Something was amiss as Jaden slowly regained consciousness. Firstly, it was lighter. Yes it would be lighter in the daytime, but it shouldn't be so light inside the back room where Ben had left her. Second, there was no cold, backbreaking wall and floor beneath her. Instead she felt something soft beneath her, warm. And finally, there was a voice nearby. As she drifted closer and closer to consciousness, Jaden recognized the voice. Ben. But that was impossible. She'd ordered him to get back to the 2nd Mass. Jaden tried to move, but found her body incredibly stiff and on fire.
"'They had no conversation together, no intercourse but what the commonest civility required. Once so much to each other! Now nothing! There had been a time, when of all the large party now filling the drawing-room at Uppercross, they would have found it most difficult to cease to speak to one another.'" Ben said.
"Oh god…" Jaden mumbled.
"Jaden?"
Jaden opened her eyes. "Where did you get that book?"
Ben smiled and looked at the book. "Maggie brought it by last night."
Jaden nodded. "Maggie. Figures."
Anne walked to the bedside. "Good to see you're awake. How do you feel?"
Jaden slowly pushed herself onto her elbows. "Like a mech nearly blew off my leg."
Anne nodded. "That doesn't surprise me. The shrapnel in her leg did some damage, but it looks like your healing well. You got lucky last night."
"Thanks Doctor Glass." Jaden said.
"I know there's no point in tell you to stay off it," Anne said, she held up a crutch. "So use this please."
Jaden smiled. "Yes ma'am."
Anne turned and left them alone.
Jaden sat up and turned to Ben. "You disobeyed an order, Ben."
"I got the supplies to camp." Ben answered.
"And then went back out." Jaden replied.
"We weren't about to let you die out there."
Jaden's brows rose with curiosity. "We?"
Ben winced. He just hinted to other people involved in the rescue. Not good.
"Juts who else was involved in this stunt?" Jaden asked.
"It doesn't matter who-"
"WHO?" Jaden demanded.
Ben sighed. "Dai, Maggie, Jimmy, and Anne."
"Oh my god. You dumbass! Did you even think of what could've happened to you if that mech was still around? It could've been using me as bait and easily would've killed all of you. Then the 2nd Mass would be in serious trouble. Three fighters and our only doctor dead. And I know your father would be crushed if he lost you. You need to think about these things Ben." Jaden explained.
"I did."
"No, you didn't. You can't always do that, you put your life and who knows how many more lives at risk. Just because your dad and brother pull stunts like this, doesn't mean you can too." Jaden replied.
Ben nodded slowly. He felt like he was ten years old, getting scolded for fighting with Hal. But he also knew that Jaden was right. Going back could've ended very differently, very badly. He'd put four people in unnecessary danger in going back, not to mention himself and Jaden. And if things had gone differently, the 2nd Mass wouldn't be the same. He'd acted too rashly, he hadn't been thinking straight.
"Thanks…for coming after me." Jaden said quietly. Ben looked up at Jaden. She was looking down at her hands. "I don't…I didn't think anyone would ever do that for me."
As Ben watched Jaden, he noticed there was something different about her. She wasn't cocky, or brash. She was genuinely surprised that he'd come back for her. He thought back to what Jaden had told him, about her family and staff that had abandoned her to die in the attack. It was no wonder she barely trusted people of the 2nd Mass. Ben reached out and gently took Jaden's hand. "We're partners, JJ. We look out for each other."
Jaden looked up and smiled. "Thanks Ben."
"You're welcome."
"Just don't let the heroics go to your head." Jaden said, returning to her humorous, defensive self.
Ben smiled. "Hey, I heard Uncle Scott got the old projector working. Sounds like they're going to be playing old cartoons tonight in the gym."
"Sounds like fun. Are you going?" Jaden asked.
"Well I was thinking that…if you're up to it…we could go together." Ben explained.
Jaden's brows arched. "Like a date?"
Ben felt his cheeks flush with warmth. He swallowed nervously and opened his mouth. "No, no, I wouldn't…that is…not that you're not…you are…I was…just thinking that I could…you…help you out in getting to the gym."
"You don't think I can move on my own?" Jaden asked.
"No-no I…" Ben closed his mouth and watched Jaden. Her lips were slightly turning, but she tried to stop herself. He realized she was messing with him…again. He sighed. "You really love screwing with people, don't you?"
Jaden nodded and started laughing. "Kinda, yeah."
Ben laughed and gently pushed her.
"Alright! Everybody gather round! I got an announcement to make!" roared Pope.
"Oh god I forgot we brought him back." Jaden groaned. She carefully swung her legs around the bed.
"Jaden, you don't have to go." Ben said.
"Can you pass me the crutch?" Jaden asked. Ben passed the crutch that Anne had set at the foot of the bed. "Besides, why would I want to miss Pope getting locked up again?"
Ben shook his head. He held out his hand for Jaden. Jaden took Ben's hand and rose up. Ben helped her steady out on her feet. She moved the crutch in front of her and took a step. Her thigh burned from the movement, but not enough to make her stop.
"You got it?" Ben asked.
Jaden nodded. "Yeah, just a little sore."
"C'mon, I'm only gonna do this once!" Pope ordered.
"Be better do as his highness commands." Jaden joked.
They walked out of the science lab and into the hall. Other resistance members we remaking their way outside to the front entrance of the school. The legs of her jeans flapped as she walked. Jaden moved slowly through the hall, just trying to stay on her feet with the crutch. Ben walked beside her, just on the off chance that the crutch didn't work out for Jaden.
They reached the front of the school where the entire resistance had gathered. Pope stood in front of everyone, limping as he went about. A mech head piece was set on a crate just across from him. Ben hopped down the stairs in front of Jaden. He took her crutch and simply lifted her onto the ground. Jaden felt herself blush slightly but said nothing. She noticed Ben smirking at her, but kept silent. They moved toward the edge of the crowd. Jaden eased herself onto a crate and set her crutch down beside her. Ben stood beside her and watched Pope.
"So, the score is aliens one, humans zero!" Pope explained. "Hell, humans aren't even on the bored."
"You're supposed to be making bomb, Pope!" Weaver called, joining the crowd.
"You ever heard of multi-tasking?" Pope asked. "It's all under control."
"It better be, cause I'm itching for a reason to put you back behind bars." Weaver replied.
Jaden leaned toward Ben. "See."
Ben snorted.
"The bad guys have us outgunned." Pope called. He hopped off the crate he was standing on. "It takes an entire magazine just to put a dent in one of their tin soldiers!" He turned to a soldier beside Weaver. "May I?"
"Watch him." Weaver ordered.
The man handed over his rifle to Pope. A chorus of rifles sounded behind Pope, watching him closely. Jaden reached for her hip holster, onto to remember it wasn't there. Ben chuckled beside her and held out her thigh holster with her pistol. Jaden took her gun and readied it in case Pope made a wrong choice.
Pope fired the rifle at the mech helmet. The bullets ricocheted off the helmet, not even denting it. Pope returned the rifle. "So that's the way it's been. But, there's a new sheriff in town."
Jaden tilted her head. "Is that a bullet?"
Ben nodded. What was Pope up to?
"It's a standard bullet! Only it's got a mech metal slug. Got a .45?" Pope asked.
The soldier handed over his weapon to Pope again. Pope removed the bullets and slid the mech bullet into the chamber. He turned and aimed at the helmet. The shot rang out, but was soon drowned out by the shattering sound of the bullet ripping through the mech helmet. Jaden's eyes grew wide and she straightened on the crate. The crowd burst into applause and cheers. They had a way to retaliate against the mech's!
Jaden smiled and turned to Ben. Ben's head was turned away from the demonstration. "Ben?"
Ben turned to her. "Huh?"
"You alright?"
Ben nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He motioned to the helmet. "The mech's won't be."
Jaden laughed. "The outer space s.o.b.'s won't know what hit them."
Pope's demonstration had been enough to lift everyone spirits in the school. Several fighters had been called to help manufacture more bullets to get a jump on the ammunition. Everyone else had been assigned to their regular duties. At least, as regular as you could get with an upcoming retaliation. By nightfall, everyone who wasn't on patrol or on some duty or whatnot was in the gym. Uncle Scott had set up the project in the back of the gym, using one of the sheets as a drop cloth for a screen. The old cartoons played on the screen, providing everyone with much needed entertainment and humor. Some people had gathered chairs, others spread out sleeping bags on the floor. Jaden was sitting on the floor with the Mason boys. Matt was sitting beside, sharing his popcorn. Ben and Hal sat behind them, laughing at the cartoon. The film played through until the end of the reel.
"Okay folks, that's it." Uncle Scott called.
Everyone rose from their seats or the floor and began moving toward their quarters. Ben and Hal stood up from their chairs. Jaden was still sitting down. Matt was leaned against her shoulder, asleep. Ben smiled and nudged Hal's shoulder. Hal turned and looked down at Matt. Hal smiled and picked Matt up into his arms. Ben held out his hand to Jaden and helped her up to her feet.
"He fell asleep halfway through the cartoons." Jaden explained.
"Matt never could stay up late, even when he tried." Ben replied.
"Unlike his brothers and his dad, who never seems to get the chance to sleep." Jaden said.
"Yep."
They walked out of the gym and into the hall. Jaden walked slowly down the hall with Ben right beside her. She'd abandoned the crutch a few hours after Pope's demonstration, against Anne's recommendations, but she was moving fine. Slow, but fine. They walked through the hall toward Jaden's quarters. Ben had been insistent on making sure she got back alright.
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Ben asked.
"Kill some alien ass." Jaden answered.
Ben laughed. "Is Weaver putting you back on duty?"
"I'm meeting with him tomorrow. We'll see how it goes from there." Jaden said.
Ben nodded.
"What about you?" Jaden asked.
Ben shrugged. "I don't know. I mean, if we're not running supplies then I really don't have anything else to do."
"You could always catch up on your reading." Jaden joked.
Ben gently pushed Jaden to the side. "Yeah I was enjoying Persuasion."
"Hey, leave my books outa this." Jaden replied, pushing Ben.
They reached Jaden's quarters. Jaden turned toward Ben. "Well, this is me."
Ben nodded. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow. If you're not on duty."
"Maybe." Jaden replied.
They stood in front of Jaden's door for a few silent moments. Jaden watched Ben. He was shifting nervously in front of her, like he wanted to say something more. She could hear his heart picking up in his chest. She tilted her head. "Ben?"
Ben leaned forward to Jaden. His lips met her quickly, taking Jaden by surprise. Her body stiffened for a moment, and then relaxed. Jaen closed her eyes and lost herself. Ben gently reached up ad touched her cheek. For a moment, they weren't razor-backs, or fighters, or runners; they were just two kids, acting on their emotions.
Jaden pulled from Ben slowly, reluctantly. She opened her eyes and looked away from Ben.
"Don't forget curfew." Maggie called, walking past them into her room.
Jaden turned quickly and entered her room behind Maggie, closing the door behind her. Jaden took a deep breath and walked away from the door. Maggie sat on her cot, smiling at Jaden. Jaden scratched around her bandage and sat down.
"About time you guys made a move." Maggie said.
"Ben did." Jaden said.
"Wow, boy knows what he wants."
Jaden looked over her shoulder. "He's gonna be disappointed when he doesn't get it."
Maggie cocked a brow. "You gonna shoot him down?"
"Damn straight." Jaden answered. She pulled off her top and grabbed her sleep wrap. She carefully undid her bra and slipped on her wrap. She wrapped it around her chest and tied it in front. "Why do you care anyways Maggie? You never show any interest in this kinda of crap."
"True enough JJ, I'll give you that." Maggie replied. "I just want you to know why you're turning him down."
"You mean besides the age difference?" Jaden asked.
Maggie shrugged. "So it's a couple years."
"Four years is more than a couple Maggs. That gap will always be an issue, aliens or not."
"Why else?"
"We're in the middle of a war where children are being used as slave labor and human shields." Jaden continued.
"You know, not that those things ain't happening, but I'm just hearing excuses. I mean, you totally have a thing for him." Maggie said.
Jaden turned around to face Maggie. "And what about Hal?"
Maggie arched a brow and smile. "We're partner's. Nothing more."
"Please, I've seen the way you look at him. It's not all the time, but there's a look that's more than looking after your partner."
"The guy just recently lost his girlfriend JJ. If there's anything, it's sympathy." Maggie answered.
Jaden lay back on her cot and turned off the lantern. "Hey Maggie, I know I've never said this, but I'm glad we're roommates."
"Why's that?"
"You're more fun to talk to." Jaden said.
Maggie snorted. "Yeah, nothing like girl talk for emotionally damaged girls."
"Here, here!" Jaden laughed. As sad as the reality of the two of them was, it was still funny to them. They weren't denying anything about their lack of comfort with emotions, besides anger. They knew full well how damaged they were, that was why they roomed so well together, they could relate, give each other support, and kick each other in the ass when the other needed it. It was the best kind of roommate anyone could want.
Jaden walked down the hall the next morning. Maggie had gone looking for Tom and Hal, something about a recon mission that Tom asked her to cover for him. They both left their quarters heading in two different directions. Jaden walk toward Weaver's office. Her legs were nearly back to normal, enduring more than they had the day before. She despised the skitters, but she was glad for the quick healing and endurance. The only perk to being kidnapped and enslaved.
As she walked through the hall, she listened around her, everyone was bustling about the upcoming attack that was in twelve hours. She could gear Pope taunting Matt about being a prince. She made a mental note to make sure Matt wasn't anywhere near Pope again and make sure Tom knew about it. Another conversation caught her attention. It was Weaver and Tom! Jaden quickened her pace and listened.
"I gave you an order I expect it to be followed out." Weaver said.
"Captain, I'd like a word in private." Tom said.
Oh this can't end well. Jaden thought.
"I know about the pills, I'd like to know how many of those you're taking." Tom said.
"We don't have time for this. We are one day way from kicking these aliens in the teeth."
"And you're shutting me out. Sending me off on a sentry post duty." Tom replied. "If you're holding something back-"
"What're you gonna do? You gonna relieve me of my command?" Weaver asked.
Tom don't do anything stupid. Jaden thought. She turned the corner. She was almost there.
"I'd hope you'd do the right thing for the 2nd Mass before it came to that." Tom answered.
"You've been wanting to take over this command ever since Porter gave you a commission." Weaver accused. "Questioning my strategy, ignoring a direct order that is a rank insubordination. Danner and Jimmy!"
Jaden picked up her pace. She rounded the corner to Weaver office.
"Jimmy, get the door. Lieutenant Danner, secure Tom's weapon. Hold him in the boiler room, until I tell you otherwise." Weaver said.
Jaden slowed at Weaver's door just as it opened. Danner walked out backwards, dragging tom out by his collar. Tom looked at Jaden but said nothing as Danner dragged him down the hall. Jaden slowly entered Weaver's office.
"Captain." Jaden said.
Weaver turned his attention to Jaden. "Jaden, Doctor Glass cleared you for duty already?"
Jaden nodded. "Yes sir."
"Good. I need your eyes on the roof, keeping watch for returning scouts." Weaver ordered. "You can handle that?"
"Yes sir, I can manage." Jaden said. She turned and left the room with Jimmy. They walked into the hall toward the north entrance. She waited until they were out of hearing range from Weaver. "Jimmy, I know I shouldn't second guess Weaver's orders, but why would he hold Tom in the boiler?"
Jimmy didn't answer.
"Jimmy." Jaden urged.
"He…he said something about Tom poisoning the ranks." Jimmy explained.
They stepped out onto the north entrance patio. Jaden pulled Jimmy aside. "Jimmy, have you known Tom to make any decision to jeopardize the 2nd Mass?"
"Weaver wouldn't give an order unless it was for the 2nd Mass." Jimmy replied.
A high pitch shriek echoed in her head. Jaden shook her head. She turned from Jimmy and headed to the ladder. "I guess Weaver knows who he can trust."
Suddenly a high pitched sound ripped through Jaden's head. It practically paralyzed her body, filling her with unimaginable pain. Her breath hitched in her throat, pain seared from her forehead to the base of her skull. Jaden leaned against the wall for support, dropping her rifle. She could hear something hidden within the pain. It was a person…Ben…and Rick!
"JJ?" Jimmy asked, rushing around the corner.
Then, as suddenly as it started, it ended abruptly. Jaden exhaled deeply and rubbed her head.
"Are…are you alright?" Jimmy asked.
Jaden nodded slowly. "Yeah. I…I'm fine." She climbed up the ladder to her post. She couldn't get the familiarity of that feeling from her head. She crawled onto her stomach and took her position.
Jaden stared through her sight for a whole five minutes before it drove her insane. She rose from the roof and climbed back down. She jumped the stairs, ignoring the pain in her leg. She hurried through the hallway. Whatever it was had stopped, but she had a general idea of where it had come from. Jaden weaved through the fighters, ducking out of sight as she past Weaver and more fighters. She rounded the corner and found the room. Uncle Scott's workshop. Scott wasn't in the room, but Ben was. He was looking over a small hand cranked radio.
"I thought it was them at first."
Jaden and Ben both turned. Rick was standing at the door behind them.
"You heard it too?" Ben asked.
Rick nodded and slowly walked toward Ben.
"I'm glad it wasn't the skitters." Ben said.
"But what was it?" Jaden asked. She walked closer toward the table, examining the radio.
"Uncle Scott's trying to use the radio to contact the other resistance groups, maybe jam the signals between skitters. Or, something like that." Ben explained.
"So that…sound that we all heard is what? Some skitter frequency?" Jaden asked.
"I'm not sure. But I'm glad it wasn't the skitters." Ben said.
"Amen to that." Jaden said.
Ben turned to Rick. "So are you, aren't you?"
"But if he does that, they might not find us." Rick said.
Jaden and Ben exchanged glanced. Jaden looked to Rick. "That's the point Rick."
"Is that you're new thing? Creeping me out?"
Jaden turned to Ben. "What?"
"Why haven't you told the other humans about me?"
"Cause I keep hoping you'll stop talking like that." Ben replied.
"Ben what's he talking about?" Jaden asked.
"You realize that everything the skitters did to us was wrong. You're human too."
"I don't wanna be. You're not telling them because you're scared." Rick stated.
Ben swallowed nervously. Jaden frowned, she could hear Ben's heart rate quicken in his chest. Something that Rick was saying was bothering Ben, greatly.
"Cause you can feel the change coming. Both of you."
"What change?" Jaden asked.
"Is that why we can hear the radio?" Ben asked.
"Alright, that's it. I'm getting Doctor Glass right now." Jaden said. She turned and moved quickly toward the door.
Ben turned. "Jaden wait!" He grabbed Jaden's arm and pulled her into the classroom and closed the door.
"Ben what is your problem?" Jaden demanded.
"You can't tell anyone."
"Rick's talking about the skitters coming and returning to them. Someone needs to know." Jaden replied. She moved toward the door.
Ben pulled her against the wall. "I am asking you not too."
Rick walked past them to the door. "I hope the come soon." He walked out of the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Jaden shook herself from Ben's grasp. "How long have you know about this?"
"What?"
"'You haven't told the other humans about me.' You knew something was wrong and you haven't said anything." Jaden accused.
"Because I keep thinking he'll snap out of it."
"Maybe he will if we tell someone." Jaden replied. "Look Ben, I know I kept some things from you, but this is bigger than that. Rick could be a threat to the 2nd Mass, hell we could be a threat to the 2nd Mass."
"JJ I am begging you not to tell anyone about this. Give me a few hours to talk to Rick and if he still wants to go back to them, I'll tell my dad." Ben explained. "Don't tell anyone about Rick or the radio, just let me handle it. Please."
Jaden sighed heavily. She didn't like being the one to make these deals, she'd rather be the dealer. But with the retaliation coming up, she was needed on her post. "Two hours, not a minute more. If Rick's still talking skitter, we talk to your dad and Anne Glass the second we meet up."
"Deal."
Jaden turned her head. She heard the sound of the scouting motorcycles. They were a few miles off, five at least. "That's not right."
"What?" Ben asked.
Jaden shook her head. "Worry about Rick, I gotta get to my post."
Jaden was at her post when Weaver walked out of the school several minutes after her. The motorcycles were only a few miles out, and growing audible to the human ears. Jaden watched as Hal and Maggie rode around to the back of the school. Jaden traded places with one of the south patrolmen and sat on the roof. She watched Hal and Maggie ride up to Weaver.
"Captain."
"What're you doing back so soon?" Weaver demanded.
"Saw fresh signs of skitters and mechs. All down 119 and route 2." Hal explained.
"They redeployed. In that case, we'll just have to punch through. Weaver said.
Jaden's eyes grew wide. "You gotta be kidding Weaver."
"Convoys a tempting target, especially out on the open road." Maggie replied.
"Then we'll take back roads and we'll crawl through the brush. You're dismissed." Weaver replied. He walked away from them and moved to check the other vehicles.
Jaden shook her head. This wasn't right. Whatever Weaver was thinking, it wasn't going to work. That was what Tom had been talking about this morning before Weaver had him locked up. She needed to get down there and talk to Hal and Maggie. Maybe they could get him out.
"This just keeps getting better and better." Maggie said.
"We need to find my dad." Hal said. He turned toward the school entrance.
Jimmy was standing not too far from the door with the golden retriever Nemo. He watched Hal and Maggie head toward the door. "Hal...wait up."
"What's going on Jimmy?" Hal asked.
Jaden took a look around. No one was watching the roof. She jumped down, landing behind them. Hal, Maggie, and Jimmy looked over to her in surprise. "If you're gonna go against Weaver's order, I suggest find someone else you can trust inside, Jimmy."
Hal frowned. "What are you guys talking about."
"Just wait; you'll love this story, Hal."
"Let's find Doctor Glass." Jimmy said.
"I don't believe this. Weaver has Tom in custody?" Anne asked.
"Danner's locked him in the boiler room." Jimmy explained. "Tom was asking him about the drugs he was taking and he lost it."
Anne sighed. "I'm not surprised."
Hal sighed and shook his head.
"I don't think Weaver wants to hurt your dad. I don't know why he's doing this, but he's a good man." Jimmy explained.
"But he's going about this all wrong, Jimmy." Jaden said.
"Good man or not, he's endangering every man here." Anne replied.
"We gotta get my dad out." Hal said.
"That's gonna be easier said than done." Jaden said. "Danner's a trained soldier, he knows how to fight."
"Maybe I could help?" Jimmy offered.
Everyone exchanged uncertain looks.
"Doctor Glass!" Lourdes called.
Anne turned. Dai seemed to be waking up. "Hal, when you get Tom, bring him back here."
The four of them walked out of the infirmary and into the hall.
"Any ideas?" Maggie asked.
"If someone can distract Danner long enough, I can get the jump on Danner." Jaden explained.
"I thought you said that wasn't going to be easy. He's a soldier." Hal whispered.
"He is, but can he manage a razor-back?" Jaden asked.
"That's too risky, JJ. If you make too much noise someone could hear." Hal replied.
"And then Waver's got us all on treason." Maggie stated.
"Which is why the two of you can watch the halls." Jimmy offered. "I can deliver food to Tom; Danner won't suspect me because I was with him when Weaver relieved Tom. I can cause the distraction."
"That's pretty risky stuff, Jimmy. You up for it?" Jaden asked.
Jimmy nodded.
"Alright, Jimmy, get the food and meet us in the boiler room." Hal ordered.
Jimmy nodded and headed toward the gym. Hal, Maggie, and Jaden continued to the boiler room. The boiler room was situated in the lower level of the school. They walked through the halls and took the back stairs onto the lower level. They slipped through the locked doors, making sure no one saw them. They jogged down the hall and came up to the door of the boiler room. Hal and Maggie moved down the hall for watch. Jaden stayed near the door and waited for Jimmy. She set her rifle down on the ground and removed her holsters. She couldn't go in there armed, even if Danner was. If she disarmed him, he could still arm himself with one of her weapons.
Jimmy came down to the door just minutes later, carrying the food tray. Jaden hid behind the door and nodded. Jimmy knocked on the door and waited. Jaden could hear Danner walking up the steps. He opened the door a crack.
"Weaver ordered me to bring down some chow." Jimmy said as he entered the boiler room.
"We'll, everybody's gotta eat, huh?" Danner replied.
Jaden listened to their footsteps. She could hear Danner holstering his weapon and move toward the cage.
"Watch him." Danner said.
It was almost time. She could hear Danner fiddling with the keys and the lock on the gate. She grabbed the door and eased it open quietly. The tray clattered to the floor loudly, signaling Jaden to move. She flung the door open and jumped over the stairs. She heard the gate crash open and a loud pop. Fire seared into her left leg, throwing her off balance. Jaden stumbled onto the floor beside Danner's discarded weapon. Danner and Tom pressed against the grate of the cage. Jaden heaved herself up onto her feet and hurled Danner off of Tom and into the opposite wall. Danner slammed into the wall and staggered back. He turned around and faced Jaden. He stepped toward Jaden, but Tom lunged after Danner. He threw him to the floor. Tom pulled Danner's hand behind his back.
"Dad!" Hal called, entering the boiler room.
"Gimmie something to tie him up!" tom ordered.
Hal looked around for something.
"Cable!" Jaden called.
Hal looked to the wall and pulled the cables from the wall. He passed it to his dad, who proceeded to tie up Danner. Jaden looked down at her leg. The bullet had ripped through the bandages and given her a new injury to her already battered body. But it was a full penetration, luckily.
"What're you doing here?" Tom asked.
"When we tried to make it to the five mile mark, we couldn't. We saw fresh signs of skittered and mechs." Hal explained.
"You tell that to Weaver?"
"First thing." Hal answered.
"What about the attack?"
"He didn't care." Hal answered. "We are punching through."
"Weavers determined to make this attack happen." Jaden said.
"Dai's coming around." Hal said. "What are we gonna do with Danner?"
"Leave him."
"You son of a bitch."
"Not without a gag. Otherwise Weaver will know what happened before we're ready." Jaden said. She tripped off her shirt sleeve and tied it around her leg.
"We gotta find a way to stop Weaver." Tom said. He grabbed a cloth from Danner's pack and shoved it into Danner's mouth. He turned to Jaden. "You okay?"
Jaden nodded and smirked. "Just another battle scar."
Tom held out his hand for Jaden and helped her up. "You ready to risk a few more."
"If it means protecting the 2nd Mass, then hell yes sir." Jaden answered.
"We need to get to the infirmary." Hal said.
They ran out of the boiler room, leaving Danner secured alone. They moved through the back halls toward the infirmary. Jaden took up the rear with her injury, but managed to keep up with the others. Maggie moved on point, scoping out their path. They moved up the stairs and came out just a hallway from the infirmary. Maggie jogged ahead and stood at the infirmary doors. Tom, Hal, Jimmy, and Jaden moved quickly through the hall.
Anne and Lourdes were still at Dai's side. Anne stood up hearing them enter. "He's weak but he'll put through."
"Check JJ over. Danner shot her trying o break me out." Tom said. He walked to Dai's bed and sat down. "I know you're hurtin' Dai, but this is important. I need to know about Porter."
Dai swallowed. "An hour after I reached Porter's post skitters and mechs hit. Porter was pinned down. Probably dead by now."
"Dead?" Jimmy asked.
"Oh damnit." Jaden whispered.
Tom's face was grave with the information. Porter had brought the resistance together. They'd all been scrounging for food just to survive, let alone retaliate. News that he was dead was…unthinkable.
"His team laid down cover fire for me. I got hit when a mech blew up." Dai continued.
"Dai this is important. What were Porters orders?"
"The other regiments, reported in. Runner went out, never came back. Porter said, that without confirmation, the 4th and 5th were alive, the attack would be aborted." Dai explained.
"Did you tell that to Captain Weaver?" Tom asked.
"All of it." Dai grimaced. "This mission is no good."
They fell into an ominous silence. Tom leaned back. Porter was gone. The upper command of the resistance was in all likelihood gone. The 4th and 5th were gone, and the seventh, possibly the 3rd as well. Their regiment was alone in this attack and Weaver knew it. But he was still willing to keep going.
"So we're in this alone?" Maggie asked, breaking the silence. "Weaver sure doesn't have a problem with tall odds."
"That's for sure." Jaden replied.
Anne shook her head. "It's not like him to disobey an order from Porter. What is he thinking?"
"He's thinking, he's gonna go ahead with the mission, facts on the ground be damned." Tom answered.
"So how do we stop him?" Hal asked. "He's got all the fighters and all the weapons."
"Most of them." Tom corrected. "Not all."
Anne turned her attention to Jaden and started treating her wound. "He'd change his mind if the 2nd Mass knew?"
Tom turned his head to Anne. "What?"
Anne looked up. "I just thought, maybe if the whole camp knew-"
"And not just us and Weaver-"
"He'd pull out of this." Tom finished. He stood up. "We confront him as a group. We might be able to change his mind. But we need to get those bombs offline first."
"Pope's shop is on the other side of the school, you're going to have a hell of a time getting there unseen." Jaden replied.
Tom stood up and shouldered his weapon. "That's my problem, you all stay here." He turned and walked out into the hall.
Anne stood up from the bed and grabbed several supplies. She walked back to the beds and sat down beside Jaden. She cut open her jeans and pulled on her gloves. She started cleaning Jaden's leg wound. "You're pushing your luck Jaden."
"Tell me about it." She replied. She felt a dull ache in the back of her head. It faded quickly, along with her concern.
Anne placed a gauze patch on Jaden's leg. "You're lucky you don't need stitches."
Jaden looked up. Hal was standing at the door, watching for his dad. Maggie and Jimmy were watching the windows. Lourdes was watching over Dai. Jaden looked back down at Anne as she finished placing the adhesive strips on Jaden's leg. Suddenly the pain started up again. Jaden winced as it ripped open her brain. She could hear the skitters in town, hear the steps of the mechs patrolling. Rick and Ben, somewhere in the school. And vaguely, vaguely aware that Anne was talking to her.
The pain died out quickly, shutting down everything, to a degree. Jaden opened her eyes. Everyone in the room was watching her. She exhaled deeply, trying to keep further suspicion from her.
"Jaden?" Anne asked.
"I'm fine. Just…got one of those sudden headaches." Jaden explained.
"Must've been one bad headache." Maggie said.
"Do you need any Tylenol?" Anne asked
Jaden shook her head. "No. No, I'm alright now."
"Here he comes." Hal called. He jogged back into the infirmary.
Not two seconds later, Tom came running back into the infirmary.
"How'd it go?" Anne asked.
"Weaver's on his way. Everyone hide." Tom explained.
"You're sure?" Hal asked.
"Who else is Pope going to tell?" Tom asked. He reached into his coat and grabbed several wires and tossed them to Jaden. "Keep those safe JJ. Everyone hide."
"Lourdes, get out of sight." Anne instructed. She moved to Dai's side to watch him.
Hal and Maggie ducked behind the student tables. Tom pulled up the curtain and hid at the walls edge. Jimmy ducked completely out of sight from everyone. Jaden rose from the bed and ducked behind the cabinet in front of Anne. She slipped the wires into her sleeve. Everyone waited through the following minutes. Jaden could hear heavy footsteps coming down the hall. She watched Anne look up toward the door.
"Captain Weaver." Anne said, standing up.
"Doctor Glass, I hear Tom's been to see you." Weaver said. "I need to know where he is."
"Tell me what you've been going through, Captain. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you'd put that gun down." Anne said.
Maggie and Hal stood with their weapons trained on Weaver. Weaver aimed for them, only to have tom raise his pistol to his head. Hal walked up and took Weaver's rifle and pistol.
"Well what are you gonna do? You gonna shoot me?" Weaver asked.
"I'm the optimist, remember?" Tom asked. "I'm still hoping that you're gonna listen to reason. Now what's the operational plan, the real one?"
"Rendezvous with the 4th and 5th in a coordinated attack!"
"I talked to Dai! Our orders are to stand down!"
"That's not the way I heard it. The mission's still a go unless the 4th adn 5th-"
"We wait for them for confirmation!"
"Damnit! The aliens have to know we're not gonna lie down!" Weaver said.
"You think I don't wanna fight 'em?" Tom asked. He motioned his gun. Weaver walked around to the back corner. "This has to be done the right way. That means all cards on the table, with a commanding officer who's judgment hasn't been compromised."
"How far're you gonna go with this-"
"Pretty far. I had Pope defuse the bombs. And if you don't back off, I'm gonna be forced to relieve you of your command." Tom explained.
"Ah-ah!" Maggie turned. Pope stood behind them with Weaver's rifle. "You're fast, Maggie, but not that fast. Sorry, but you may wanna reconsider that Professor."
"Dad what's he doing? I thought talked to him?" Hal asked.
Tom sighed. He handed his weapon to Weaver. "I did."
"My apologies, Cambridge, but uh, I just couldn't bring myself to defuse those charges. I figured, I had a choice of either sitting around or, killing cooties and um…cooties win every time." Pope explained. "But you'll be happy to know that those bombs are beauts. They're gonna cause I lot of damage."
Tom shook his head. "No they won't."
Jaden rose behind Pope and placed her pistol to the back of Pope's head. He stiffened. "But this might. One shot, back of the head. Big mess to clean up, but uh between cooties and convicts…it comes down to who's at the other end of my gun when I pull the trigger."
Pope growled and looked behind him.
"When Pope came to warn you I took the blasting fuses. Bombs are out of commission." Tom explained.
Weaver's eyes grew wide. "Where are they?"
"The aliens can't kill us fast enough? We have to do it for them?" Anne asked
Weaver raised his weapon. "Where are the damn fuses?"
Tom held up his hands. "You said, that the only way this is gonna work, is if people have faith in their commanding officer that goes both ways. You have to have faith in them."
"I'm doing this for them. For all of us."
"Alright then tell them. Tell them the truth, Porters gone. And that this attack, whether we live or die isn't gonna be just a command decision!" Tom dropped his rifle onto the floor in front of Weaver. "We don't have enough people left for a suicide mission!"
Weaver pressed the pistol to Tom's chest.
"Go ahead and do it. Go ahead." Tom said. "If shooting me keeps the 2nd Mass together, go ahead and do it. I'm not that pulls it apart."
Weaver stared at tom, debating on his choice.
"There's another way."
"What?" Weaver demanded.
"You can trust our people the way they trust you." Tom explained.
Jimmy slowly walked out of the corner. "Captain?"
Weaver took a quickly glance toward Jimmy. "Jimmy?"
"We wanna follow you. All of us." Anne said. "You just have to let us."
Weaver was quiet. The internal struggle between command and reason were clearly battling it out in his mind. There was no doubt the magnitude of Weaver's decision and the impact whatever he chose would make on the 2nd Mass. There was no doubt of the pressure undergoing in his mind to make the best choice for his fighters and his civilians. He slowly lowered his pistol from Tom's chest, much to everyone's relief. Everyone, save for Pope, seemed to relax just a fraction.
"Put down your weapon." Weaver ordered.
Pope rolled his eyes. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Lower your weapon. Weaver repeated.
Pope held his fingers off the trigger and lowered the rifle to the floor.
Weaver shook his head. "I'm not sayin' you're right, but they deserve to know the fact of the mission."
"Call for volunteers, they need to hear both sides." Tom said.
"And they will." Weaver said. He handed Tom his pistol back. "Cause you'll be there beside me. Jimmy, gather everyone in the gym. Ten minutes."
Jimmy nodded. "Yes sir."
Everyone gathered in the gym, fighters and civilians. Hal and Maggie stood near the front of the crowd with Jimmy. Jaden stood off to the side, leaning against the wall. Ben stood in the back with Uncle Scott and his wife. They stood together, silent, waiting for Weaver to speak. As he looked around the gym at each one of his people, he saw their fear in their eyes. The battles they'd seen the loved one's they'd all lost. But he saw their courage. The courage to keep going, to keep fighting one more day. Even if it was their last day, they all kept going.
"I don't need to tell you people what's at stake, we all been livin' on the edge since these alien things came." Weaver began. "tomorrow's assault on the structure, in Boston, was meant to be a first strike. A coordinated attack with the support of two other Massachusetts regiments. However, Colonel Porter lost contact with these regiments some days ago. And now it looks like the colonel himself may've been lost."
Several whispered broke out in the crowd.
"Dai brought back the Colonel's last order; abort the mission, unless we can confirm the existence of these other units. We still don't know if these other units exist, or if they intend to carry out the attack as planned.
"But I know, that if there's a breath left in any of those men. They will do their damnedest best to carry out this attack and if that happens, despite Porters orders, the 2nd Mass has to be there to back them up. But this attack as critical as it is, cannot be out only objective. We have a responsibility. An obligation, to protect our civilians. And sometimes, in our desire to strike back we forget that they represent our future.
"So I'm asking for volunteers. I need fifty fighters for this mission. If you're with me, meet me in front." Weaver explained.
There was only a second of silence before a fighter called out. "I'm in!" And only another second to follow where fighters filed out to volunteer.
Jaden watched beside the door as the fighters filed out to the front. She spotted Pope in the crowd. "Pope!"
Pope turned to her. "Yeah, what?"
She reached into her sleeve and pulled out the fuses. Pope grabbed them, but Jaden didn't let go. "How big of a bang?"
Pope smirked. "It'll be like the 4th of July."
"Better be." Jaden replied, letting go of the fuses.
Pope walked out into the front with the fuses.
"Okay everybody let's get our gear together. We'll be able to move out once our strike team comes home." Tom called.
Jaden picked up her rifle and slung it over her shoulder.
"JJ." Ben called.
"What's up?"
"I think Uncle Scott and I made progress with the signal." Ben explained.
"So you're the reason I'm still hearing them." Jaden replied. She limped out of the gym with everyone else.
Ben looked at her for a moment. "We think that the signal could really hurt the skitters and mechs, like it does to us."
Jaden turned to look as Ben. "Just what are you planning, Ben?"
"Follow me and find out." Ben replied.
Out in the front of the school, the fifty volunteers were preparing to go. Several vehicles had been loaded up with the bombs and supplies for the fighters. Pope stayed by the bombs, assembling the fuses he'd obtained from Jaden. Danner was checking the fifty cal mounted in the back of the GTO. Weaver walked out from Tom to the GTO.
"Dad!"
Tom turned. Ben, Uncle Scott, and Jaden walked up to him.
"Dad I have to take to you." He said. He glanced toward Scott. "Scott was running these tests with the transmitter."
"Yeah."
"trying to see if we can block the signal between the skitters and the mechs."
"Yeah like a jamming signal." Scott explained.
"Yeah how would…how would you know if that worked?" Tom asked.
"We wouldn't but…" Ben paused. "We were running some tests, going through the frequency's…"
"And what?"
"I could hear it." Ben admitted.
Tom was silent.
"He's not the only one, Tom. I could hear it from the roof and infirmary." Jaden explained.
Tom turned to Jaden. "Both of you could-"
"It probably has something to do with their harness." Scott mentioned.
"And it could be our only weapon against the skitters." Ben explained.
"MOVE OUT!" Weaver ordered.
The engines roared to life and started pulling away from the school. Motorcycles shot forward on point and patrol. Everyone turned to watch the convoy pull out. Weaver stood beside the fifty cal, leading the convoy. It was a humbling moment, watching half their fighters pull away for the attack. Much like watching an army pull out to war.
"'They tell us Sir, that we are weak - unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has placed in our power.'" Jaden said, watching the last vehicle pull out.
"Patrick Henry." Tom said.
"Seem more appropriate than Battle Hymn of the Republic." Jaden said.
yay! proofing done! man this was a long chapter. Eight Hours is next...i just haven't written it yet. might be a week.