Chapter 21

In 2157, in a bunker located under Chicago City.

"Are you sure you want to go through St. Claire?" Mr Richards asked raising his blonde eye brows questioningly at St Claire. He was in his late 30's and wore an immaculately cut suit.

"Of course, I know the score and the people on the other side. I can establish a foothold on the colony with my rank alone. Once we have control of the fracture we'll start pulling more soldiers through. Our think tank believes we can have the colony retaken once we have outnumber the colonists and the soldiers have to follow our orders we are their government" St Claire said as she sat comfortably back in her chair to the left of Mr Richards.

He was the Governor of prefectures in the coalition. He was the highest government official but only because she allowed him the privilege. She and Mr Richards had an agreement that while they made a show that they had an equal partnership and she maintained an image of being second in command but privately they both knew she was in charge of the small coalition and she pulled the strings since it was her who had formed during the last 5 years. It kept the civilian population in their domain under control knowing they had representatives in power even if it was all just a beautiful fascade.

"How long will this take?" he asked her, the questions were more for the other coalition leaders and for show ponying so everyone knew what they were signing their soldiers and what little resources to.

"A month to take the colony, we want to do it slowly that way there will be less collateral damage to the Colony. We want to make the transition as seamless as possible. I suggest we bring the women and children through first to Terra Nova, then the soldiers so we appear more peaceful. Then we bring in the soldiers in staggered stages. Dr Covington and I will oversee the harvesting of necessary human and mineral resources of the colony to send back to here where you will all continue your half of the work" St Claire told them.

"Good, Dr Covington I assume you have a person on the other side who has been cataloguing the women" the governor asked as he looked to the man at the other side of the u shaped table opposite to St Claire. Dr Covington gave a tilt of the head.

"Yes, I'm looking forward to sharing our advancements in medicine and human cloning with my colleague Dr Canzales. I know with more pure and healthier the human tissue our clone soldiers will be far more superior than our enemies and we'll be able to maturate them at a faster rate-"

"I don't need the details as I have read your report. You say it will only take at least two months to harvest what we need to clone a new army in.." The governor opened his plex "3 week turnaround" he said everyone's eyes went wide as the fast turnaround as it meant the war would be over a lot sooner than they had estimated.

"Yes, with the human tissue in combination maturation chambers powered with meteoric ore I can guarantee we'll turn out a Division of clone soldiers by the end of the three months if not sooner. It all comes down to the quality of genetic material" Dr Covington said comfortably from his chair.

Once upon a time he would have been jailed for his research but now in the post apocolyptic world and war they were fighting they needed every they could use. It was all about surviving long enough and taking control of the last remaining country states which mean they needed more bodies on the ground. Clone soldiers while an abomination religiously speaking did yeild more results than continuously dropping bombs on their enemies bunkers. Hence Dr Covington was in a position of great importance as he was the man who developed the technology.

"Excellent. What about the sixers and the left over Phoenix soldiers?" A woman in a well tailored suit asked speaking up for the first time. She was an inferior politician from a smaller prefecture state within their coalition. She looked St Claire with an expectant look.

"We'll bring the Phoenix soldiers back here but the Sixers still have valuable intel on the lay of the land and mining areas. I want to keep them on hand in Terra Nova" St Claire said, the lines between friends and foe were trully blurred in the case of Terra Nova. The sixers had been sent back to start stock piling ore and mapping the regions while maintaining key positions in the colony so when the two way connection was made between Terra Nova and the future they could easily overthrow Taylor's seat. Of course it hadn't gone like that as St Claire found out from the communiques from the Terra Nova. Taylor had stumbled onto their plan, the downside of putting someone entirely too righteous and moral minded into power.

He had become brainwashed by the propaganda of Terra Nova being a fresh start for civilisation and maintaining that mission statement. What happened the following years in Terra Nova exactly were a mystery as the Sixers didn't give details but Taylor had discovered parts of the plot and banished the Sixers to the Jungle. She also knew that General Philbrick had gone to Terra Nova to try and take over Taylor's command only to end up being killed by Taylor which led to Taylor banishing his own son to the Jungle for 5 years for attempting a coup. Then the subsequent occupation of the colony and the destruction of Hope Plaza nothing had worked in their favour as that one terrorist act sent the future in a tail spin.

St Claire knew it was not going to be easy for St Claire as she would have to go in a keep a balance between keeping Taylor on her side but also asserting her position. Slowly redirecting the Colony's resources and energies to helping the future and finishing the war they werein once and for all. They needed to finish the war and to win and for that they needed Terra Nova.

"Sounds like you have everything planned out" The woman in the suit drawled.

"Yes, I want this to go as smoothly as possible without ruffling too many feathers. The Phoenix Soldiers failed in their attempt to the Colony. I will not" St Claire said firmly.

A few days later in Terra Nova,

"Heard I missed out on a good tiff between you and Carter" Taylor said Alicia as they were playing a game of chess on the balcony of the Command Centre. It was a beautiful day as the sun shined down on the colony and a gentle breeze blew by. They had started playing chess to socialise without any pressure on trying to be friends as it was a game that talking was optional. Taylor looked over at Alicia not able to keep his eyes off her as she looked relaxed in skin tight dark brown jeans with black baggy boots and white v-neck t shirt with her hair loose around her shoulders.

He was still used to her being in BDUs and her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail as they rarely used to relax enough to be used to seeing her looking as she did now. when they did relax it was usually after a shift and thus she never changed or pulled her hair out. He wished he had given her more time to do so.

"Gee if you were so interested in it you could always rewind the security feed and watch it yourself" Alicia drawled rather darkly as she watched him make his play on the board.

"You ok?" he asked concern in his voice made her look up for a moment. She gave a half smile and a shrug.

"Fine, nothing that hasn't happened to me before" Alicia said not making eye contact as she moved a piece on the board. "So I hear that we are getting new visitors in the next few days" Alicia added smoothly to change the conversation.

"We are. You remember St. Claire, your old CO?" he asked knowing it was a stupid question. Alicia remembered everything.

"Yes" She answered not betraying any emotions as she made her move on the board. She had wished that the fracture never ever existed actually no she hoped the fracture would collapse as soon as St Claire tried to walk through and thus she would be crushed to death. Alicia knew it was pretty bad to wish such a horrible fate on a person but then St Claire deserved nothing less.

"She's coming through with a dignitary party tomorrow night" Taylor said watching her closely to see how she was taking it all in.

"Dignitary?" Alicia asked as it had been a while since anyone threw around such formal words. It made her want to laugh of course the woman would want to come in with an entourage of worshippers.

"Yes, apparently a couple of doctors, an engineer and a politician I don't know and his personal assistants." Taylor said he couldn't keep the contempt from his tone as he hated politicians.

"God forbid a politician travel somewhere alone" Alicia said richly as a smile played on her lips. Taylor chuckled.

"I know, they already have an itinerary and schedule for the next 6 months to bring in women and children from the other side as well as supplies and reinforcements so our soldiers can finally get some R&R" Taylor said as he made his move on the chess board.

"Well I guess it's all good times from here on out. Check" Alicia told him as she finished her move.

"We'll see" Taylor said he was about to touch a piece when Alicia shook her head and made a noise of disapproval. "It's not Checkmate. Can't be.." he said in disbelief as he looked down at the board wondering how he had missed her move.

"Afraid so" Alicia told him in a smug tone. She picked up her cup and took sip of the water wishing it was something stronger. Why couldn't she just have one little slice of good news for her to clutch onto that wasn't as cliche as 'you're alive and safe'.

"How many games is that? Four to you?" Taylor asked looking at her.

"Five" She corrected him with slightest of smiles playing on her lips.

"Why do I feel like you've been letting me win all these years?" Taylor asked her his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Maybe I'm just having a lucky streak" Alicia told him in a dry tone as it felt far from the truth as she could get in regards to her life.

"Another game?" he asked her, not wanting to give up until he won at least two games. He also enjoyed her company even if her constand winning was making hiscompetitive side rear it's ugly head.

"No, I really have to get home and feed Amelia" Alicia said as she looked over her shoulder, judging by the lack of crowds she assumed it was close to lunch. She knew Amelia would be painting and forget to stop for food, hence Alicia had become a bit of a mother hen around the girl making sure she ate her three meals a day and socialised otherwise the girl would probably spend her whole life in doors covered in paint smudges painting away.

"How is she?" Taylor asked.

"Good, her recovery is going well and she's been painting a lot" Alicia told him, Taylor always asked about Amelia when they crossed paths. She liked how he showed genuine interest and concern instead of making it seem like a social nicety.

"Anything worth hanging?" he asked, Alicia chuckled.

"Depends on your tastes and considering you have none-"

"Geez give me a break I do have some taste" Taylor said pretending to be wounded by her comment.

"Right, well I don't know anything about art but I like what's she's painted. Though I don't know where we are going to hang them all as there is only so much wall space" Alicia said with a wry smile.

"Should convince her to showcase at the Winter Festival in a couple of weeks" Taylor told her as he reset the pieces on the board.

"I mentioned it to her but I don't know. We'll see" Alicia said. The fact was that is slipped her mind but now Taylor reminded her she was would talk to Amelia about it as Alicia was sure some of her pieces would sell and all it would take is for Adriana the art coordinator for the festival and the stall owner who sold supplies in the market to look over Amelia's work.

"I can't believe we are stockpiling weapons and food like some war is coming our way. This feels incredibly wrong" Boylan said to Alicia in a low voice as they had been going out into the jungle every morning around 2am ever since Alicia heard St Claire was coming to Terra Nova. Today was no different, except that Alicia had to get back to the colony and see Taylor off at 5 am so they had to hussle.

"When did you grow a moral centre?" Alicia asked Boylan in a jovial manner. She had to admit all their slinking under the radar had given them time to bond in a way Alicia never thought. They had of course served together for many years and while they had a mutual respect they didn't quite have the friendship they did now since they lived under the same roof and had Amelia as their shared duty to keep happy and safe.

"Hey I have morals they are just a little looser than other people's" Boylan told her.

"are you saying your morals are slutty?" Alicia drawled in a dry manner as she looked over her shoulder at him. Boylan gave her his classic smile.

"Yes, I'm very slutty- I mean my morals are slutty" he said she didn't have to look over her shoulder to know he was grinning from ear to ear. For everything Boylan was and wasn't there was some comfort in knowing he had her back even if they hadn't always been on the same page. Alicia realised he was a good friend.

"Anyway you didn't serve under St Claire. I did, so I know this is necessary" Alicia told him as they continued to go through the jungle to one of their many secret caches.

"You know I am curious as to what happened between you and her. Hell everyone who knew you served with her is talking about it." Boylan said.

"And you'll continue to be curious as it's history I'm not rehashing" Alicia said as she would never tell anyone what happened between her and St Claire if she didn't have to.

"I guess this means you won't tell me how you got your hands on this stuff either" Boylan asked in a deflated tone.

"That's right" She answered a little smugly as she and Boylan could have gotten rich off all the supplies and equipment they were pilfering. She promised herself it wasn't really stealing just relocating the items temporarily.

"Hey on another note I heard about you and Carter" Boylan said.

"Great, it happened a few days ago. Who doesn't know that bit of old news and why are you bringing it up now?" Alicia asked sarcastically even after a few days it still stung to hear his name and remember what happened.

"Because I only remembered now and I wanted to say I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I know how much you wanted it to and if you want to get completely blind drunk at the bar. I'll carry you home and not try a thing" Boylan offered.

"Really?" Alicia asked sceptically, she had no desire to make more of an ass of herself than she had. Getting drunk in Boylan's bar and then being carried home sounded like the equivalent of hitting whatever was below rock bottom.

"Promise I'll just tuck you in and leave a bucket by the bed" he told her, she could hear his smile.

"Such a gentleman" Alicia drawled.

"That's what Lisa tells me that is until we get behind closed doors and then I'm a very naughty man" Boylan joked.

"I don't want to know the details" Alicia groaned.

"Why? Afraid it might awaken some deeply buried desire you have for me?" Boylan asked in a teasing manner, Boylan might have a sense of humour he just didn't tick all of her boxes.

"No, but it does remind me that I should teach Amelia how to fight with knives" Alicia told him in a thoughtful manner as she looked over her shoulder to see Boylan's smile fall a notch.

"Do I want to know how you made those connections?" Boylan asked her.

"No" She said innocently as she made sure to use the right amount of intonation so he assumed the worse.

Taylor stood in the Badlands in the dead of night, the temperature was a chilling 10 degrees but it was far more comfortable than during the daylight hours. He wore his Black BDUs with the jacket zipped to neck. They were the only formal dress wear he had. He looked to Guzman who was in dark green version of the same uniform denoting his NCO status. He wished Alicia were standing beside him as he felt her absence greatly.

He brought four rhinos and a small welcoming party of soldiers and medical team on hand for the arrivals in case they had any trouble acclimating to the oxygen rich environment. They had set up flood lights on the Terminus and a couple tents to welcome the group through and for any medical emergency that might arise.

Lucas and Malcolm stood to the side conversing about the Terminus or so he assumed as he couldn't hear what they were saying as they spoke in soft voices. The two worked well together even if Malcolm was incredibly cold about it but he still maintained his professionalism.

Malcolm looked up and gave the thumbs up as signal they were good to go. Taylor looked at his comm. and noted the time. He slowly counted down the seconds and right on time the Terminus activated.

He squinted at the bright light emitting from the portal. A few seconds later a woman 5 ft 9 stepped through, Taylor recognised her immediately as St Claire. Her red hair was immaculately quaffed back into sleek chignon design at the base of her neck. She wore a black beret on her head and Dress uniform. He noted the subtle differences in her dress uniform since the last time they met. She had garnered herself a nice fruit bowl of medals that hung nicely on the chest of her jacket. The General pips on the collar of her gleamed in the light of the Portal.

She walked up to him keeping her face passive, her green eyes surveying the area with a cold detachment before landing on him. He closed the space between them and stood to attention. He saluted her showing respect and deference to her rank.

"At ease Commander" She told him, he'd forgotten how dry and haughty her voice sounded in real life. He quelled the smile as he thought of how he used to tease her about how smoking was destroying her voice. But she always argued that a bullet would get her before the cigarettes and cigars did. He relaxed his stance and continued to surreptitiously look her over noticing she had more lines on her face than he remembered.

"General St. Claire, Welcome to Terra Nova" Taylor told her.