Strange Skies (17 page)

I peeled back the flap and hurried inside. Dad was sitting up on the cot. It was the first time I’d seen him upright. “Dad!” I ran to hug him. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m doing a little better. Must be that medicine that James gave me.” He squeezed my hand. “That’s a good kid, that James.”

I smiled. “Yeah. Most of the time, anyway. We’re going to get you out of here. Markus is going to fly us somewhere safe.”

Dad chuckled. “So, Markus pulled through for us. I wasn’t sure how he would turn out. He always struck me as more opportunist than activist.”

Opportunist
was the perfect word for Markus. “He’s been through a lot and has had some bumps in the road lately,” I said, “but I definitely like him more than I did back on Earth.”

“Good.” Dad patted my arm. “When do we get out of here? Is Kale helping us?” Dad tried to stand up but wobbled on his feet. I put my arm around him to steady him.

“Take it easy, Dad. I don’t trust Kale, and some of the others don’t either. James is leading us now. He should be here any minute and he’ll help get you to the ship once the guns are on board.” I helped him take a step. “Since you’ve been the leader all this time, it would be great if you put your support behind James.”

Dad’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure what’s going on, Tora, but Kale saved my life. We should talk this through with him.”

I sighed. “Dad, he saved you because he wants the formulas. The ones you gave the Consulate. He took your guns from me by force. He’ll do anything to get what he wants. That’s why we have to leave now.”

Dad groaned as he took a tentative step. He was much thinner than he used to be which made it easier to support his weight. “Those guns. My biggest regret is making them. They’ve brought nothing but devastation and death.”

We made it to the tent flap, and I helped him get outside. “I know, Dad. But we’re going to get rid of them before they can cause more damage. Once the guns are gone, it won’t matter if someone can rekey them. C’mon, we gotta keep moving.”

Dad took weak, shuffling steps. I just wanted to get deeper into the trees so we had some more cover. “How strong you are to have survived everything you went through with losing Callie, Mom, your home …” His voice broke.

I shook my head. “No, you’re the strong one to have been held captive for so long. We’ve both made it through and we have all the time in the world to catch up. I’m not going anywhere. But now we have to be quiet.”

Voices drifted through the woods.

“See,” I said. “James and his friends are coming as we speak—”

My heart stopped when I realized the voice didn’t belong to James. It was Kale. And it sounded like he had several of his soldiers with him. Dad would never be able
to outrun them in his condition, and I wasn’t leaving without him.

I pulled Dad into a group of shrubs. A bug buzzed in my ear, and I tried to swat it away with the hand that wasn’t supporting Dad. Sweat dripped into my eyes and my heart hammered in my chest. I reached into my waistband and pulled out my gun.

“Tora, is this necessary?” Dad whispered. “I’m sure Kale will listen to reason.”

I shook my head. Reason wasn’t Kale’s strong suit. Killing was. Britta would attest to that if she could.

“Well, isn’t this fine and dandy?” Kale’s voice echoed loudly through the woods. “Looks like Mr. Reynolds has made a getaway, and he sure as hell didn’t do it on his own. Spread out and find them. Now!” Footsteps pounded past us as Kale’s men fanned out. We were lucky they’d assumed we’d made it farther than twenty feet beyond the hut.

Kale’s voice faded as he moved away through the trees. I waited until there was only silence. Dad and I had to move, but I had no idea which way led to safety, and which would lead us right to Kale and his men.

Dad leaned into me and I realized he’d used up most of his strength already. I wished I had a com device and could call for help.

“Can you go a little farther?” I asked Dad, helping him to his feet.

His face was pale. “I’ll try. I don’t understand. I’ve never heard Kale so angry before.”

“I think anger has consumed him,” I said in a hushed voice. “He’s driven by it. I think he thinks it makes him stronger.”

We moved toward the back of the command center. Maybe Edgar would still be there. Every sound seemed like a potential threat and every time I thought I heard heavy breathing, I realized it was my own.

Dad was getting harder to support, and I didn’t know how long he could keep going. A branch snapped nearby and I tried to lift my gun and keep Dad standing at the same time.

“Oh, thank god!” James grabbed hold of Dad’s other arm.

I sighed in relief. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

James called a cryptic message into his com system. A minute later, Edgar appeared.

“It would have been helpful to have one of those, you know?”

Edgar took over the arm that I’d been holding. James and Edgar wrapped Dad’s arms around their necks and carried him like he was a twig.

“I didn’t think you’d need it,” James said. “Kale wasn’t supposed to be back yet.”

“What did Sonya tell you?” I asked.

“Nothing,” James said. “She didn’t show up.”

“What? Why?” That seemed strange, even for her.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

“But that, combined with Kale showing up early, is awfully coincidental,” Edgar said.

A voice came through the com system and James put it to his ear. “Okay, Kale’s men have been spotted north and west of here. We’ll head to a hut encampment farther east and have Markus land his ship and pick us up there.”

“And the guns?” I asked.

“Not sure yet. Let’s get you guys safe first and then figure that out.”

We passed the back of the bar and command center and continued moving.

I kept my weapon powered up. A part of me wondered if I’d ever be able to live without having to be armed at all times.

“James,” Dad said, breathing heavily, “Tora tells me that you are leading the Resistance now.”

“Well, sir, I’m leading a group of people who want me to lead them. Kale still has his followers though.”

Dad sighed. “Being a leader is a great responsibility. It took over my life and … my relationships suffered greatly for it.”

I remembered all the hours Dad had spent in his study, doing what I thought was Consulate work, while Mom disappeared further and further into herself and her pain meds. But James wasn’t Dad, and I sure as hell wasn’t my mom.

“I know, sir. I just want people to be able to live the life they choose. Not everyone wants Kale’s way. I’m just
trying to help people.”

“That’s how I started out too. I hope you can succeed where I failed. Not sure if I really ended up helping anyone in the end.”

“I’m still alive and kicking,” I said. “So you helped me.”

“And James is a natural leader,” Edgar added. “He doesn’t have the ego that Kale does. He’ll lead us into a new peaceful future.”

That sounded lovely. I just wished it would happen.

We reached a group of huts that looked abandoned. The fire pit was untouched. “Perfect,” Dad said. “I’m spent.”

Edgar and James carried him inside and I followed. The cots looked like they’d never been used. “Whose huts are these?” I asked.

“They were built for some of the guests from other colonies. Some people come to check us out. Some stay, others leave,” Edgar explained.

Dad lay on the cot and settled his head back against the thin bedding. “I’m feeling a little better, but just need to rest a minute.”

“Of course, Dad.” I pulled the cover over his legs, then sat next to him, and looked up at James. “What now?”

“There’s a clearing not far from here. I’ll call Max and go out there to flag him down. He’ll be closer than Markus. It should only take a few minutes. Edgar, can you get back to the command center and contact the others? If Sonya told Kale what she knows about our plans, then he knows about me, but not you. You should be safe if you run into
any of his men.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll wait for your next orders but I’ll get everyone together.” Edgar saluted and headed back out.

James came over and gave Dad another vial of meds. “This should help with the fatigue and keep you going until we’re out of here. Tora, why don’t you come with me to get Max?”

I shook my head. “I’m not leaving Dad. I’ll wait with him. It’ll only be a few minutes, right?”

James sighed. “I thought you’d say that. Ten, fifteen minutes tops. Please stay safe for that long.” He touched my hand and stared into my eyes.

Dad pushed himself up to a sitting position with sudden determination. “James, can I tell you something?” he asked.

James tore his eyes away from mine. His face was serious as he addressed my dad. “Yes, sir.”

Dad looked somehow stronger than he had a minute earlier. His eyes even held a hint of the calm confidence he’d had back on Earth in the bunker. He stared at James. “I want to be crystal clear. There will never, ever be peace as long as my weapons exist. You must find a way to get rid of them once and for all.”

I recognized the conflict that crossed James’ face because I felt it too. Nothing would make me happier than getting rid of those burner guns, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we might need them first.

James and I exchanged glances.

“It’s a slippery slope,” Dad said. “Once you start justifying some actions, it gets easier to justify others. Believe me, I know. One day you wake up and aren’t so sure if maybe you’re not the bad guy after all.”

“You’re right,” James said, nodding. “It’s a line that I plan to stay on the right side of.” James grasped my fingers with his and I watched Dad’s gaze fall to our hands.

“I better get going.” James leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the lips before dashing out of the hut.

“Ah, young love,” Dad said, smiling. “I remember those days. So many things I should have done differently. Don’t make my same mistakes. Love is more important than anything else.”

He started to lie back down but then gripped my wrist. “I wasn’t kidding, you know.”

“About what, Dad?”

“Love. I know it sounds ridiculous to say, with the circumstances being what they are, but it’s true. As long as those guns are around, love will never win.” His grip loosened.

“I know, Dad, I know.” Part of me thought he was right, and part of me thought that he didn’t fully understand the situation. He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the cot. “You know what, I’m feeling better every minute. I’ll help James in any way that I can.”

I laughed. He seemed more and more like the Dad I’d grown up with. “Okay, but let’s just wait a few minutes. You want to get your strength up.”

We sat side by side and listened to the sounds outside as we talked about life in the pod city. A trilling birdcall was interrupted by voices yelling. I jumped up in anticipation. That was even faster than James had thought it would take. He’d only been gone a few minutes.

The voices grew closer and my blood turned to ice when I realized one of them was Kale’s. We’d seriously underestimated his tracking skills. My hand closed on my gun. I had no idea how many there were, and wasn’t sure I could get them all in time.

Dad gestured at the cot. “Get under,” he whispered. “The blankets will hide you. Give me your gun.”

I paused a second and shoved my gun into his hand. “Okay, but don’t trust him. Don’t tell him anything. Keep this under the covers and don’t hesitate to use it if he threatens you.” I scrambled under the bed as Dad lay down and covered himself with the blankets. The edges hung over the side, and I tugged at them until they nearly touched the floor. I backed up until I was against the wall and curled up to make myself as small as possible.

Kale’s voice boomed outside of the hut. “Vlad Tepes! I’m tired of this crap. Wait here and don’t let anyone come close. I won’t be long.”

“Yes, sir,” several voices answered in response.
How many were there?

I heard the flap of the hut move aside. “Howdy, Micah,” said Kale. “How are we feeling? I trust that the meds James gave you must have had some impact since you’ve been
able to move to a more scenic location, and all.” His boots scraped against the floor as he came over to Dad. “I mean, the trees are so much greener over here. I’m sure it was well worth the hike.”

Dad coughed. “Yes, much better. Just tired.”

The cot creaked as Kale sat on the edge of the bed. I could see his shoes through the small sliver of space between the covers and the floor. If I wanted, I could reach out and touch him. My heart hammered in my chest and my throat constricted in fear. Why had I given Dad the gun? I felt naked and completely useless without my weapon. If I had it, I could shoot Kale in the leg right now and finish him before the soldiers made it into the tent. I wasn’t sure what would happen after that, but at least we’d have a chance.

Maybe Kale just wanted information from Dad and then he would leave.

“Excellent,” said Kale. “I’m glad you’re better because I really need some help.”

Dad coughed loudly again. “With what?”

I hoped he wasn’t coughing to cover up any sound I was making. It felt like my heartbeat was so loud that it echoed in the hut.

“We all appreciate your dedication and service to the Resistance. Word has come that the Consulate is planning a devastating attack on us to wipe us out for good. I’m sure you’re aware that your daughter is in the area? Has she been by to visit you yet? You want to keep her safe from
those Consulate burners, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Dad said. “I’ve heard she’s alive, thank goodness, and I hope to see her very soon.” He coughed again. “But I don’t understand how I can help you in a Consulate battle. I’m afraid I’m not in fighting shape at the moment.”

Kale sighed. “Your weapons, Micah. They are the only thing that can possibly defeat the Consulate ships. We have them in our possession, but it seems that no one I trust can fire them. That the trigger keys have some sort of code that is preventing us from using them.”

Dad shifted in the bed. “And how did you come about getting my guns, anyway?”

A moment of silence. Why was he going there? I wanted to tell him to stop talking. He probably didn’t know it, but he was making it worse.