Authors: Cara Crescent
“Griff?”
He didn’t even glance her way.
Were they in danger?
Sitting up, she scanned the surrounding trees and, seeing nothing, looked back over her shoulder. They had made amazing progress through the day, having crossed the span of the mountains and reached the safety of the foothills beyond. She doubted the Scarecrows would come out this far, but as a precaution, he had laid out several of the glow stones, surrounding them in a cocoon of light. He’d also created a brace, using his backpack strung between the velocepillar’s antennas, to hold the branch with the veggies steady in the creature’s sights.
Prudence refocused her attention on Griffin. He held his whole body tense and his finger kept stroking across the trigger of his gun. He didn’t appear upset so much as really alert. Getting to her hands and knees, she crawled the short distance between them. “Griffin?” He didn’t seem to see her, didn’t react when she placed her palm on his face. “Baby?” What was this? He almost appeared as though he’d checked out of his body. It was eerie. How long had he been like this? Her heart sped up in her chest, she shifted her eyes to the gun in his lap, and she had the overwhelming urge to take the weapon from him. She sat back on her calves and placed one hand over his wrist and the other over the gun, trying to ease the weapon away.
He looked at her, but his dilated eyes stared straight through her.
She inhaled a shaky breath. “I need you to give me the gun.”
He pulled his arm away, letting the gun hang down his side out of reach. “I need it.” He shook his head and his brows drew together. “Go back to base, being out here is against regs.”
Base?
The hairs on her nape and arms lifted.
Oh, goddess help them both.
Did he think he was back on Earth? Back in the Marines? He must. There was no base here. Prudence swallowed past the lump of fear forming in her throat and wet her lips. “I can’t. My . . . orders are to bring that Lockheed Martin back with me.”
He shook his head. “That’s not right.”
“Yes, sir.” She slid her hand over his thigh toward the gun. “You don’t want me in trouble with the commanding officer, do you?” Leaning over him, her hand wrapped around his wrist. She glanced down to see the ground speeding past as the velocepillar raced through the foothills. If he chose to, he could toss her right to the ground while he was out of it. He could shoot her dead. “Give me the gun, Chief.”
“No. I have to be punished.”
His face crumple into grief and she realized she wasn’t in any danger whatsoever. He was the one in peril. “Why? Why would you say that?”
“I killed them.” His raised his hands to cover his face.
Prudence slipped the gun from his hand and pulled him into her arms. “You didn’t have a choice. You did what you had to.”
“I didn’t know.”
The sound of his grief brought tears to her eyes and she held him tighter, stroking her fingers through his hair. “I know, baby. You wouldn’t have, if you’d known.” She had no idea what she was saying or if her words made sense to him. “It’s all over now. You’re safe. It’s all over.”
His arms came around her and his wet face pressed to her chest. “Ah, Christ, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t—”
“Sh. You’re going to be fine, baby. Hold on to me and let it all out.” Whatever this was, it couldn’t be about the shootout between his and his CO’s units. Not unless he hadn’t told her the whole story. Had he discovered after the fact that the kids in the school were infected from the water? The thought sent a shudder through her. Maybe he’d found out after his CO and the others were dead. Maybe those kids had attacked his unit and he had had to kill them after all. Or maybe they had attacked someone else.
But wouldn’t she have heard about such a catastrophe in the States had the water supply overseas been compromised? Wouldn’t she have at least heard Alfred and Randolph talking about it at some point? When Griffin had first told her his story, she’d assumed the UN’s people had lied to the soldiers about the water. Now she didn’t know what to think. She wanted to ask, but not while he was like this. Right now, he needed to rest and recover from this fugue.
“Come lie down with me.”
He shook his head. “They’ll be coming for me soon.”
“I’ll keep watch. I’ll wake you before they get here.”
He allowed her to pull him farther onto the velocepillar’s back. He lay down and covered his red-rimmed eyes with his arm.
Prudence sat next to him, smoothing her hand over his chest until he slept.
This must be some kind of combat related stress. She’d heard the numbers; the UN had used them time and again to plead their case for the need for peace. To show how independent governments were slowly and methodically killing society—because in every war the number of soldiers who committed suicide outnumbered those who died in war. The collateral damages associated with battle lasted years beyond the conflicts, and as those conflicts grew, involving more and more countries, the death toll and the effects on the survivors and their families grew exponentially.
What she didn’t know was how to ease him. Would trying to talk about whatever happened make his suffering better or worse? Maybe his brother would be able to help. Or maybe there would be a doctor in Diamond Fjord. Somehow, she’d find a way to help him.
For now, she’d keep a close watch over him.
The velocepillar finally got his treat. At some point during the night the big guy curled up like a massive snake and, Griffin suspected, when the velocepillar lowered his head to sleep, the branch slid down far enough for him to reach the veggies.
His shirt was a little stiff from the creature’s slobber, but he donned it since there was nothing else to wear.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
Griffin glanced at Prudence while he buttoned his shirt. She’d been acting strange all morning. “I’m fine. The cuts are healing well, I slept two nights in a row, I’m good. Are you gonna tell me why you keep asking?”
She shrugged. “I guess I haven’t seen you sleep so much.”
“Come on.” He took her hand in his and they headed out.
The trees became less frequent until open areas of waist-high blue grass became the norm. Wildlife continued to be a predominant feature of the land—birds and mammals, they’d even seen a few reptiles—little hooded, yellow lizards with salmon pink stripes. Prudence kept her book handy, searching for and naming the creatures and plants they came across, and Griffin entertained her by trying to guess the names before she found them in their book. It was a decent enough game to pass the time, and one that would help her with her life here.
The thing was, he was starting to worry about leaving her behind. Who would protect her? Who would ensure she had a roof over her head and food on the table? Who would make her laugh and cry out in passion? Logic told him she was capable of fending for herself. She’d proven to be strong, independent, and resourceful. He had no doubt she would make friends in quick time and find lovers even faster—if that’s what she wanted.
The very thought of her in someone else’s arms ate at him.
Hell, maybe it was him. Prudence was the first person he’d taken care of in a long time. He’d come to depend on her friendship. Their verbal battles. The challenge she presented.
He would miss her.
Ask her to marry you.
The thought brought him up cold.
Prudence stopped next to him, scanning the horizon. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head and kept walking. Marriage? The idea hadn’t ever crossed his mind before. Prudence was the first woman he’d known who he could see filling the job. But would she want to?
Hell, even if she did, he had to return to Earth—he had to make things right and by the time he earned back his honor, there might not be anything left of him.
No, he couldn’t marry her. It wouldn’t be fair. He remembered how things were for his mom whenever his father left. The first couple of weeks she’d cry herself to sleep most nights. After a while, the hum-drum of taking care of him and Lucan had kept her from thinking about Dad too much, but then Dad would come home for a few weeks and the cycle would start all over again. He couldn’t do that to someone he cared for.
“Griff, look.”
Up ahead, a tendril of smoke curled up through the trees. After so long on their own, he couldn’t decide if he was elated or terrified to see signs of other people in the area.
Next to him, Prudence did a little jig. “Let’s go say hello.”
He reached out and grabbed hold of her arm, halting her. “Cautiously. Remember your first interaction with the locals?”
Her smile faded and she nodded.
“Good. Keep behind me and when we approach, you stay hidden until I can take their measure. They’re less likely to lose their heads around an armed man.”
Prudence waited for him to pass and latched onto the back of his shirt. “Give me the knife, in case you need help.”
“You keep your head down, though.” He pulled the blade out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Don’t show yourself, no matter what.”
Griffin crouched low, gripping his weapon and thumbing off the safety. As they drew near, he heard voices—male voices. Beyond the trees, he could make out some kind of structure. He pointed off to the side at a thick growth of shrubberies.
Prudence squatted down. “Be careful.”
He gave her a nod and pushed on, coming out of the trees low, weapon raised.
“Hey, now.” A big burly man struggled out of his chair near the fire. His dark hair had a shock of white streaked through it. He held out his arms in a placating gesture. “No need for that, mister.”
Despite the fact Griffin held a Lockheed Martin aimed at his middle, the man didn’t seem too concerned. The hair at Griffin’s nape lifted. Christ, he must be in someone’s sites. “Who else is here?” He scanned the camp, taking in the picnic table, the line of rope fashioned into a jump rope. A cabin sat in the background, the windows dark and empty. The whole place was surrounded by trees. Ambush could come from anywhere.
“My family is here. Now, I’m gonna warn you, my eldest, he’s got you in his sights, and while I have no doubt there’s more than one gun trained on me, I’d rather not die today. Frankly, I’d rather my boy didn’t have to kill anybody today. So, why don’t we all lower our weapons and chat.”
Griffin glanced around again. “Family. You got women here, then?”
The older man scowled. “None of them would be any good to you, so get the idea out of your mind.”
He heard a click somewhere above and behind him.
“Don’t want ’em. Just seeing what’s what.”
“Ah.” The big man snorted, his gaze shifted off to the side. “I’m too old now to have much use for a woman, and my boys are too young, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Apparently, he’d decided Griffin wasn’t going to shoot him. He waddled over and fitted himself back into his chair. “You’re welcome to stay for dinner, long as you quit pointing that damn thing at me. That shit’s bad for the digestion.”
What the hell?
The big male turned his head toward the house. “Granny? We got guests.”
Griffin’s attention shot to the doorway of the cabin. A little bit of a woman with long white hair appeared on the stoop. Her face was lined and worn thin as a fall leaf.
“Well, what did you do to make him point that thing at you?”
“He’s just checkin’ us out.” The big man reached over and stirred the pot he had strung up over the fire. His gaze never left Griffin.
Christ, whatever was in that pot was making his mouth water.
“I recognize you. News from back home is slow getting here. I wasn’t sure at first, but there’s no mistaking that face.” He leaned back in the chair and shouted over his shoulder, “Kids, come meet a real live hero.”
Half a dozen children ages two to almost full grown flooded the campsite. A young man dropped down from the trees behind him, grinning ear-to-ear. One of the younger ones, a little girl with jet-black hair and blue eyes toddled over, tugging Prudence along in her wake.
Griffin lowered his weapon and stared. “What are you doing?”
Prudence shrugged, glancing down at the little girl. “She didn’t seem very dangerous.”
The man laughed. He rapped his spoon against the edge of the pot and set it aside. “I’m Big Jake and this lot here is my brood.”
Was he serious? Griffin’s gaze shot to the old woman.
Big Jake chuckled. “Granny Nash was my wife’s mother. Annie passed away giving birth to this little guy.” He reached down and snatched up the youngest of the lot as he tried to run past. “You don’t have anything to worry about from us, long as you don’t try to steal anything.”
Griffin nodded. “We’re wanting information.”
“Well, now, last I heard, that’s free.”
The older boy came to stand in front of Griffin. “I’m Rylan. Are you really Chief Payne? How did you survive the fire on
Genesis V
? What did it feel like to kill Alfred Parnell? How come you didn’t say nothing at your trial?”
Holy hell.
Griffin took a step back.
“You want a drink, little lady?”
Griffin’s attention flew to Granny Nash, who motioned Prudence into the cabin.
“That sounds divine.” Prudence smiled and headed over.
“’Scuse me,” Griffin said to Big Jake. He strode over to Prudence, cutting off her path. “We don’t know them.”
“I’m fine, Griffin.” She patted his hand. “You have to trust somebody some time, and they seem nice enough.”
“So thought Hansel and Gretel when they first met the witch.”
“Granny, bring some glasses out and you ladies can sit on the porch where we can all see each other.” Big Jake was watching him, amusement lighting his eyes. “Come on, Chief, take a load off and tell me about Earth.”
With one last, meaningful glance at Prudence, he took one of the seats Rylan brought over. “How long have you been here?”
“Oh, I was one of the first—been here going on five years now. I was serving time for evading duty when the U.N. started grasping for control.”
Griffin’s gaze shot to his. “Evading duty?”
“War wasn’t for me. I couldn’t kill anybody.” Big Jake shrugged. “Maybe I’d taken too many psych classes. Maybe I’m not tough enough, but when push came to shove I hesitated. Cost one of the men in my unit his life.” He let loose a heavy sigh. “After that, I refused to go out because I didn’t know if the same thing would happen again. Better me in the brig than my unit dying one by one because I froze. Yeah, back then the U.S. still said they wouldn’t cede control to the U.N., but they were happy to take advantage of exiling prisoner’s off-planet. Ol’ Uncle Sam liked the idea of a new Australia. Think of all the savings earned from not having to clothe, feed, or house prisoners. The lower crime rate from not having to release us back into the population after we served our time. Asteria was Uncle Sam’s dirty little secret.”
“You met your wife here?” Griffin glanced around at the kids. They couldn’t all be his—more than half of them were older than five.
“Mm.” He smirked. “They’re not all mine, most of them are orphans. Annie was a Blue Helmet, if you’ll believe it. That was back when they still had morals, mind you. Beautiful woman, inside and out.” He paused to wink at Griffin. “She couldn’t resist my good looks and charm.”
Griffin chuckled. Charming, he could believe, but Big Jake was everything but handsome. “What’s town like?” He scanned the trees lining the yard. “Why’re you living out here alone?”
“Diamond Fjord is a good place now. In the early days, the settlement was filled with criminals, but most of them have been chased out now. Good people live there, we would, too, ’cept I built this house with my Annie and I can’t bear to leave. We go down once a month or so. They’ve got beautiful, modern-looking buildings and all the amenities of a thriving city.” Big Jake leaned into his view. “You thinking about settling down with your woman?”
Griffin shrugged. “Right now, I’m looking for my brother. They sent him here about two years ago.”
Big Jake reached into his shirt front and Griffin tensed. He pulled out what looked like two hand-rolled cigarettes and offered one to Griffin.
“You’re shitting me, is that what I think it is?”
Big Jake grinned. “No.”
Griffin paused with it halfway to his lips and Big Jake had a good laugh at his expense.
“It’s better than tobacco. Stuff smells like a mix between lavender and cherries. My wife, she made me quit smoking, but every now and then I’d sneak one of these babies and to the day she died, she never caught me. I could walk up to her right after I finished and kiss her and she’d have no idea.”
“You got a light?”
Jake reached down and plucked a piece of grass, lighting the end in the fire. He lit his smoke and passed it to Griffin.
Griffin inhaled deeply. “Ah, God that’s good.”
“If your brother is a civvy, Diamond Fjord is your best bet. If he works for the U.N. or spaceport, then you’ll be wanting to check out Blue Mesa on the other side.”
Two cities, like Prudence had said. “How close are we to the spaceport?”
“’Bout a day and a half, if you’re walking. You’ll hit Diamond Fjord first. Like I said, the community there is nice, though they don’t take a shine to having weapons pointed at them.” Big Jake leveled a pointed look in his direction.
“Got it.” Griffin took another drag of his smoke, savoring it. He glanced back over his shoulder, scanning the trees.
“Where’d you come from, anyway?”
Griffin sat back in his chair. “Our escape pod landed out in the Black Desert near an outpost.”
Big Jake’s eyebrows climbed high on his forehead. “Why, you lucky bastard. They take the repeat offenders of violent crimes and drop them off out there in No Man’s Land. No one thought anyone could survive crossing the desert on foot. Hell, the Scarecrows in the mountains, they’re almost more dangerous than the sun. None of the boys, Merrick—he’s the law in Diamond Fjord—takes out there ever come back.”
“Yeah, we’ve had a bit of an adventure.”
Big Jake puffed on his cigarette. “Truth be told, you’re in for more of one.”
Griffin tensed, his gaze shooting over to check on Prudence.
“Not from us, mind you. Blue Helmets been coming ’round asking about a lavender-eyed lady. Seen ’em twice now, but they only stopped once.” Big Jake didn’t seem to be making a threat. His tone remained matter-of-fact as he rocked back in his chair and toked on his smoke.