Charged (21 page)

“Call him in.” I say, standing. I’m not tired, although I’m hungry and these clothes are getting uncomfortable.

“I’ll keep you all posted.” The captain says, rising and walking us to the door.

M
ason’s been distant the past few days. Not mean, or less attentive, just distant. It’s been distracting me, and I wish he’d tell me what’s on his mind. I suspect he’s just worried about the doctor coming tomorrow, but I’d feel better if I knew for sure.

Since I went out with the soldiers, we haven’t been seeing the fog from our walls. This is encouraging, although some of our troops seem to be getting a bit restless without anything to do. A few of them have been trying to convince the captain to expand their scouting territory, however the captain has been adamant that he doesn’t want any surprises.

All four of us have been given the day off tomorrow, along with strict instructions on where we’re not supposed to go. The captain isn’t taking any chances with the doctor’s arrival. It feels a bit extreme, if you ask me, and I can’t help wondering if there’s more to the situation than meets the eye.

Since we all have the next day off for a change, we decide to stay up later than usual. We were already relocated to a larger group tent on an obscure corner of the property, so when Jared scores some cards we figure we might as well take advantage of some downtime. We’ve already played rummy and five-card-stud. Now, we’ve moved onto spades.

Brie’s the first one to yawn, followed shortly after by Jared, than me and finally, Mason. Baby bear’s been sleeping for the past few hours already, curled up next to me. Reluctantly, we pack up the cards and hunker down for the night.

Even from our obscure corner, the commotion wakes us earlier than we planned in the morning. Jared and Mason go off to get us breakfast as planned, while Brie and I set the tent to rights. It’s not until Mason and Jared return that we hear the disturbing news.

“The doctor’s here, but apparently they lost a few men on the way.” Jared announces, handing Brie her breakfast.

“What do you mean?” I ask, as Mason hands me my own plate.

“I guess as far as you were able to push the infection back here, it’s still pretty bad to the north of us. The weapons they have aren’t nearly as effective as you are, so they lost a few men to the fog before they were able to escape.”

“Are they sure that they didn’t bring the infection here?” Brie asks, looking scared.

“I’m sure the doctor wouldn’t allow it.” I tell her, reassuring her. “I take it they got to skip the quarantine, though?”

Mason nods. “But I agree, the doctor wouldn’t have brought them if there was any risk.”

“Have you heard from the captain yet?” I ask.

Mason shakes his head. “He’ll send word when we’re clear to move about freely. I feel better knowing you’re safe, anyway.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes, knowing that Mason means well, and he just wants to keep me safe. It really is more endearing than annoying, even if he does know I’m probably the safest person left in this new, deranged world we’re living in.

Of course he knows that, I chastise myself. He’s more concerned with the government getting their hands on me. I’m just grumpy about being cooped up in a tent all day.

It takes nearly all day for the captain to send someone to give us the all clear. Well, the somewhat clear, because the captain is sure that some of the soldiers escorting the doctor are spies for the general. This means we have to be careful who we talk to and disclose out identities to. All of the captain’s men have been briefed to keep their mouths shut. I know that I earned the respect of the soldiers who escorted me beyond the wall, and I doubt that they would turn me in to someone they don’t even like.

As we wander through our designated areas, a soldier comes up to Mason and pulls him aside. Something tells me the other shoe is about to drop.

As Mason walks back towards me, the look on his face confirms my suspicions. Something’s up, and he obviously doesn’t like it. Brie notices too, grabbing my hand and giving it a quick squeeze before she joins Jared a few feet away.

“They want to see you.” He tells me. I figured as much. We leave Baby bear with Brie and Jared, and make our way to the main building in silence, Mason gripping my hand the whole way as though I might disappear.

I watch him as we go. It still amazes me that someone as wonderful and gorgeous as he is, actually cares for me. While all of this insanity may have forced us to become closer more quickly than we would have normally, we have forged a bond I never could have imagined. I stop quickly, turning to face him.

“Mason,” I start, almost losing my nerve, “I want you to know how important you are to me. I love you, Mason.”

I see his eyes warm, “I love you, too, Kat. I can’t imagine life without you.” He looks around. “Even without all of this. I think I loved you since you first plowed me over.”

I laugh, remembering how we met. “I was so embarrassed.”

“You were adorable.” He plants a soft kiss on top of my head. “Still are.”

The door to the building opens, and a soldier motioning for us to enter. “Guess our alone time is up for now.” Mason says.

“Yeah, let’s go see what they want now.”

We don’t get led to the captain’s office as usual. Instead, we’re brought to a generic office in the basement, a place I’ve never ventured into before. The captain joins us after a few minutes.

“Sorry, for all the sneaking about. As of tomorrow, I’m sending all of the troops that escorted Dr. Ford on a supply run, which will buy us at least a few days without raising any suspicions. The doctor wants to see you, of course, but it’s too big of a risk today.”

I have to hide my smirk as Mason calls him out, before I have the chance to. “You didn’t call us in here for this, though, did you captain?”

Captain Jennings runs a hand down his face. “No, no I didn’t. I’m sure you’ve heard of the difficult time the doctor had on his way here. We’re concerned that the infection is moving quickly towards us from the north. I only know of one way to stop the advance.”

Mason eyes me worriedly. I look at him, “Can you give me a moment with the captain?”

I can see the frustration in his face, but he gets up without any complaint. I wait until he shuts the door behind him. “Captain, I know it goes against all the rules and protocols you guys have, but I can’t ask him to stay behind again. I’ll go, but only if he comes with me.”

“You understand the danger?”

I nod. “We did pretty good before we came here. He won’t hinder any of our efforts in the field.”

“Okay.” The captain concedes, “If it will help you to have him there, then go ahead and bring him.” He actually smiles. “You sure showed our boys last time, anyway. Doesn’t seem to me that we have much to worry about if you’re there.”

I return his smile whole-heartedly. “Thanks, captain. This will definitely make us both feel better.” I go to the door and open it, finding Mason leaning up against the wall. I motion for him to come back in.

I wait until he’s settled in his chair before I start. “I have to go out again-“

“Aw hell, Kat, not again,” He complains, but stops when I hold up a finger.

“The captain has given you clearance to accompany me on these, er, trips, also.” I have to try hard not to smile when I see his obvious relief.

The grin on his face speaks for itself. “When do we leave?”

Again, I find myself suited up in army gear, disoriented by the ride in the back of the windowless vehicle. The difference is that this time, I have Mason’s reassuring presence by my side, his hand in mine.

This trip is bumpier than the last, and it reminds me to tell Mason to brace his feet when we stop. I learned my lesson last time, thanks.

We lurch to a halt, and Mason gives me a grateful look for the advice I gave him. I see a few new faces amongst the soldiers, but there is definitely a camaraderie here that was absent at the beginning of our last voyage. Even as we file out into the sunlight, this time the soldiers stay back, prepared to help only if needed.

Mason walks me to the front of the triangular formation of soldiers and stops at the very end, as I continue towards the metallic fog. It no longer intimidates me, no long instills fear in my heart. It seems to take me too long to get close to it. Is it? No, it couldn’t be.

But it is. As I try to get closer, it shrinks back from me. It’s as if it knows I’m here to hurt it. I stand still momentarily, trying to process this new information. If the fog is retreating because of the recognition that it will be disarmed by my blast, then it has not just a consciousness, but a joint consciousness that allows it to communicate within itself. Everything that’s infected is attached. Could this begin to solve the mystery of where the infected people go?

I move closer, advancing forward until I’m almost completely surrounded by the fog. It stays back from me, an almost fifty foot diameter, the circle most prominently noticed where it almost closed off behind me. I look back to Mason, who looks panicked, and the soldiers seem tense, weapons raised and poised to shoot. I know if I move any further inside the fog, all hell will break loose behind me, even if it would probably be incredibly effective.

I feel the energy coursing through me. If I had any doubts left that I’m growing more powerful, they’re gone now. My body hums, wanting to unleash its fury on the surrounding threat. I place my palms facing each other in front of me. Turning my hands outward, I push the energy out and let out an astonished laugh as the energy flows out, a strong stream similar to when I channeled the lightning, but all on my own this time. At the river, I thought it was simply a short-term after-effect from the lightning strike. It’s obvious now that it’s not. Something more has changed in me, and I have far more power and control than before.

This is the closest I’ve been to the fog while I zapped it, and it’s certainly the first time I’ve been inclined to really pay attention. Guilt washes over me, as I watch the fog writher and disappear. I can swear I hear a hissing sound, as though it’s in pain, though neither this nor the guilt is enough to make me stop. Too many lives are at stake for that.

I rotate as I go, and when all of the fog in sight is gone, I throw a few spheres in random directions for good measure. As I approach Mason, I can’t help but notice the look on his face. “Wow, Kat. That’s certainly different than before.”

“There’s more, too.” I quickly explain my theory regarding the nanobot’s collective consciousness and watch as his expression moves from awe to concern.

“But that could mean…” His voice trails off as he begins to realize the ramifications.

“That could mean a lot.” I climb into the armored vehicle and sit down. Turning my head to face him, I grab his hand. “I think it’s time to talk to the doctor.”