Chapter 8
You knew you'd been fighting a war too long when you're not even surprised when things go to shit. It was a thought on the forefront of Leia's mind as she sat in her war room, leaning over the bench, listening to Eli's report. Sharp, clinical. He was one of her best scouts and it seemed very little scared him. Not even the raid of his safe house, where two other scouts had been captured. When he finished, he rubbed his neck, looking uneasy, angry even.
"We were sold out," he added.
"And those scouts know our location – our current one anyway," said Leia, aware of all eyes on her. "Why the hell were they with you? They were deep cover, hunting rumours of a lab."
"And they got the info. Problem was they refused to tell me anything and things got hot, so they reached out, needed a safehouse they hadn't used before. A mutual ally put them in my house and they were they there when I got back from my day job." He levelled her with a steady look. "Was I meant to send them away?"
Leia lifted her brow. "You should've reached out, especially since you know the risk of having multiple scouts in one location."
"I did contact Lauri but she was busted, along with Sari and Lex. That's why I slipped out to go find Dev-"
"Him!"
"I was running out of options and he agreed to ferry them out of the city. When I returned to move them, they were gone and the place was trashed. Neighbours said Hysteria's men came and grabbed them. Hence why I'm here."
She cooled her temper, resisting the urge to snarl, lash out. From his report he had followed protocol, as much as the unique situation permitted. Someone had burnt them but who and why? Had Hysteria stumbled onto one of their allies and sniffed around? Or had it been her two other scouts, Holly and Una, that had betrayed themselves and set off the dire circumstances? Whatever had happened, there were consequences to deal with. She waved Eli out of the room. Clint and Tamara drew closer to her.
"You know Hysteria would have them transported to her processing camp in Talos," ventured Tamara speculatively. "So, I guess that means you're heading in."
Leia nodded. "I need to you to check the next location and move everyone as quickly as you can."
Clint frowned. "Wait, you mean Tamara using a portal? That's-"
"A lot of energy and I haven't done it on that scale in years," finished Tamara reluctantly.
"I know but Hysteria will have our location and our closer sites, so we have to head to the catacombs beneath Udestra. They're not ideal but only us know about them. We won't have time to move everyone by foot and any attempt on the surface will leave us too exposed," explained Leia. "Normally, I'd not risk everything for two scouts but this is different. They know about a lab and that changes everything."
They all knew what a lab meant. If it was a large scale one, like the one Leia and Tamara had narrowly escaped, then it meant several things; firstly, perhaps over a hundred or more powered prisoners; secondly, a critical change at intelligence; finally, a blow against Hysteria. She needed them to scout for powers useful in her efforts at dismantling the barrier, planet be damned. Problem was, any large-scale attack against the labs weren't possible. They were too heavily guarded and far too much security; it was easier to slip into one with only a handful of people.
Leia wouldn't admit that she was itching for a fight – the promise of sinking her teeth into a lab was too much to pass up.
"We haven't had a chance to really hit at Hysteria in a year," murmured Clint. "Security around the mines has tripled, the new walls around the central cities have made them fortresses and with all the new security marching the streets…"
Tamara sighed, heavily. She pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes for a moment. "And if we lose you?"
Leia walked around the table and set her hand on Tamara's shoulder. Her oldest friend looked up, eyes worn, afraid. Was it because of a vision of the future or was it the increasing multitude of dangers set before them? Their chances of actually beating Hysteria were dwindling by the months.
"This rebellion is more than me. I simply started it."
Wally had his office packed away in the boxes supplied by Kit by the time she'd returned from her bathroom break. He stepped back, looked at it all critically. It was his first big move in six months, which if he ended up sticking around long term, Kit informed him it was nothing he should become accustomed to. From the way the party had dispersed after Leia's departure, he quickly realised they must've sensed. Only an hour had passed before the official word had come and everything became a blur; everyone moved with the efficiency that would make any speedster proud. They moved methodically, packing up their prized possessions into easy to move cases. No one seemed overly afraid but there was a lingering sense of unease, restlessness to move on.
Kit came in and let out a long whistle. "Guess you're pretty handy to have around."
"Aren't you my helper?"
She snorted. "Like you're the first one to be interested in the barrier."
He opened his mouth to reply when there was a soft knock at the door. Kit went rigid, turned sharply to the door as it opened. Her head dipped in a slight nod, returned by a guarded looking Leia.
"Might I have a word with Wally, Kit?"
Kit nodded and hurried out. The door closed softly behind her. Wally looked to Leia.
"What's up?"
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in a little rescue operation," she said carefully. "Tamara and Clint are busy getting our people to safety, and I don't have the time to wait for everything to be moved. My two scouts don't have that time, not if there's any hope of getting them out before Hysteria gets her hooks into them."
At the mention of Hysteria Leia's expression darkened, her eyes haunted. Mercifully, he'd never met her but everyone shared a similar expression when the name was uttered. Fear. According to Kit, it was easy to pick those whom had personally been tortured by Hysteria and those having only momentarily felt in. From Leia's expression, it seemed she was the former, which explained her determination to get her people back.
It made his own decision easy.
"I'll do it."
Her eyes snapped up, focused with a dizzying intensity. A cold feeling brushed down his spine. Her power, he realised. It wasn't an attack but sometimes, unwittingly at least, her power trickled out. Harmlessly, feeling like someone was walking over your grave. It didn't make him afraid, though.
"You're sure? You've heard the stories about Hysteria. We might face her."
He nodded. "I know. I've faced monsters before."
"Not like her."
"I couldn't avoid her forever."
Leia drew back. "You're right. This was a mistake. You're safer-"
He was in front of her in a blur, a hand on her arm. "Hey, I can handle myself. Facing bad guys, helping people? That's what I do and if someone is in help that I can be there for, then I'll do it. No hesitation."
Her gaze dropped to where his hand touched her and her brow dipped, confusion in her eyes for a split second. When his hand fell away, her expression reverted to normal, eyes to his. There was relief in her eyes, warred with reluctance, a war in her eyes. She needed his help but she didn't like the idea of having him anywhere near Hysteria.
"Go see Rila. She'll get you a field kit, gear you'll need and an identi-pass. Once you're done there meet me at the hangar."
To her surprise, it wasn't Tamara or even Wally, whom came into the hangar. The door was pushed open, gingerly, before the visitor was revealed. Lorca. He'd changed into his uniform, fitting brown overalls with the sleeves rolled up, exposing tanned forearms. Worry darkened his gaze.
"I heard you were off on a mission," he said.
"I was-"
"It was a dance last night, Leia. The first of something, I hope but…Look, I just wanted to see you before you left. Goodluck and bring our people home," he said, hope flickering in his eyes.
Maybe, if she let herself, she'd find something him. The grounding she hungered for, finding whatever her demons cried out for in the night. She just had to hold herself still enough, reach out and grasp it. Then she hoped she'd have the courage to cling to it.
"How about dinner when I get back? Something away from the chaos?"
His eyes lit up, sparking a similar glow within herself. Dinner, away from all the chaos, illuminated in her mind, a kind of distant fantasy.
"It's a date."
She went to reply but the door behind him opened. In came, Wally. He looked like just another one of her fighters. Hair slicked back, freshly showered, he looked ready for a fight. His gaze flickered to Lorca, lingering for a moment, then returned to her.
"All ready."
Lorca glanced at Wally, then back at her. "I'll see you when you get back."
He left the room, the door shut firm behind him. Leia stared at the door for a moment, then frowned. Surely Lorca wasn't jealous? Shaking her head, she made a note to talk to him when she got back. As curious as she was in Wally, it wasn't any sort of romantic interest.
She turned to Wally, then tapped her ear piece. "You on your way?"
The door opened. Tamara strode in, staff in hand. She stopped before them, glanced between them, her face hard to read. She'd already voiced her opinion on Leia's mission, so she wouldn't bring it up, especially in front of someone outside their inner circle.
"Be safe, you two. I'll send out a message once everyone's settled," said Tamara. Her gaze slid to Wally. "You better watch her back or else don't bother coming back."
