This man is no friend of mine.
“Senator Hart,” he sneers as I enter the group. “Where have you been?”
I don’t answer his question.
Instead, I say, “Commander Young.” I nod respectfully at the love of my life, then face Robert Lockwood. He is a tall man with dark brown hair and a deep, baritone voice. “Speaker,” I say. “What’s the situation?”
“The situation,” Manny interrupts, “is that Omega launched a cruise missile from a ship just outside of the San Francisco Bay, hit the Capitol Building twice, and injured several hundred people — and killed dozens. But we already know this. The question, boys and girls, is what we’re going to do about it.”
“We double our defenses and hit back,” Colonel Rivera booms. He looks directly at me as he speaks. “Unless the Senator objects.”
I glance at Chris.
“The Senator is still a Commander, Colonel,” Chris slings back. “Don’t forget that.”
Chris’s glare is lethal, and the Colonel shuts up.
“We don’t have the resources to attack a ship in the San Francisco Bay from here,” I say, stating the obvious. “But the Alliance does. If California is going to survive, we need to join the Alliance as soon as possible.”
“Negotiations are beginning in two days,” Robert says.
“Where?”
“Monterey, California.”
“The coastline?”
Chris replies, “Monterey is heavily fortified with elements of the United States Naval Forces. Omega wouldn’t try to breach the steel ring around the bay area.”
“Omega will try anything,” Uriah points out.
“Where will the negotiations be?” I ask. “Because if Omega finds out, they could just send another cruise missile to wipe out all of the representatives from the Alliance.”
“The Naval Post Graduate School,” Chris answers. “It will be safe, trust me.”
I trust Chris. But I don’t discount Omega’s ability to screw everything up.
“How will I get there?” I press.
“By train.”
“We have a railroad?”
“It’s safer than traveling by plane right now, with Omega’s air activity getting more dangerous,” Andrew says. “We can get you there with a security detail in less than two days. You’ll be there in time for the meeting.”
Surprisingly, knowing that I am being sent on a desperate mission to save California from the devastation of Omega’s invasion doesn’t frighten me. I am no longer afraid. I am simply angry that Omega has managed to do this much damage, and I am ready to help put a final stop to it.
“You mentioned a security detail,” I say.
“Yes. When Omega finds out that we’re joining the Alliance — if they haven’t found out already — they may attempt to stop the Negotiations,” Robert answers. “And they will do that in any way they can.”
By killing the representative: Me.
“Has anyone here given any thought to the fact that there’s another traitor amongst us?” Manny interjects. “Have you told everyone what you found, Colonel Rivera?
The Colonel takes his cigar out of his mouth.
“Optics. Laser optics on the roof of a building a couple of blocks away from the Capitol,” he replies. “Someone was designating a laser at the dome.”
Ah. Manny was right.
“Are there any clues to the person’s identity?” Andrew asks.
“Nothing. Only whoever did it was most likely a good shot.” Colonel Rivera looks at me again. “You never know who you can trust in days like these.”
Please. I’m not the enemy here, Colonel.
“We’ve had traitors before,” I say, “and we’ll have them until this war is over. We have to move forward and make sure that something like this can never happen again. The first step in that strategy is getting me to Monterey so that I can negotiate with the Alliance.”
There is a pause before Chris replies,
“I agree. Our number one priority is taking care of the survivors from the bombing and getting Senator Hart to Monterey.”
“The Senator will need to leave immediately,” Robert says.
“I’m ready to go,” I answer.
“I volunteer for security detail for Senator Hart,” Andrew volunteers.
“So do I,” Uriah agrees.
“And I’ll fly overhead security,” Manny offers. “I’ll keep you updated while you’re on board the train.”
“Thank you,” I smile.
“I’ll accompany the Senator,” Chris says. “The Naval Academy and I go back a long way. I’ll be able to help.”
Robert replies, “It will be dangerous for both of you to go. You’ll make for a bigger target.”
“It’s a necessary risk,” Chris says. “I know Monterey better than anyone here.”
Robert seems to accept this. “Get the security detail ready,” he answers. “Tell the National Guard to fire up the railroad. We’ve got two days to get to Monterey Bay. And God willing, we will successfully join the Alliance before it’s too late.”
Before Omega destroys us all.
Chapter Four
When I was a child, I rode on a train at a theme park. I don’t remember the name of the park or how old I was. I just remember the train, and I remember sitting in my father’s lap as the wind tossed my hair and billows of smoke from the locomotive filled the sky.
It was magical, riding a train. It’s a memory that is ingrained in my heart. One of the few happy moments in my life before the EMP. Before everything was destroyed.
I’m standing at the window in my hotel room, overlooking the street below. The National Guard is getting the train ready — the train that will take me to Monterey Bay… and to the Alliance’s negotiation table. I’m not sure I’m cut out for this kind of thing. I’m beginning to wish that I hadn’t been nominated as a Senator.
I turn away from the window and sit down at the table. There is an old tourist booklet near the lamp. I flip it open and look through the pictures. Bright, colored photographs of families enjoying “quality time” together as they visit the city. Old Town Sacramento, Capitol Mall, The Stanford Mansion, The Governor’s Mansion… such beautiful places. And, for the time being, we have managed to preserve the city. Unlike Los Angeles, which is an empty husk — the aftereffect of a chemical weapon Omega unleashed on the populace.
I close the book.
There is an abrupt knock on the hotel door. I straighten my spine and stand up, snapping out of my reverie. I open the door. And there is Sophia. She looks uncomfortable. I am surprised — I had no idea that she was working with our militia again. When did this happen?
“Cassidy,” she says. “They’re ready for you.”
I nod slowly.
“Okay,” I reply. I grab my backpack and leave the room. I don’t look back.
Goodbye, Sacramento. Hello, Alliance.
I close the door. Sophia is standing there, tense, and I wonder why they sent her to fetch me. Surely that could have found someone else.
“Cassidy,” she says.
I meet her gaze. The hallway is quiet, empty.
“I…” she begins, then trails off. “Come on.”
“Sophia, we need to talk about this,” I say.
“There’s nothing to talk about.” She pushes the call button for the elevator. “What happened, happened. We can’t change that now.”
“I just want us to be friends again.” I offer a hopeful smile.
The elevator doors slide open, and Sophia steps inside. I do, too. The doors close, and there is a heavy silence between us. She never responds, she just stares at the wall. She moves her lips a couple of times, like she’s thinking about speaking — but she doesn’t. The elevator doors open.