Devil Woman
"Shit, shit, shit, shit…Ohhh, Double Shit," hands covered the migraine. Washington opened her eyes. Thankfully the small night light recessed into the wall only gave off enough illumination for someone familiar with the room. 'Where am I?' she thought to herself. Sitting up she discovered she was lying on a comfortable double bed. Standing was a chore with her pounding head. Using the nearest wall for support she slowly made her way to what looked like a bathroom. Fumbling for the light, she winced and covered her eyes to shade the bright overhead lights. Looking around she could tell it was a man's domain, no feminine products on any surface. Opening the cabinet, she found a bottle of pain killer with codeine. Washington took two and dry swallowed, then found a cup and filled it with water to force them the rest of the way down as they stuck in her dry throat half way down. Pocketing the rest, she made her way to the outer door. Cracking the door, she peeked out and got her answer as to where she was, but how did she get here she wondered.
Trying to remember, she closed the door and went back to the bed. 'Just a few more minutes to let the pills work,' she told herself. Lying on the bed, Washington tried to remember how she ended up with a massive headache. 'I had been drinking with the Phoenix soldiers. Boylan kept mine watered, so it's not a hangover.' A memory flashed, Shannon's. 'I helped Shannon's, but how?' Looking up into the dark at the ceiling she couldn't see, memories returned, 'Lucas. He counted to three, no he didn't get to three. I was shot with a sonic blast at a close enough range to be killed, but he pulled to the right, common for right handed shooters. If he was one of my soldiers, he'd still be doing pushups for pulling a shot; glad he's not military material.'
Wash tensed as the door opened and the room lit up brightly. Boylan entered, leaving the door open behind him. Seeing her awake and looking at him, he smiled in relief, "Good to see you awake, Lieutenant."
She sat up and swung her feet to the floor, only wincing slightly, "How'd I get here?"
"Well, word got around fast that Lucas shot you. Those hired goons walked off and left you right where you got shot. They came into the bar talking about it. So I asked if I could remove your body. They were more than happy to let someone else clean up their mess. I went to get you and the stupid bastards didn't even check to see if Lucas actually killed you. I was afraid you'd come to out their when I saw you were still breathing, so I grabbed you up and brought you back to the bar, sneaking through the back door."
"How long?"
Boylan sank down beside her on the edge of the bed, "Seems like you gave Taylor an idea or so it was rumored. Chullah Chaum. Boy that brings back memories. Good times, huh. Two days. They shot you two nights ago?"
"Did he blow the portal?" Her head was feeling much better. She gingerly touched around the blast zone, no broken bones, but she saw a nice shiner in the mirror while in the bathroom.
"They did, or rather Malcolm did, yesterday. Funny thing, the soldiers just left my bar. They loaded up their rigs, as did the Sixers and Mira about twenty minutes ago and everyone left. I watched until I saw them turn north towards the badlands. I called Taylor and told him to hurry home."
"Did you tell Taylor I was alive?"
"No, I wanted to surprise him."
"Did Lucas go with them?"
"No, I guess you didn't hear, what with being knocked out and all. I want to say I've always wanted to get you in my bed, Wash," Boylan added the last with a laugh.
"Back to Lucas, Boylan, I can still hurt you."
"Skye reported back to Casey that Lucas had an encounter with his father and stabbed him, not fatally," he added at her look of concern. "Skye shot Lucas, but he got away and is on the loose. He'll be back to cause trouble."
"Why did they load up and leave?" Wash didn't have a good feeling about this.
"Don't know. It doesn't matter now. Taylor will be back tomorrow. He'll figure something out. How's the head?"
"It'll hurt for a while, I'll live, I guess. I sure left this place a mess for Taylor," she didn't want to face him with her greatest failure. This was her fault. Hindsight taught her if she had done a few things differently, Lucas might not have taken Terra Nova.
"I can't face Taylor," a plan was forming in her mind. Boylan had watched her for several days sit in his bar and blame herself. Now, he was looking at that 'I'm a failure' expression again. "Everyone thinks I'm dead, don't they?"
"I didn't dare tell anyone you were alive. If word got back to Lucas or Hooper, you probably wouldn't be."
"I need your help, and I need to move fast," she stood up, Boylan rising with her, grabbing her arm to steady her.
"I think you should wait for Taylor," Boylan advised.
"I need to get out of the colony without anyone seeing me. I am dead as far as anyone knows. Maybe I can redeem myself by tracking the Phoenix Group, get intel for Taylor." She looked directly into Boylan's eyes, "I need you to keep it between us. I know you were in contact with Mira and kept it quiet, so you can do it for me, got it?" He found himself agreeing to her terms. The need in her eyes for redemption so she could hold her head up high roused his understanding of needing to be vindicated.
"Try and find me weapons and a motorcycle if one is left. Push it outside the gate and into the dark. I'm going to my quarters and pack. I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I'll make it back. It's better if everyone thinks I'm dead, even Taylor. He'll come after me if he knows and I need to do something constructive after my failure."
"I won't tell Taylor, just come home if you can." They parted in the dark outside the back of the bar.
It took Boylan half an hour to find a motorcycle still able to run and in good shape. He stole a spare pair of goggles from the mechanic's shop and hung them on the handlebars, then carefully pushed it down deserted streets and parked it near the munitions building. The building was unlocked and plundered, several weapons were still scattered about, including a pile of confiscated pistols and knives. He searched until he found the pistol and knife marked Lt. A Washington. Gathering up a spare pistol and shoulder holster and extra combat knife, and a pistol for himself, Boylan grabbed two rifles and extra ammo. Rushing back out, he loaded one rifle in the scabbard and tied the extra on alongside the scabbard. In the ensuing chaos, he managed to push the bike through the still open gate and outside the range of light. Getting back inside was easy. No towers were yet manned. A few soldiers were starting to venture outside and he didn't bother to tell them the army was gone.
Boylan slipped into Washington's quarters without knocking. One small light was on in the bedroom. "Wash," Boylan kept his voice down.
"Back here," he ventured into her bedroom at her beckon. He found her with wet hair up in a ponytail and fastening her armor over a black leather jacket. She had changed into her black fatigues and combat boots after a quick shower. Without a word, he handed over her side holster and watched as she deftly put it on, then took the knife sheath and repeated the action to her calf. Taking the rest from his hands, she placed them in her backpack.
"For what it's worth, Taylor's an idiot." He watched her gather a few items from her bathroom, "Has he even seen the inside of this room?"
"What's that have to do with him being an idiot?"
"Fine, I'll tell you. You've given him half your life in service, stood by him without question and he gives you a pat on the back once in a while. Half the blokes here would love a chance with you, but they're scared of Taylor, so you're like hands off. Even I dust my bottles off once in a while. He carries around some cherished memory of a dead wife, while I suspect you're more than willing, and a damn site harder to kill. I just think running off in a glorious gesture isn't going to impress Taylor. For him to see you as more than just a soldier, this isn't the way."
Wash picked up her pack and put it on, "I don't have a clue how to make Taylor see me as a woman. Maybe that's why I'm leaving. Maybe I'm tired of being just his soldier, or lapdog as some put it. You're right about me wanting Taylor, but it's obvious, he doesn't return my affections. And no, he's never been in this room. Maybe if he had been, I would be here when he returns." She stopped and looked helplessly at Boylan, "He left this colony in my care. I feel like I let him down, inside." She placed a hand over her heart, "I can't face him every day feeling like this, like I never measured up when he needed me the most. How can he ever see me as a woman, when I've failed as a soldier."
He sighed and shook his head. There was no way he would ever figure out what she meant and now wasn't the time to try, he wasn't drunk enough. "I have a communicator, Wash. I used one with Mira and had it set to a channel outside military band width." He hated divulging his technical knowledge, but he wouldn't be using it anymore and handed it to her.
She raised an eyebrow as she took it.
"If you need anything, let me know. I would feel better if you'd checked in once in a while. You can let me know you're alive with a recorded message. I'll monitor the com around nine each night if you get a chance to call in, but anytime is fine. My comm will record them and let me know you're still with us." He showed her what he was looking for in the setting.
Wash picked her tags up from where they lay on her nightstand, "Hold these for me, will you. I plan on being back for them," and placed them in his open hand, watching the chain fall into a loop hanging under his hand.
"Thanks for everything Boylan," she hugged him on impulse and led the way from her home.
They parted near the hole the Shannon's escaped through. Her parting comment was, "Don't let Taylor pressure you in any way. We need to know what is going on, and I'm the best person right now to find out." With that, she slipped down through the opening under the fence and was gone.
"Come home soon, Lieutenant," he spoke quietly into the dark knowing she was beyond hearing. Slipping her tags over his head he headed back to his bar and a few hours rest. He hadn't had much sleep lately.
Taylor returned to a rejoicing crowd, shook hands with Boylan and made his way to his quarters. First stop, a quick shower and clean clothes. Making his way back to the Command Center, he looked up the steps for several seconds before taking the first one. Nothing was going to be the same. The losses he would get over in time, all but one. Why did it have to be her. He had tried so hard to protect that woman, and that was the problem. Deep in his heart, he admitted his love and now it was taken from him. In trying to keep her safe for his own selfish desires, he inadvertently lost his own future. Looking over the damaged scene, a physical reminder, once again he had failed; both to protect someone he loved and the home that surrounded them. 'I should have told her how I felt about her, now it's too late.' He saw Jim Shannon looking up at him and motioned for him to come up.
Jim Shannon found Taylor sitting behind his dinosaur desk the following morning, "Did you see the meteor shower last night?"
"I did, quite impressive," he didn't look up from the plexipad he was holding.
"What are your orders for today, boss?" Shannon was curious as to what held Taylor's attention, and finally asked, "What's so interesting?"
"I'm brushing up on protocol. Looking to see if Wash broke any rules." He was absorbed and didn't see the look of revulsion that crossed Shannon's face.
"Ahhh, she gave her life, Uhhhh, and you want to know if she followed orders from some military manual from the future. What does it matter now?"
Taylor looked up, "There's a memorial for all who died tomorrow. I'll be speaking about Wash. Just trying to put my thoughts in order, that's all." He tried to smile, but it just wouldn't come.
A stunned Jim quietly left and started helping with burial detail, not quite understanding what the Commander was doing and wondered if he knew himself.
The rest of the day and early the following morning, the colony and soldiers prepared to bury their dead. Twenty caskets in a row sported military helmets and boots lining the top row. In front of those were three sets of boots and helmets to remember that not all bodies were recovered. Nathaniel personally placed an officer insignia on the center helmet of Lieutenant. The six colonists who were killed had their remains covered with flowers along with the four from the eleventh who lived long enough to take a few non-polluted breaths. Those coffins were in a second row behind the soldiers. Colonists could walk among the coffins, with bronze plaques emblazoned with names and ranks for the soldiers and names of the civilians. The few survivors from the eleventh were able to identify from their group who died, so all wooden coffins were marked.
Everyone expendable gathered below the Command Center, Boylan stood to one side so he could leave when the Commander spoke about Washington. He wasn't sure if he would be able to hear what was said without telling the truth.
Malcolm Wallace started it off, talking about Frederick MacKormic. One by one friends and family said a few words until only one name was left.
In full dress uniform, Nathaniel Taylor stepped forward, "I checked military protocol yesterday. Lieutenant Alicia Washington followed every command to the letter during the occupation, above the call of duty. I put her in the position of a Commander without the rank. I hereby order the rank of Lieutenant Commander to be posthumously awarded. Her decorations will be on permanent display in the Command Center. She was awarded them all, from the lowest to the Purple Heart and Medal of Valor," he paused for that mostly unknown information sank in.
"Eighteen years we served together. I helped her bury her fiancée and she my wife." He stopped for a ragged breath; then continued, "I love her. At first it was as a friend, then my best friend, then the person I absolutely had to have with me in the past. The number two slot went to her without thought. She was instructed to be the second person through the portal. Then I started really seeing her as a woman. I tried to fight that one, but lost, especially after being here for one hundred and eighteen days alone. She was my partner and I was determined to make her my partner in life and build a future together. I was working on that part of our long relationship, and making headway. She was warming up to me and only throwing one glare a day in my direction." He paused for laughter, "She helped build our home as my equal. And how did I repay her service and loyalty? I forced her to stay behind in a conflict. I was going to ask her to marry me after she cooled down, in say about three years." There was more laughter, so he waited. "If you see me a little spacy from time to time; I'm grieving the loss of my soul mate. I don't know what they did with her body that we couldn't find it for a proper burial, but we will never forget her. I could say so much more, but most already know her story and I ask you learn it from them." With that his final statement, he walked down the steps followed his officers to the head of the military convoy and waited for coffins to be loaded on flatbed trucks and led the procession, followed by the civilians. He led the way to the small hill where the cemetery dubbed Memorial Field, grew by thirty and thirty three markers would follow. Boylan stayed and listened after all. He hoped she would return, not that Taylor deserved her, but knew the loss of a true love when he saw one.
A month passed and Washington became a thorn in the side of the Phoenix Group. One of the rifles Boylan put on her bike was a sniper rifle. She was up to thirty kills. Absorbed completely into the role of a stalking commando, nobody could to get close to her, she blended in so well. She found places to hide in plain sight, digging into the dirt in the desert, rising early and taking out a couple soldiers before disappearing. She wanted Lucas. He looked sore on the two occasions she was able to get her scope on him. Having no clear shot, she waited. Three times she left the area, backtracking until she was within range of Terra Nova.
Carefully, she turned on the communicator and listened to his messages. Quickly she talked to his recorder, telling of her latest kills and she was fine. In truth she would have loved to speak to him just to hear another voice, but she hadn't been available during their pre-arranged time. The group she was stalking was on the move again. She told Boylan she found something interesting for him and would try someday to get it back. He left short messages keeping her up on the colony, Taylor and Shannon. His last few messages were Taylor had most of the repairs complete and was putting together a team to do surveillance in her direction. He didn't tell her of the Commander's professed love at her memorial. He didn't want her distracted.
Closing her communicator, she got back on the bike and backtracked towards the desert. She was un-predictable, never staying more than a few hours in the same place. She knew Mira was hunting her from one of Boylan's messages, and Mira had found her bike tracks. Boylan had his own system for boosting signal by piggybacking off Taylor's own towers and monitored sketchy conversations between Mira and the Phoenix.
Lucas had instructed Mira to take care of the 'problem', per one of Boylan's messages. She was either going to have to make a deal with Mira or eliminate her. Driving back down a trail, she didn't see the slasher until its tail swiped her off the bike. Pulling her pistol, she fired head shots until it took off. She looked at the gash in her side. This was going to set her back. Taking water from her canteen, she washed the area off and got her suture kit out of her backpack. Taking a pain pill from Boylan's bottle, she waited a few minutes before suturing her left side. At least she could use her right hand to close the gash. Looking around she found the plant she was looking for. Digging roots, she put them in a side pocket of her backpack. It hurt like hell righting the bike and climbing back on. Slowly Washington looked for a hidden spot where she could make a fire and recuperate.
Having time to think, Wash's thoughts turned to Taylor. Right before the eleventh, she felt mixed signals coming from him, like maybe he was seeing more than a trusted soldier. 'Just wishful thinking Alicia, you want him so badly and you know he'll never get over his wife. You can't compete with a petite blond. Especially now that he's seen you shot. He'll never let anyone close to him,' she stopped beating herself up. She holed up for four days, time to hunt again. She checked her wound. It was closing with no infection. She looked at the bottle of pain medicine. She had dumped her supply into Boylan's bottle and it was down by half. If anything drove her back to Terra Nova, it would be for pain killer.
Venturing from the cave where an underground stream flowed, Washington scouted with her binoculars both sides of the ravine. She would have to backtrack to where her bike was hidden a couple miles downstream covered with deadfall and leaves. She carefully worked down side of the stream, crossing several times over rocks and fallen trees, stopping often to look for Sixers. Boylan's last messages when the slasher got her, was Mira had contacted him over their private frequency. He figured she was monitoring and was onto the fact that someone from the colony after them, but didn't know who. Boylan's final message instructed her to decode his clicks, an old Morse code she knew. Using her down time, she translated the code and adjusted her communicator frequency to his new instructions, but wouldn't know if it worked until she cleared the ravine and made her way to higher ground. Late afternoon brought her bike to the top of a hill. Turning on the communicator she listened for messages on the new frequency. To her delight, Boylan's cheerful voice filled the air around her.
"Lucifer, I miss your voice. Haven't heard from you for a few days. Taylor is OTG in your direction. My advice is, join up with him. I worry about you, especially with Mira after you," she had to laugh at his nickname for her. Mira told him the Phoenix Group had dubbed the silent killer the Devil. He hadn't given any information to Mira, told her he didn't know what she was talking about and as far as he knew everyone in Terra Nova was accounted for. He was done helping Mira and had only used her for his business dealings in the future.
"I encountered a slasher, Boylan. Had to hole up and recover. I'll give your advise some consideration."
"I hope you do more than that." They didn't linger on the comms as she needed to get out of sight.
As much as she craved human contact of friends, she drove alone into the badlands now watching to avoid three groups. The army was still too large and needed to be whittled down until they were all killed or the size of the Sixers. Her goal was kill General Hooper and she hadn't gotten a shot at him yet. Cut off the head and the rest would be easier to deal with. She wanted Lucas alive; take him back to his father as a present. Two more days of hunting and she saw them in the distance. They were by more of those strange artifacts she kept coming upon.
She figured the legend of the Bermuda Triangle had veracity and much of what she saw could be traced to that area of the world and timeframe. At one stop she had uncovered a sealed jar and in it was old paper with faded ink telling of the year, 1809 and the tale of going into a severe lightning storm they thought would destroy their vessel, then coming to rest in this desert. The flying birds were unknown and they might be in Australia or an un-explored land, but were last in the Caribbean running the trench to Bermuda. The last part told of how they were going to try and walk out of the desert. She put the seal back on the jar and made a notation in her communicator the location. Malcolm would want to explore this area if she got back.