Chapter 30

Robert

I haven't seen Addy in days. I know she's still alive, though. You always just know; if you love a person like I love Addy, you just do.

I clung to that thought as days continued to pass by. I think about Michael, and Charlie and sometimes even Mom and Dad. I wonder if Ben and Kristin still have him, or if the UEO got him, too. But then I remembered that Kristin was a mother, too, and there was no way in hell she'd let the UEO take Michael.

The days all blur together. Sometimes the Mac's have us work on some of the technology, but more often than not, we're just questioned and then sent back to our cells. This prison was nothing like the one the UEO kept us in for years; this was the real deal.

Sometimes I get a glimpse of Charlie and I try to make eye contact to pass a message of hope along, but I know that at this point, his hope is gone. If it's the last thing I do, I will make sure he and Addy get out of this alive.

If I can't save everyone, I have to save them. It doesn't appear anyone else is going to. They killed the Commander, or he was killed during the takeover—I'm not sure which. I haven't seen any of the other senior officers, either.

I think it's just me—me, some people under me and the science crew from Achilles I.

I try not to think how most of us have spent the majority of our adult lives in some form of prison. I try not to think how most of us may never get the chance to experience anything but.

I try not to, but sometimes, it's all I can do.

Addy

They sat me in front of a computer terminal every day. You'd think for a bunch of people that once almost took over the whole planet, they could at least get half the details right. Yes, I am a scientist but no, I did not work on the mobius holes. Not really. I was there for the biologics, not the physics. But there I sat, just like I did every day, when the guys babysitting me starting chatting up a hurried storm.

I tried not to glance over, to just listen-in and do nothing else, but when they were shouting at each other, I couldn't stop myself. I turned just in time to see one of them shot, followed by the other.

I stood as best I could with my wrists chained loosely to the chair I was in. I was a sitting duck. Why were they shooting each other? I pulled at my chains, starting to panic when I heard a few more thuds on the ground. People were falling, they were dropping like flies.

Why?

My first thought was gas. But I didn't feel lightheaded, just scared.

When it was clear the chains weren't going to break, I opted for just scooting my chair along with me, step by slow step, over to where they guys had dropped.

That's when someone came around the corner. I froze. Their gun came dangerously close to my chest.

I looked up to them with scared, pleading eyes. "I just wanted to see what was going—" But then I recognized the face. Ben Krieg. I was so confused. So, so, so confused. But I didn't care.

"Addy?" he asked.

"Get me out of these things," I said, wiggling the chains. I grew anxious. I wanted out. Now. And why was he here? How was he here?

Two more figures came around the corner then, and Ben started pushing me back into the main part of the room. "Just give me a second and I'll have you free."

"Krieg?" the younger of the two asked. He looked like just a kid.

Great. Ben and a kid are here to save me. God help us all.

But that's when I took a good, long look at the third stranger… and realized he was no stranger at all. He was much older, much greyer and had many more wrinkles, but the resemblance was unmistakable.

He nodded at me, confirming my suspicions. "Addison, I presume?"

Ben lifted the keys to my chains off one of the guards and undid my cuffs. I stood, looking at the trio, as I rubbed my aching wrists. "Yes."

"We're going to get you out," Captain Bridger said, and I believed him. "All of you."

"I don't know where they're keeping Robert," I admitted. I didn't. Every time we saw each other, it was when we were here in this room, being forced to monitor their failed attempts at creating mobius holes. After the UEO tested the weapons, the Mac's got wind of what was going on. That is why we were taken—to stop weaponizing the holes of the UEO, and to start doing it for the Macronesians. Even with the war over, what was left of the Macronesian army wanted revenge.

Clearly we all refused to outright help them, but we did everything we could to keep their experiments stable—for everyone's sake.

"Do you know where the cells are?" Krieg asked.

I knew where my cell was. I nodded. "Sure."

I led them through the hallways, cautious as ever. The Macs probably never dreamed anyone would ambush this place, so it was easy to get around. As we passed by cell after cell it became clear that there was no way we'd be able to leave the others behind. They pleaded with me through their eyes, questioning what was happening. Like I could leave them here after everything—I think not.

"How are we going to get everyone out of here?" I asked.

"That'd be my job," said the kid as we continued walking past the cells. He was looking down at a small computer in his hands. "Captain, the control room is just up ahead."

"I'll go with him," Krieg said. "You and Addy need to find Robert."

"And Charlie," I said.

"Who's Charlie?" Captain Bridger asked.

"A close friend."

"Addy?" I heard from the next cell down. It couldn't be that easy.

I jogged until I reached it and found Charlie with his face pressed against the bars. "Charlie!"

"Addy!" He pulled on the bars. "Get me out, Addy, please," he begged.

"I'm working on it," I told him. "We need to figure out how to take over the prison but that's why they're here." I pointed a thumb over my shoulder.

"Is that…"

"Robert's father, yes," I said. "We will get out. I promise you."

He nodded and backed away from the bars.

"Hey kid!" I yelled.

He spun back on me. "Wait up. I'll go with you, Krieg should help find Robert." I caught up with him. "They've sat me in front of their computer systems practically since I got here. I can help you better than he can."

"You don't want to find your husband?" he asked me.

"I know Krieg and the Captain will."

The kid extended a hand. "Call me Lucas."

"Let's do this then."

A/N: Apologies for it being short. Things have been... hectic at best. The last two months have been utter chaos. More to come soon, although probably not until after Valentine's Day. I still work two retail jobs, one with chocolate, so I'll be pulling twelve hour days until then. I also started grad school finally so (YAY!) and therefore have a new website for my writing and blog (jessharveywrites DOT com). So that's why I've been MIA until now. Have a great weekend everyone :)