BLUE GENDER

"Children of the Blue"

10. Overlord

The carrier truck followed Farrow's heavy duty shrike. Inside were Yuji and Pistol Jones with Captain Junker at the wheel. These three had accepted the invitation of Farrow to meet his boss—someone named Estes. The invitation was for an overnight stay at their compound.

Apparently this Estes was the man Amick had dealt with, the one who had control in the region. That region consisted of settlements scattered about the area. Farrow would not say much more than that other than to explain that there was a Blue nest to the southwest.

Marlene, Denise, Gunther, Gamble, and Moss stayed in Kingsville. They kept both armor shrikes when Farrow assured safe passage for Yuji's team.

Denise was spending her time re-calibrating the scanners. They were still showing lots of Blue when there were none to be seen. Everyone turned off their personal sensors otherwise the beeping would've driven them nuts.

In any case, Farrow led as they moved west of Kingsville into an industrial area. Most of the structures were now piles of rubble or empty frames.

At the end of the industrial area, next to the unmistakable silhouette of a launch ramp, sat what looked like a gigantic white box displacing several hundred square yards and rising some five stories into the air.

Pistol Jones said: "Looks like buddy got himself a 'Roach Motel'."

"A roach motel," Junker agreed.

Yuji understood that the two men knew something he didn't.

Jones chuckled then tried to explain as they closed on the ugly fortress.

"I think they was officially called a 'Pre-Fabricated Defensive Strongpoint' or something like that. But everyone called them roach motels."

Junker went on: "You never hear of a roach motel, Yuji?"

"Yeah," the Sleeper said, still confused. "A small box that attracts cock roaches then they got stuck inside and die. But I don't get it."

Junker said, "Well this thing here is somet'in they came up with the last couple years of losing to the Blue. A pre-fabricated base. You air lifted it piece by piece on Chinooks, put the pieces together, and poured concrete in em'. An instant hard-point to protect a space port or city or somet'in."

"So the Blue were like roaches? Got stuck in them?"

"No," Pistol Jones chuckled. "The poor bastards who got assigned to these felt like roaches. The whole thing is airtight so the Blue could crawl all over them and not get in. The walls were coated so the Blue couldn't eat them. The idea was you could hunker down and pick 'em off. Blue don't have explosives."

"Problem was," Junker explained. "The Blue damn well have patience. You prayed you didn't get over run while working in one of these. Cause once you were trapped in there was no gett'in out. The Blue just waited out there."

Pistol asked. "You ever serve in one, Cap?"

"Six months," Junker answered. "Outside of Philly trying to keep the Blue from gett'in to Jersey. We called ourselves the AC Expressway Toll Booth.

"I was the operations officer, in charge of the base defenses. I was the guy who got to push the button to seal us all in. Everyone really liked me."

A massive front gate was the only visible feature on the smooth walls. The gate opened vertically as they arrived.

In front of that gate were guard stations with sentries who looked more like refugees than soldiers (no battle armor, no discipline). They were armed with older automatic weapons, such as Colt M-4 assault rifles and HK MP5s.

Junker found that unsettling.

Inside, the roof panels were open allowing the evening sun to shine on the empty helipads and the series of bland buildings.

---

"Lots of malnutrition here," Dr. Gamble told Marlene as they strolled the main street. "Plenty of minor illnesses. But over all—well, they're alive."

The Kingsville people reminded her of the pitiful survivors they had found in Seoul during the Gran Seil mission.

Like those in Seoul, these villagers didn't want anything to do with Marlene and her people, even though they had saved them. Even though they were standing guard with two armored shrikes and weapons to beat back any further Blue attack. Even though the doctor was offering medical help.

Marlene didn't sense ingratitude. She sensed fear.

They approached Denise Karr who was practically upside down inside the pilot's seat of the Bullseye. Moss and Gunther were off on patrol.

"Any luck?" Marlene Angel asked.

Denise's voice was muffled from beneath the control panel.

"Nothing. The sensors are still going crazy," she said. "I've run a diagnostic twice. It's not the scanners."

Dr. Gamble sarcastically offered: "Maybe it's ghosts of the Blue."

---

Rico Estes had converted much of the pre-fabricated military base into a gaudy mansion: Beautiful artwork and ornate rugs, not to mention the gigantic oak desk in his huge main office.

Estes was a chubby short man who wore a big smile when the newcomers entered the office. He also wore a bushy mustache that helped make amends for the lack of hair on his scalp.

"Welcome! Welcome my new friends!"

"It's very nice to meet you," Yuji offered then he introduced his comrades.

After the introductions the men were seated around a conference table. While they spoke Yuji took note of the office. There was a large map on one wall with several areas circled. Those circles were then marked with either an 'X' or a checkmark. Most had check marks.

"So my friend, Mr. Farrow, tells me that you are Yuji Kaido, the most famous Sleeper of them all and one of Second Earth's greatest warriors. No?"

Farrow spoke first: "My mother always told me it was best to be humble."

Yuji: "Well that was long ago. Now I'm just a traveler looking for help."

"Then you have come to the right place."

Two girls entered the room and served refreshments: home made wine, water, bread, tomatoes, other vegetables, and more.

"Try the chicken wings," Estes suggested. "Fresh killed this morning."

"Well, Mr. Estes—"

"No! No! 'Rico', please. You embarrass me."

Yuji couldn't help but return the man's big and obviously phony grin.

"Okay, Rico. I am trying to—"

"We need to get to Second Earth," Pistol Jones felt it important to stop Yuji from explaining too much. "And we hear you have a shuttle."

"Now that takes the cake," Farrow said quietly. "My mother always told me not to interrupt others while they're talking. She said that was rude."

Rico grew somber although it felt as phony as his grin.

"I am so sorry to hear that. This is one place where I do not think I can be of help. And I so want to be of help to you."

"You do have a shuttle, don't you?" Yuji was hopeful.

"Si, I do have a shuttle. I used to have four shuttles. Then my men went to Second Earth to salvage. They not return. So I sent a rescue shuttle because I cared about my men and that shuttle did not return, either."

"And then a third one…?" Junker led.

Farrow answered: "That one exploded five hundred feet off the catapult. Mother always said to check fuel line integrity before lift off."

Junker took note of Farrow. The man was watching Yuji. Studying him. Sizing him up. It gave Junker an uneasy feeling.

"So as you can see, I have only one left," Estes told them.

"Whatddya say we trade you somethin' for it?" Pistol Jones suggested.

Estes considered. "I regret that I cannot think of anything I am needing."

"I can think of somethin'," Jones finished. "Mr. Farrow here tells us that you've got a Blue nest 'round here. What if we go take it out for you?"

"Say, yeah," Yuji jumped in. "We could do that."

"Mr. Yuji Kaido, you have but two of the—what do you call them?—armor shrikes. How could you do such at thing?"

Farrow told his boss: "Mr. Yuji Kaido is the best sleeper ever. I suppose he could burn that nest to the ground with a dirty look."

Farrow's words came across as him not buying the legend of Yuji Kaido.

Estes paused while tension swept the table. Then the man laughed.

"Oh, now you see why I keep him here," Rico said. "Mr. Farrow is a very funny man. Yes, a very funny man."

"We're surprised that there's still a nest around," Junker threw in.

"I could show it to you," Farrow glared at Junker.

Rico answered most seriously: "Oh, but there is. That is why Mr. Farrow is always out on guard, protecting all the people who look to us to save them."

"Mr. Farrow didn't seem too eager to protect Kingsville," Junker noted.

Rico shook his head with sadness: "Yes, this is true. But—what would you say?—we have only limited resources and must use them for people who contribute to the effort. Yes that's it. We must first protect those who contribute."

Junker leaned forward. "Did you say 'contribute' or 'pay tribute.'?"

Rico paused then laughed again: "Yes, yes you see. In the old world there was money, and land, and oil to buy with money and notes. In this world the economy is security and food and water. It is a horrible reality with which I must live. But I must be strong or none would survive."

"I see," Yuji was not pleased.

"I tell you what Mr. Yuji Kaido and your friends. Stay the evening with us and tomorrow we talk again. Maybe we can be of—what would you say?—assistance to one another. Let us talk again tomorrow."

"My mother always told me people think better after a good night's sleep."

---

Attendants showed Yuji and his companions to a recreation area and visitor's quarters. Farrow and Estes stayed behind and spoke for a moment.

"What is wrong with you?" Estes spoke as strongly as he dared to Farrow.

"You look at that man like he is your enemy. He is not our enemy."

Farrow responded, "He's a sleeper."

"Yes, yes of course, like you are a sleeper."

"No, he's the famous Yuji Kaido—savior of the planet."

"Ah, I see now," Estes was disappointed. "You are jealous."

"Mother always said, to be the best you had to beat the best."

"I am a business man. We make deals for that which we need."

Farrow seemed amused: "Like the deal you made with Raul? I don't think you can make a deal like that with Yuji Kaido."

Estes spoke harshly, "I make the deals here. You do what you—"

Farrow faced Estes and his face grew harsh and sharp. Estes faltered.

"I do what I want around here. Without me your head ends up on a stake. Think the people love you? They fear you because they fear me."

Estes looked away from his sleeper and nodded.

He then asked, "I see your head is strong. What is it you intend to do?"

Farrow smirked: "I think I'll take Yuji up on his offer to destroy the nest."

"Oh, I see, you are feeling—what is it?—lucky?"

Farrow answered: "Mother always said that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I am prepared. This is my opportunity."

"You are speaking fool's words. What opportunity?"

"The opportunity to be the best."

---

There was a full moon that kept popping out from behind the clouds. Its rays added to the light of a fire to illuminate the carrier truck and the two shrikes.

Marlene sat at the fire finishing off a chunk of smoked meat that had been part of the supplies the Orphans had sent along. Gunther was sitting with her. Dr. Gamble had gone for a walk and Moss and Denise were in the carrier truck doing the same thing they did every night.

A figure—not Dr. Gamble—walked toward them cautiously.

Marlene looked at the figure then smiled.

"Hello," Marlene welcomed.

The woman she had saved earlier that day—a thin, brown haired mother—walked to their fire.

"Hello, look, I'm sorry I didn't properly thank you for today," the woman was carrying a package. "So, well, here. And thank you."

She handed the package to Marlene, turned, and began to walk away.

Marlene saw that it was a basket full of fresh tomatoes and carrots.

"Wait!" Marlene called. "Please come back."

The woman looked about carefully, then returned.

"Why are you all afraid of us?"

"I'm sorry," the woman was ashamed. "When you live here you live afraid."

"Of what?" Marlene questioned while Gunther listened.

"The Blue. If not them, then that dictator overlord Estes."

"Tell us about him," Marlene requested.

The woman spoke quietly, "I have to be careful. His spies are all around. And when you speak bad of Estes you can end up dead."

"Why?"

"There are a lot of small communities, like this one, scattered around this area. Estes expects us to 'pay' him with food and clothes and labor in exchange for protection from the Blue nest."

"And if you do not pay, he come and hurt you?" Gunther suggested.

She shook her head: "No, he just won't let his Sleeper protect you."

"Today Farrow just watched when the Blue attacked," Marlene said.

"Right. We have gardens on the roofs here. He expected us to hand over just about all of it every month—there wouldn't be enough for us. We paid as long as we could and it worked—we never saw any Blue. Then we stop paying and they let them march right in on us."

"Where is the nest?" Marlene inquired.

The woman shook her head. "I don't know—I think somewhere to the southwest. But it doesn't matter—if your village doesn't pay then eventually the Blue find you. Last year a hundred people at the Riviera campground were slaughtered. Farrow—that arrogant jerk—didn't kill the bugs until they started heading toward a village that was all paid up."

"There's nothing anyone can do about it?" Marlene asked.

"Estes' men have all the weapons that count—if they catch you with anything big they take it. They come in here and start taking food and bothering the girls and pushing people around. But they're nothing without Farrow."

"How do you know about the Sleepers?" Marlene asked.

"Farrow brags about how he was one of the first Sleepers in the advanced platoons on Second Earth—even before the Sleeper Brigades. Talked about how many Blue he killed. Talked about leaving Second Earth after the coup.

"One day a group of travelers came to town and started telling the story of some other Sleeper—someone named 'Yuji Kaido.' Farrow went berserk. One guy said something smart and Farrow killed him. He's a cold hearted S-O-B."

"I see," Marlene noted and suddenly wondered if Yuji was in danger.

"So I'm sorry," the woman said, "that we didn't thank you like people are supposed to do. But sometimes we don't feel like people, we feel like peasants."

---

Yuji woke. It was early morning. He was in a large bed in a guestroom.

He had been up most of the night in the billiards room watching Pistol and Junker shoot games of 9-ball and tell war stories while smoking cigars.

As Yuji woke he realized two things. The first was that he didn't get enough sleep. The second was that Farrow was sitting in a chair next to his bed.

"Tell me, Yuji Kaido, can you pilot a heavy duty shrike?"

"Huh? Wha--? Farrow? What's wrong?"

"Mother always told me that the only person more foolish than a fool was the one who followed a fool."

Yuji shook the cobwebs from his mind: "What are you talking about?"

"Estes is a fool. He uses the Blue threat to coerce the people to pay. The nest is not big, but big enough that I can not handle it myself. Me and you, Yuji, two sleepers. We could dispose of this problem. And I can get you the shuttle."

"You can get me the shuttle? Let's get Marlene and the others—"

"No. Mother always said if you want something done right, do it yourself."

Yuji told Jones and Junker to return to Kingsville. He told them what he was doing. Junker was not happy but it was obvious Yuji had made up his mind.

The Captain, however, had made up his mind about something else.

He had made up his mind that all the luxuries in Estes' home were not right. He had made up his mind that two Blue travelling so far to attack a group of people who coincidentally had not paid their tribute was not right. He had decided that malfunctioning scanners and Farrow's obvious obsession with Yuji Kaido were not right either.

He had also decided that it wasn't right that Estes' men—who were so worried about this Blue nest—would be armed with M-4s and Mp5s. Those guns weren't made for killing Blue; they weren't high powered enough.

But they were great at killing people.

So Yuji and Farrow watched two men get into the carrier truck but as it left the "roach motel" only Pistol Jones was on board.

---

William Junker had spent six months living and working inside a facility identical to Estes'. And while that had been many years prior, he still knew the layout like the back of his hand. He still recognized the dormant computer terminals and he was certain he would still recognize the systems in them.

Yet as he stealthily moved through the facility (it was easy to avoid the lazy guards most of whom were sleeping) he found something that hadn't been a part of his "AC Expressway toll booth".

It was a tunnel large enough for a truck to pass through leading down.

He followed it. It was silent and dark.

The tunnel led to a large natural cavern, probably left over from some ancient glacier that had cut through the Wild Horse Dessert hundreds of thousands of years before.

The natural cavern had been converted into a man made facility.

Junker crept into the area and took refuge behind a pile of fuel drums.

From his vantage point he could see a series of sealed chambers, control panels, what looked to be chemistry or medical stations, and storage racks.

Other closed doors led off to other areas of the sub-level.

When he was sure no one was around, he crossed the open ground and approached the doors—like garage doors—of the chambers. Each had a very small viewing window.

The chamber was well lit on the inside and the door felt cold as if it were a refrigerated room.

Captain Junker saw why. The chamber—cast in a turquoise glow—was full of Blue eggs.

NEXT FACTOR:

11. Clues

Thug: "Well look at this tough little blondie…all hard on the outside…but I bet you're nice and soft on the inside…me and the boys here, we're fix'in to find out 'bout that…"