Gears of war, p.28
Gears of War, page 28
Marcus reached down and pulled Nick up into his arms. “Well, Nick, Brandon and I traveled a very long way. We asked a lot of people if they had seen your sister.”
“Did you tell them she was funny?”
“We did. We told everyone.”
“And did you tell them she had dark hair?”
“We did that, too.” Marcus carried the boy toward the helicopter. “We looked high and low…”
The little boy’s hopeful smile slackened. “It’s okay, mister. Doctor Adira explained… At least you looked.”
“Hey, Nick, I made you a promise, didn’t I?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need you to do me a favor, Nick, okay?” Marcus set him on the helicopter’s deck. “It will be a big help.”
The boy nodded. “Okay.”
“See that box, back there, the red one? Help that crew member get it out of there.”
The boy turned and dejectedly took two steps deeper into the helicopter, and the crew member turned and pulled off her helmet. A cascade of dark hair fell over her shoulders. She went to her knees and spread her arms wide.
“Remember me?”
“Sierra!”
The boy shrieked and launched himself into his sister’s arms, then clung to her. Tears coursed down her face and Marcus felt one leaking from the corner of his eye. Sierra slackened her grip on Nick then covered his face and head with a flurry of kisses. She pulled the flat stone Marcus had given her out of her pocket and pressed it back into her brother’s hands.
Adira slapped Marcus on the back. “That was a home-coming Nick won’t ever forget.”
Marcus smiled and swallowed hard. “A world like this, it feels great to give someone a good memory. Both of them, really. I hope this erases some of what she endured at Iron Hills.”
Sierra had been taken by one of the Locust training groups and ensconced in one of the tiny homes to take care of three children. While she hadn’t suffered physical abuse, the emotional trauma of being trapped in a camp that Locust and armed soldiers patrolled still gave her night terrors. In fact, had Marcus not recognized her name on the village roster and told her that Nick had sent him, she’d never have trusted her rescuers enough to open up about what she’d endured.
Sierra slipped out of the helicopter and lifted her little brother down. “Marcus, thank you. Even when you told me he’d asked you to find me, I really didn’t think I’d ever seen Dominic again.”
A shiver ran through Marcus. “Dominic?”
The boy nodded. “Dominic Martin Thompson. I sometimes forget some of that.”
The girl tousled his hair. “My dad vanished after Dominic was born. My mom and I kept moving. She got sick and… Then that night, I told Dominic to hide because I heard something. It was a Locust, and you know the rest. What is it, Marcus?”
Nick looked up at his face. “Did I say something wrong?”
Marcus dropped to a knee and rested his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “It’s just I had a friend, a good friend, named Dominic, and I miss him very much. He did me a big favor and I never got to pay him back. I’d like to think, maybe, that helping you goes a little way to make my debt right.”
Nick reached up and patted Marcus on the shoulder. “It’s okay to be sad. My mom said that. She said I had to be strong for Sierra, and Sierra for me, too.” He looked up at his sister. “We can be strong for you, too, Marcus.”
“Thank you.” Marcus enfolded the boy in a hug and felt Sierra join in, taking both Marcus and Nick into her arms. The Gear hung on for a bit, and then a little bit longer. He stood, sniffed, and laughed as Nick wiped his nose on his sleeve.
Marcus patted the boy on his back. “Why don’t you go join the others playing. Hey, Cole, I got a top recruit for you right here!”
“That so?” Cole snatched a Thrashball out of the air, then underhanded it to Nick.
The boy caught it and burst out laughing, then squealed as other kids started chasing him.
Adira nodded. “Feels good to hear him laugh like that.”
“All of them.” Marcus smiled at Adira. “A couple more boxes of supplies in the helo.”
“Thanks for those. Barring any game injuries, what you’ve brought should keep us going for another couple weeks. After that…” She shrugged. “After that, things will get tricky.”
Marcus’ eyes narrowed. “You’re overcrowded. Brandon and I have talked with people heading some other settlements, and they have room.”
“We’re not splitting families up, Marcus.”
“No need. In addition to the settlements we’ve mentioned, Cole knows people in Hanover, and Ephyra is setting up a new neighborhood. It’s not a Rack, but the first step in building a new city.”
Adira nodded. “Certainly something to let the folks here consider.”
“It’s a chance at a new future.” Marcus watched Sierra and Nick running with the other kids, trying to catch Cole. “I’ve spoken with Anya. You know, if Sierra and Nick wanted to come to the estate, we’ve got more than enough room there…”
Brandon, dodging his way around some kids, barked out a laugh. “Hey, if you’re going to be adopting people, I’m in. Sis, you have to see this place.”
“You’re welcome at the estate, Brandon, just as long as Isadora is okay with it.”
“Isadora?” Adira arched an eyebrow. “Is there something I need to know, and why don’t I know it already?”
“We were far away.”
“You had a sat phone.”
“Operational security, right, Marcus?”
The Gear raised both hands. “I’m not getting in the middle of this.”
Adira shook her head. “You get a pass this time because you found Sierra, but I’m expecting a full report, or there will be trouble.”
“Yes, Dr. Turrall.” Brandon reached out and gave his sister a quick hug. “You’ll definitely want to hear about the rebuilding of Ephyra. Damon Baird has already put together a research facility, and he needs someone with your skills and experience to help recreate a medical system.”
“I’m willing to listen.”
“Good.” Marcus gave her a nod. “We can connect you with Damon, and together you can guide us into the future. Provided, of course, that during the next Council of Ministers meeting, they give us a shot at a future worth living in.”
14: HIGHWATER AUDITORIUM, MINISTRY OF SANITATION
EPHYRA, SERA
15 FROST 18 A.E.
Marcus sat in the auditorium’s last row, back where the lighting remained dim. Jamila Shin, who had agreed to reduce her role to little more than a functionary, stood behind the podium at the front of the room. Arranged in a circle starting from that cardinal point, the other ministers sat at tables along with one or two staff members. From Marcus’ position, Anya sat closest to Jamila, at her left hand, and Raul Hasterwith sat opposite, between Aaron Griffin and Nathan Pendergast Jr. Captain Diana Egami and Cara Lima sat facing the stage directly, with their backs to Marcus.
Cole took a seat beside him, and leaned forward. “Our girl looks sharp in her uniform. She snaps an order and I’m on it, brother.”
“Me, too, though I wonder…” Marcus recalled that Anya had been rebuked in an early Council session for wearing her uniform, so it surprised him that she’d made that choice again for today. She hadn’t explained it to him that morning, simply asking him to “Trust me.”
I agreed, without hesitation. Hell or high water, Anya, I have your back.
Jamila glanced at her tablet. “On our agenda, the next order of business is to discuss candidates for the position of first minister. I recognize Anya Stroud.”
“Thank you, Madame Secretary.” Anya stood and looked at the other ministers. “It had been my intention to rise this afternoon to place into nomination the name of Raul Hasterwith, but a very recent and important development leads me to move that we table nominations and deal with this new issue. That being the continued Locust threat.”
The other ministers audibly gasped and turned to speak to their aides. There could be no mistaking the shock and surprise on their faces. Aides scrambled to sort through papers and scroll through screens on their computers.
Jamila tapped a gavel on the podium. “This meeting will come to order. Ladies and gentlemen, as your secretary, I’ve received copies of a confidential report concerning the continuing Locust threat. Thomas, please see that each delegation is provided a copy, but first, will anyone second the motion to table.”
Aaron Griffin raised his hand. “Seconded.”
The body voted unanimously to set aside choosing a first minister and to address the issue of the Locust. At Thomas’ direction, clerks handed out the reports. While the ministers began to leaf through them, Jamila spoke again.
“Please, Anya, share what you’ve learned.”
Anya lifted her chin. “We are all aware of reports that some Locust survived the Imulsion Countermeasure. To investigate such claims, Sergeant Marcus Fenix and Brandon Turrall conducted a months’ long investigation, traveling from here to Hanover, Char, and beyond. They encountered a handful of Locust, which they destroyed. They also uncovered evidence that a group of people had found, nursed back to health, and domesticated some of the creatures. In at least one case, they used the Locust to murder a family and abduct the children, taking them from their homes to a compound in Iron Hills for purposes as yet unclear.”
Raul Hasterwith rose. “With all due respect, Ms. Stroud, as a deliberative body we cannot accept your recitation of these allegations as fact.”
Anya canted her head. “I am prepared to offer eyewitness testimony to the veracity of my claims, Mr. Hasterwith.”
“Your paramour, Sergeant Fenix, a man once convicted of treason, perhaps? We are to accept his word?”
“No, Mr. Hasterwith.” Anya looked toward Jamila. “With your permission, Madame Secretary, I should like to call Karima Razek, CEO of Razek Industrials, to attest to the facts in the report.”
Jamila tapped the gavel. “With no objection…”
“Excuse me, Madame Secretary, I must object.” Hasterwith shook his head adamantly. “We have no way to validate the identity of someone claiming to be Karima Razek, and even if this witness were to be Karima Razek, we have no clue as to what undue pressure she might be under to verify what could be a tissue of lies.”
Nathan Pendergast stood. “While I understand what my colleague is saying, I know Karima Razek. Our families vacationed together, you know, before… I would know her anywhere, and as to her succumbing to pressure? Ha!”
Jamila again employed her gavel. “If Karima Razek is within the sound of my voice, let her come forward.”
The doors in the back of the auditorium opened and Karima descended the central aisle to the floor, escorted by Brandon Turrall. Once she reached the chair that Thomas had arranged for her, Brandon peeled off and joined Pendergast at his table.
Anya addressed Karima. “Thank you for joining us and offering your account of what you saw. You witnessed an attack by Locust on Harkness Glen, a community you’ve been living in since the Locust emerged. Tell us about that, please.”
Karima complied, matter-of-factly describing her community and the horrors of the night the Locust attacked. “Had Sergeant Fenix and Mr. Turrall not been with us, I fear the things would have killed many more people, and likely would still be at large.”
Hasterwith looked at a note he’d scribbled as she spoke. “Ms. Razek, at any time did you see evidence that these Locust were controlled by anyone? That this attack was motivated by anyone?”
“No, sir.” Karima’s expression sharpened. “That came later.”
Anya nodded. “Perhaps you’d be willing to share what you experienced at Iron Hills.”
Karima quickly and succinctly laid out the entire operation, from what they’d discovered and recovered and then destroyed. Other ministers asked questions, especially about the number of people saved and the disposition of the mercenaries who had survived the firefight against Delta Squad.
Cole leaned in toward Marcus. “Isn’t she leaving a couple of details out?”
“Yeah. A couple.” Marcus frowned. In her testimony, Karima consistently pointed out that the Iron Hills operation had three Locust, not the five they’d destroyed when they blew the lab. Granted she never stepped inside the lab, so it could be an honest mistake, but… Anya, what have you done?
Captain Diana Egami rose at her place. “Thank you for your testimony, Ms. Razek. I listened closely, and have skimmed the report covering the evidence that has been offered. I see no indication of the identity of those who captured and trained the Locust. Do you know who they were?”
Karima shook her head. “I do not, but I was not part of the initial interrogations, and have not been involved in the continuing interrogation of the mercenaries and surviving scientists. I believe, however, that it is only a matter of time before all is revealed and those who put this heinous experiment together are brought to justice.”
Anya looked over at Raul Hasterwith. “Do you have more questions, Minister Hasterwith?”
“I am shocked and deeply, deeply saddened that anyone could think it proper to employ the enemy of humanity in such a way, for personal profit.” The man opened his hands and let them flutter down to his sides. “I find this all profoundly disturbing, and I would recommend that we establish units—military units—which could continue the work that uncovered these Locust, and destroy them. I don’t know if such a motion would be in order at this time, Madame Secretary, but…”
“It would, Minister Hasterwith.”
“So moved, then.”
Pendergast seconded it and the motion passed.
Jamila smiled. “Anya, I believe you would have the expertise to handle that sort of thing, so shall we leave it to you?”
“I would suggest we bring in Colonel Hoffman to organize things.” Anya managed to keep her face impassive. “He’s had experience dealing with this sort of situation.”
“Excellent idea. Thomas, make a note.” Jamila employed her gavel again. “I believe this would bring us back to our previous topic, choosing a first minister… Yes, Minister Hasterwith?”
Hasterwith rose to his feet, his complexion a bit ashen. “My fellow ministers, this matter has left me shaken. I realized, as I sat here, that this is momentous news and has implications which go to the larger issues we face as a body. It seems as if we must share the news of this Iron Hills situation with everyone, for only by being informed can people guard against such things. Then again, when I consider the fact that Locust may still be out there, it seems that the judicious withholding of unverified information to prevent causing a panic might be prudent.
“I am uncomfortable being in a position to pick and choose which issues are shared with people through Seradyne Information Services. While I hope you know I would make the best choices of which I am capable, I am no longer confident that I have the vision—or all of the information I would need—to make the best choices for humanity.”
The man took a deep breath, then exhaled, visibly seeming to shrink. “I have decided to go forward with something I have been contemplating for a long while now. I will sever Seradyne Information Services from Seradyne Industries, and turn all of those assets over to this body.”
Gasps echoed through the chamber.
Cole elbowed Marcus. “Did I hear that right?”
“I sure as hell hope so.”
Hasterwith glanced down at his desk as he continued. “I would furthermore suggest that we create a Ministry of Information Services, and empower it to provide content which will unite people in the struggle we face, if humanity is to survive.”
The other ministers stared at him, surprise widening their eyes. Except for Anya. Marcus slowly smiled. She was expecting this.
“Marcus, what did Anya do?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know, Cole, but, whatever it was, more please.”
Hasterwith tapped a finger on the notepad in front of him. “Lastly, it is incumbent upon me to withdraw my name from consideration as first minister. I believe my good friend, Minister Stroud, was prepared to speak on my behalf in this regard. I have always felt that my role here was to represent the corporations that contributed so much to the world, but my good friends Ministers Pendergast and Griffin have shown me that business is well represented. I’d thought of the Seradyne family as my constituency, but this might force my employees to choose between their locality and loyalty to me. To do so would be highly unfair. Ms. Razek, who has her own community in the western region, is likely a better model for the sort of representation my constituency should have in the future.”
Anya stood. “Madame Secretary, I believe this body owes Minister Hasterwith a great debt for his grand gesture. His suggestion concerning Ms. Razek is well taken, but I—for one—hope that Minister Hasterwith will remain engaged in public life. He has proven himself to be a visionary, and his help is still greatly needed in guiding us to the future.”
Color rose in Hasterwith’s cheeks. “Minister Stroud is too kind. I should be happy to serve humanity in any capacity the ministers see fit. To do less would be to abandon humanity in a time when we are all needed.”
“Very well said, Minister Hasterwith.” Jamila Shin smiled and looked out at the assembly. “And now I would entertain a motion to adjourn. We have done good work here today.”
15: HIGHWATER AUDITORIUM, MINISTRY OF SANITATION
EPHYRA, SERA
15 FROST 18 A.E.
Anya began to pack up her things. Diana Egami and Aaron Griffin both approached Karima Razek to begin politicking her about becoming a minister for a district including Harkness Glen and Westbrook. Raul Hasterwith left his table and stopped by Pendergast. The two men spoke briefly, then Hasterwith departed. His aides cleaned up and chased after him.
Marcus and Cole descended to the floor and, smiling, joined Anya. Marcus hugged her tightly. “You were fantastic.”
“Thank you.” Anya kissed Marcus quickly but firmly, then slipped from his arms. She turned to Cole, then pulled him into a hug. “You, sir, are a very welcome sight.”
