After Dawn (Book 3 of the Into the Shadows Trilogy) (19 page)

“Apparently she’s in charge, or is about to be,” Sterling answered. “She called an unofficial cease-fire until they figure it out. Did you think Americans were just taking a lunch break or what?”

“I don’t think it matters whether they’re actually firing on us or not anymore.” Christian rubbed his ear. “I feel like that’s all I hear, gunfire and explosions. It’s on repeat in my brain.”

 “El Presidente warned her that Paivi was on her way. We need to get everyone held at their base in our hands, or things might get ugly.”

The Humvees hit the main road, leaving the encampment at the border behind. The deserted streets of Mexicali were eerily silent. When the onslaught from the Americans began, the citizens of Mexicali had been evacuated to other towns further from the border. Mexican Army trucks and tanks rolled through the empty streets. Many of the buildings had been damaged by the Americans’ aerial attacks.

Torsten peered into a half-destroyed apartment building as they drove by. The walls on the left side had crumbled and a crater exposed the interior to the open air. Visible in the destruction was someone’s apartment. Torsten stared at the kitchen, which still stood next to the big hole. It was like looking into a giant dollhouse.

“So this should be a piece of cake, then?” Seamus nodded. “In and out?”

“Not quite. That’s why we’ve got a few Humvees full of our best EOS friends with us,” Sterling said. He waved a hand at the vehicles behind them. “Apparently the ATC agents at the base aren’t cooperating with the order. They claim they only answer to Stevens. So it looks like we might have a little bit of a fight on our hands.”

Seamus snorted. “How many of them are there? With this amount of energy, we’re going to be pretty hard to stop.”

“They’re not sure. Somewhere between twenty and fifty of them. They’ve holed themselves up in the jail portion of the camp where they’re keeping Mrs. Anderson and the others.”

Mrs. Anderson. Torsten knew they meant his mom, but the words didn’t want to sink in. The idea of a mom and dad was so far away he could barely understand it anymore. It was like a foreign language. Deep down he hoped she was okay, but he wouldn’t believe she was even still alive until he could see her for himself. He was envious that Paivi got to see her in the camp. He wished he could have gone with her.

The car fell silent as they neared the border. U.S. military vehicles were lined up in front of the border crossing. A few armed U.S. soldiers in desert camouflage and helmets trained their weapons on the foreign convoy. Sterling adjusted the straps on his bulletproof vest and pulled on a helmet before jumping out of the car with Lieutenant Fernandez.

Torsten sucked in a breath and forced himself to watch as they walked towards the soldiers. Sterling waved the papers and put his hands into the air.

The American soldier lowered his weapon and reached out to shake Sterling’s hand.

“They look friendly,” Christian commented.

“Let’s hope they stay friendly.” Torsten cracked his knuckles. “Isn’t it like a major no-no to trust your enemies like this? I feel like if we were in a movie, the audience would be screaming at us to turn around.”

Sterling and Fernandez walked back to the Humvee and swung the doors open.

“Looks like we’re getting the royal treatment. They’re going to escort us.” Sterling buckled his seatbelt.

Lieutenant Fernandez put the Humvee into gear and they rolled forward toward the U.S. border.

“Why are they being so nice? I just don’t get it,” Torsten said.

“It sounds like the Vice President is doing everything she can to get Stevens out. Not that I can blame her.” Sterling watched out the window as they rolled over the border. “Well boys? How does it feel to be back on U.S. soil?”

They were silent.

*

Their convoy sped through the empty streets of Calexico. They had also suffered some damage. The Humvee’s tires crunched over rubble from blown out buildings. After a short drive, the convoy slowed.  

“Looks like we’re here. Let’s hope we only have to use these weapons.” Sterling put his hands in the air and waved his fingers.

A large fence surrounded the El Centro Naval Air Facility. On either side of the well-guarded entrance, blue and yellow fighter jets were mounted on stone bases and surrounded by palm trees. An armed soldier waved them through the gate.

“These were known as the Blue Angels.” Sterling pointed to one of the jets. “I remember seeing them at an air show when I was a kid. Man, could they do some cool stunts.”

The convoy came to a halt inside the base. Torsten jumped out of the Humvee and circled around to join the others.

A group of American soldiers walked toward them. They were armed, but the guns were strapped to their backs. The head of the group approached slowly.

“Welcome to El Centro.” The man had a deep voice that boomed around him. Like the other soldiers, he sported the desert camouflage. Instead of a helmet, he wore a matching canvas cap on his head. His face was tanned and creased into lines at his mouth and the corners of his eyes. He extended his hand to Lieutenant Fernandez and then to Sterling. “I’ve got to say, this has been the strangest few days I’ve ever had. Yesterday, we were bombing the hell out of you. Today, we’re having you over for flipping tea.” His face was frozen in a permanent frown. “I’m General Arthur. We’ll be assisting you in the mission today.”

“The last year has been the strangest of my life,” Sterling said. “But I think our stance has always been that we’d much rather be your friends than your enemies. Besides, it appears as of right now, we share a common goal. You’re trying to preserve your national and international integrity. We’re trying to save our friends. If we get to save our friends, you get exactly what you want.”

“You’re not kidding. The vice president wasn’t mincing words. There’s a lot at stake today. If we don’t stop Stevens, we’re all in for it.” General Arthur peered at Sterling’s face. “You look awful familiar. What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t. Sterling Starr. This is my brother, Seamus and my friends, Christian Nelson and Torsten Anderson. We’ve got about thirty other EOS trainees with us. We’ll be your weapons today.”

“Sterling Starr? You don’t say! I used to watch your magic show on T.V. I always wondered how you did it!” A smile forced its way across the general’s face.

“A good magician never tells his secrets.” Sterling winked.

“Good point. All right boys and girls, let’s do this. Follow me.” General Arthur spun on his boot heel and marched across the dusty parking lot that was now full of Mexican Army Humvees.

They followed General Arthur past a few streets of barracks and offices to a two-story concrete building circled by U.S. military vehicles and soldiers with weapons. The building was the same color as the sand. Heavy iron bars covered the windows. A thick iron door a hundred feet away was closed tight. A soldier dressed in defensive gear, complete with body armor and helmet, approached them.

“Lieutenant Mirkovic at your service, sir.” He saluted General Arthur and nodded to the others.

“Any updates on the situation?” General Arthur asked.

“Same as before,” Mirkovic said. “We believe there are more than twenty ATC agents inside with your EOS prisoners. We tried communicating with them, but after they stated they would only answer to Stevens, we lost contact. We have no idea of the conditions inside, nor the conditions of the prisoners.”

“It’s a shame,” Sterling said. He assessed the building. “If all you needed was to get them out, we could bring that building down in thirty seconds, although you clearly have the equipment to do it yourselves.”

“Yeah, but we need everyone out alive,” Torsten said quietly.

“Are we confident they won’t start eliminating the prisoners if we come storming in there?” General Arthur asked.

“They wouldn’t dare do it,” Seamus said.

“And why is that? I feel like they’re holding the ball hostage in their court right now.” General Arthur punched his hand.

“Keeping those prisoners alive is the only way they can control Paivi.” Seamus squinted in the bright midday sun. “If they die, Stevens better start running because Paivi will get even.”

“And if we save them? I thought that would avert the crisis,” General Arthur said.

“Oh, it’ll avert the crisis for the entire government.” Seamus chuckled. “But Stevens is still going to have to deal with Paivi’s wrath. Hopefully no one else is around.”

Sterling turned to the Lieutenant. “Looks like we’ll just go right in the front door. Is there more than one entrance?”

“Yes, there is another around the back.”

“Here’s what I suggest. We’ll have to split up.” Sterling tried to ignore Torsten’s nervous glances. “Christian and I will take the front door with half of the trainees. Torsten and Seamus, you’ll go in the back, but only after we clear the front door. You’ll take the other half of the trainees with you. This has to be a concentrated effort.”

Sterling turned to Lieutenant Mirkovic and General Arthur. “Are you willing to join us on the way in, or are we on our own?”

“Oh no, son.” General Arthur clapped Sterling on the shoulder. “According to the code, these boys are disobeying orders. They better hope the prison is still standing when we’re done, because they’re about to be the next inhabitants. “

“How armed are they?” asked Torsten with a shaky voice.

“As far as we can tell, they only have their ATC standard issue M16 rifle. They can do a lot of damage.” Lieutenant Mirkovic swung his gun around from his shoulder. “It looks like this. It’s going to be tough, we’re going in blind.”

“Not entirely. Give me a few minutes and a blueprint and I can sketch out where they are.” Christian stepped forward. “I can probably tell you just how many, too.”

Christian disappeared down the line into a nearby tent with the lieutenant and general while the others waited.

“I don’t like this.” Torsten rubbed his sweaty palms on his camouflage pants.

“None of us like it, Tor.” Sterling turned to him. “Do you want to sit this one out? I mean, I think we’d all understand. Your mom is in there. This could go smoothly and we could all walk out of there happy and healthy. But it could go the other way, too. Do you really want to risk seeing that?”

Torsten gulped. Sweat ran down his forehead.

“I’m the only one who can fix people.” He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “If I stay out here and I could have saved my mom, or one of you…that’s something I couldn’t live with.”

“Seamus will protect you.”

“I’m not afraid of dying.” Torsten straightened up. “I’ve seen enough of that this last week to last a lifetime. But I remember what Master Song said. My job isn’t done here.”

*

The hinges of the door cried out in protest as Christian and Sterling directed the collective energy of their group in its direction. With a groan and a loud crack, the iron door flew backward into the military prison and crashed to the concrete floor. Two soldiers with guns drawn shuffled in the door in front of them before the hail of bullets began.

Christian pushed harder, directing the shield of the group to the front. He didn’t want these guys dying on his watch. His goal was to get everyone out alive, even the ATC agents. But he wasn’t willing to sacrifice any EOS lives for theirs. They’d have to go quietly. It seemed they had chosen not to do so. Sweat dripped down his forehead. He was tempted to wipe his eyes, but didn’t want to take off the helmet that protected his head. The plastic shield that hung down over his eyes gave the room a yellow glow.