” Les said. He stood and nodded at Michael, then started out of the room. He stopped at the twisting stairwell.

“I’ll be at the Shark’s Cage if you need me, sir,” Les said.

“Don’t forget my order, Captain,” X said. “Katherine and Phyl need you, too.”

“I know,” Les replied. “I’m heading up to see them first. For the record, that’s why I’m going to Africa—for them, and for Trey.”

“I know,” X said.

We all have our own missions now.

Les ducked down the spiral staircase and hurried out of the library, his footfalls echoing.

“I better get back to Layla, too,” Michael said. “She’s worried.”

“Hold up a minute.”

Michael brushed his long hair over his shoulder as he stood.

“You ever gonna cut that, or what?” X asked, also getting up.

“I don’t know. You going to trim that unibrow? It looks like an angry caterpillar.”

X laughed. “Grooming isn’t high on my priority list. I’m more concerned about getting myself one of those.”

Michael held up his robotic arm. “I’ll bring one back from Africa.”

The thought of the mission made X tense up. It was almost surely the more dangerous of the two, and he hoped he was making the right decision sending Michael there.

“Don’t worry, X,” Michael said as if sensing his concern.

“I am worried, and I know Layla is, too…” X caught Michael’s gaze. “How does she feel about this?”

“She hates it, but I promised this is the last mission.”

X feared that it would be, but not in the way Michael thought. He feared for Les and the other Hell Divers, too.

The choice he had to make was an impossible one, but he would face it without flinching.

“We dive so humanity survives,” Michael said.

“You know, I always found that a little cheesy. How about ‘We fight so humanity survives’?”

He picked up the spear that Rhino had carried into battle. Somehow, he must learn to use the ungainly weapon before he went out to kill Horn.

“In seriousness, I’m glad we can talk in private,” Michael said, “because I want to have a small gathering to celebrate my union with Layla before I go. Tomorrow night, after we wrap most of the preps.”

“I figured you would do that when we get back.”

A moment of silence passed, with both of them probably thinking the same thing.

“Okay,” X said. “We do it tomorrow night.”

“Now we just need to find someone to marry us.”

“Don’t look at me, kid. I’m no priest.”

“Ain’t that the truth. But you are a king.”

X cracked a half grin and patted Michael on the shoulder. Michael wrapped him in a hug.

“There is another reason I need a new limb,” X said when he pulled away. “I want to be able to hold Bray when he comes.”

Michael smiled wide.

“Although I’m not too good with babies,” X said.

“Me neither.” Michael laughed. “We’ll figure it out together, old man.”

Heading back to his apartment, Les kept a brisk pace through the hallways of the capitol tower, trying to ignore the signs of battle. Despite the best efforts of a cleaning crew, there was still evidence of the Sirens that had ravaged this place.

Blood spatter on walls and overhead. Claw marks on doors. Even a few spent bullet casings had eluded the cleanup crew. But there were far bigger problems to deal with than washing blood off the walls.

He counted his blessings. His family had survived unscathed—physically, anyway, although he worried about the psychological damage, especially for his daughter.

His suspicions were confirmed when he arrived back at his apartment. He unlocked the door to the sound of sobbing.

Les quietly shut the door and slipped into the shadows outside the room Phyl had shared with Trey. A candle burned on the bedside table. She was sitting up in bed, clutching a stuffed animal, with Katherine sitting by her side.

Neither of them had heard him come in, and for a moment he stood in the darkness, watching. He wanted to comfort his daughter, but he felt frozen.

The father he had become over the past few months was an absent one, and he couldn’t bear hearing Phyl beg him not to leave again, or endure the resentful gaze Katherine fired at him every time he walked into the room.

Taking a step back, he considered slipping away and heading back to the Shark’s Cage. That would be easier. But that wasn’t the father he wanted to be, and he wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt later. He would rather watch his child cry her eyes out than abandon her and go back to work.

Les walked into the room, the creaking floor attracting Katherine’s attention. To his surprise, it wasn’t a resentful gaze, probably because she was crying.

He went to the bed as Phyl stretched out her arms.

“Papa,” she cried.

He leaned down and pulled her tight. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?” he said quietly.

“Papa, the monsters,” she whimpered.

Katherine stood and folded her arms over her chest after wiping away the tears. “She had a bad dream about the Sirens,” she said.

Les released his grip on Phyl and sat on the bed next to her. “Sweetheart, the monsters are gone,” he said.

“But what if they come back?”

“They won’t. I’m going to make sure of that.”

“You promise?”

“Cross my heart,” Les said.

Phyl smiled, then frowned. “Does that mean you have to leave again? Because if it does, I won’t be able to sleep.”

Les didn’t reply, the guilt already eating at his insides.

“Papa, I want you to sleep on my floor like you used to.”

A flood of memories entered his brain, but the worst part wasn’t recalling the past; it was explaining the future.

“Daddy has to go back to work,” Katherine said.

He looked up at his wife, surprised again.

“To make sure the monsters stay away,” Katherine said. “Right, Les?”

He just nodded. “Now, go back to sleep,” he said. “I’ll come back in the morning and eat breakfast with you and your mom, okay?”

“Promise and cross your heart again?”

Les motioned over his chest, drawing the hint of a smile from Phyl. He grabbed her stuffed bear and put it in her hands. She relaxed her head on the pillow, hugging the bear and letting out a sigh.

“Everything is going to be okay, my princess,” Les said. He pulled the sheet up to her neck and tucked the sides in neatly around the bed.

Phyl watched him retreat to the doorway with Katherine. “Wait,” she called out.

“We’re going to talk outside, okay?” Katherine said. “We’ll be right outside the door in the hallway.”

Phyl’s lips quivered in the candlelight.

“Just right outside,” Les said.

“Leave the door open,” Phyl said.

Les followed his wife out of the room and kept the door ajar. He fully expected another lecture or that withering gaze, but again he was surprised.

Katherine took his hand. “Les,” she said.

Moonlight through an open window illuminated his wife’s features. She had braided her hair tonight, just the way he loved it.

“After the ceremony earlier tonight, I realized why you’re doing all this,” she said. “I won’t try and talk you out of it anymore or make you feel guilty.”

Les felt as if he had entered a dream. This couldn’t be real.

“I don’t understand the sudden shift,” he started to say.

“The world I’ve lived in is not the same as yours,” she said. “You have dived through the storms, trekked through the wastes, and fought countless monsters and humans.”

“It’s my duty, and I do it for you and Phyl. Just as Trey did.”

“I know,” Katherine said, heaving a deep sigh. Her freckled nose crinkled in the moonlight. “All this time, I’ve been mad at you for leaving and for what happened to Trey, but…”

She squeezed his hand.

“I don’t blame you for what happened to our son,” she said. “I know you would have traded your life for his if you could.”

“I would have,” he said, “but Hell Divers don’t get do-overs, and I will live with the regret of that mission for the rest of my life.”

“Don’t blame yourself. You are a good diver, captain, father, and husband. You’re a good man, Les. You always have been.”

He didn’t know what to say, but he didn’t hold back his emotions this time. He let the tears come.

“It’s okay, Les,” she said.

“I’m sorry…” He wiped his eyes.

“No, if you need to cry, cry. I just want you to know I was wrong, and I’m so sorry.”

“You have no idea how good it is to hear these things,” he said. “Katherine, I’m going to do everything in my power to save our home, our people, and you and Phyl so she can grow up in a peaceful, safe world.”

“I know…”

She loosened her grip slightly, and he waited for things to take a turn for the worse.

“What are the odds you can beat the machines and the skinwalkers?” she asked. “I mean, what are the chances we will win this war?”

He hadn’t seen that one coming.

He reached down and grabbed her other hand and led her to the kitchen.

“We’ll be right out here,” Katherine called out to Phyl.

Les stopped near the open windows, where the cool breeze rustled his thinning red tuft.

“I don’t know exactly what we’re going to find when we reach the target in Africa,” he said. “All I know is that I have two secret weapons to use against the machines: Timothy Pepper and Hell Divers.”

“Les, you’re not just a good man; you’re an intelligent one. And that’s part of the reason I fell in love with you. But one AI and a team of Hell Divers? What makes you think you can stop the machines that destroyed the world?”

“I have a plan. I’m working with Timothy to develop something that I can’t talk about yet, but you have to trust me. Trust that I believe I have a chance.”

“I—”

Les kissed her on the lips. Then he held her gaze. “I have to do this, or eventually they will find this place. If that happens, there will be no future for Phyl or the rest of the children.”

“There’s no one else who can do this?”

“Everyone will play a role in the coming war,” he said. “This is mine.”

“What can I do?”

“Take care of our daughter and promise me you’ll always love me.”

“Oh, Les…” She hugged him. “I’m so sorry for not being there for you. I didn’t realize how bad things were until I talked to…”

“What?”

She looked down. “I talked to X, and he gave me some perspective on things.”

Les didn’t know whether to be happy or mad. But the king had done something he couldn’t: make Katherine realize she loved him still.

“I’m sorry, too, for everything. I love you and Phyl so much.”

They kissed but were interrupted by a surprised voice.

“What is that?”

They both turned to see Phyl standing in the hallway, her stuffed bear dangling from one hand.

“You’re supposed to be in bed,” Katherine said.

Phyl lifted a finger and pointed out the window, not answering.

Les and Katherine turned to the open shutters.

Red flares floated down from the sky.

“What is that, Les?” Katherine asked.

He smiled.

“Those are Hell Divers,” he said. “And they’re going to help me save us from the monsters.”