Spurious pulled himself from the sight of the extraordinary machinery and continued down an alleyway, combing the darkness for any sign of Lana. He peeked inside pubs, and eateries, but to no avail. For hours he followed the glow from the street lights before they flickered and turned off, indicating morning was rapidly approaching. His heart sank as he headed back to Lunia.
She must have been caught. There wasn’t any other explanation. Spurious wasn’t sure which was worse; Lana changing her mind about him or the Justice Knights arresting him and taking him to prison. Either way, his life would be over, but at least he would have something to live for if the situation was the latter of the two. Deep down, somewhere beneath the misery boiling inside his guts, he knew he would see Lana again. He had to believe it, and repeated it over and over in his mind as he made his way back to Lunia.
His eyes finally spotted the copper roofs of the Commons building, and he slipped into his building without being noticed.
The sound of Anya’s familiar voice greeted him as he entered his apartment. “Did you complete your project sir? Would you like me to prepare the rain room?”
Spurious was too fatigued to decipher her words. Was she toying with him? Did she know? There was no way to tell. She didn’t have human emotions—she didn’t frown, sigh or sweat. Her tone never deviated.
Spurious took in a deep breath and trudged through his apartment, leaving his muddy shoes on the rug before flopping down on his mattress. “Yes, the project is now complete. Don’t bother. I think I’d rather go straight to bed.”
But sleep didn't come. Spurious couldn't stop thinking of Lana, and his eyes wouldn't obey. Every time he closed them images of her emerged. The terror deep in his gut began to increase as the horrid images continued. He had lost her, just like he lost his parents.
Chapter 10: The Silo
“Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free.”
Time: 6:00 a.m. February 21, 2071.
Location: Junkyard. Rohania, Tisaia
Lightning tore through a thick layer of smog lingering above Rohania. A series of thunder claps shook the roof of Squad 19’s shelter. They watched as the brilliant flashes of electricity ripped through the clouds, a mirage of colors flowing like waves across the poisoned skyline.
Obi should have remained inside with his men but he wanted to watch the lighting in solitude while he contemplated their next move. He wasn’t sure if anyone else had survived the attack. And there was no way to know if any survivors would actually head to the pre-arranged rendezvous point, assuming the CRK didn’t already know about it.
Another flash of electricity slashed across the sky, the yellow glow so intense it remained frozen in Obi’s vision for several moments. The glare slowly faded and disappeared as he walked back inside.
The soldiers sat huddled around a small fire, warming their hands in silence. Obi was worried. And he didn’t like to worry, but he had never seen his squad so distraught. He knew how important morale was in a military unit, especially after a battle.
“Listen up,” Obi said, limping over to them. “I’m going to leave this one up to you. We got out safe, and we’re all together now. I figure we have three options ahead of us.”
The soldiers stared up at their commander, ready to fulfill any request he would ask of them.
“Option one is head to the rendezvous position now. I’m sure you’re all aware this could be a trap and the CRK could be waiting for us.”
Ajax’s lips quivered as if he wanted to respond, but he remained silent.
“Option two is head to Rohania and find a safe house, recruit some new TDU members, and meet up at the rendezvous point. If the Knights are waiting for us, we would have a fighting chance with more men. And that brings me to option three.” Obi paused again. “You have all fought valiantly with me for years now. And I won’t be ashamed or judge any of you if you want out. This is your pass out of the TDU. If you want to disappear into Rohania, you won’t be considered a deserter.”
None of his men said a word until he had finished. Creo was the first to rise, resting his rifle against a chair.
“There’s really just one option. I joined the TDU because I believed we could restore equality in Tisaia. I believed immigrants have a right to the same benefits as those born within the Tisaian walls. Even more importantly, I joined the TDU because I believe Biomass is a human right and should be shared with other countries. I don’t want to give up now. I’m still willing to give my life for this cause.” Creo sat back down, tears swelling in his eyes.
“We lost so many brothers and sisters, and killed so many innocents over the years, but we must continue to fight. We must head to the checkpoint and pray there are others waiting for us. If they are not, and instead the CRK is waiting with their guns, then at least we’ll all die honorable deaths,” he said, grabbing his rifle and raising it into the air.
Ajax put an arm around Creo’s shoulder. “He is right; we don’t have any other choice. Life in Rohania is a worst fate to me than dying in battle. I’d rather take my chances at the rendezvous point than give up now.”
“And you Nathar, what do you think?” Obi asked.
“You know I’m in this to the end, brother,” he said, laughing.
Obi smiled. “Then I believe we have some work to do.” He coughed and sat down on an old folding chair.
“Here is what I have in mind. I have a contact in Rohania. He knows TDU sympathizers in Lunia, many of which work for the State. Ajax and I will meet with him and see if he can put us in contact with someone who has access to the tunnels leading to the CRK headquarters. This was always my plan, but Commander Heri never bought it. He said it was too risky. Maybe he was right, but we don’t have any other choice now.”
“What about us?” Nathar asked.
“I want you and Creo to travel to the Boondocks and recruit several more TDU members. We’ll meet back here in 48 hours before heading to the rendezvous point. Any questions?”
The three soldiers shook their heads simultaneously.
“Let’s move out. Be careful, men,” Obi said, grabbing his rifle and following Ajax out into the muddy junkyard. He froze as a crack of lightning broke through the silence of the night like a gunshot, and he was reminded of the fragility of their cause. Squad 19 fighting against an entire army wasn’t the type of odds Obi would ever gamble on, but his squad hadn’t survived this long just by getting lucky.
Obi jogged to catch up to Ajax, cracking a smirk. If anyone could take down the CRK, it was Squad 19.
Time: 11:00 p.m. February 21, 2071.
Location: TDU Headquarters Pantry, Tunnels. Tisaia
The view from the hideaway was much clearer than days before, when a smoky haze still lingered in the ruined headquarters. Ran crouched in the corner of the small room, his eyes glued to the small hole he had used to watch the slaughter. The Knights appeared to be gone, but the destruction and stench of death remained.