Chapter 28 –Chess Pieces
Ami snuck a piece of paper into Elsa's hand. "Once you get to the trading post, give this to a woman named Petz. I believe she is the one in charge now."
"Okay, Boss. Anything else? Ice cream? Champagne?" Elsa half-joked.
Ami shook her head. "Maybe, after we save the world." They needed the fire power if they were to fight through the army. The best place to get it would be the trading post. Hopefully, they remembered that they owed Ami and the others a huge favor.
She waved goodbye to the convey and then walked back to the lab.
Rei scooped the dirt back on to the hole she just dug. The guns and amno were security wrapped in a plastic bag. Ami had said the vaccine was almost in the testing phase, which was code for almost time to fight.
Rei stood up and wiped some sweat off her forehead. The sun shone brightly on the roof-top garden and it was an unusually warm day. She carried on harvesting some vegetables and placed them in the basket.
When she was done, Rei wandered over and started to look for possible sniper spots. When everything goes down, Rei was almost certain that they would have their own snipers too. Where could they hide? Rei shielded her eyes from the sun and looked far and wide.
The hospital building stood erect in the middle, amongst other buildings, which were all fenced off by three feet tall walls. That would be the perfect spot. Rei might just have to come behind the other snipers and take them out.
"Save the rotten meat," Minako yelled just as Mako was about to toss them in the garbage.
"Why would I want to do that? This could make someone very ill, or potentially kill them." Mako reluctantly placed the meat back in its container.
"It's either a bullet to their legs or rotten meat in their stomachs. We don't have to waste as much fire power if we can take them out of the fight before the fight." Minako patted the container and flashed a charming smile at Mako. "Okay, chef. Time to show your skills and see if you can mask the taste."
Mako grimaced and scratched her head. "We are rather low on seasoning. I don't know if ...oh, maybe if I over salt it? Well, care to be my Guinea pig?"
Minako snorted. "I'll be damned if I get sick before the fight. Just give it to one of the douche bags. Oh, give it to Rubeus."
Mako chuckled. She turned to open the cabinet and rummage about."What if we accidentally give it to the soldiers that were on our side? Elsa said she had convinced about 35 people to join the coup..."
"Then we will forewarn them. Skip the meat..."
Mako nodded. "Was this Ami's plan or yours?"
"Pleeeeeease. Your girlfriend is not the only smart one around here. Quite frankly, I am tired of waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Demande is bursting at the seams with insanity. Who knew when he would take us out..."
Seiya flashed a victory sign at Haruka. She had been chatting with this soldier for a few days now and it seemed she had finally charmed the soldier enough to give her a tour to the other sectors of the compound.
"I am not gay, but something about you...just screams yummy." The soldier had said earlier, while she unbuttoned her top three buttons and flashed her cleavage at Seiya.
"Okay. Just remember to take your eyes off her cleavage long enough to remember the layout of the entire compound, exit routes, blind spots..." Haruka reminded Seiya. "I saw your eyes wondered there..."
"Ah, just an act. My heart belongs to Usagi." Seiya spun around dramatically and placed her hand over her chest. "Anyway, how is Michiru's progress? Did she manage to turn more soldiers?"
Haruka nodded. Her face grew serious as she looked down. "Can we really do this? Urgh, I just want us to get out of here, so my wife isn't felt up by disgusting soldiers."
Seiya picked up her axe and swung it down hard on the wood. "We will. I have faith in us. Okay, maybe not you, but the rest of us."
Unknown to the soldier, Michiru snuck back the keys she had stolen yesterday. Now, they had access through every secure door in the compound.
"Ta da." She flashed the copies she made out of soap and tossed them to Ami.
"Was it difficult?" Ami paused eating long enough to ask the question. She had forgotten the last time she ate.
Michiru flipped her hair and smiled seductively at Ami. "I don't think anyone can resist this, male or female, eh? Anyway, jokes aside, when are we striking back?"
Ami shoved the last bite of the sandwich into her mouth. "Three days. We actually already have the vaccine made. We will start testing soon."
Michiru rested her head on her hands and thought for a moment. "How? Exactly..."
"Well, we still need a human subject to test this..."
Michiru held up her hand. "No, I mean how are we going to strike back. So far, you have each of us running errands and it's all good, but I would like to see the entire picture now."
Ami gulped and muttered her response. "I am actually counting on Demande being a melodramatic creep. He would probably get everyone together for the grand announcement, about having the vaccine. We give a signal and turn our guns at the higher ranking officers that have not turned yet."
"The soldiers mentioned that they have a zombie pit in the back. It was like their entertainment or fighting training. If we let them out..."
Ami shook her head. "I want to keep the kill count as low as possible. While some of these people are still loyal to Demande, I doubt they will be once they find out the truth."
Michiru frowned and protested. "You are counting on a lot of uncertainties..."
"Just like chess, you can only foresee so many moves. We will make adjustments as we go." Ami nodded to herself, trying to convince herself that it would be better not to kill everyone. She did have the means to, but she didn't want to. Usagi had inspired her that sometimes kindness could resolve conflicts too.
Just then, the lab door flung open and Rubeus dragged in a crying Chibiusa.
Blood drained from Ami and Michiru's faces.
"Colonel would like you to start gathering samples from this brat. Blood, bone marrow, etc. oh, he also said to give her the first shot of vaccine. Being related to Usagi, she might develop the antibodies too." Rubeus shoved the kid towards Ami.
Ami took Chibiusa's hand and pulled her into her embrace. Her voice, cold as ever, replied to Rubeus. "Tell Colonel it will be done in three days. Then we will give her the injection."
"Don't fuck this up. My neck is on the line." Rubeus snorted and left the lab.
"I am scared..." Fat tears continued to roll down Chibiusa's face.
"Don't worry, Chibi. I'll make sure you are okay." Ami pulled the child closer. Fuming inside, she wondered if she should listen to her own heart instead of Usagi's.
