The Rise of Io (23 page)

A hand grabbed her knife wrist and Ella felt cold metal pressed against the side of her head.

“Drop it.” She heard a click of metal near her left ear. “I will not say it again.”

The knife fell from Ella's hand and clattered on the ground. She raised her other arm.

“Get up. Slowly.”

This time, Ella understood his words. Those lessons with Io were paying off. She did as she was told. She glared. “I thought you were nice.”

“I'm the one who's not nice? Look at this.” He held up both arms. One had a set of teeth marks and the other was dripping blood. “Do you know how many germs are in the human mouth?”

“I hope your arm rots and falls off,” she spat.

Ella became aware of several figures close by. The one to her left was still pressing a gun into her temple. The rage she had aimed at Nabin was replaced by a growing fear. She was in way over her head.

Make no sudden movements until we know who they are.

“Is this the host who the Penetra scanner was chirping about?” a woman said from the darkness.

“Yep,” Nabin replied. “It was either her or the janitor. I checked him first.”

An Asian woman in combat fatigues appeared. She held some contraption up to Ella and nodded back into the darkness. “This is the one. Get the Adonis.”

Watch what you say carefully.

Io had told Ella enough about the Genjix breeding program and Hatcheries that she expected a swimsuit model.

A hooded figure appeared behind the woman and reached out to Ella. She pulled back, but that asshole Nabin prevented her from squirming away. The figure touched her arm. “It's Io. You can release her.”

That is him. That is the person we are supposed to meet.

Nabin let go of her. He picked her knife off the floor and handed it back to her handle first. “Sorry about the cloak and dagger, girl. We just had to be sure.”

She shot lasers at him with her eyes as she rubbed her bruised wrist. She took back the knife and considered stabbing him with it. Instead, she slipped it back into her sheath.

“Asshole,” she muttered, and turned her glare back to the hooded figure. “Who the gods are you, kidnapper?”

“A feisty one here,” the woman chuckled.

The figure pulled the hood off his head. Ella gaped and couldn't recall a time in her life where she was more disappointed by the way a man looked. Being called an Adonis came with certain expectations. He wasn't good-looking or bad-looking, just… just plain.

The Adonis stuck out his hand. “You must be Io's new host. Welcome to the Prophus. My name is Cameron Tan.”

E
lla stared
at Cameron Tan's outstretched hand. Even though they were technically on the same side, she didn't know who these people were. Her natural reaction, honed by years of living on the street, kicked in. She kept her hands at her sides. “Ella. Just Ella. I'm here to take you guys to the safe house.”

Cameron took being left hanging in stride. “We'll be ready in a few minutes.” He turned to the rest of the people around them. “Secure the area. Three on the perimeter. Keep the Penetra working. Load up the van.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Two more figures appeared from the shadows. Ella counted six total bodies, including Cameron, Nabin, and the woman. The Nepalese and two others exited the building. Her first instinct was to search for a way out. One end of the hangar was the large bay doors. The only other exit was the one she had come through, which at the moment was being guarded by the woman and one other. Just a quick eyeball on both told her that these guys could take her in a fight without even trying.

“Walk with me,” said Cameron. “I have a few questions.”

There was something in his demeanor that made her wary. He wasn't cocky, just confident. This was a guy who was used to having his orders followed. She crossed her arms. “We should get going.”

“Show the commander some respect,” the woman said sharply.

Ella glared at the woman. “Mind your own business.”

“No, no,” Cameron said. “The girl is right. We should get to the safe house. We'll have plenty of time to talk later.”

Ella turned her attention to Cameron. At first, he seemed unassuming. He was of medium height, medium build, and had a normal face. He had some Asian features, but his darkness came from the sun. He sported a beard that almost managed to connect at the sides. Not quite, though. He was maybe in his late twenties, early thirties. He carried himself much older than he appeared, and he somehow looked laid back and intense at the same time.

Even with her untrained eye, Ella could tell Cameron was a dangerous man. It wasn't just because he was muscular; he wasn't big, but she could see definition under his clothing. It was in the way he moved. The man was graceful; not like a dancer, but like a snake. He appeared relaxed, lazy even, but the tension around his eyes told another story.

Maybe he just likes tight clothing.

“Maybe he thinks he is a superhero.”

Maybe he wears children's clothing.

Ella bit her lip and masked the grin growing on her face. She enjoyed making fun of these people. They all took themselves so seriously. She also appreciated the fact that Io had loosened up with her too. It made her Quasing so much more bearable.

Fifteen minutes later, the seven of them were in a van rumbling north up the road toward an industrial district next to Magadalla Port. At least that was where Ella assumed they were going. Io was only providing instructions at the turns. Three of Cameron's people sat up front while he, Ella, Nabin, and the woman sat in back with all the gear. Ella rolled her eyes at the metal cases stacked next to her. She was so over metal luggage.

She noticed Cameron staring, making uncomfortable googly eyes at her. Being noticed was almost always a bad thing in her line of work. Being stared at usually meant she had just got caught. She squirmed and instinctively looked for some shadow to disappear into. Then she noticed something else in Cameron's stare; he was sad, grieving almost. Was this guy feeling sorry for her? That pissed her off. She didn't take pity from anyone.

“What are you looking at?” she snapped.

“Seeing you sitting there with Io made me think of an old friend.” He gestured at the rest of his team. “By the way, this is Dana, Nabin you've already met.” The two waved. Cameron patted the driver on the shoulder. “That's Dubs driving. Lam's in the middle. She's my second in command. Jax's my rookie on the right.” Dubs, eyes still on the road, raised a hand. Lam looked back and smiled. Jax gave them all the middle finger.

Cameron grinned. “Jax is actually a ten-year veteran, but he's new to my team. There are no actual rookies here. This is about as crack a group as you're going to find. We draw from the best.”

“Damn right, sir,” Dana said. “Everyone wants to work with Tao and the Adonis host.”

Ella made a face. “Adonis, eh? You're not that good looking.”

Cameron smiled. “A beautiful human is a Genjix requirement for an Adonis vessel. It is a term they apply to people trained since childhood at their hatcheries to become perfect vessels for their high-ranking Quasing. The Prophus don't have Adonises, but I guess I'm the closest thing our side has to one. My Quasing, Tao, joined with me when I was three and has trained me to be an agent almost since then.”

“She's right about one thing, Cam,” Jax said. “All those Adonises I've encountered were pretty hot. You got hit with the ugly stick compared to them.”

“All those Adonises tried to kill you, too,” Cameron replied.

The rookie shrugged. “Nobody's perfect.”

“He looks good to me,” added Dana. “Well, at least from the neck down. Maybe if we put a paper bag over his head.”

Cameron grinned. “I'm going to remember this during your reviews. Insubordination, disrespecting a superior officer…”

“Don't forget she stole your dessert last night,” Dubs added.

The van erupted in laughter as the rest of the team began calling out all the things they'd done to him, and then to each other. They must have been together for a long time, Ella mused. They acted like what Ella imagined a family acted like. It was weird. It was such a big difference when compared to Io and Hamilton, who seemed completely dysfunctional.

Hey!

“Well, you are. I'm just saying, Io, not being an asshole goes a long way. I couldn't stand either you or Hamilton for the first few weeks. I still kind of can't. I'm already liking this crew.”

Cameron leaned into her. “We'll be working together for the next few weeks. You get used to this ragtag bunch. Look out for Nabin though. He's a charmer.”

Ella pursed her lips and rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, but her cheeks burned. She caught herself throwing glances his way a few times, and she wasn't sure why. Nothing about him was that appealing individually, but the whole of him was kind of attractive to her in an ugly duckling way.

“We're here,” Dubs said, as he pulled the van past a set of rusty gates and up a driveway.

“Hey Ella,” Cameron asked. “How did Io acquire this safe house? Our records indicated it was decommissioned before the war.”

Emily was using this before she passed.

Ella relayed Io's words, and it seemed a satisfactory answer for Cameron. With a hiss, the van stopped next to the factory adjacent to a loading dock. The little band got out and was still ribbing each other when Dana, holding some contraption in her hand and waving it back and forth, raised a fist in the air. “Penetra scanner momentarily grabbed two pings. Now they're gone. It could have been a ghost, maybe not. Some of the tracks and footprints look fresh. This building isn't abandoned.”

Cameron scanned the grounds and looked at Ella. “Is anyone else here?”

Tell him this safe house is commonly used by operatives moving across the continent. Traffic is light but not uncommon.

Ella repeated Io's exact words.

“Better safe than sorry,” he muttered. “Weapons out. I want a full sweep of the factory first. This place doesn't look too secure.”

The tone in the team changed immediately. All the friendliness they exhibited was gone in an instant and she could see who these people truly were underneath. The joking stopped and they became all business. No mistake about it, they were killers.

“Io, is something wrong?”

The Adonis is just being overly cautious. Considering all the recent leaks, I do not blame him. I would not worry too much.

Ella found herself agreeing with Cameron. Her gut was telling her something was off as well. Those with bad instincts rarely survived on the streets. She drew a throwing knife in each hand.

“Need a rifle?” Nabin asked, pulling one out of his bag.

She shook her head. He looked puzzled and then shrugged. He slung his pack over his shoulder and then checked the magazine. Ella liked that he didn't ask for an explanation. When he was ready, he signaled to Lam and then they all filed out of the van.

As they walked toward the dock entrance, he leaned in close. “It's probably nothing, but on the off chance it gets hot, stay close to me. I'll keep you safe.”

Ella's heart fluttered. That was the most chivalrous thing anyone had ever said to her. Few men had offered to protect her before. On the other hand, it also made her think he thought she couldn't take care of herself. She was going to have to set him straight about that.

“Just don't stand in my way,” she said, “or you may end up getting a knife in the back.”

He grinned. “I will trust that your desire to see me alive will keep me safe.”

Oh brother. This guy is too much. He is so cheesy.

“I love cheese.”

“Lead the way,” Cameron said.

It took her a few seconds to realize he was speaking to her. Ella hesitantly walked to the front of the group. It was a good thing Io told her where to go, or she would have been completely lost. They entered the factory through the loading docks, down several dilapidated hallways, and into an office area cluttered with old desks, stacks of moldy cardboard, and chairs missing legs. The other end of the room was half-submerged in a pool of dark liquid. The room stank of shit.

The group spread out, flanking Ella and Cameron on both sides. Dana, standing next to Ella, pointed a handheld device up. “I thought I blipped again just now. To the right, one story up. It's gone now. Maybe another false positive. Possibly interference from something in the old factory?”

“Maybe not,” said Dubs. “I don't believe in ghosts.”

“Where is the safe house located?” Cameron asked. “Please tell me it's not underground.”

Ignore that question. I will let you know when we get there. Make a right at the next door.

“Next room over,” Ella said aloud and pointed at the large double-door to their right. Their progress slowed as the team crawled forward, clearing out each area as they passed. Their meticulousness began to make her feel anxious, and she tensed as Nabin and Dana positioned themselves on both sides of the door. Dana glanced through one of the circular window holes and nudged the door open just a sliver. Nabin, crouched, crept in, and Dana followed. A few seconds later, an arm appeared and waved for the rest to go on.

They entered an area lined with long tables and benches. The ceiling was three stories up with two rows of broken-windowed skylights. A catwalk overlooking the first floor hung in the air, crisscrossing the entire room. Mounds of garbage, broken furniture, machinery and crushed steel drums littered the floor.

Listen carefully, Ella. When I give the word, I want you to run forward as fast as you can. Do not stop until you reach the other end of the room.

“What? I don't understand.”

Just do as I say when I tell you. Head straight into the middle of the room.

Ella followed Io's orders blindly, willing one foot to step in front of the other. Her skin crawled as her gut did backflips. Something was terribly off. She looked down; her hands were shaking so hard, she was in danger of cutting herself with her own knives. She looked back at Cameron and the rest of his team. Almost subconsciously, she reached out and pushed him on the chest. “Something is wrong. Go back.”

Wait, no. What are you doing?

Cameron held up a fist and everyone froze. The room became silent and time seemed to still, save for the wind whistling through the holes in the ceiling and an occasional piece of debris swirling like in miniature cyclones. His orders came low and quick. “Back to the van. Out the way we came in.”

They nearly made it back to the double-doors when Jax swung his rifle to the side. “Movement left flank. Multiple contacts.” The rest of the team ducked behind cover as a small army of uniformed figures flooded into the room from three directions.

“It's a trap!” Lam said.

Rough hands grabbed Ella by the collar and pulled her behind a column. “Get behind me,” Nabin said.

“They have the high ground,” Dubs added.

“I have two Quasing on the Penetra scanner,” yelled Dana.

Ella peered over the side and saw more figures appearing on the catwalk overhead.

“Prophus, you are out of position and surrounded. Surrender!” a voice on the far side of the room shouted.

“Lay down your arms,” another voice barked from up on the catwalk.

What have you done?

“What do you mean, what have I done? I didn't do anything!”

How difficult is it to follow simple directions?

“You're not making any sense!”

Everyone was shouting at once as they swiveled their rifles at the multiple targets that surrounded them. For another twenty seconds, each side dared the other to fire first.