Changing Tides (2 page)

Brett stretched his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck. He had a plan. Now, all he had to do was enact it. He should run off the excess energy. Instead, he grabbed everything he needed for a shower—a shower followed by jacking-off to a fantasy of Orion seemed like a much better plan. It would also provide a distraction from his latest actions.

* * * *

Orion Hellman stepped out of the dormitory and stretched, looking around as he did. A car stopped in front of the building, he tried not to stare as the passenger leaned over and kissed the driver slowly. He didn’t need to be reminded of what could never be, especially with the memory of one certain man unwilling to fade into oblivion.

Orion dropped his gaze, wondering what it would feel like to kiss Brett like that. The general hadn’t said he couldn’t date anyone, only that there could be no sex, and he wasn’t technically in the military so there wasn’t an issue with rank. He knew though that Reynolds had told key people that he was off limits permanently, and they’d spread it around base.

Brett was still dangerous to him. More than anyone else had ever been. He caused Orion to think about and want things that weren’t his to have. Orion’s thoughts were still centered on the slightly older man when the passenger from the car bumped into him.

“Sorry, man,” he said, hugging Orion. “I finally found the one!”

Orion nodded and smiled.

“He’s good.”

Orion ducked his head. He pulled away from the man who lived down the hall from him and had come to his defense more than once when he was being beaten up or threatened. Orion knew the man’s last name was Miller and his rank was corporal. Orion was glad the man had found someone to love. Everyone deserved to love and be loved.

Sparing one last thought for the man, Orion took off down the well-lit running trail. He liked the solitude at night. It gave him time to think, to sift through information and to reflect on the path his life was taking. It usually kept him out of trouble and away from prying eyes.

The running trail wound through base housing and the buildings on its edge before splitting into two different directions. One took runners past the flight-line and toward the firing range and wooded area where he’d first met Brett DeMarco. The well-lit path curved away from the dangerous areas as long as the runner paid some attention to where they were at. The other direction led to the center of the base.

Usually, he took the longer trail, enjoying the quiet. This time he was certain that his thoughts would stray toward DeMarco, a man he would be better off avoiding. Orion had seen Brett before, he was in the periphery of people he’d come in contact with while working for the general. He preferred knowing as much as possible about the people he was dealing with, but Brett had never been someone he’d worked with or even talked to before. It wouldn’t take much to uncover everything there was to know about the other man, but he’d learned long ago not to tax the few resources he had. He had to be discreet about who he checked into and why. Lieutenant Brett DeMarco simply wasn’t worth the risk.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself faster, wishing for a different life. He knew Brigadier General Reynolds would never release him from duty. He wasn’t even sure the man would let him take a regular lover. He’d never asked before. Truthfully, he’d never been interested in having anyone in his life until he’d met Brett. Now, the other man had him wishing for things he knew he couldn’t have. Things that would take away from the promise he’d made standing over his parents graves.

To keep his thoughts away from Lieutenant Brett DeMarco, Orion mentally recited the true history of Aelland that his parents had taught him through stories they told. A century ago, Aelland had a different name and was a Mecca for freedom of all kinds. People could express whatever opinion they wanted, they could worship whatever and wherever they wanted, could marry who they wanted, had the ability to defend themselves and higher education was open to everyone. There had been a statue in the harbor near the capital. That had long ago been dismantled.

Aelland was born out of the Second Civil War. In the years preceding the war, a series of laws were slowly introduced by politicians that systematically restricted the rights of the people while increasing their dependency on the government before the funding for all social programs was stripped away without being replaced by anything. The move left millions without basic necessities nor any way to provide for themselves and their families. Citizens had revolted against overcrowding, low pay, not enough food, high crime rates and work practices that bordered on slavery. Halfway through the war, multiple factions appeared, all vying for control of the government. One small paramilitary used deception and double cross to seize power. They renamed the country after their home base of Aelland. They’d installed a small council of handpicked men and women to run the government before a dictator claimed power, retaining the title of President.

The anger surging through him, Orion recalled memories he refused to dwell on nor forget. He renewed his promise to his parents. To himself. One day, it would be worth it. They’d studied and learned. Waited and sacrificed. Soon, they would be ready. The Citizens For A Free Aelland were stronger than ever.

He’d rounded a bend in the path, taking him closer to the center of the base, when he heard voices. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready to fight or flee. He slowed his pace slightly, not willing to be caught unaware by an attacker. He crept closer to the source of the noises then stumbled to a stop as moonlight and clouds coalesced.

A couple braced themselves against one of the building’s walls, bits of clothing strewn about. Orion stared helplessly for a long moment before turning his attention back to the running trail. What couples did and where they did it was none of his business. Still, he silently wished them well before leaving the area.

Taking the twisting path back into the housing area, he ran by the single officers’ quarters and wondered which one Lieutenant DeMarco lived in. As special staff, Orion could probably get away with entering the building, but he’d be asking for trouble if he did.

“Hellman?”

Orion stopped and looked around before spotting a figure sitting on a bench under a tree. Cocking his head, he turned and stared at the speaker.

“It’s me. Brett.” The man stood and walked toward him. “Are you just starting your run?”

Orion shook his head.

“Finishing it?”

Orion nodded.

“Sit with me?” Brett asked, cupping Orion’s cheek.

Orion shook his head slowly. He enjoyed the warmth and pressure of the other man’s hand too much to dislodge it.

“Why not?”

Orion shrugged.

“Are you scared of me?”

He shook his head again.

“Do you have to be somewhere else?” Brett asked.

Orion shook his head again, unwilling to lie to the man more than necessary. He’d spent the past month avoiding this type of interaction with Brett and always telling the man no. Although he’d never said a word to Brett—he hadn’t spoken in eleven years—Brett always seemed to understand him and still wanted to spend time with him. He was one of the few people that didn’t treat Orion as if he were too stupid to understand anything. It was his own doing. He knew that. An illiterate mute was the disguise he’d donned years ago out of necessity and one that had become so ingrained in him, he never slipped out of it.

“Then sit with me for a while. I want to get to know you better,” Brett said, sliding his hand down Orion’s arm and grabbing his fingers.

Orion shook his head.

“You don’t like me?”

Orion shook his head again, wishing just once he could talk and tell Brett exactly what he wanted and how he felt. And more importantly, why it would never work for them.

Brett smiled. “So you do like me. Good. I like you, too.”

Orion’s eyes opened wide, and he found himself being pulled toward the bench, Brett never relinquishing his hold.

“I’ll try to make any questions I ask yes or no, so it’s easier for you, but I know you’re not stupid,” Brett said, rubbing his thumb over Orion’s fingers. “Your first name is Orion, isn’t it? The general’s secretary told me. Probably so I would leave her alone.”

Orion nodded.

“Will it bother you if I call you that instead of Hellman?”

Orion smiled and shook his head.

Orion lost track of how much time passed while he sat with Brett, listening to the other man talk. Brett told him about himself, his family, his desires, his concerns for his future and his life. Occasionally, he asked Orion questions then he’d apologize for talking so much. Orion smiled and laughed silently, his heart breaking more at the idea of never talking to this man, of never having a real conversation. Brett offered to walk him back to his dorm, and Orion found himself agreeing, despite his reservations.

They stopped outside the entrance to the building. Brett pulled Orion into his chest, wrapping his arms around him before slowly dipping his head down, bringing their mouths closer. A first tentative brush of lips was quickly followed by a more demanding need from both of them. Orion opened to let Brett in, relishing the feelings coursing through him. One of Brett’s hands wandered lower, squeezing his ass cheek.

“One of these days, I want to make love to you,” Brett whispered into his ear, trailing little kisses along his jaw. The sensations went straight to Orion’s cock. He could imagine making love with Brett and wanted the same thing. “Do you run every evening?”

Orion swallowed and nodded slowly.

“Then I’ll see you again.”

Orion nodded then shook his head.

“Yes, sweetheart, I will. I want you like I’ve never wanted anyone else. We’ll make this work.” Brett kissed him again before tapping his ass. “Go on. I’ll leave once you’re inside.”

Orion nodded, clenching and unclenching his fists, trying to maintain some control over his body. With one kiss, Brett had created a need so deep, Orion wasn’t sure he’d ever be free from it.

Chapter Two

Brett stood in the small lounge that served as the break room and stared in horror at the video screen where images from several government-run institutions streamed, interrupting a public broadcast. The supposedly large, spacious buildings were little more than a reception area, two medical examination offices and a supply room. The next images showed cemeteries where the facilities were supposed to be, row upon row of simple, carved headstones followed by a large area that looked to be freshly dug mass grave. A disembodied voice on the video accused the government of killing its own citizens and lying about it. The next image showed a report detailing the progress of a patient named David Jonathan Williamson over the last five years, dated earlier that month then cutting to a headstone with the same name and date of birth with a date of death listed nearly eleven years earlier.

“If they lie about this, what else is the government lying about?” The speaker paused. The images flicked to other parts of the cemetery. “We are not some foreign government. We are not crazy or lying. We are citizens of this once great country, now enslaved by a ruthless dictator, and we want our country back. Now is the time!” The screen crackled and went dark before returning to the scheduled news program.

Noise exploded around Brett. Anger and disbelief washed over him, enveloping him completely. Loud and insistent, questions bombarded him so fast he couldn’t separate his thoughts from the words spoken by others. Who was behind the video? What did it mean? What was the end goal? Why didn’t the intelligence sectors know of this video? Of its creators? Where did they start looking? What would the government say? What was the truth?

He’d heard the rumors that the institutions didn’t really exist. The stories had been going around for nearly a decade. It was something everyone dismissed, shaking their heads in disbelief. The government didn’t lie to them. Not about important things. Not about people’s family. President General Vanessa Landry had rooted out the last corrupt politicians when she’d removed her tyrannical father. Brett bit his cheek and turned his attention back to the problem.

Who’d hacked into the government network? Multiple layers of security tracked all activity. Protocol dictated that no one person had all or even a large amount of knowledge of the systems. Communication personnel were some of the most heavily screened. Who had the knowledge and technology to infiltrate the infrastructure? Was the source external or internal? Would any of it matter in the government’s response? How would the government respond? They rarely answered accusations levied by terrorists or traitors, but this was different. This was something everyone in the country had seen.

Brett reined in his thoughts. What was the most important question to be answered? Which one did his unit start with?

Who?

They would start there. The reasons would come later.

Brett turned to Tech Sergeant Raymond Westbrook, the highest-ranking enlisted man on his team. “Take half of the team and start looking into anyone who could have pulled this off. They will have security knowledge as well as video experience. It shouldn’t be a huge number of people.” Nearly every facet of a person’s life was documented in official records few people outside of the intelligence field had access to. That kind of knowledge base would have required advanced education and access to the same technology the government used. Brett scrubbed a hand over the back of his head and neck. There were no private media companies outside of the government-owned stations. “Start with the media personnel.”

“Hold that order, Lieutenant,” Major Fitzwilliams, commanding officer for the Base Intelligence unit, stated walking up to them. “Orders are coming down. Investigating this will only validate these traitorous claims and encourage their disgraceful behavior.”

“Yes, Sir,” Brett replied though he disagreed. Accusations like this needed to be investigated in order to ensure the stability of the country.