Strange Skies (19 page)

I looked up at James. “Hey, you’re wet too.”

He shrugged. “No big deal. I’ll be fine.”

Grief got the better of me, and I put my arms around his neck. “Thank you. I’m not used to people taking care of me.”

James kissed my forehead. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I hope you’ll let me help out once in a while.”

Max coughed. “Is it okay if I turn around now?”

“Oh, sorry, yes,” I said. “Thanks for helping with all this.”

He looked up at the darkening sky. “I’m happy to help, but we need to figure out where to go from here.”

“Where will be safe from Kale?” I asked. “Do we sleep in the woods?”

“We need to find his ship before he takes off with the guns,” said James.

I thought a minute. “Kale has a thing for flying at night. He thinks he’s clever that way. I bet he’ll leave and come back just before the light break. He doesn’t want to get killed before he can regroup and figure out a new plan, and he can’t do anything without someone to fire those guns.”

James studied me. “Then we get everyone in our ships,
get some rest, and wait to see where Kale lands when he returns.”

Max looked back and forth between us. “I hate to play devil’s advocate, but how important are the guns? If we took off now, we could relocate everyone without worrying about Kale.”

“The Consulate has people who can rekey them. And it’s not like there are tons of other colonies where we can hide. Kale, or the Consulate, or someone else will figure out how to use the guns. With the weapons out there, no one will ever be able to live in peace. I have to finally get rid of them.”

James raised an eyebrow.

“We, I mean.”

Max sighed. “I guess you’re right. Sometimes, I just wish the easy way out was the right way. Why doesn’t it ever work that way?”

James pulled out his com and called Markus to find out his location. Unfortunately, Markus hadn’t seen any sign of the weapons. James told him to move to an area near Max’s ship, while Max called the others on his com. We’d meet up with them and split into two groups. We’d take shifts to search the skies for signs of Kale.

James, Max, and I trekked back through the woods. Exhaustion racked my body and I hoped the meeting place wasn’t far away. Sad as it was, I actually missed living in the bunker at the moment. I could take a nap anytime I wanted, and since I’d been alone for years on end, it was
a frequent occurrence. I’d even choose a nap over more beach time alone with James at the moment, which proved my insane sleep deprivation.

I took James’ hand when he offered it and kept my gun in my free hand. At least I’d be prepared if we came across a meat monster. We walked in silence following Max.

After what must have been close to a mile, Max turned and whispered, “I think we’re about there.” He spoke into his com device.

The sound of another com device came from nearby. “We’re here.” Edgar’s large form stepped out from behind a tree and motioned the others to follow him. It was difficult to make out who was who in the darkness. Thick clouds covered both moons and most of the stars. I spotted Reed’s light hair in the group.

She ran up and hugged me. “I heard what happened to your dad. I’m so, so sorry.”

I’d never been hugged so much in my life but I was getting more used to it. “Thanks.”

“We’re here too, sweetcakes. You okay?” I looked to my left, and Markus and Alec appeared at my side.

I threw my arms around Markus in a bear hug. “Markus, it’s so good to see you.” I was surprised that I meant it, and more surprised that I was turning into the hugger. Maybe it was contagious.

Alec touched my arm and gave me a gentle squeeze.

“What’s the plan?” Edgar asked.

James gave him a brief rundown. “Any questions?”

“No, sir,” said Edgar. “We should split into two groups.”

Reed linked her arm through mine. “I’m going with Tora.” She was so sweet—she couldn’t have been more the opposite of Sonya if she’d tried.

“Fine,” said Edgar. “Tora, Reed, Alec, Markus, Web, and Trent stay with James. I’ll take Connor, Max, Becca, Tyler, Ian, and Bez.”

I wished I could see everyone in the dark. Some names were familiar, like Trent and Ian who had guarded the bar, and Web, the husky guy I’d met earlier with Reed, but others weren’t. Our group would be on Markus’ ship and the rest would stay on Max’s.

“I’ll take first shift out here for us.” Edgar called to our group. “Web, how ’bout you take first shift for you guys?”

“Yep,” said Web. “Sure thing.”

“I’m happy to go with Reed’s group too,” a voice called from the dark.

“Thanks, Connor,” said Edgar. “But I think we’ve got it worked out.” Connor had been the one who’d questioned Edgar at the meeting. Strange that he’d care about being in my group.

“Let’s go,” said Reed, pulling on my arm. “I’m famished and tired, in that order.”

I’d never been so happy to see Markus’ ship, though it was hardly visible, not just because of the darkness, but because he’d made a great cover of leaves and branches to keep it hidden from the air. He had his flaws, but Markus was smart when it counted. I barely made it on board
before Lucy ran up and slobbered all over me. She went down the line and made sure she greeted everyone in an equally messy way. I hoped everyone was fine with dog saliva. Alec and Markus had taken down a meat monster while they were waiting for us, and they all dug in. I could hardly choke down a bite.

Alec handed me some water. “At least drink this.”

“Thanks.” With the ocean of tears I’d cried, I’m sure I was dehydrated.

Web stood guard outside, while those inside ate and shared stories about the Resistance and how it had changed since they’d arrived on Caelia.

“I swear Kale used to be a live-and-let-live kind of guy,” Trent said. “It wasn’t until we got to Caelia that he started sounding a little
loco
.”

Kale had been
loco
well before coming to Caelia, but I kept my mouth shut and sipped my water. He probably hoped that one day
his
name would be used as a swear word. The scent of the meat was became too tempting and I asked for some. Reed passed it to me, and I picked a piece off a bone and popped it into my mouth. “Do we know exactly what we’re up against with Kale? Like how many men he has behind him?” I asked.

“Hard to say for sure,” said Trent. “He has at least four hard-core soldiers, along with one guy who pilots for him. They’re the same crew that busted out your dad.” He frowned. “It’s hard to tell how many more supporters he has here in Callie City though.”

Reed couldn’t stop petting Lucy and gushing over how cute she was, which didn’t seem to bother Lucy in the least. Alec beamed like a proud papa.

“I just love this dog,” she said. “Hope you don’t mind, but while you were undercover at the Consulate, I used to sneak her food when James tied her up outside the bar.”

Alec laughed. “I’m just glad she was so well taken care of by everyone.”

After scarfing down all her scraps, Lucy laid her head in Reed’s lap. Reed sat with her back against the ship wall, her head tipped back and eyes heavy. Alec scooted closer so she could lean against him.

Poor Markus
, I thought. I didn’t know if he’d realized Becca was on the other ship.

After a while, James ordered a shift change, and Trent went out to relieve Web. My head was barely staying upright and a deep heaviness weighed on my bones. Even Markus looked tired. “Anyone else feeling the need for some shut-eye?” he asked.

“Great idea,” James said. “Everyone should get some rest until we switch out again.” He looked at me pointedly. “Especially you.”

Markus stretched and lay on the floor using his arm as a pillow. “Tora, you can take the sleep chamber in my room. I’ll be fine out here.”

I was too tired to protest.

James helped me up and we walked to Markus’ room. I yawned. “What about you?” I asked. “You need rest too.”

James pulled back the cover so I could climb in. “Not in the cards for me right now. I’ll check on you in a bit.” He leaned over and pulled the cover up to my chin. “Get some sleep,” he said and kissed me lightly.

I fought, but my limbs felt like leaden weights.

My eyes closed and my mind drifted.

Dad was walking toward me with a stack of burning notebooks
.

Crashing and shouts woke me and, in my sleep-induced haze, I momentarily forgot where I was. The room was dark, and I felt for the light panel with one hand while reaching for my gun with the other. The lights buzzed on.

The door opened, and James pushed Reed and Lucy inside. “You stay here until I get back. Don’t open the door for anyone.” He turned the light panel back off and secured the door before I could even ask what was happening.

“What’s going on?” I asked Reed.

“We don’t know. There were laser blasts outside the ship.”

Kale attacking at night seemed unlikely, but he wasn’t the most predictable guy in the world.

I turned to Reed. “Do you have a gun?” I whispered.

“Of course,” she said. “I might not love guns, but they’re part of the job description here.

I hit the light panel again. “Then why the hell are we in here?”

Reed’s face was pale. “I’m not gonna lie. I’m scared to
death. But even I’ll admit that staying here is a waste of two guns.” She powered up her weapon. “If you’re in, I’m in.”

I powered up my own gun as we opened the door. Lucy tried to follow us, but I stopped her. “Sorry, girl. Stay here and we’ll be back.”

We walked to the main area of the ship where everyone had been eating not long before. It was deserted. They must all be outside. I pushed the hatch door open and booked it to the nearest tree. Reed followed close behind. We could hardly see anything under the heavy cloud cover. That is, until a laser blast flashed through the trees just up ahead by Max’s ship.

“We need to get closer,” I whispered to Reed. I took a breath and raced from one tree to another until we were near where I’d seen the blast. My heart thudded in my chest.
Where was everyone?
Someone ran up behind me and I stifled a scream.

“Do you listen to anything I say?” James asked in a low voice.

“Only when it’s not sexist. Are you kidding me with the whole ‘saving the women and dog’ thing?”

“That’s not what I was doing,” James said. “With everything you just went through with your dad, I didn’t think you needed more trauma.”

“My whole life has been a trauma. It’s unavoidable. Now let’s go.”

Max’s voice crackled through James’ com device,
though he was barely audible. “Over here, behind my ship.” Max mumbled another word that I didn’t catch.

“Say that again,” James said, holding the com up to his ear so he could hear better.

He waved his arm and several figures joined us. “Two by two, get behind the ship. Go.” He grabbed my sleeve. “You’re sticking with me.”

Markus, Trent, and Web went first, followed by James and me. Alec and Reed brought up the rear. A laser blast shot past my head, and I dove and rolled behind a tree.

“Who is it?” I asked when James rushed to my side. “Is it Kale? What did Max say?”

“Kale’s probably behind this, but I don’t think that’s who’s shooting at us. We have to get to Max fast. I think he’s hurt.”

Max had gone out of his way to help us and I wanted to return the favor. “Why do you think that? What did Max say?” Another round of lasers flashed through the night.

“Just one word,” said James. “Mutiny.”

Chapter
SEVENTEEN

A
DRENALINE PUMPED THROUGH ME AS WE RACED TOWARD
Max’s ship. He hadn’t had time to camouflage it, so at least it was visible in the dark—the hull gleamed. We were close to the ship when another laser flashed nearby. Alec yelled and stumbled. James fired in the direction of the last blast and a male voice screamed in agony.

“You okay, Alec?” James called.

“
Sí
. I’ve been better, but I should make it,” he said. “Don’t think I can walk, though.”

Reed bent over him. “Keep going,” she said. “I’ll watch over Alec.”

“I’ll help her drag him behind a tree,” Web said. “I’ll be right back.”

The rest of us sprinted the last hundred yards and rounded the back of Max’s ship. He sat on the ground, half-leaning against the hull. James shrugged off his pack as he
leaned down to get a better look. I got to my knees and held Max’s hand. His eyes were half-closed and blood ran down his neck toward the ground.

Markus let out a low whistle. “Oh wow, that doesn’t look good.”

“Talk to me, Max,” James said and grabbed a vial from the bag. “Markus, turn the light on your com and hold it over us so I can see.”

Trent stood guard while James worked on Max. His voice came out garbled and weak. The only word I understood was “pain.”

“I’m going to give you something for the pain and to help stem the bleeding,” James said. He administered the first vial around the gaping wound on Max’s neck. It looked like the blue withdrawal med vial, but was red. I remembered the pain tabs we’d had in our medical kit in the bunker. Max must have needed something stronger that would give more immediate relief. The e-stitching tool I’d seen James use before was on top of the pack.

“Can’t you just use that thing the way you did on Kale’s leg?” I asked.

James shook his head but didn’t say anything. He dug into his bag and pulled out a different colored vial along with a small device that had a wide, flat disk on top. “Hang in there,” he said as he powered up the device and pressed the disk directly against the gash. “This will feel really hot, but will cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding.”

Max whimpered despite the pain medication. I
squeezed his hand. “It’s okay. We’re right here with you. You’re going to be fine.”

James administered the second vial near the major artery on the uninjured side of Max’s neck. “This helps your blood cells to replenish faster. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

Web ran back. “Alec is stable, but he could use some of your medical mojo when you’re finished here.” He finally took a good look at Max. “Oh god, Max, you look like crap. We need you, man, so do whatever the doc here says.”