June's First Mission
It's been officially four weeks since June arrived in Chicago, and she has gotten used to the new normal. Every day she'd wake up, warm up for training, spar with her fellow soldiers, attend classes on how to manufacture hidden weapons and poisons, eat and chat with her friends, work on supplies such as food rations, medicines and cars. While she didn't mind her routine, she disliked being kept within the city walls for so long. She needed to be out there fighting Gilead, finding some way to get Hannah back.
"'Scuse me?" Matthew asked with a raised brow as he held the fork full of mashed potatoes. He was sitting across from June in the dining hall with the other soldiers.
"I want to be out there on a mission." June stated again bluntly. Her blonde hair was trimmed in a bob-cut, and she wore a pale green sweater with brown sweatpants.
"Why?" Matthew asked before he shoved the potatoes in his mouth. He and June reached a respectable friendship and comradery during training and have shared stories from before and after Gilead. Throughout her training, June has demonstrated endurance and stamina he found rare among soldiers. Though she was aggressive towards her more heavy muscled sparring partners.
"I've been here for weeks and haven't been allowed onto any missions. I've done the same thing every day, and it's not helping me take down Gilead." June explained, feeling frustrated at being within the city for a prolonged period.
Matthew sighed through his nose, "I get why you want to be out there fighting. Personally, I consider you to be one of my best trainees seeing how you are able to take down guys twice your weight. And that is without a pen." He added with a smirk, knowing how she killed a High Commander with a measly pen as her only defense.
June's lips quirked up at such a happy memory. But that quickly went away at Matthew's next sentence, "Unfortunately, you're not ready."
"But you said-"
"Being the best is not the same as ready." Matthew stated, watching fury boil within June's eyes.
"I've been ready." June whispered, "I was ready to fight when I got those kids out."
"Physically, yes." Matthew shook his head. "But mentally and emotionally, you're not." At June's slight glare, Matthew explained, "It's a tough decision June, you're a good fighter, but you must have complete control over your actions. If you attack out of anger or hate, you'll end up putting the lives of your comrades in danger. I've seen it in those who let their emotions cloud their judgement. I know you want to fight but rushing in will get you killed, or worse, captured again."
While June was unhappy at being denied her chance to fight, she knew he was right. With a resigned sigh she said, "Fine." then resumed eating, stabbing her food with more force than necessary.
"Your chance will come June. Just wait a little longer, until then, you're much safer here." Matthew added in an effort to lift some of her spirits.
"Matthew!" They looked up as one of the soldiers approached the table. "Council requires your presence."
"Is it an emergency?" Matthew asked as he wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"I don't know, but the Saint was displeased about something." He then turned to June, "She also asks for Ms. Osborne to be present. Don't ask, just go."
June felt a rush of hope fill her. Will the Saint finally allow her to go on a mission? Quickly finishing off her food, she and Matthew went up to the war room where the Saint and two of her Council stood before a map of Gilead pinned up to a board.
"You called for us?" Matthew saluted his superiors.
"Yes, come over here." Reggie beckoned them to come closer until they stood before a map that detailed every route and Guardian checkpoint towards an area circled in red.
"Magdelene Colony?" June read the name as everyone looked uncomfortable.
"They just established it. All that's left is for Gilead to transfer a fresh batch of slaves." Alex explained, looking quite angry. "There are trucks ready for the transfer. Unfortunately, we have no soldiers to spare to intercept them."
Matthew asked, "Is that why you called me here, to figure out which recruit is ready for a rescue operation?"
"This Magdelene Colony isn't like the toxic wastelands we visited." Reggie explained with a grim look. "This one is specifically designed for a-" He glanced at June, "-certain group of women."
"Rebellious women?" June guessed, not looking surprised.
"No." Reggie gulped, "Rebellious Handmaids."
June's eyes widened; she did not like where this was going. "What are you saying? Why only Handmaids?"
The Saint was the one who answered, "This new innovation is a response to what happened after Angel's Flight. Handmaids are no longer considered disposable. They can't afford to lose any more precious wombs." The Saint took a deep breath, "But it doesn't mean any Handmaid who committed a crime, any crime, will be let off the hook. No. The troublemakers and lawbreakers who refuse to assimilate to Gileadean society are sent to Magdelene to labor in the fields day after day. But once they are at their most fertile, Commanders and their Wives will visit their chosen Handmaid and perform the Ceremony. Once impregnation is successful and they've given birth, they're sent back to the fields to work. A new form of cycle of servitude."
"A Breeding Colony." June whispered in horror over what was described to her.
"It's a new form of inhumane punishment." Alex stated in utter disgust.
The Saint stepped towards June and held both of her hands. "June, your name is already whispered among the Handmaids. You proved something that was considered impossible. You gave them hope. Many of them have risen up in defiance because of you." The Saint then smiled, "Handmaids are resilient, but they are also distrustful. Which is why I need you on this mission to save them."
June gasped when she heard that. "Are you serious?"
"I'm certain. I believe you can save these Handmaids before they reach Magdelene."
"Your Holiness, are you sure?" Matthew stepped in, not trying to dismiss June, but because he worries this will backfire.
"Handmaids aren't too fond of men, Matthew. They need an inspirational figure they already know and trust. While I'm distracting them, it is yours and June's job to get the Handmaids out of there." The Saint explained before turning to the map and pointing to the routes that intersect. "Once the passage is blocked, you'll commandeer their transport and drive the Handmaids far from Magdelene to the Free Cities here. These rebel groups outposted in these locations are closer to the Canadian border, so they'll offer safe passage out of the country."
"Is that all?" Matthew asked, still unsure since June is still hellbent on vengeance.
"Yes. Figure out which other recruits you feel are ready and then meet at the gate." The Saint instructed Matthew who nodded, "At once Your Holiness." He left the room to do his part.
"I'll inform the Free Cities they'll be expecting some newcomers in five days." Reggie said as he went to Communications.
June was left alone with the Saint and Alex.
"June." The Saint addressed the former Handmaid firmly. "There's something else I need to talk to you about." June nodded as she listened. "I know you've been wanting to leave the city for a mission. I'm also aware of how deep your hatred for Gilead is. But I need you to remember that this is a rescue operation. I'm trusting you out there. The last thing we want is for you to get killed, or worse, recaptured. Set aside your vengeance, not for me, but for Hannah." This struck a chord in June, but the Saint was not finished, "I don't want your daughter to see a woman thirsting for revenge, but a mother who fought through hell to save her daughter. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Holiness." June bowed her head before she was dismissed.
She met Matthew at the gate along with Alma, Janine, and five other soldiers.
"Janine? You're coming with us?" June asked as she adjusted her holsters and knives.
"Actually, I came to see you guys off. There are still some rescues from Jezebels who need help adjusting to this city." Janine answered with her infectious smile the shrugged, "I wanted to come, but you know."
"Right. You hold down the fort while we're gone." June said as two heavily armed cars pulled up in front of them.
"That's our ride, let's go ladies and gentlemen." Matthew called as he got in the passenger's seat while three soldiers manned the guns behind plexiglass walls on top of the car.
Alma grabbed her pack and joined the others in the other similarly armed vehicle. "June, we have to go."
Janine gave June a hug, "Good luck out there."
"I will." June patted her back before separating from Janine to join Alma in the other car.
Janine waved goodbye as they drove passed the open gate before they shut.
They parked the cars camouflaged and out of sight but still accessible with one driver behind the wheel awaiting orders and a soldier manning the guns.
"Anything yet?" June asked Matthew who had headphones attached to some device that looked like a megaphone but was used to listen to oncoming cars or eavesdrop on conversations.
"No." Matthew answered, they were hidden deep in the woods as they waited for the transport.
"Nervous?" Matthew asked as they laid on their bellies.
"Excited actually." June said with a smirk.
"Rescue, June. Rescue." Matthew firmly reminded since this was a delicate mission.
June sighed in annoyance, tired of this lecture. "Yes, for the hundredth-"
"Incoming vehicles." Matthew said suddenly when he heard three transports approaching.
"Your Holiness, transports are underway and heading toward you in in 60 seconds." He said into the walkie-talkie.
"Copy that, prepare for extraction and requisition in precisely 6 minutes." Carrie's voice responded.
"Copy, Blue out." Matthew clicked off the walkie-talkie then focused on the oncoming cars.
"What exactly is she gonna do?" June asked with a smirk, seeing the Saint in action never got old. It always provided her with entertainment when her oppressors got what was coming for them.
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" Matthew asked with his own smirk.
"I'm pretty sure I had to write a college essay on that question." June stated before three red cars drove by.
"Get ready." Matthew said, silently counting down before they distantly saw two trees fall. "Oh yes. Let's move."
June followed after Matthew while brandishing her own gun. They hid behind the large tree trapping the three vehicles from going back the way they came. Guardians stepped out the drivers and passengers' seats while holding their guns ready until they caught sight of the Saint floating above them, her white cloak swaying in the wind and her eyes watching them with disappointment.
"Gentlemen, I'm giving you this one and only chance to preserve whatever pride you have left." The Saint offered, "Lay down your weapons, walk far away from here, and leave the Handmaids. I'd rather settle this peacefully."
After a long minute, the youngest looking one dropped his weapon.
"What are you doing? Pick up your weapon!" One of the Guardians, a leader if she's not mistaken, yelled at his subordinates.
"Sorry sir, but if God sent this woman down for these ladies, we're obviously doing something wrong." One of them said with a shrug and asked the Saint, "Hey, uh, Holy Lady, is it cool if I hang out with you. I don't wanna piss God off anymore."
The Saint smiled benevolently and nodded, "Of course."
"Sweet." The defecting Guardian grinned and marched happily to the Saint.
"You take one more step traitor, and I'll blow your fucking brains out!" The leader threatened, completely and foolishly forgetting who they were up against.
The Saint smiled upon sensing their souls, "Gentlemen, you may think you have no choice because Gilead 'owns' you. But you need not follow this corruption any longer. You can walk away."
The four other guardians contemplated that offer, they heard what the Saint is capable of, how much nicer she is compared to that sadistic Wrath. While they do have a duty to transport the Handmaids to the Magdelene Colony, most of them have enough sense and survival. They pointed their weapons at their leader, completely surrounding him.
"Put down your weapon, sir." One of them ordered, taking charge as the furious Guardian lowered his gun before it was taken away from him. The others frisked him, taking away his jacket and equipment as he glared up at the Saint. June stepped away, smirking at the Guardian pig who now looked like a child who had his favorite toy taken away.
After he was completely weaponless, he screamed for a moment when he was lifted off the ground and carried over to one of the trees on the side of the road. She took one of the zip ties the ex-Guardians held out for her and sat him very high on a tree branch and bound his wrists onto the branch above them.
She floated beside him tauntingly, "They'll send a search party for you in a few hours. Thankfully, that fallen tree right there will make them stop, and all you have to do is cry for help, and hopefully they'll bring you down safely. Bye." She waved then descended back onto the ground with the rescue team coming out of hiding.
June smirked up at the Guardian who was reduced to a tree ornament. "This is too good."
"You should've seen what she did in Manhattan." Matthew quipped before they walked over to the back of the vans and slowly opened them to reveal Handmaids that were handcuffed and muzzled. They looked at them wearily, waiting to be dragged out.
June swallowed her saliva, seeing herself in each of them. Raising her hands as a sign on peace, she spoke, "My name is June Osborne. I was a Handmaid from the Boston district. I have two daughters, one of them is free, and my eldest is still trapped in Gilead."
They turned to each other, speaking with their eyes before one of them slowly stepped out of the vehicle. It was a bit difficult because of the handcuffs. June helped her as a Guardian approached and quickly unlocked her hands.
The moment her hands were free, she pulled the muzzle off her face. "You're the June Osborne who got 86 kids out?" She asked as more Handmaids got out of the cars to free their hands and voices.
After making sure each of them were okay, the Saint stood before them on top of the fallen tree. "Handmaids, you need not fear me nor my people. We're here to get you somewhere safe, far beyond Gilead's reach. Never to be raped or defiled by them anymore. My soldiers will escort you to a safe haven. What happens after is up to you. Just know this, you are free." The Handmaids cheered in glee and some wept happily as they embraced one another.
The Saint floated off the tree and levitated it off the road for everyone to drive safely through. The Handmaid marveled at the sight before they were escorted back into the vans. The defectors climbed in and were already driving down the road away from the Magdelene Colony.
"C'mon, we have to meet up with them." Matthew said to June.
June turned to the Saint who stared off into the distance where Magdelene was located. "Are you coming with us?"
The Saint turned to June and smiled, "I'll catch up with you guys soon."
Though hesitant, June nodded and ran alongside Matthew back to their own vehicles.
Carrie was left alone. Taking a deep breath, she summoned all her emotion and energy and faced the road that would take them to the Breeding Colony and stomped her foot really hard. Crevices appeared and fissures snaked across the asphalt until the road collapsed, creating a massive crater that would be impossible to drive across and would take months to repair.
"That's one route taken down." Carrie said to herself before flying away to close more routes to Magdelene.
Yeah, this one was more of a filler. But I needed to bridge this so we can return to the main storyline.