Winter's Legacy: Future Days (Winter's Saga Book 6) (25 page)

52  Choose

Rhett turned to face his Company.  He motioned to Nate and Valen, who had been watching his private exchange with Meg and awaiting orders. 

Valen slipped two fingers into her mouth and let out an ear piercing whistle
, instantly silencing the conversations in the tent.

“Attention!” Nate Townsend barked. 

The soldiers quickly formed parallel lines six feet apart, facing one another and stood at rapt attention.

“At ease,” Rhett
called out.  Every soldier widened his stance and clasped his hands behind his back, respectfully. 

“Company, you’ve heard my report after meeting Meg Winter ninety minutes ago.  You know my position and why I chose the path I did.  Now you’ve heard the Director’s thoughts and expectations concerning what he believes should happen tonight and why.  It’s time for you to decide.  There’s no shame in whatever choice you make.  We all appreciate the gravity of this moment. 
Hooah?”

“
Hooah, sir!” all thirty-four soldiers responded in affirmation. 

“If you’re siding with the Originals, step forward.  If you’re siding with the Director, hold your line.”

Without hesitation, every soldier in 17th Company stepped forward and stood at attention.

Rhett bit back a smile borne from pride.

“As you wish.  I am honored to fight beside every one of you not just as your leader, but as your friend.” He looked at each soldier and felt such a surge of protectiveness and appreciation, he had to blink away the emotions threatening his eyes. 

Clearing his throat, he forced himself back to business.  “As we are all decided, it would be of no benefit to us or our goals to leave a fully functioning base for the other teams to find upon their arrival.  Let’s break camp, load up and relocate.”

“Where are we going, sir?”  Harley Yu pressed.

“As a wise woman once said, ‘a person is defined by what they do, not by what they thought about doing.’”

Meg chuckled in his ear.

“We’re going to the Winter ranch. 
We’ll find room for us and our equipment in their big red barn.”

“We’ll make room.”  Meg’s voice was crisp in his ear—clear enough for Rhett to hear the smile in her voice.

“We move in exactly fifteen minutes.  Double time it.  We’ve got a war to win!”

A chorus of “
hooahs” was the gunshot that started the race to follow orders.  Nate and Valen jumped into the fray organizing the rapid dismantlement.  Rhett set himself on a task he knew would be key to their counterinsurgency.

Fourteen minutes, thirty-seconds later the trucks began to roll away from the former base, leaving only trampled grass in their wake. 

Rhett had put the finishing touches on his tasks before hopping on his motorcycle and cranking the engine to life.  His wheels flung dust into the dark sky as he locked eyes on their destination glowing in the distance.  The convoy moved as fast as the bumpy terrain would allow.  Rhett’s engine roared ahead of the group.  Meg would be waiting for them at the northernmost edge of her family’s expansive land. 

She was going to guide them up to the house through a specific pathway.  She didn’t want to risk any of them setting off one of the four improvised explosive devices. 
IEDs were crudely made but highly effective.  She had strategically planted them around the house. 

He saw her silhouette as he approached, the bright lights of her home outlining her shape.  Rhett pulled up beside her, his bike’s engine purring loudly.

“Hop on,” he motioned to the space behind him, walking a fine line between respect and reverence toward the girl he’d heard about as far back as his memory would allow.

Meg shook her head against a bitter wind as i
t tugged at her long dark curls.  She forced his gaze onto her before adding, “I’m driving.”

She parked her hands on her hips waiting for him to move.  Meg wore black cargo pants and a long
-sleeved black shirt.  At the belt around her slim waist was an impressive arsenal.  Add that to her equally loaded tactical vest adorned with spare mags and the glint of the four semiautomatic handguns hanging from her hips and strapped to her thighs, and she was the most beautifully lethal woman he’d ever seen.  Ever.

Damn, she looks badass!
  Rhett nearly swallowed his tongue at the whole package. 

He dragged his eyes away from her magnetism to look back at his convoy.  Their headlights flashed as the noses of the trucks dipped and rose over the lumpy ground.  They were fast approaching.

“Yes, ma’am,” he conceded and released the handlebars to slide back on the seat.  He easily supported the weight of the bike with his muscular legs.  Meg watched him respectfully move his hands to the curved bar behind his hips for balance rather than reach forward to hold her.  She nodded once appreciating his consideration and gracefully straddled the rumbling machine.  The handlebars were still warm from his hands. 

“Tell them to follow my lead exactly or someone could get
killed.  I planted pressure sensitive landmines around the house.” Meg looked over her shoulder at 17th Company’s leader. 

“Copy that,” he acknowledged.  Touching his earpiece
, he relayed the orders to the soldiers driving the truck. 

“Okay, they’ll stay right on our six.  Lead the way.”  He had to lean in to be sure Meg heard him and felt her
muscular back and shoulders brush against his chest.  Again he had to control his reflex response toward her. 

Meg wanted to ignore Rhett’s infatuation, and hoped it wouldn’t get in the way of their objective. 
Keep a clear head,
she pushed her thoughts toward him gently. 

Meg rolled the bike slowly at first, allowing the trucks to catch up.  Once they were on her tail, she picked up the pace and led the way until they reached the front of the barn. 

From her pocket Meg produced a remote, clicked it and waited for the barn’s doors to slide on their tracks until they opened wide enough to fit the vehicles.  The convoy pulled in with plenty of room to spare.

Meg eased off the bike and stepped forward to help park the three trucks inside.  Soldiers spilled
from the back of the third truck and formed a loose circle around Rhett.  Nate and Valen materialized beside their leader as he raised his hands.  Excited murmurs hushed immediately and the curious stares at Meg ceased as all eyes shifted to watch Rhett.

53
Introductions

“Seventeenth Company, it is my privilege to introduce to you the leader of The Original Three—Miss Meg Winter.” Anxious eyes turned to stare openly at the beautiful girl dressed for war standing beside him. Later there would be whispered conversations trying to determine the strange sense of calm and confidence that seemed to pass over and become a part of each soldier in that moment.  For now, Meg had a captivated audience.

“Please call me Meg,” she began, offering a genuine smile first to Rhett, then to his seconds who flanked him protectively and finally to the rest of the group.

“I cannot express to you how grateful I am to have you join my family and me in this, our eleventh hour.  Now, you’ve already been made aware of my mental gifts, so when I say to you I know your heart, it’s not just an expression.  I truly know.” The space was absolutely still, each soldier absorbing the current of calming emotions Meg continued to spill over them. 

“So that you’re aware, five of the fighters in my family will be joining us in two hours—arriving by parachute.  My mother Dr. Margo Winter and brothers, Alik and Evan you will meet.  You already know—or know of—Creed Young and Farrow
Schone.  Please watch for them.” 

A low murmur began at the mention of the two former assassins.  Meg took a deep breath before continuing.

“I understand your passion to live honorably—to align yourself with valiant plights.  You feel compelled to defend the weak and right the wrongs done against them.  I appreciate how strong your moral character must be for you to have learned compassion and righteousness on your own—against the teachings of Kenneth Williams.  You have chosen to treat life—all life—with dignity and respect.  That core sense of morality unifies us in our purpose.”  Meg paused, allowing her words to sink in.

“The Winters live by a strict code of ethics.  We believe in honor, respect, loyalty, family and above all faith.  After tonight, if you feel the depth of that commitment yourself, you will be welcomed into my family’s fold just as others who have come before you.”

“Tonight, however, we have a monumentally grave task before us.”  One by one, Meg locked eyes with the soldiers as she spoke.  “Tonight we end Kenneth Williams and Donovan Arkdone.  Tonight we cut off the heads of the snakes and watch them blister and burn!  Tonight we will light the sky and stamp out their darkness once and for all!” 

The room exploded in boisterous calls, whistles and applause.   Meg could feel the temperature of the room and knew she was surrounded by kindred spirits.

A quick glance at Rhett cheering with his soldiers brought a smile to her face.

Some more kindred than others.

She felt pride roar through Rhett’s signature as he watched his Company embrace this new path. 

Discreetly, she leaned in to speak to Rhett’s ear so he could hear her over the excitement.  “Michelle Andrews and the rest of the metamonarchs are nearly done transitioning from their plane to trucks.  Drive time to your previous base gives us approximately forty minutes.”

His eyes widened.  “Say again?  Four-zero minutes? Are you sure?”

Meg nodded her head solemnly. 

Rhett raised his hands into the air, signaling silence.  The room, ever watchful of their leader, obeyed immediately.

“Miss Winter just alerted me to new intel.  We have less than forty minutes until Arkdone’s metamonarchs arrive at our previous post looking for us.  Everyone set your watches on countdown for thirty-seven minutes on my mark.”

The room simultaneously yanked back their sleeves to look down at their watches. 

“Ready, set, mark,” he called. 

He looked up and across the room.  “Now, we’ve got work to do.  Meg, walk us through what you’ve already done to fortify our position.”

“Has anyone got a piece of chalk?” Meg asked the room.  She was eyeing the broadside of the nearest truck.  “I’ll draw it for you.”

A handful of white chalk was passed hand to hand until it made its way to Meg.  “Here, we usually keep some on hand in case we need to mark supply boxes.” 

“Of course,” she smiled as her steady hand quickly sketched the layout of her family’s ranch, “but Cole Andrews would probably make some wisecrack about y’all playing hop-scotch,” she chuckled to herself. 

“Cole Andrews—he’s meta isn’t he?”

“Yeah, you’ll meet him later.”

Rhett was mesmerized by how quickly she worked.   Inside of a minute she had the map clearly drawn including ordinal directions and major landmarks.  She stepped back so they could all see.

“Listen up,” she barked and the room silenced.  “This is due north.  You see the front of the ranch faces south,” she began.

“You’re here, in the barn,” she pointed to the first large rectangle.  “And this is the house—kitchen, great room, bedrooms.  To the far east is a fireproof building with its own generator, waterlines and shatterproof glass.”

“Is that a panic room?”

“Winters don’t panic,” Meg lifted her head proudly.  “We prepare.” 

Those soldiers in the front had dropped to one knee so those behind them could better see.  From there, the first “Hooah” started.

Meg raised her hand redirecting the attention of the antsy soldiers.  “That is a fully functioning medical lab, but for our purposes today, it can be our
safehouse in the event we need to fall back and/or take care of injured.”

She didn’t wait for a reaction, but pressed on explaining the locations and nature of the four
IEDs before she took a deep breath and dropped the bombshell.

“...and that will be your objective: protect the house from siege—my family will need a safe place to regroup once they’ve joined us.”

“Excuse me, Miss Winter, but you keep using phrases like, ‘your objective.’  Where do you plan to be during the attack?”  Valen asked, skepticism clear in her eyes.

54
  And That’s What You Get for Bringing a Psychic to a Knife Fight

Meg took a deep breath and pressed on, “I will be out there,” she waved indiscriminately, “attacking them using guerilla tactics.”

“By yourself?” Nate blurt
ed out.

“I can handle myself.” The incredulous looks cast by the metahumans fed two things in Meg: 1) her need to prove her trustworthiness and 2) her sensitive ego.  She stifled her need
to boost her ego but knew she had to assuage their fears.

“
This is my home.  I know the terrain.  I’m an avid runner and have mentally mapped the ranch’s twenty acres.  Where we’re standing is smack-dab in the middle of our land.  This is my home-turf, ladies and gentlemen.  Every crevice, every overgrown, rocky hill—the thick cluster of woods, wild brush, cactus patches, creeks—I could tell you where every anthill is if you wanted to know.   I have a pretty good idea where they will make camp and the path they will take to engage.  We’re at the advantage in so many ways.  I have already hidden your blocks of C4 in key locations and will detonate at the most advantageous moments.  Also, I will use my mind manipulation gifts to pick apart the enemy—igniting sloppy acts of revenge and an overall sense of demoralization.”

“That’s not good enough.  We’re risking our lives acting as immobile targets trapped in this place.  I need to know you can do what you claim before I trust you,” Valen rested her hands on her muscular hips.  Her body language as much as her words openly challenging Meg.

Meg simply nodded and began disarming herself.  Off went the weapons vest, belt and thigh holsters.  “We don’t have time for mistrust between us, Valen.  Let’s get this over with.”  Meg stood arms hanging freely at her empty sides. 

“Fine,” Valen locked her jaw and started to remove her weapons. 

“That’s not necessary.  Stay fully armed, just for the sake of time.  Let’s have it, Valen.  Attack me.”

The other metahumans instinctively backed away as far as the walls of the barn would allow.  Others scurried up to the loft for an aerial view. 

Soldier’s code dictated Valen seek her Company Leader’s approval before accepting an unauthorized match.  Rhett looked between Meg’s locked jaw and Valen’s. 

“Make it fast, and try not to kill each other,” he grumbled and crossed his thick arms over his chest.

Valen leveled her gaze at Meg as she raised her fists and began circling. 

Meg stood still. 

Just as Valen moved beyond Meg’s peripherals, she shot forward and hissed into Meg’s ear.  “You’d better take me seriously, Original.”

“Of course I do, Valen.”

“Then why aren’t you engaging?”

“I don’t have to touch you to engage.”

“Humor me,” Valen challenged.  She crossed her arms to reach for the six-inch blades she had harnessed there.  The gasps of surprise from the company echoed off the concrete floor as they waited to see what she would do.

Valen crouched, her eyes ever watchful of Meg, and laid one of the blades down in front of Meg’s boot before stepping back. 

“As you wish,” Meg nodded toward the blades acknowledging them.  With a swift kick of her boot the blade flew into Meg’s outstretched hand.  In the same motion, Meg flung it straight up embedding it harmlessly into the rafters.

Valen only had time to register Meg’s movement and a flash of the blade.  Assuming Meg was attacking first, Valen spun into the air and landed in a crouched position before leaping forward and slicing the air where Meg’s face had just been.  Meg flung herself backward and used her momentum to backflip out of reach.  Valen’s blade didn’t hesitate.  She stabbed toward Meg’s torso, only to find Meg had pivoted aside. 

Droplets of perspiration blossomed on her forehead, but Valen was undeterred.  She tightened her grip on the handle of the blade and exploded into a barrage of rapid lunges, jabs, swipes, slices and thrusts that only ever diced the shadowed air around Meg’s graceful, evasive movements.  If the others hadn’t known this sparing match was unrehearsed, they would have sworn the females had choreographed the fight.  It looked more like a dance than a battle.

Valen leaped back, her dry blade still clutched in her now sweaty hand.  She was panting as she frowned in disbelief at Meg. 

Meg straightened calmly.  Her breathing was slow and steady.

“Are you satisfied, Valen?” Rhett’s commanding voice broke the awestruck silence in the barn.

Ignoring him, Valen spoke directly to Meg.  “Am I supposed to believe your little display of evasive maneuvers is what will help win us this war?  I gave you a blade.  Are you a pacifist?  Attack me as you say you will the enemy!” 

“If I could live my life as a pacifist, I would gladly.  I fight only because I am protecting those I love.”  Meg reached her hand up.  From overhead everyone heard a sharp snap followed by a whooshing sound.  Meg paused to allow the room to see what she’d done. 

Between her fingers, Meg held the missing blade.  With a flip of her wrist she flung the blade directly toward Valen’s chest, but willed it to stop two feet from its mark.   Valen had instinctively thrown her hands up to protect herself.  As the seconds passed and she felt no impact, she peered between her arms to see what had everyone staring. 

The blade hung obediently in the air. 

Meg flicked her fingers and the metal clanked safely to the concrete floor.

“I have been blessed, or cursed depending on how you think about it, with three abilities.  First, I am an empath—able to read your emotions and
thoughts, even at a distance.” Meg explained.  “Also, I’m telekinetic—limited to smaller objects and only a short distance, but still able to move objects with my mind.  And finally as an extension of my empath skills, I can also project emotions.  Put simply, I can compel people to do what I want them to do.” 

Rhett watched as Meg glanced at the blade in Valen’s hand and raised one brow ever so slightly.

Everyone’s attention shifted to Valen—her eyes widening in terror—as she watched her own arm raise.  Helpless to stop what was happening, Valen saw her hand position the deadly blade near her own throat. 

Meg paused the scene to allow her words time to sink in.  “However, I am not invincible.  My gifts come at a price. 
It takes a lot of energy and concentration to compel one or more people.  Also the stronger the subject’s mind, the more taxing they are to manipulate.

“So you see, Miss Springer, you can trust that I will use my gifts as efficiently as possible against our enemies.  I have to.  I have a family to protect.  Doubt what you will of me, but never doubt my devotion to them.” 

Meg turned slowly in the center of the space to address the room.  Her dark eyes glistened with internal firelight.  “Tonight, in our joint endeavor, my protection extends to each of you.” Meg’s gaze settled on Valen who stood stone-like, still holding the blade to her throat. 

“Valen, you may sheath your blades.” Meg nodded respectfully toward the soldier.  Valen’s arm dropped of its own volition.  Gingerly, Valen rolled her stiff shoulders freely. 

“I hope you’ll forgive me.  I do not wish to use my gifts against you, ever again.” 

Meg stepped forward and offered Valen her hand.  Everybody held their breath waiting to see what the Second in Command would do.

Valen considered her options for only a half second before sheathing her blades.  She moved to stand at attention; her form held perfectly.  Her right hand shot up to her forehead as she performed a salute of respect to Meg.

Understanding the gravity of the honor Valen just afforded her, Meg mimicked her movements and returned the salute.  Meg’s smile was genuine as she resumed her casual stance, offering her hand once more.  Valen took it without hesitation. 

“I would be honored to offer my services as your Second tonight, Miss Winter—that is, if my Commander approves,” Valen looked to Rhett.

Rhett blinked in surprise.  He was still in awe over the salute.  In all their years working and training together, he had never seen Valen
choose
to salute anyone but himself.  Ever.  “I approve, of course.  If that’s what Miss Winter wants.”  He looked from Valen to Meg and back again.

“Meg.  Please call me Meg,” she reminded before tipping her head to the side, considering Valen’s offer.  “Yes, I’ll take you up on your offer, Valen.”

A smile twitched at the corners of Valen’s mouth, but she couldn’t hide her exhilaration from the empath.  Meg knew she was jumping up and down inside at the prospect of fighting at her side.  “They won’t know what hit ‘em!”

Rhett chuckled, “Well, all I’ve got to say is I’m damn glad we’re all on the same team.”

“Hooah!” the soldiers whooped.

Meg hurried to rearm herself with her vest and weapons. 

Rhett raised his hand to silence the Company.  “Show’s over.  Get to work!  Time is ticking and we have some metamonarch ass to kick!”

Valen walked one step behind Meg, matching her stride.  She paused to grab silencers for h
er guns and clipped several grenades to her belt for good measure. 

“Rhett,” Meg reached into her pocket and tossed him the remote for the barn doors.  Keep it on channel 3,” Meg tapped her earpiece as she called over the noise of three dozen soldiers urgently mobilizing equipment and weapons.  “Oh, and I left the front door unlocked for you guys.”

Rhett nodded once in acknowledgement before adding, “You two leave some bad guys for us.  Copy?” Meg knew he was hiding his worry behind a composed facade.  She sent him a targeted wave of calm and confidence.  His shoulders instantly pulled back further, pushing his chest forward and his chin up.

“Not
makin’ any promises, sir,” Valen grinned.

“
Yo, Meg! Valen!” Nate called as he ran up to them, his arms holding two small packages.  “Water and MREs—just in case.” 

“Thanks
Mom
,” Valen teased as she took her package and slipped it into the camo backpack she was about to sling over her shoulders.   Meg did the same with the satchel at her hip. 

“I imagine we’ll be thanking you even more in a
couple hours when we’re parched and ravenous.”  Meg offered a genuine smile.  Nate couldn’t help but stare at her.  Something about Meg drew people to her, and Nate wasn’t immune.

Valen turned to lock eyes with Meg, awaiting orders.

“Let’s roll,” Meg turned and walked through the narrow opening Rhett had created with the remote.

By the time the two women disappeared into the shadows on the other side of the doors, Rhett had moved to stand beside Nate. 

“Will we see them alive again, sir?” Nate asked in a low whisper so as not to be heard by the others.

“Are you asking if I think
they
will die? Or
we
will?  Or neither, or both?  I don’t know Townsend.  What I
do
know is we’re finally fighting on the right side,” Rhett thumped his friend on the back heartily, “and we’re in for one hell of a night.”  

“Copy that, sir.”