Rebellion (13 page)

Merek paled. He reached out and put a hand on Ty’s shoulder. “Sounds like maybe you saved our lives.”

Ty nodded. “We need to figure out how they’re finding us. It’s got to be someone in Watersedge.”

“We think so, too. Arlo’s working on it.”

Ty looked around. The cruiser skimmed the edge of town. “Why aren’t they coming after us?”

“We’re cloaked and the cruiser is tagless, no ID. The Starfall Underground has been busy.”

“Where are we going?”

“Headquarters. You’re not going to believe it. Olivia told us it was big, but she didn’t do it justice. We’re taking the long way, just in case.”

A while later, the interior of the cruiser illuminated as they plunged into an ancient underground transportation tunnel. The cruiser came to a stop not far from the entrance.

“We wait here now for twenty minutes,” Merek said, leaning back and lacing his hands behind his head. “You look good.”

Ty let out an angry laugh. “Their healers are quite talented.”

Merek’s jaw clenched. “I’m sorry. Even Warder Zar’s people couldn’t figure out where you were being kept. They now think it wasn’t the jail at all, but the PRs palace.”

Ty thought back to the cold room they’d beat him in. “Hard for me to say. I didn’t see much, could be though.” He ran a hand through his hair. “A private torture chamber. That’s quite a palace.” He looked around the dark space. “This is interesting.”

“This is nothing. Wait till you see their base.”

The cruiser started up again twenty minutes later and they continued farther into the tunnels. The vehicle’s spotlights illuminated their way as they went deeper into the old network. Finally, they came to a halt at the collapsed end of a tunnel, and the cruiser’s door slid open.

“Keep an eye on her,” Merek said, stepping out.

Ty looked around the empty tunnel. Nothing approached from the direction they’d come. Merek walked over to the rubble at the end. The debris shimmered and a tall, olive-skinned woman wearing a white T-shirt and cargo pants emerged. Ty smiled and stepped out of the cruiser.

Olivia walked over and planted a kiss on him. “Welcome back.”

“Thanks.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. The kiss had been nice. And empty. “So this is the infamous underground, huh?”

“Not quite yet.”

Merek cleared his throat, and Ty let Olivia go.

“We have a little problem,” Merek said.

“Oh?” Olivia hooked her thumbs on her pockets.

Merek shot Ty a look that seemed to say, “You created this mess.”

“Right.” Ty stepped aside and motioned to the vehicle.

Olivia looked inside. “Oh, frack. What have you done?”

Ty crossed his arms. “It was a split second decision.” Not quite true, but close enough. “She might come in handy.”

Olivia scowled at him and spoke into her com. “I need a hood.” She turned back to Ty. “Is that who I think it is?”

“Yes.”

“Damn it, Ty.” Anger and confusion flashed across her face. She crossed her arms and waited in silence.

A moment later, another form approached from the rubble. Olivia indicated the car, and the man climbed in and placed a hood over Ria’s head. She let out a groan when the man set her head back down.

“She’s waking up,” Olivia said. She turned to the man in the cruiser with Ria. “Don’t let her see anything and bring the cruiser in. Come on,” she said to Ty and Merek. “Time for you to disappear.”

Olivia led the way to the debris at the far end. It was a cloaked entrance, the shimmer of the illusion only discernable from close up. Once they passed through, they were back in a dimly lit tunnel. Lights along the ancient walls turned on as they approached and blinked off after they passed.

Olivia kept her distance from Ty and wouldn’t look at him. “These lights won’t work for anyone not registered with our security.” Olivia walked with a quick, sure stride. “We can ride in the cruiser if you want, but I figured you might like to stretch your legs after your recent…accommodations.”

“Walking is good,” Ty said, matching her stride. “This is impressive.”

Olivia made a dismissive sound. “My father started this project over twenty years ago. Wait till you see the hub.”

They walked for ten more minutes before they came to another cloaked entrance. Olivia used her psi and half the wall vanished.

Ty stood and took it all in. The “hub” was a massive, cavernous space, three stories tall. It was an old, subterranean station that the underground had brought back to life. Enormous lights illuminated the place like a sunny day on the surface. A few cruisers came and went from tunnels on the perimeter. Large windows showed people going about their business inside. The second floor appeared to be offices while the third looked more like living quarters.

Across the cavern, a group of children ran screaming and laughing in a small playground. The air was surprisingly fresh and, although it was warm, it wasn’t hot. It explained Olivia’s short sleeves.

Olivia led them inside. “
This
is impressive.”

Merek stood at his other side. “Arlo contacted Olivia’s father when he heard about your arrest. She arranged to have us brought here until we could get you out of jail.”

The reality of the situation hit Ty like a punch in the gut. There was no going home. If Jara hadn’t stopped him and said what he did, there was a good chance Merek, Trin, Bella, and he would all be dead. Maybe not Bella. Not yet.

“Are you okay?” Olivia asked almost grudgingly.

He took her hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry about Ria, but she might be useful.”

She squeezed his hand and withdrew her own. “We’ll see.”

“Mortog needs to be stopped,” Ty said, changing the subject.

“I’m glad you feel that way.” Olivia motioned to the cruiser hovering behind them. “What’s your plan for her?”

What was his plan? Ty had no idea. “You have some place to keep her detained?”

“Of course.” Olivia gave orders to park the cruiser and take Ria to a holding cell. “Come on. My father wants to meet you, and Trin and Bella are anxious to see you.”

Ty and Merek followed along.

A woman entered the playground and rounded up all the kids. Once she got them corralled, she led them inside a nearby door.

“Why are there children here?” Ty asked.

“There’s a segment of our population that either choose to live down here, or are, for various reasons, too well known to be integrated into Mitan society. It’s not bad here. The education is excellent, and we have a network of houses in or near remote areas all around the planet so no one is permanently underground.”

“Unbelievable. You told me it was amazing. You weren’t kidding.” Ty found the magnitude of their operation hard to absorb.

Merek gave him a nudge. “Kind of makes our Watersedge operation look like a joke, huh?”

Olivia stopped short. “No.” She placed a hand on Merek’s arm. “Please don’t think like that. Watersedge is a welcome part of our family. We are all Curzans. We stick together.” She gave Ty a pointed look before leading them into a side entrance and up two flights of stairs to a good-sized room overlooking the open hub below. The moment he entered, Bella bounced out of her chair and wrapped herself around him.

He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head.

Trin came over and hugged him as well, planting a firm kiss on his cheek.

Bella looked up at him, eyes bright. “We didn’t know if you’d make it.”

“They can’t stop me that easily,” Ty said. The room held a large oval table surrounded by wheeled chairs. Plush carpet and cream-colored walls made the space inviting.

“Can you believe this place?” Bella gave another squeeze, then ran over to the window.

“Not really, no.” Ty turned to the men standing near the head of the table.

They were deep in conversation. The larger, darker-skinned one in the middle must be Olivia’s father, Warder Zar. He was an imposing man. His skin a few shades darker than his daughter, he stood a head taller than her and didn’t lack for muscle or personality.

“Dad,” Olivia said, “this is Ty. Ty, my father, Warder.”

Warder shook hands. “About time we met. Sit, please.” He finished up with the two men, who then left, eyeing Ty with curiosity.

Olivia didn’t miss the looks. “You’re kind of a celebrity here.”

He sat next to her. Killing Leon may have been the right thing to do, but he couldn’t shake the thought of two fatherless children.

Warder took his seat. “Welcome to our little underground.”

Everyone sat except Bella, who remained glued to the windows, her fascination with the place obvious. An older woman and a teen came in pushing a cart. The smell of something delicious had Ty’s mouth watering. They placed trays of food in the center of the table and passed out plates and bottled drinks.

“Don’t suppose they fed you much in that hellhole,” Warder said. “Help yourself. Same for the rest of you. Thanks, Marta.”

The old woman shooed the teen out and patted Warder on the shoulder. “You just call when you want it cleared.”

“Will do.”

Ty grabbed a large sandwich and water. The juicy meat melted in his mouth. After a week of nothing but sustenance packets, the sandwich was perfection.

“Now,” Warder said, “down to business. First, you appear in good shape, ya?”

Ty nodded, his mouth full.

“Good, well done Merek,” Warder said.

“Couldn’t have done any of it without your help.”

“You’re welcome.” Warder took a drink of a dark liquid. “I have spent considerable time speaking with Father Arlo. The Watersedge operation may be small, but up until five or six months ago, it was airtight. I think you are all correct in believing there is a mole.”

Merek and Trin nodded agreement.

“Is Arlo here?” Ty asked.

“No,” Warder said. “All indications are he’s safe at the moment. We have people inside Mortog’s security office. They aren’t yet placed to be able to tell us everything, but the intel is getting better all the time. Once we get the four of you settled, Olivia will go to work with Arlo on forming surveillance teams from your own people. If the security force shows up in Watersedge, the team will know what to do. We can’t risk putting all your people in hiding for two reasons. First, there are simply too many to absorb and second, until we catch your mole, it would be an unacceptable security risk. It’s going to be cat-and-mouse until Mortog is removed from power. Not elegant, but it’s the best we can do for now.”

Trin leaned in. “You have our eternal gratitude.”

“We are Curzan. United we will take back what is rightfully ours.”

“We should take it back now,” Olivia said. “We know Mortog’s schedule.”

“That is nothing but a battle,” Warder said with some exasperation. “We need to win the war.”

It was clear this wasn’t a new conversation. Olivia shoved her hands into her pockets. Ty knew how she felt, but understood the wisdom of her father’s words. He himself had won a battle, and yet the war remained.

“Now, about these books.” Warder leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“You know about the texts?” Ty asked. Arlo hadn’t shared that with anyone but Merek’s household.

“Yes. In fact, I told Arlo that Olivia might be able to assist. She takes to languages easily.”

Olivia relaxed some. “I’ve taught myself three languages so far. I’d love to see what you have.”

“Sure,” Ty said. The thought of working with her wasn’t a bad one.

“We could use a fresh set of eyes,” Bella said, coming over for some food.

“Then we agree,” Warder said. “A runner is out now to get the books. Arlo and I felt they would be safer with you in hiding.”

“Good,” Bella said. “I can show you when they arrive.”

“You can show me when we get you settled. The hub is currently full, but we have a place in mind.” Olivia smiled at the teen. “First, we have a minor, or should I say small, complication to deal with.”

Ty had nearly forgotten about Ria. “She comes with us.”

“Ty—”

“Not open to discussion. I’d like a cruiser for the two of us on the way out there.”

The hurt in Olivia’s eyes stabbed him with guilt.

“Something we should know?” Warder asked, looking from Ty to Olivia.

“I just need to talk to her. Alone.”

Warder considered a minute. “All right. But you’ll not be having control of the vehicle. It will follow the others.”

“That’s fine,” Ty said, wondering what the frack he was doing.

“Are you sure about this?” Merek asked under his breath.

Ty just nodded.

Olivia cussed under her breath but called someone and told them to bring Ria out in fifteen minutes for departure.

Everyone ate their fill before they headed downstairs to the cruisers. Two men led Ria over to the cruiser they were taking. She still wore the hood, so they helped her into the vehicle. Once inside, they locked her into restraints. Ty noticed they’d added a set of psi-bands on her wrists. He almost felt sorry for her.

Olivia approached with a backpack slung over one shoulder. “It’s all over the vids now. Your escape and the kidnapping of an off-worlder security agent. From the looks of her, she won’t be much trouble.”

Given the way she’d pinned him in the cruiser, Ty wasn’t so sure. And then there was the effect she had on him. “Where are we going?”

“I talked it over with my father. We don’t want to keep you here. It’s too close to Starfall. If she managed to escape, she might be able to get to the surface. And given there are now five of you, plus me, off and on to help with the texts, we need a good-sized place. We have an eight-bedroom hunting lodge deep in the Trillion Forest. She escapes from there, and she won’t make it out alive.”

“Sounds cozy,” Bella said, holding her own backpack and looking a little freaked.

Olivia turned to the teen. “You’ll be fine as long as you stay inside the perimeter of the repeller field.”

* * * *

Loc Zorton’s office overlooked the city of Ardos. As the capital of Sandaria, it was, by design, the most visually stunning city on the planet. A summer storm raged outside. Dangerous and beautiful, it produced an erratic dance of purple and green clouds that swirled high in the atmosphere. When the mass and velocity of the gasses reached certain limits, explosions shook the lower atmosphere. The violence matched his own emotions.