Hybrid Zone Recognition (27 page)

“Yeah, I’ve had so much whole grain organic junk that my system is clogged up,” the other one answered.

“This ought to fix that right up,” returned number one.

They both laughed at that. Gross. But, hopefully, it was edible, unlaced food.

Drawing even with the back of their crates, I waited for my chance. It came when yelling erupted from one tent over.

Both guards stood, quickly stuffing their mouths with the remains of the hot dogs they were holding. Their hasty departure left the contraband unattended. Just the way I liked it.

I reached in and grabbed the first thing on top. I barely tasted it as I wolfed it down. The second one I managed to chew a few times, but it too was quickly gone. Hearing the argument winding down, I grabbed another and darted between the tents again. I finished the last one off right as I reached the edge of the tent alley.

I hid the hot dog wrappers under the bottom of the nearest tent. I used the canvas side of the tent to wipe the extra chili from my hands. It was hard not to lick them clean, but I didn’t think it was worth the risk. I didn’t know if my nanobots came with germ fighting skills too.

Pausing long enough to make sure the way was clear, I stepped out from between the tents. I wanted to get a closer look at the nearby mill. Angling towards it confirmed my assumption that it wasn’t operational. The paint was faded and parts of the main building were collapsed. The paddle wheel that I had seen belonged to an establishment on the other side of the river. Even as I watched a barge floated past.

It was amazing how close someone could be to danger without them having a clue about it. I used to be one of those clueless people. Before HCF and Adam.

I watched as someone exited a door on the side of the mill that was still standing. They climbed the wooden stairs leading to the camp and started in my direction. I recognized the man. It was my old boss at the HCF, Norris Cain.

Oh man, Adam was going to love this.

Adam, I have a bit more trouble for you.

You’re the gift that keeps on giving.

Ha, ha.

I felt him open the bond wide as he searched me for any sign of injury.
What’s wrong?

I’m fine,
I assured him, pushing back against his probing.
I just saw my old boss from the HCF, Norris Cain, exit the mill.

Positive on the ID?

Yep. Did you know he was associated with the Consortium?

We suspected. But our Intel was lacking. That was probably due to Julia’s interference.

What does that mean for Kenny and the rest of the kids?

I don’t know Macy. We will figure everything out when we get you out of there. Reinforcements are fifteen minutes out. You’ll be out of there soon.

Do you have my cell phone?

On me?
His voice was loudly incredulous.

Cool it, Gramps
.
I already presumed it was not currently in your possession
.
I meant do you have it at all? It’s the only way Kenny has to contact me.

I’ll have Miranda check your things for it. Otherwise, we can have Juarez or one of the other computer techs hack your voicemail.

Okay. Hold on Kenny, I prayed silently. One thing that Adam had said bothered me, though.
Adam, you did mean when you get us out of here? Me, Olivia and Juarez. Right?
He had better not try to pull some “you’re the priority” BS with me again.

We are going to do everything we can to get you all out, but—

No!
I yelled.
You will get us all out!

The force behind my words shoved Adam out of my mind and effectively slammed the door shut between us. I hadn’t meant to do that.

Adam?
I whispered. It bounced back against the wall between us. Crap. Several more attempts to reconnect with him failed as well.

I decided it was time to move from my current location. I didn’t want to attract notice by staying in one place too long. I began to wander around without a goal in mind other than to reconnect with Adam. I stopped when I realized I was in front of the tent that held Olivia and Juarez.

The flaps were hanging loose, and I could hear soft moans coming from inside. Glancing around and finding myself still alone, I slipped inside. I was disturbed by the apparent lack of guarding me they were doing, but the sight of Olivia crying silently eclipsed any further thoughts in that direction.

It looked like Pike had taken another shot at her. I knelt by her side and gently brushed the hair from her face. At my touch, she lifted her eyes to mine.

“Einstein,” she whimpered.

“That’s me.” I offered her a small smile. “I should probably inform you that I’ve decided to join your motley team.”

“You’ve decided this now that we’re losing?” Her voice sounded hoarse, and her lips were cracked and bleeding.

Looking around the tent, I located a bright orange cooler with cups beside it. I started to move in that direction.

“Well, everyone likes an underdog,” I said teasingly.

The word, “Don’t,” spoken harshly, almost gutturally, stopped me where I was. “It’s drugged.”

Of course it was. I hung my head. I wanted to help, but there was nothing I could do. The manacles and associated chains were way too thick to cut or break without a tool of some kind. Even if I did manage to free them, then what? Juarez was still unconscious, and I didn’t think Olivia could walk on her own. We wouldn’t make it far. I had to wait for Adam.

I returned to her side. “How much do you know about what they’re planning?”

“Enough to be terrified by the thought of being surrounded by baby Einsteins. Think of the state the world could be in if that happens.”

Yeah. All those trouble magnets running around. The potential for fireworks was astounding. The earth could end in a blaze of Greer filled glory.

I wanted so much to tell her that Adam was here, but I knew better. I wasn’t naïve enough to think we weren’t being watched, even if it appeared that way.

Juarez stirred a little, and I turned my attention to him. Scooting over next to him, I put my hand at his neck to check his pulse.

His eyes flew open, and he reared back at my touch.

I pulled my hand quickly out of the way of his teeth and gently coaxed him, “Whoa, Juarez, it’s me. You’re favorite hybrid Kitty Kat.”

Recognition slowly filtered in his eyes, and he sagged against his chains. “Sorry, MK. Thought you were someone else.”

I softly rubbed my hand against the one part of his arm that didn’t look injured. “I know,” I said. I wanted to tell him it was okay, but that would have been a lie.

“Olivia,” he croaked, trying to turn enough to catch a glimpse of her.

I looked at her. She had fallen unconscious again.

“She’s here. She’s sleeping now.”

He choked out a laugh. “That’s a nice way of putting it, MK. I’m going to kill Pike,” he growled as he passed out again.

“Me too,” I agreed softly.

Realizing I was still rubbing Juarez’s arm, I pulled my hand to my side and backed away from them. They would never make it out on their own. I hoped Adam was prepared for that.

Adam. I had to reestablish contact with him.

I walked towards the exit, pausing in the doorway to look back at the two of them. I hated to leave, but I knew I couldn’t stay. I stepped out of the tent and walked right into Mr. Cain.

“Mr. Cain,” I said calmly. I noticed his white suit didn’t seem wrinkled at all, and there wasn’t a speck of dirt on it.

“Dr. Greer, whatever are you doing here?” His tone of voice implied that bumping into me was not a happy coincidence.

“Probably not the same thing you are,” I said flatly.

“My role here is merely in an advisory capacity. One of observation mainly.” He adjusted his cufflinks as if he were someone of importance.

“Oh, so you’ve observed the torture of innocent people?”

I watched the horror march across his face and then disappear behind his bureaucratic mask. Maybe he didn’t know.

“I assure you, I had no part in that. I am here solely to consult on the genetic manipulation that Dr. Millsap is in the process of developing.”

I laughed. “Is that what he told you?” The sniveling idiot. I liked him even less than before. “Then you are aware of the army that Millsap intends to create to pursue forced worldwide hybridization?”

Shock and anger now touched his features. “That is not what this is about.”

Poor, sad Mr. Cain still had his head buried in the sand. I should help him with that.

“Mr. Cain, that is exactly what this is about, and you’re looking at the head DNA donor.”

The look of disgust that passed across his face was insulting. “Why would he want your DNA?”

I was not going to give him any more information about me, but I did offer him some advice before leaving him behind. “Mr. Cain, don’t ever play poker. Your face is easier to read than most books.” I could still hear his huffing and sniveling as I entered my tent.

Before the tent flap slapped shut, I started calling for Adam. I reached as hard as I could, pushing against the barrier between us. I envisioned it opening, disintegrating, and blowing up. I tried imaginary keys of all shapes and sizes. I tried everything I could think of to make it disappear, but nothing seemed to restore the bond.

Growling in frustration, I flung myself down on the cot. I felt weird without him. It seemed like something was missing. Or like I had lost something. I felt uneasy, and uncomfortable, and alone. I stilled at that admission. I had always been fine with alone before. Since when did I need anyone?

Since I met Adam was my quiet conclusion.

There was no denying it. As much as I hated it, I missed him. That was right. Me, Dr. Macy Greer just flat out missed Adam.

Adam, where are you?
I whispered.

Macy? Oh, thank God.

I sat straight up in surprise. I hadn’t even tried that time. I wasn’t even expecting an answer.

I thought I’d lost you,
Adam said.

I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to push you out. It just happened.

Don’t worry about it. The cavalry is here. It’s time to go.

Olivia and Juarez will never make it on their own. They are both in and out of consciousness. I don’t think either of them can walk. And the chains they are secured with are heavy duty.

Noted. Macy, don’t fight me on this. I know what I’m doing.

He meant shut up and do what I was told. I never was very good at that.

You are going to attempt to get them out?

Yes. But I need you out of the way.

Okay. If Adam said he was going to try, then he was. I’d just have to trust him to do his best. That had worked out pretty well so far. Except for the me being captured part. But considering he’d been tagged with betrayal on multiple levels, and fighting the Consortium while being outnumbered, I cut him a little slack. Besides, he was about to rectify that.

Okay, what do you need me to do?

On the back side of the tent, I need you to cut an exit flap. A single cut should do.

You know which tent I’m in?

Yes,
he drawled.
I know where everyone inside and outside the camp is. Move your butt, Greer.

Alrighty then.
Operation Get My Butt out of Here, under way, Sir!

Adam’s amusement travelled across our bond. It was good to have him back.

Kneeling on the floor by my cot, I pulled it out enough to allow me access to the back of the tent. As I concentrated on my right hand, one sharp claw slowly extended from my pointer finger. With that claw, I made a straight cut starting at about two feet from the ground all the way down to the floor. Then I sliced sideways. Scooting the cot back in place, I let Adam know I was done.

In about five minutes, when you hear a commotion, I want you to slip out through the cut you made and walk straight back. Camo, the man you identified earlier, will be there. You probably won’t see him initially, but he will escort you to transport leaving the area.

Leaving? What about Pike and Millsap!

Adam’s words came out as angry as I’d ever heard him.
Given the current limitations I am working under, my only goal is to get you, Olivia and Juarez out safely. If I kill Pike or Millsap in my effort to accomplish that goal, then great. But now is not the time for that mission!

I could feel his disappointment, his anger, his dread at having to tell me this. In light of that, my own anger dissipated.

Macy,
I know what I promised you. I haven’t forgotten. I just can’t…If I make going after them a priority, I risk losing you or Juarez and Olivia…or I put the rest of the contingent at risk as well…Macy—

I know, Adam,
I said quietly as I sat on the cot again.
I understood his reasons, even agreed with them. But that didn’t make it any easier to swallow. I was so mad at the thought of Millsap and Pike escaping unscathed that I wanted to rip the tent to shreds.

But we will end them as soon as possible, right?

You have my word, Macy.

It was small comfort, but it would have to do for now. Before Adam could say anymore, the tent flap was flung wildly aside, and Pike fell through in a tangle of limbs. As I watched him gather himself, a slow smile spread across my face.

Guess who just fell into my tent?

Fell?
he asked, confused
.

I was already shifting as I enlightened him.
One very high as a kite Pike.

“Hello, lady Beautiful,” Pike drawled, leering in my direction. He was doing the same side to side shuffling he’d done at our last encounter.

“Hello, dead man…wavering.”

My comment caused him to double over in laughter.

I felt like laughing too. An unexpected eagerness to pounce on him settled over me. That had to be the leopard DNA at work. I sank into the feeling, and I found myself intently watching his every move in anticipation of the pouncing that was to come.

Macy,
Adam softly growled in warning. He knew full well what I intended to do.
You’re not trained to fight. Pike is. Even allowing for his current condition, this could end badly.

Without disengaging my attention from Pike, I answered Adam’s warning with a warning of my own.
Then you had better get your butt here to help me because opportunity just knocked, and one of us is not leaving this tent alive.

There was a brief moment of hesitation, and then Adam made his decision.
Stall. I’m on my way.

The adrenaline that surged through Adam into me left me feeling even more edgy and ready to fight. I wondered how Adam possessed the ability to physically affect me without being present. It must have something to do with wavelengths or frequencies travelling nanobot to nanobot. Physics stuff.

Focus, Macy!
Adam yelled in irritation.

I am focused!
I rose from the cot and walked to the center of the tent opposite Pike.
If I were any more focused, my eyeballs would pop out of my head.
I just happen to be able to focus on more than one thing at a time. Some of us can do that, you know.