Chapter 16

  “What should we wear?” Maria asks, pursing her lips to the side.

  “We don't really have any clothes that aren't threadbare, just wear what we have.”

  We're both nervous about this meeting; Maria was even sick earlier. My stomach seems fine, it's still off, I think it's more in my head than something physical. She's trying to comb her very long hair with her fingers looking frustrated.

  “We need to go. You look great, maybe they'll have a brush for us.” I say.

  “And a razor, you've been growing that beard for 2 years, I forgot what your face looks like.”

  “Lets head out, ready?” I say.

  “Crap.” One of the top buttons on her shirt pops off. We look around, I find half of it, she finds the other half.

  “Here, give me the thread and needle, we don't have time to mess about.” I say as I quickly start to sew the her top shut.

  “Am I crazy or...” I say while struggling to keep her top together so I can sew it.

  “What?” She says in a curt tone.

  “Nothing.” Doesn't seem the time.

  We rush out to the meet point, arriving early. Stepping into the shop in the real world it looks like they have boarded up the storefront windows and swept it; likely the automated repair bots. There is only two exits in this location. The main goal is going to be freed, the goal I hope to settle on is to not be exiles, to work with Agents and not have to worry about command shooting them.

  We here the door open, I find Maria and I are holding hands, it just kind of happened , like and instinct. Some familiar faces enter the room; Frankie, Dan, Jodi, Underwood and another Royal soldier that looks like he's an officer and two Privates, who I don't recognize. Underwood is in handcuffs. Dan and Jodi are carrying some equipment, they start setting it up.

  “Right, I know much of you, but you likely never met me; I'm Brigadier-General Owen Campbell of the Royal Resistance armed forces. Once the equipment is set up we'll proceed; Father, who I believe you met before this was all arranged,” He waves his hand around with disdain “,will be joining us via video link from Liverpool England.”

  “Underwood is in handcuffs?” I say.

  “They fit him well.” Maria says.

  “We will get to that. So, we all know you, let me introduce everyone else; the recently demoted Major Ken McLaughlin who is in charge of the Royal forces on the island here, the recently promoted Colonel Jodi Forrester, someone who you're familiar with and will be communicating with much more going forward, she's now the highest ranking officer on the island, Underwood, whatever bull shit title he told you is not part of the forces, nor has any authority. The political climate has changed over the last couple of years back home; the Royals direct influence over the armed forces outside the Capital has waned. Frankie here will represent the Collective, Father is his title, he represents what, shall we say is, foreign interests. I'm not at liberty to discuss that.”

  Maria and I look to each other with a stunned look. This all seems very positive so far.

  Maria turns to Underwood. “Where is he?”

  “Where is who?” Underwood says with a smug grin.

  Maria marches over to him, grabbing him by the throat. “Where the fuck is he?”

  “Raven, release him. I assure you Stinger is in custody, I will show you once all the equipment is set up.” Campbell says. Maria lets go of him.

  “See how unstable they are?” Underwood says.

  “Don't try to sell me your bull shit, your operative who you said you had control over stabbed Goliath here with a machete that would have killed anyone else.” He looks us over “What sort of supplies have you been receiving?” He asks me.

  “Aside from the small amount of meds and some food over the last couple of months, none.” Jodi answers.

  Campbell turns to Major McLaughlin and just shakes his head. “Private,” Campbell says to one of the men. ”, we have a few minutes, run to the transport and fetch these two their supplies.”

  The Pt. Salutes and leaves.

  “I got you a brush Maria.” Jodi says.

  “That makes me so happy I could kiss you Jodie, thanks!”

  “Please, until things are sorted, let's just stick to business.” Campbell says he's on edge, looks stressed. “Sorry, just, lets stick to business, if everything is agreed on you'll have plenty of time to chat. Things aren't set in stone yet. Anyone mind if I have a smoke?” He says with a polite smile.

  “Here, I'll join you,” Frankie says, offering Campbell one of his cigars.

  Campbell looks over the cigar Frankie passes him. “You have good taste in cigars Frankie.” He lights up.

  The Private brings some supplies in, we go out back and change then come back out front. Maria starts to brush her very knotted hair, I nudge her, she nods and hands me the brush, I then go to war trying to tame her hair that's been growing wild for 2 years.

  “You two seem, close.” Campbell says with a nervous edge.

  “We've only had each other to rely on for 2 years.” I say. The way he commented, I don't like it. They surely can't be shocked that leaving a man and a woman alone to fend for themselves for two years might likely lead to them becoming close to each other.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  The two monitors power up, one feed shows Stinger, he's restrained in a jail.

  “Are you just going to leave him like that?” I ask.

  “We're working with him, it's a slow process. That is all I can say. If I were made aware of all this at the time we would not be here now. The point of the feed was to prove to you he is on the mainland, you have no reason to fear him as we speak. We went to great lengths to get a secure signal in here, you'll see when we leave, thanks to the Collective this city block has no Others activity for the next 4 hours.” Campbell says.

  Attacking Maria's impossibly matted hair is almost calming. It sounds like things aren't fully decided yet. The monitor jumps to life, we see a feed of the man Campbell called Father sitting at a desk with a woman with a small child.

  “It's nice of you to meet with us, Father. Also joining us is Mother and...” Campbell says.

  “Owen, he's being a bit fussy, he won't be a distraction, carry on Campbell.” She says.

  “How goes the war?” Campbell asks.

  “They've been hitting Birmingham hard. I only have a short time ere, best get to business. Bloody 'ell, I din't recognize Goliath der, they not been feeding you?”

  “It's nice to hear from you again Father. We've been on her own for the most part.” I say.

  Mother appears to be squinting at the screen, she leans over and whispers in Fathers ear, he replies in a curt tone, then mutes the audio. They have a short talk, he waves his hand and brings audio back.

  “We just had something to discuss, carry on.” Father says.

  “Ok, the first order of business is Stinger. He is secure, but the whole situation is a debacle. Father, the political climate here has changed, the Royal forces have more sway then the Royals, the actions Stinger has committed were under order from the King, not the Royal Forces. I would ask you to convey that to the others on the world stage.” Campbell says.

  “I will convey dat for ye.”

  “The Royal Forces do not condone the political assassinations nor killing of citizens that Stinger was compelled to do. We also do not condone the actions of our former Colonel on the island here and have taken measures to ensure our troops will never be put in a position where they will be asked to fire on each other or be ordered to assassinate one of their own, or Extract targets. Blindly doing as told 'because of orders' is not behavior we encourage with our officers. On that note, we are rewarding officers that make difficult choices, do the right thing at the risk of their personal well being. Sargent Jodi Forester has been promoted to Colonel, she's now the highest ranking officer deployed on the island.”

  “Dat quite the jump, congratulations Colonel.” Father says.

  “Thank you.” Jodi says. She doesn't look as happy as one would expect, she looks very stressed.

  “So, Stinger is secure. We have our best people working with him, as well as seeking advice with the Collective. Everyone is in agreement that one person hosting three entities was a colossal mistake.”

  “Ye fucking tink? I told ye all 2 years ago.” Father says.

  “Yes, as was the Royals keeping these talks from the Royal Forces Command. So this leads to Goliath and Raven. Food and supplies are to be provided, we don't even treat incarcerated prisoners in such a way, how they were treated was a disgrace. The Collective has agreed they may move back to the No-Go zone, but they must not let the Others know they are there. They are to be reintegrated back into working with the Agents.” Campbell says.

  “Ok, so when can we leave the island?” Maria says.

  “That part of the agreement hasn't changed.” Campbell says.

  “So we're still slaves.” Maria says.

  “How long are we to be enslaved? Prisoners are at least given a sentence.” I say.

  “Goliath, I thought you wanted to be the best Agent?” Campbell asks.

  “I want to be free. This arrangement sounds like our future has been decided, like we'll get food and supplies but we give up the freedom we do have, we'll have even less freedom. If we're to do this Maria and I are not part of the forces, you give us the intel and we help as needed, we work together, but are not to be ordered anymore. You forced us to live as a free man and woman, a man can't give that freedom back once he's tasted it.” I say.

  Campbell looks to be thinking over what I said.

  “I understand you better den dey may Goliath. We've been slowly getting pushed back across the country over the last 30 years, we yur freedom is threatened it's not an easy thing to give back. I would advise ye accommodate dem Campbell, if ye do you'll have a fierce allie.”

  “I will have to discuss it with Command, but I will convince them. There is another, concern we've been discussing with the Collective. The genome project has been scrapped, but the Collective has discovered the process does not sterilize the subjects. The odds of a man and a woman that went through the process are still less than 1%, not likely, but a possibility. The idea of passing on the enhanced DNA to future generations is not something the Collective nor the government want to see. If you two would agree to a small medical procedure to ensure that would not happen, everyone would feel better.”

  There is a deafening silence.

  Maria and I both pull our revolvers on Campbell at the same time. His soldiers level their weapons at us.

  “Ha, it looks like ye ave yur answer Campbell.” Mother says.

  “Soldiers stand down.” Campbell says. “Perhaps we could leave it with we'll provide birth control and impress on you having children frightens many people, the Collective, and is not a wise choice for you. This is beyond me, it's for your well being.”

  “He's right kid, the Collective will be threatened if you two start making little super soldiers.” Frankie says.

  I lower my gun, Maria doesn't.

  “So do you fully understand our stance on what you just asked or do we have to send you're body back with a giant fucking hole in your head as reply to your Command?” She says.

  “I like ye luv, you ave spirit. But dey get the point, best lower yur gun, for all involved.” Mother says.

  She lowers the gun.

  “So is everyone on board with how things are now?” Campbell says. We all agree.

  “We ave to go now, Maria, if ye ever need advice on tings that ye have trouble discussing wit uthers talk to Frankie, to get a hold of me.” Mother says as she strokes Owens head.

  Maria looks unsure, I gently squeeze her arm.

  “We'll keep that in mind Mother, thank you.” I say.

  “Brigadier-General?” Jodi says, having difficulty containing her smile.

  “At ease, Colonel.” She says.

  Jodi rushes over to hug us.

  “It's been so hard watching you guys, not doing enough, I'm sorry.” She says, tears in her eyes.

  “We understand, you did what you could.” Maria says.

  All the others clear out of the room.

  “We have a few more hours of a no go zone here, there is no surveillance here. I'm going to be set up in the Cavern, this position is too at risk for a Colonel. Dan will be your comm operative.” Jodi says.

  “Jodi, Maria and I need a minute to discuss something, can you wait outside for a moment?” I say.

  “Sure thing guys.” She steps outside.

  Maria and I look at each other; we know we can no longer deny things, push them back.

  “We're pretty sure, aren't we?” I say.

  “Yeah. I'm two months late.” She says.

  “You've been sick most mornings.” I say.

  “I um, read a book in the book store on the Inside. Based on the timeline if we're right I should be able to see with a scan of the goggles.” I say.

  “I'm afraid, what will they do?” She says.

  “I don't know. But we need to start off with the truth.” I put on my combat shades.

  I stand back a couple of metres and switch to the x-ray view. I am awash with joy as I see the most beautiful thing I've ever seen on combat shades. I run a 5 second loop recording then take off the goggles.

  “Your grin! Gimme!” She grabs the goggles out of my hand and runs the 5 second loop. She smiles as she sees it. We put our arms around each other and hug.

  “Hey, did you guys call me?” Jodi walks in “I'm glad to be in here, the General was going on and on about the whole not having super soldier kids, it's less then a 1% chance so its not like it'll ever...”

  “I'm pregnant.” Maria says.

  “Well fuck me.” Jodi says.