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  Only Ragan remained standing, despite his growing exhaustion. Unlike the others, he’d gone nights without sleep now. As they drank the night away several evenings back, Ragan was on point in the command centre, searching for signs of Mikel. When they caught Mikel after the battle in Devil’s Pike, and escaped to the woods, the others had slept soundly by the fire as Ragan kept watch. His nanotech augmentations allowed him to function at full capacity for much longer than a regular person, of course, but now he was reaching his limits.

  I’ll sleep a few hours on the way, he thought. A couple should be enough.

  But not yet. First, he needed to rouse his troops. He began issuing orders.

  “Tanner, go check on how much power we’ve got left, and set the coordinates for Chicago.”

  “You want to head straight for Chicago?” queried Tanner, frowning. “You don’t want to rest a little first?”

  “We can rest on the way. It’s a fair distance,” said Ragan. “I’d prefer to get there when it’s till dark if we can. If we need to infiltrate, it’ll be easier at night.”

  To do that, they had no time to delay. The journey itself would take several hours at cruising speed, and they also had to account for the time difference when heading east. Then they’d need to navigate through unfriendly airspace without detection, land near the estate, and get close enough to perform surveillance and reconnaissance. And that wasn’t even taking into account unforeseen issues they might face, as well as time spent planning incursions, analysing intel, and scrutinising threats. Usually, missions of this nature took time to plan and execute. Unfortunately, they had none to spare.

  “Right,” nodded Tanner, noting the urgency in Ragan’s voice, his eyes. He seemed to have given up questioning Ragan’s authority, despite Ragan saying himself that this was a group effort now, and all decisions needed to be mutually agreed upon. Perhaps Tanner just didn’t have the energy for it. Perhaps he’d realised that infighting was only going to cause further delays, delays they couldn’t afford. Whatever it was, it pleased Ragan to see his instructions taken on without dissent.

  Tanner continued. “I’ll get to it,” he said. “But the jet’s been in cloaking mode for hours now, so I’d expect power to be low. Hopefully the solar charges have given us a boost, but I wouldn’t count on it with all the smog. It gets worse every year this place. It’s like living under a blanket.”

  “I thought you liked it here?” asked Nadia, slumped in a chair, referencing their previous conversation.

  “I do…partly. The smog’s not the city’s best feature.”

  “Not the worse either,” mumbled Nadia, bitter and clearly keen to get clear of this place.

  Tanner ignored the comment, and headed off towards the cockpit to get the falcon started up. Ragan then roused the others from their perches, asking them to join him at the briefing table. He drew up a holographic satellite image of the continent, closing in on the area around Chicago. Inputting the address they’d been given for Martha’s primary estate, they began analysing the area, studying the structure itself, the grounds, the possible entry points should they wish to infiltrate.

  They didn’t, unfortunately, have access to live imagery - this was more of a static map, pictures of the area taken from some time ago - and so couldn’t gauge possible security, sentries, and so on. Without the clout of the CID in particular, and to a lesser extent the command centre of the Crimson Corps, they’d have to make do. It wasn’t how Ragan had typically operated during his time amidst special forces troops and government agencies with limitless funding, and the same would be true for Tanner and Nadia during their operations with the Spectres and Southern Queens.

  Still, it was the best they had, and would have to do. They were winging it, Ragan knew, and just trying to stay positive. This excursion to LA had taken the entire day, and their reward was an address that may or may not yield any result at all. Hopefully, Dax would discover something more meaningful as they journeyed to the east, but Ragan couldn’t count on that. He had to maintain a single focus, and not let his resolution wilt. He’d made this decision - no, they’d made it as a team - and now they all had to stand behind it.

  The falcon whirred into motion as they worked, lifting off into the air. That was the call for them to quickly take their seats before it shot skyward at a less leisurely pace. They strapped in, waited for the jet’s motion to even out, and returned to the briefing table right after, Tanner staying in the cockpit in order to pilot the craft - here, within WSA territory and so close to the capital, turning to autopilot wasn’t a good idea. He had to stay vigilant until they got clear.

  The rest continued to study the satellite map, working out just where the falcon might land, and where the best place for reconnaissance would be. Mostly, the lands were flat, providing little scope for surveilling the estate, and its security, from any raised portion of earth. As if to remind them of his capabilities, Remus buzzed about, still in drone form, before changing into a bird and flapping his metal wings violently.

  “Right, sure,” said Nadia, grinning. “Remus can go in and check for us.” She reached out and extended a finger, a perch on which Remus could land. He did so, clawed metal feet wrapping around her digit. Nadia drew him closer, beguiled by the little drone. She’d be like that for a while.

  The group worked on, mostly quiet, occasionally pointing out something they thought the others should see. Ragan studied the map and accompanying images, though studied Chloe in equal proportion. His wandering eyes made it clear to him that his attention was wavering; that his mind was split between her and his purpose, his task, his final mission.

  Final.

  The word came to his mind, unexpected. Was that really how he thought? Was this really it for him now, his last hurrah as a soldier, a spy, a man who’d spent his life following orders, working, he believed, for the greater good. So much had happened over the last few days that had made him question his place in the world, wonder whether everything he did was worth it. Until this point, it had been. It had led him to Chloe, to the data he strived to destroy. But now, what else was there?

  He’d betrayed the CID, though how much they knew of his true intentions, he still couldn’t be sure. The opposite was true of Project Dawn - they’d betrayed him. They’d tried to kill them, gun them down outside the farm, shoot them from the sky. Yes, Ragan had gone dark, but that didn’t warrant the way they’d behaved. They were given no quarter, no chance to explain. He knew, now, that he could never go back to the mountains. His place in the Crimson Corps was dead.

  So now he stood, with three companions, all outcasts, all clinging to the same lifeboat as he. Where they’d go from here, he didn’t rightly know, but he did know one thing - he could trust these three with his life. He could count on them forever.

  And right now, that would have to be enough.

  As the journey progressed - the falcon adopting a high altitude and cruising speed to conserve power - the group separated and took some time to themselves. Tanner stayed in the cockpit, giving the likes of Nadia some respite from his torment. She herself chose to take some rest, seeking solitude at the front of the plane. The briefing table at the rear was left with Ragan and Chloe in attendance, Remus fluttering about occasionally as he spun and zipped through the air. Ragan watched him for a moment, his thoughts still drifting.

  “What will you do after this?” he asked absentmindedly. He looked to Chloe, who continued to study the maps and images. She turned her eyes up to him, strikingly blue in the low lights of the plane. “Whether we succeed or fail, things have changed for you,” Ragan continued. “No one’s going to be chasing you anymore.”

  She frowned.

  “Are you sure about that? I’ll still be a wanted woman, wherever I go.”

  Ragan considered it.

  “Wanted, maybe,” he said. “But not hunted. If we succeed, it’ll soon get out that your father’s research was destroyed. If we fail…” He hesitated, as if unable to consider the id
ea. “…Then the world will soon have bigger problems to deal with. Either way, you have a choice to make.”

  “I guess,” said Chloe. “But there’s a third option too.”

  Ragan raised his eyebrows.

  “Me, you, all of us…we could die tonight,” she said. “Tonight, or tomorrow, or the next day. Honestly, I don’t want to spend time thinking of what might happen next. There might not be a next, Ragan.”

  Ragan frowned sympathetically. It perhaps came across as condescending, though that wasn’t the intention. Here was a girl worn down by the world. Her brief moments of positivity were so often countered by these sombre, bitter thoughts.

  But she was right. Of course…she was right.

  He nodded, and smiled softly.

  “I guess that’s a conversation for after,” he said. He turned his eyes back down to the maps.

  “But what about you?” asked Chloe, a little more brightly, as though she hadn’t intended on crushing the conversation with her sudden pessimism. “What will you do after, assuming we do get out of this alive?”

  “Me? I…” he trailed off, not wanting to give voice to his real thoughts. I want to run away with you, they said, loudly, in his head. I want to leave everything else behind and make you happy. He shook his head. Such stupid thoughts. “Like you say, no point in thinking about it now,” he finally said.

  “But everything’s changed for you too,” said Chloe. She looked almost guilty all of a sudden. “More than me, in fact. I…I don’t think I’ll ever stop running. That’s something I’ve gotten used to. It’s…something I can accept. But you.” She shook her head, regretful. “You’ve ruined your life for me,” she whispered. “Me…and the data.”

  Ragan found himself rounding the table, moving quickly towards her. He looked down into her eyes, big and beautiful, glowing faintly. Remus stopped his fluttering nearby, watching from a shelf. Ragan hesitated, before reaching out and placing a hand to Chloe’s side.

  “I haven’t ruined my life for you, Chloe,” he whispered, heart thrashing. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a life to ruin.” He dipped his eyes. “Until now.”

  His final words were a whisper, lacking confidence. No, that wasn’t him anymore. He set his jaw and raised his chin. He met Chloe’s gaze head on.

  And then he kissed her.

  His hand gripped tighter at her side. The other came forward, grabbing her face, pressing tenderly, softly. They melted into one another, knees weakening, hearts thundering, breath held.

  Ragan felt an impossible thrill surge into him, a deep, profound longing he’d held for so long explode. It was a sensation unlike he’d ever experienced, the kiss not only a physical joy, but opening the door to so much more. He had experience with women, though limited and nothing like Tanner, but this was something else entirely. A long held wish come true. A flood of desire, of a thousand thoughts and imaginings and daydreams, finally released from the dam.

  In those precious moments, all else in his head was swept away. The data, Mikel, Martha and her betrayal. His place in the world; lost, outcast, possibly even hunted himself now. None of it mattered. None of it. He had thoughts for her only, this girl he’d watched from afar. This girl who now stood before him, lips to his, hands rushing forward and brushing passionately through his hair.

  This girl, he now knew, who felt as he did. This girl who made nothing else matter. Who changed him like a switch, dark to light in a moment. They were dangerous thoughts, perhaps, but right now he didn’t care. He indulged in her for as long as he dared, before drawing back, looking into her eyes, listening to her panting breath.

  And then they smiled, as one, lips curling, eyes sparkling.

  And from behind, a voice drifted towards them, causing them to turn and look up.

  “Finally…”

  It was Tanner, returned from the cockpit, and he was smiling too.

  11

  The sky was a sprawling, magnificent show of light. White and pure, dazzling from so very far away, a thousand wondrous dots on a jet black canvas. Chloe stood at the window, looking out, a smile fixed to her face, hope and wonder in her eyes.

  The jet was high, so high they’d broken through the film that covered the earth, the atmosphere so thin up here. It cleared the way for a sight Chloe had never witnessed, the night sky more beautiful than ever. She’d always loved to gaze to the heavens, a reminder of just how small she was, how unimportant, when everyone seemed to disagree. When they all seemed to be chasing her. But now she gazed out, thinking of something else. The sky held hope, such distant possibility. Perhaps, she mused, coy smile lifting, that kiss has something to do with it.

  She turned now and looked at Ragan, lying asleep in his chair. His head was tilted to one side, eyes shut tight, chest rising and falling gently. He looked…peaceful, Chloe thought. Content. He held a little smile on his face, as though he was enjoying pleasant dreams. She imagined - she hoped - they were about her.

  She wandered towards Nadia, who was playing with Remus, the little bird dancing about on her hand. Chloe had rarely seen him so playful, but she could imagine why he was acting that way. While he had his own sort-of personality, the way he behaved often fell in line with how she was feeling. When she was upset, he’d often become quiet and still. When she was excited, he’d fizz and buzz. And when she was elated, as she was now, apparently he’d do a little dance, showing off to people.

  It was behaviour Chloe had never really seen, because this was a feeling she’d never really felt.

  “Silly bird,” Chloe said, with a muted smile, taking a seat. “Don’t think it’s going to impress her.”

  Remus turned to Chloe, stopped dancing, and strapped his wings to his side. Nadia laughed.

  “Aw, you upset him,” she said.

  “Serves him right,” said Chloe. “No one likes a show-off, Remus.”

  At that, Remus bent his little knees, leaped into the air, and spun several times, before executing a perfect landing. It was his response, and a good one too.

  The girls laughed, and then Nadia glanced back at Ragan, sitting in the row of seats behind.

  “Sooooo,” she said, leaning in secretively, “how was it?”

  Chloe tried to suppress her smile, but found it terribly difficult.

  “It was…nice,” she said.

  “Nice? Oh don’t be coy, Chloe,” said Nadia. “Come on, how did it feel?”

  “Erm…it was a kiss,” said Chloe, shrugging nonchalantly. “You know how that feels all too well, so I’ve heard.”

  “Now don’t be turning into Tanner,” reprimanded Nadia. “I’m not what he says I am. I don’t behave like that.”

  Chloe laughed.

  “But you do know what a kiss is like,” she remarked.

  “Well, of course. But every kiss is different. Most are mundane, boring, uninspiring. But some…some are truly special.” She studied Chloe. “I’m guessing from that cheeky grin that it was the latter. You can hide from hunters, little Phantom, but you can’t hide how you feel from me. You like him. You really like him!”

  Chloe, for some reason, felt like denying her. But…why? Was she frightened of admitting it? Admitting that she liked someone as much as she did, was even starting to depend on them? She’d been independent for so long and the thought was…well, it was rather scary.

  So, she just shrugged, and turned her eyes to the cockpit.

  “What about you and Tanner?” she asked. “There’s something going on there, I can see it.”

  Nadia made an audible sound of derision at the claim.

  “Cliff? You’ve got to be joking. Have you not seen him over these last few days? He’s a nightmare.”

  “No, he’s a dream,” grinned Chloe. “A dream for you.”

  Nadia hit her in the arm.

  “Ow!”

  “You deserved it,” said Nadia, unapologetic. She drew a breath, eyes glancing down the passage to the cockpit. Chloe smiled. “What?”

  “You’re just n
ot as hard to read as you think you are,” said Chloe, rubbing her arm and crinkling her nose. “I think you like it, all the teasing, all the…attention. One day you two are going to get it on, I can feel it.”

  “Oh, so you’re the expert all of a sudden? One kiss with Mr Perfect and you’re the world’s authority? Hmmm?”

  Chloe grinned again. Mr Perfect…she liked that. The reaction of Nadia was, however, plenty to show that she was finding the suggestion awkward. She huffed and turned away, though stole one more look down the passage as she did.

  Chloe smirked, thinking it better not to push her. After a short silence, she decided to change the subject.

  “So, you think this is all a good idea?” she asked. “This trip to Chicago.”

  Nadia looked over again, thinking.

  “It’s the only idea,” she said after a pause. “Good or bad, it’s all we’ve got.”

  “Hmmmm, I suppose,” murmured Chloe.

  Nadia studied her.

  “This is just how things go sometimes, Chloe,” she said. “We got close, and now we’ve been set back. These things rarely go to plan, and often you have to take risks and gambles. Will it pay off? Who knows. Maybe we’ll get lucky. But we have to try, right?”

  “Right,” nodded Chloe.

  Nadia smiled.

  “Anyway, I’m going to catch a few winks before we touch down,” she said. “And…if you speak with Tanner, don’t say anything. OK?”

  “What about?” asked Chloe, smirk rising.

  She got another punch to the arm.

  “Fine…lips sealed!”

  Nadia winked, and relaxed into her chair, shutting her eyes.

  Chloe sat back, alone now with her thoughts again, as the jet sliced through the silent sky. She didn’t feel like sleeping herself, her blood too full of adrenaline, too pumped up with exciting thoughts, pleasant memories. She stood again after a while and returned to the briefing table, looking over the map, memorising the layout.