The Harvest (Book 1) (35 page)

Austin had surprised her by coming to see her after dinner. He’d asked her what she thought about the pictures and she’d been honest with him. Although the woman in the latter set of pictures was definitely dead, Madison didn’t believe it was Roxanne. She asked and Austin confirmed Roxanne had not removed her mole.

She’d finished looking through the photos, but found only one with Roxanne holding a new born baby. She told Austin Roxanne looked tired, but very much alive. He asked her if she could tell where the picture was taken. Madison had taken considerable time examining that particular photo, but it was a close up shot and she couldn’t see what was behind Roxanne. She did notice what Roxanne laid on was white, but not a mattress, more like white plastic. This detail had bothered Austin, but staying true to his nature, when she asked why he wouldn’t elaborate.

The conversation shifted from the pictures to Charlie. After hearing her story, Madison wanted to kill the general herself or at the very least his puppet Chase. Austin promised what he’d planned for Chase would be justice served absolute and complete.

On the subject of Thomas, they decided to tell Charlie he’d died helping them escape. Madison offered to break the news to her when they returned which Austin accepted with gratitude. Both agreed Charlie should never have to know the horrid truth.

They discussed the plan and the back-up plan, which was simple. If plan A went south, she and Luke were to get out and head for the bunker if they could. If they couldn’t safely reach the bunker, they were to head for the army surplus store in downtown Pueblo. Austin had cased the store prior to their departure, and found a large cache of weapons and ammunition. He planted guns throughout the store, including the women’s bathroom. If they had to make a stand he couldn’t think of a better spot.

By the time they’d finished discussing the details it was almost midnight. The last thing she remembered was Austin getting up for a drink. When she awoke later she was tucked in her bed, although she couldn’t recall leaving the couch to come in the bedroom. And she couldn’t remember saying good night to Austin, but had a vague memory of him kissing her on the forehead before he left. She was sure she’d dreamt that last part.

Luke pulled the ATV into the last gas station before they made their ascent up the mountain. While he checked the tanks for gas, Madison used the restroom. A few minutes later they met inside the station where Madison planted the last note.

“Are you nervous?” Luke asked, avoiding her eyes.

“A little. You?”

“Nah.”

“It’s ok if you are.”

“What’s it like? You know when you shoot someone?” 

“The first time I shot someone, my hands didn’t stop shaking for hours. The guy was twice my size and coming at me with a knife this long.” She demonstrated with her hands. “You don’t think, you just do.”

“I don’t know if I can.” Luke admitted.

“Listen to me Luke. These guys are trained soldiers and aren’t gonna just let us waltz in there, stealing away their prized possessions. If you have any doubts about shooting one, you think about Charlie and the other girls. One of those girls is only twelve years old. What if she were your sister? Or if Emma was in there? Do you think you would hesitate to help her? Or to stop anyone who might want to harm her?” Luke shook his head. “I know you wouldn’t hesitate. Just like I know you would do anything to protect me. Right?”

“Absolutely. God Madison, you must think I’m the biggest sissy around.”

“No I don’t. I think you’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. And I wouldn’t want anyone else with me right now.”   

“Not even Austin?” Luke asked before he could stop himself.

Madison laughed out loud. “Not even Austin. Now come on. We have a plan to put into action.” She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him out the door.

Luke stopped outside to pull down his face mask. “Hey, how’d you know about Emma?”

“You talk in your sleep.” Madison laughed and jumped on the ATV. “You drive.” She pulled her mask down over her face. In the back of her mind she was thinking, if they survived this ordeal, she was going to move on with her life. Her first order of business was to bury her feelings for Austin far away where no one could see them.

33 DECEPTION

The elevator carrying Austin and Chase lowered into the bowels of the mountain to Section Seven. Along the way, Austin planted hints to further sink the hooks into Chase. The lies he told in the past six hours added up tenfold more than he’d told in a life time, but his conscience was clear. The means to the end were justified.

As soon as they’d stepped inside the mountain, Eve made her presence known. Austin sensed her as if she was walking along side him, guiding him and bending him to her will. He realized the control he had privileged to her and wondered why he’d allowed it to happen. She’d demanded his focus, taking his mind off of Roxanne and his son, to the extent of seeming purposeful.

Shrugging his shoulders, Austin put his mind to the task at hand. He glanced at Chase who appeared calm, yet determined, and who had no idea that overhead Madison and Luke rode the elevator down with them.

This part of the plan had required Madison and Luke to descend by cable to reach the elevator’s roof, as he had done. However, for him it had been easy. If they would find it the same simple task had been a potential hitch in the plan’s success. He was relieved to see the black string hanging from the ceiling when he stepped in the elevator indicating they were safe and in place.

On the roof of the elevator Austin left an arsenal for Madison and Luke. His first order of business was to take out the cameras. Once this was accomplished, he would contact Luke and Madison via radio. They would exit the elevator and meet up with him outside the command center. If they didn’t hear from him by a certain time they were to leave the mountain without delay.

Their orders were to shoot on sight. Austin had made this clear, demanding they say it out loud and say they understood the necessity of doing so. Madison hadn’t waivered in her conviction. Luke said the words, but his eyes told Austin he wasn’t ready. This was the second potential hitch in the plan. He hoped Madison found the right words to motivate Luke, to convince him to pull the trigger. If not, Luke was going to die, an outcome Austin couldn’t live with if it came to pass.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Austin and Chase walked out down the hall under the cameras. It would take approximately four minutes to reach the command center where they would go to the general with their story. Austin would disable the surveillance cameras and sensors later that night.

This delay meant Madison and Luke would be stuck on top of the elevator for a quite a while, but it couldn’t be helped. He was an army of one against almost fifty trained soldiers, some veterans. Charging the gates was a sure way to be handed a quick death. He’d seen it happen before and knew he had to be smarter than his enemy.

The rules changed when the players were no longer on the reservation, making the general a major concern. Austin followed Chase into Roth’s office with a feeling of trepidation. If Chase’s acting skills weren’t up to par, if he couldn’t sell their story to Roth, Austin would revert to plan B. He hoped this wasn’t how things played out, but killing Roth would be a pleasure long overdue.

The general stood at the sight of Chase, whose bruises and bandaged hand demanded to be noticed.

“Disciple Morgan what happened?” He came from around the desk.

“Father, please forgive me?” Chase lowered his head.

“Forgive you? For what insult am I to grant this forgiveness?”

“I let her get away father. I found the girl, but she was on an ATV. I chased her into the trees, but she knew where she was going. She knew what lie ahead. It was dark and I didn’t see the fallen tree until it was too late.” Chase choked back a sob.

“And where were you Brother Austin?” Roth’s eyes came to rest on Austin.

Austin met his gaze. “Father we’d split up to cover more territory before it got dark. The tracks went in several directions. We had no idea which might be hers.”

“Father, if not for Brother Austin’s superb survival skills, I would have bled to death. I owe him my life.”

Chase’s sincerity was as close to the real thing as any Austin ever heard. Roth looked down upon Chase with the concerned eyes of a father on his son.

“I am sorry you suffered so in doing my bidding.” The general placed his arm around Chase. “And the girl?”

“If you allow it father, I would like to go out again. I think I know where she might be staying, but she must have found help. The ATV was not one of ours.” Chase hammed it up, improvising to the planned dialogue. He knew the general admired someone who put others above self, who showed no fear.

“Don’t you wish to rest?” The general asked.

“Only for tonight father. If I wait past the morning daylight, her trail will get cold and she could be lost forever.”

The general considered this for only a short moment. “You’ll leave in the morning, before the first light. This time you’ll take five men. How does that sit with you?”

“Perfect father. And I won’t let you down this time.” Chase gushed.

“Brother Austin you will stay here. I have something I wish to discuss with you this evening concerning your son.” He announced this without ceremony, his expression never wavering.

The general’s words worked the same on Austin’s ability to breathe as if he’d been hit in the stomach. “My son sir?” he managed to get out without gasping for air.

“Yes. I believe a negotiation is possible, but we’ll talk it over after dinner. I’ll send someone for you.” He replied, returning to his desk where he sat down and pulled out his journal.

Austin and Chase waited to be dismissed, but the general was lost in his writing and seemed to have forgotten they were standing there.

A few minutes went by before he looked up. “It’s time Brother Austin became a member of the Program. Disciple Morgan, please inform him about the Program and what it means to be chosen.”

“Yes father.” Chase replied.

“There will be no drawing tonight. The honor will be yours Brother Austin.”

“The honor?” Austin played along, feigning confusion.

“Disciple Morgan will explain.” Roth smiled. “You’ll enjoy the evening.”

“Yes father.” Austin bowed his head. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask about his son, but he stopped short of doing so.

“We’ll discuss your son tomorrow. Tonight is much more important.” Roth went back to scribbling in his journal. “You may leave.”

Austin walked out with Chase on his heels. Chase babbled on about the Program as they walked by several armed soldiers on their way out of the command center. Austin pretended to listen and asked questions, but his mind was on his son. He rubbed his hand through his hair, calculating the risks of postponing the rescue until he heard Roth’s latest scheme. He would be risking their lives on a gamble, on a madman’s fantasies. The answer should have been obvious, but the lure of finding his son near overwhelmed his ability to remain objective.

“He’s lying you know.” Chase warned in a low voice, and then continued right on in a normal voice. “And the Program has two successes on the way. Sister Anne and Sister Grace have been blessed with child. He can’t bargain with the Sundogs.” He said, integrating this last sentence seamlessly into the conversation. “They are both due in three months. And if that isn’t good enough news, Sister Anne is having twin girls. We always welcome more females. They are our future.”

“What about the boys? My boy?” Austin asked.

“Boys serve a higher purpose. Sometimes we don’t know what that might be, but we do know they thrive in the community for as long as they are useful.” Chase stopped in front of Austin’s room. “Now, if you will put on your robe, I will take you to room sixteen so that you may choose a sister.” 

Before dressing, Austin excused himself to use the bathroom. Closing the door on the tiny lavatory, he turned on the water and grabbed a towel. He bent over pretending to clean his shoes, while he fished the radio out of his inside pocket. Still bent over, and in a low voice, he told Madison to hold until she heard back from him. He waited for her two click response before sticking the radio back inside his shirt and standing up.

Closing his eyes, he mentally went through the plan. Not having to worry about gaining access to room sixteen was an unexpected plus. He opened his eyes and stared at his image in the mirror. You got this man. He told the image staring back at him. Walk in the park. The image responded.

Out in the hall, Chase patiently waited on Captain Reynolds. He considered calling the guards to have him arrested right then, but decided he would wait to see how things went. So far they were looking good for him, but option B was waiting in the wings just in case events took a bad turn.

In either outcome he was going to win, but Reynolds had to remain focused on the plan. He silently cursed Roth for bringing up the man’s son. The Father had no bargaining power with the aliens. No one did. They were a barbaric race, whose only purpose for human beings was harvesting their organs and draining them dry.

At least this was what he had concluded through his observations. But right or wrong in his assessment didn’t make a difference. And, he’d decided, Reynolds couldn’t take on the aliens with all the world’s armies let alone by himself, so what would be the point in telling him where the aliens were keeping people. He’d want to search for his wife and son, rather than taking care of his obligations here on Earth. Chase shook his head. No, he thought, he would hold on to that information for now.

“What are you shaking your head about?” Austin asked, joining Chase out in the hallway.

“Oh nothing.” Chase smiled. “Are you ready to meet your entertainment for the evening?”

Austin cast a look Chase’s way, but kept walking. “You know what to do?”

“Don’t you worry. I have it under control.” Chase beamed.

They continued on in silence. Chase punched in the code to enter the first door of the command center and then passed through the retinal scan opening the second door. Two soldiers stood at alert, not lowering their weapons until Chase gave them the all clear signal. They ignored Austin as usual.