Chapter Twenty-Seven: Life

Jason walked into the Grandstand. He headed straight for the bar where he saw Celeste sitting on a stool on the end, a beer bottle in her hand.

‘They said I might find you here’ Jason said, sitting next to her, looking at her. Celeste remained silent, putting the bottle to her mouth, tipping it slightly.

‘Not talking huh? Well I’m not letting you drink alone. I’m going to sit right here and drink with you and we’re going to talk because they told me what happened. Understand?’ Jason told her. Jason signalled to one of the civilians behind the bar who handed him a bottle.

‘Alright,’ Jason said opening the bottle. ‘I’ll start. What happened wasn’t your fault’

‘I’ve heard this speech enough times to know what you’re going to say’ Celeste said quietly.

‘She speaks. Apparently you haven’t spoken to anyone the last couple of days and your actions have been out-of-character. For example no one knew you drank beer, let alone drink full stop’ Jason said.

‘Because I don’t, and this,’ Celeste replied, shaking the bottle. ‘It's the only thing we’ve got’ Celeste continued as she finished off the bottle. Jason started drinking his.

‘That’s…new’ Jason said, his eyes popping.

‘I take don’t drink’ Celeste said.

‘I do occasionally, mainly vodka. But as you said, this will have to do’ Jason said, smiling a little.

‘At least you’re back, with Sarah as you promised’ Celeste said, turning to face him. Her eyes were bloodshot but Jason saw a slight glimmer of joy in her eyes. Jason didn’t want to crush it, he could see it was the only thing keeping her going, but he knew he had to do it. She deserved to know. Jason sighed.

‘You might want another one’ Jason said.

‘Celebrating your return?’ Celeste asked as the civilian handed her another bottle. She opened and drank almost immediately.

‘Yes and no. Celeste, in order to escape the prison, I had to use Nexus forces as a diversion. Claire, Sarah and I, plus two others made it out but um…’ he started.

‘What is it?’ Celeste said. She was already halfway through the bottle.

‘Sarah was shot. She… she died a couple of hours ago’ Jason told her.

‘What?’ Celeste said quietly, her voice shaking.

‘Sarah’s dead. She bled to death in front of me’ Jason said. ‘We were just too little too late’

‘No…’ Celeste said, getting off the stool and backing away. ‘You’re lying’ Celeste said as she left Jason and ran off. Carlisle had been watching from afar and walked over to him.

‘It’s a lot to process’ he said.

‘Yeah, well… she needed to know’ Jason replied.

‘Should someone keep an eye on her?’ Carlisle asked.

‘No. Like you said, it’s a lot to process especially after losing the baby. She just needs time’ Jason answered.

‘Ok, that’s your decision. We still have several things to discuss. The most pressing is what to do with the Nexus prisoners. We can’t keep them locked up in the kitchen long-term’ Carlisle said.

‘I agree. I know military protocol says execution but I think they’re perfect bargaining chips, both for protection and dealing’ Jason said.

‘Protection?’ Carlisle asked.

‘The Nexus won’t try to take the Racecourse if they have soldiers that are being held as prisoners inside. In the meantime, I want to speak to Miles’ Jason said.

‘Knock yourself out. He’s through that door on your right’ Carlisle responded, pointing at the door.

‘I’m back,’ Jason said, walking into the opening, leaning against a wall. ‘Did you miss me?’

‘Jason,’ Miles replied unhappily. ‘I see you survived’

‘You knew about that’

‘I hear things. The door isn’t that thick’ Miles said. Jason nodded.

‘As you probably know, the military have a process for dealing with… with people like you,’ Jason said. When Miles didn’t respond he continued. ‘It’s like a trial, except you don’t get to defend yourself. All the evidence gets shown to the other soldiers and then a silent vote. If you’re found innocent, congratulations, you’re free to go. If you’re found guilty, it’s the death penalty. I am giving you twenty-four hours. If you confess and tell us everything you know about the Nexus in that time, Death Penalty comes off the table’ Jason said to him.

‘But you’ve got the wrong man-‘ Miles started.

‘Then you have the twenty-four hours to give us the name of the right man’ Jason said, leaving the room. He saw a large leather couch on a carpeted floor which Jason collapsed himself into and let out a sigh of pleasure as comfort overwhelmed him. Next thing he knew he was being shaken by Carlisle.

‘Good, you’re awake’ Carlisle said, his voice sounding a little panicked.

‘I didn’t even know I was asleep’ Jason replied.

‘Yeah well, we’ve got bigger problems. Celeste is missing. Last time anyone saw her was an hour ago. A car is missing too, presumably taken by Celeste’ Carlisle said.

‘Have you searched the Racecourse?’ Jason asked.

‘Twice. How do you think we know she’s missing?’ Carlisle replied.

‘Alright, I’ll take a car, Emilia and Claire and go find her. You’re in charge until I get back’ Jason told him.

‘You don’t even know where to look’ Carlisle responded.

‘Tell them to meet me outside’ Jason ordered. He had a feeling that he knew exactly where she was.

‘You’re sure she’s going to be here?’ Claire asked as Jason pulled a car he had taken from the Racecourse roughly into a car park, and parked it across two parking spaces.

‘Call it a hunch’ Jason replied. They arrived at Scarborough beach, the sun was setting over the little amount of water they could see. For a moment Jason was reminded of the peace that had come before what many now regarded as a war. Jason ran down to the shore and saw that Celeste was already in the water up to her waist. Jason’s hydrophobia set in now. The water wasn’t violent, in fact it was quite calm, but he could tell there was a strong current as Celeste seemed to be fighting to walk in a straight line. Jason stood at the water’s edge, watching as Celeste walked further into the water that was creeping up to her neck.

‘Celeste!’ Jason called out. Celeste turned and saw him.

‘How did you find me?’ She asked. A slight was blowing now.

‘It doesn’t matter. Don’t do this’ Jason pleaded. He was afraid of this.

‘I miss her already’ Celeste said breathing deeply. Jason could tell she was on the edge, that she would take herself under at any moment.

‘You really think Sarah would want you to do this?’ Jason asked.

‘Do you believe?’ Celeste asked.

‘Believe?’

‘In God? In the afterlife? Celeste added. Jason shook his head.

‘I don’t’ Jason answered.

‘Why not?’

‘Because if he’s so perfect why did he create a world with so many imperfections? That being said I have no problem with people believing in their perfectionist God,’ Jason replied. ‘Now please, come out of the water’

‘I can’t’ Celeste said simply and let herself fall under the water.

‘Celeste, no!’ Jason said, but it was useless. His voice carried over the surface of the water, deaf on Celeste’s ears. Jason knew had to move, pull her out but between his fear of water and the shock of seeing Celeste go under, he couldn’t move. He stood there for what felt like hours to him until either Claire or Emilia pushed him into the water. The shock of the cold temperature forced him to move. He didn’t know how long Celeste had been under. A minute at the least but possibly longer and given how drunk she was, she could’ve drowned already. All fear aside Jason swam to where Celeste had gone under, letting the current take him which was indeed strong, after a few strokes he was already about thirty metres down the beach. Suddenly his foot hit solid flesh, Celeste’s body. Taking a deep breath to calm himself he dove down. The salt water stung his eyes, almost blinding him. All he could see were cloudy shapes in the water, but he could the see the outline of Celeste just metres in front of him. Slowly he wrapped his arms around and pulled her up, gasping for air as he broke through the surface. Celeste was unconscious and Jason realised he hadn’t thought this through. He hadn’t thought about how he was going to carry Celeste’s deadweight back to the shore. Slowly he planted his feet into the sand below him and slowly fought against the current to walk back to shore. Jason’s legs carried him through the water and he was exhausted by the time he reached the sand on the shore. Jason collapsed as he saw Claire and Emilia run over to them.

‘Jason?’ Claire said.

‘I’ll be fine, help Celeste’ Jason panted, rolling onto his back, catching his breath. He could hear Emilia trying to resuscitate Celeste and eventually, just when he could tell that Emilia was about to give up he heard the coughing and splattering of water

Chapter Twenty-six: The Warrior Returning Alive

Jason shook Sarah’s lifeless body. It couldn’t end like this, so close and yet so far.

‘I’ll go get a shovel’ Emilia said.

‘What for?’ Claire asked.

‘A grave’ Emilia replied.

‘We are not burying her. Not here’ Jason said.

‘Then what are we doing?’ Razim asked.

‘Our objective hasn’t changed. All that’s changed is Sarah’s dead. We are taking her body back. Celeste would want to see her sister one last time, regardless’ Jason answered. There was silence for a moment.

‘Jason, I told you. We are not willing to carry a corpse all the way there’ Emilia said, breaking the silence.

‘Who said anything about carrying her? We’ll need a car’ Jason replied.

‘He’s right,’ Claire said. ‘It’s what Celeste would want’

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t know Jason was Celeste’s bitch’ Razim replied.

‘This has nothing to do with command’ Jason growled, a little offended.

‘Why don’t you two go find a working car? We’ll stay here, gather as many supplies as we can’ Claire said. Emilia nodded and left with Razim.

‘Please tell me you got what you needed from their systems’ Jason said to Claire.

‘I think so. I haven’t had a chance to look yet’ Claire replied, pulling cans of food from the counter. It was only now that Jason realised they had stopped in a café. He pulled himself up and helped Claire with food.

‘You want to tell what you saw?’ she asked.

‘Who says I saw anything?’ Jason replied.

‘I do,’ Claire told him. ‘When you came into the prison, you were throwing a fit or some sort of seizure. When you went down then, you threw the same thing. So what did you see?’

‘Honestly? I don’t know’ Jason said.

‘Well maybe I can help,’ Claire replied. ‘I didn’t just come across why the Tallentiri are here. When you go in, you have nightmares or lucid dreams. Whatever they do to us, causes us to see our worst fears. I saw myself trapped in a series of Earthquakes-‘

‘You’re scared of Earthquakes?’ Jason asked.

‘It’s a phobia. Moving on, what did you see when you first came in?’ Claire asked.

‘First of all, I saw three things. Not many people know it but I’m a little superstitious. The first thing I was trapped in a room of mirrors. I can’t remember how, but they broke and I fell through the floor which was also a mirror’ Jason said.

‘Which is like what? Seven years bad luck?’ Claire responded.

‘Per mirror. So roughly forty-two years, give or take a mirror. Anyway, after I fell through the mirror, I landed in an ocean-‘

‘You’re afraid of water?’

‘I’m hydrophobic’ Jason admitted.

‘But you drink it’ Claire said.

‘Of course I drink it. It’s near impossible to drown in a glass of water,’ Jason snapped. ‘The water was calm originally, but when I moved it became wavy, then violent. The waves picked me up, then dunked me over and over. I lost count how many times I drowned. And I’d rather not talk about the third thing I saw’ Jason relented.

‘That bad huh?’ Claire asked.

‘You have no idea’ Jason told her, stuffing the cans roughly into a bag. They heard two cars pull up out front. Jason calmly walked over and picked the Aug off the floor and took cover behind the coor.

‘It’s ok,’ Claire said, peering through the window. ‘It’s them’

‘Ok. You take the food, I’ll carry Sarah out to the car’ Jason said. Claire nodded as she went and stuffed the last few cans into the bag and carried them out. Jason walked over and carefully picked up Sarah’s body; one arm under her arms and the other under her knees.

‘One driver and one gunner per car. Jason, you’re driving and you have Claire with you-‘ Emilia started.

‘I thought I was in charge?’ Jason said.

‘They spotted us. We have to go now’ Razim told him. Jason nodded.

‘I’ll take the leading car and Sarah’ Jason said, lowering Sarah’s body onto the back seat.

‘Where are we going?’ Emilia asked.

‘I haven’t decided that yet. No matter what you stay on my ass, understand?’ Jason said as he got into the driver’s seat, Claire sat beside him. Jason handed her the Aug.

‘Anything moves that isn’t Emilia or Razim’s car, you shoot it’ Jason told her. Claire nodded as Jason slammed the car into drive and took off. They were under attack almost instantly. Nexus forces came from everywhere. Claire fired and they heard either Razim or Emilia follow suit. Jason made a sharp right turn, nearly flipping the car and saw the Nexus had cars of their own.

‘Shoot their tires Claire!’ Jason ordered as the cars came speeding towards them. As each of Claire’s shots hit the tires, the tires popped and the cars spun out of control as Jason sped through, Emilia and Razim weren’t far.

‘That won’t stop them forever’ Claire told him.

‘I know, but it buys us some time at least’ Jason replied. Emilia sped up and drove along them, winding her window down. Jason rolled down his.

‘Well done. Nearly cut us off’ Emilia called out, watching the road every so often.

‘But didn’t’ Jason called back.

‘Where are we going?’ Emilia asked.

‘Freeway, then Tunnel, I’m still leading’ Jason answered. Jason sped up and then turned sharply onto the freeway.

‘Jason, the freeway is going to be packed with cars’ Claire said.

‘You’d think that, but there weren’t any on the freeway outside of Perth. Also, if the invasion happened in the morning I’d agree with you, but it didn’t’ Jason replied. And what he said held true. The freeway was clear.

‘We lost them’ Claire said.

‘For now at least. I don’t doubt they’re planning something’ Jason said, suddenly remembering something.

‘Do you still have the envelope?’ he asked.

‘Why do you ask that?’

‘You asked what I saw. Well I had a chat with my old man. He said I’m right about the spy, that the envelope would tell me exactly who it is’ Jason said.

‘You have a fear of your dad?’ Claire asked him.

‘More like a fear of becoming him but that’s beside the point. This wasn’t like the first time. This was real’ Jason replied.

‘They’re designed to feel real’

‘You don’t understand. Just, the envelope. Please tell me you still have it’ Jason told her.

‘Yes. I gave it to Celeste shortly before I was captured’ Claire replied. They had entered the tunnel.

‘Good’ Jason replied. So far so good, Jason thought to himself. They were nearly home. Nearly safe. The two cars drove out the outside and onto a bridge where they met a blockade of Nexus soldiers. Jason stopped. There was a Nexus soldier waiting patiently in front of the vehicles. Jason got out of the car, taking his rifle from Claire. Razim and Emilia stayed in their car, pulling up beside them.

‘Stay here’ He muttered. The Solider chuckled.

‘Go on. Try it. You’re outnumbered and outgunned. You’ll be shot be shot to pieces within seconds, Jason Blake’ he said.

‘And you would be?’ Jason asked.

‘Commander Michaels. Also the beginning of your end. I must say, you are quite crafty and a slippery one to catch. Using our forces to break yourself out of a Tallentiri prison? Well played. I’ll admit. That thought didn’t cross our minds. I assume Heath gave you the code?’ Michaels asked. Jason nodded.

‘What do you want?’ Jason asked. He notice a slight flash from one of the windows of the racecourse. Jason had to assume it was from military snipers. Jason had seen this play out in drills when he was at the Barracks with his dad. He hoped it played out right.

‘Well, the High Commander wants your head on a spike. Me? I’ll settle for… your head over there and… the rest of you over there,’ Michaels said pointing in opposite directions. ‘But before all that, you have something we need’

‘The envelope?’ Jason enquired.

‘They told me you were intelligent but I didn’t believe it. Yes, the envelope. We can’t afford that lying around’ Michaels answered.

‘Well you are obviously slow. I don’t have it. It was destroyed when I was captured’ Jason said.

‘Liar. We know it still exists’ Michaels snarled. Jason hung his left arm at his side, his index finger pointing down. And Michaels dropped, a small hole in the back of his head. Ground forces of the military at the Racecourse were advancing behind the Nexus cars but their drivers surrendered themselves without a fight. As did their supporting soldiers. Carlisle walked up to Jason.

‘You’re alive’ Carlisle said.

‘No thanks to your weapon. It was almost out when you gave it to me’ Jason told him.

‘Well I did tell you to get a new one,’ Carlisle said. ‘Anyway, we’ll take you all back. There’s some things you need to know’

Chapter Twenty-Five: Interrogation

Desert. Nothing but sand and dry air surrounded them unless you counted the lonely road that went straight down what looked like the middle. The Prison was far behind them and long gone too. They had seen the bombers overhead soon after they had left. The prison had suffered the same fate and the showgrounds. As far as they could tell, they were nowhere near civilization.

‘Where are we Jason?’ Claire asked.

‘I don’t know. I do know which way we’re going to go though’ Jason replied.

‘How?’ Razim asked.

‘The Sun’ Emilia answered.

‘Exactly. The Sun’s been moving West. So we’re not going to go North because we just came from there. If we go East we’ll most likely end up lost. So we’ll follow the road South. It’s gotta lead somewhere. Then we can figure out where we are, maybe even get supplies’ Jason said. Sarah started coughing.

‘Put her on her side’ Claire said. Emilia rolled Sarah over, who coughed up blood, spilling it onto the sand.

‘Cough it up. It’ll stop soon’ Claire said. Emilia got up and walked over to Jason.

‘A word?’ she asked.

‘Alright’ Jason answered and they moved away from Claire, who was now tending to Sarah, and Razim.

‘She’s dying. You know that right?’ Emilia said.

‘Yeah I know. We’ve kept her alive so far though’ Jason told her.

‘Barely kept her alive. Eventually she will bleed out. If we don’t get to a hospital, she will die. Slowly and painfully’ Emilia said.

‘Who said anything about slowly and painfully?’

‘You think internal bleeding is quick and painless? Look at her! She’s in agony. I know you don’t want to consider it, but she’s in pain-‘

‘I know what you’re going to say. The answer is no’ Jason told her firmly.

‘It’s her decision to make, not yours. Next time she coughs up blood, I’m asking her’ Emilia said.

‘And then what?  Just leave her on the side of the side of the road? Celeste, her sister, will want to see her. One or the other, Sarah comes with us’ Jason said.

‘The rest of us will not be willing to carry a corpse’ Emilia said. Jason stepped around Emilia.

‘Has she finished yet?’ He called out.

‘Yes’ Claire called back.

‘Then let’s get moving. It’s not safe here’ Jason said.

‘Agreed. More Nexus forces are probably searching for us and we don’t have enough firepower to fight them off’ Claire said, carefully picking Sarah up. Together, all five of them moved down the road with no idea of where they were.

Celeste awoke to see the roof of a tent high above her.

‘You’re awake’ said Nathan, sounding a little surprised.

‘Why did I collapse?’ Celeste asked.

‘Low blood pressure. I’m actually surprised that more people aren’t collapsing because of it. We’re barely getting enough food’ Nathan told her.

‘I know. What about… you know?’ Celeste asked. Nathan looked down.

‘What happened?’ Celeste asked again.

‘I had to tell them. I know you didn’t want anyone else knowing, but I had to’ Nathan said.

‘Forget it. Just tell me what happened’

‘They had to take it out. Its lungs hadn’t formed and we don’t have to equipment to help it breathe. I’m sorry, there was nothing we could do’ Nathan told her. Celeste’s face collapsed as the full realisation of what Nathan was saying hit her. The baby was gone. Her hand subconsciously ran itself over her stomach and she felt what would eventually become a scar left over from the surgery. She didn’t even want to think about how Jason would react.

‘I do have good news though. We heard that the Nexus launched an assault on what’s suspected to be a Tallentiri Prison and destroyed it. Apparently, five prisoners escaped. There are whispers that one of them was Jason’ Nathan asked. Celeste turned over, facing away from Nathan. She was numb inside.

‘I thought you’d be happy about that,’ Nathan said. Celeste didn’t reply, a silent tear rolled down her cheek. ‘Well, anyway, I took what I found to the only military person we could trust, Sergeant Carlisle. He had our good friend, the dear old captain, arrested from an “anonymous” tip-off. He put himself in charge until you’re back. The people seem happy about it’ Nathan said. It was now that Celeste spoke.

‘Miles. I want to see him’ she said.

‘He’s being interrogated’ Nathan said.

‘Then I’ll interrogate him myself’ Celeste told him.

‘I don’t think that’s wise’

‘I don’t care’ Celeste said. Nathan sighed.

‘Alright’ Nathan said. ‘I’ll make you a deal. If you can walk, unsupported, I’ll make the arrangements for you to interrogate him’

‘Deal’ Celeste answered. The second she tried to get up she got dizzy, vision blurred and she felt white hot pain across her stomach, which resulted in her collapsing back onto the mattress.

‘That’s what I thought. You’re in no condition to be walking around Celeste’ Nathan said.

‘Don’t make me order you to help me’ Celeste said. Reluctantly, Nathan helped Celeste up and walked her inside. They were stopped by two soldiers.

‘Interrogation is in progress. You can’t go in’ one of them said.

‘Ring Carlisle, tell him that Celeste is back on her feet. She has a right to interrogate Miles, herself’ Nathan said.

‘Well she can wait until the interrogation is over’ the other soldier said.

‘Dismissed’ Celeste told the soldiers.

‘What?’ the soldiers asked.

‘Well, Carlisle put himself in charge I was back. I’m back, so you’re dismissed’ Celeste told them. It took a few seconds for the words to sink in but the soldiers nodded and slowly stalked off. Nathan opened the door. There was a small, brick-walled passage with a concrete floor behind it that led down into an opening. Carlisle met them, walking back up.

‘I told my men-’ he began.

‘I know. I dismissed them. Do you mind?’ Celeste replied.

‘Knock yourself out. We’ve been at him for days and gotten nowhere’ Carlisle said, allowing them to move through. They moved down into the opening. It was a large room with a floor to ceiling wire fence down the middle. Nathan helped Celeste sit down in a chair.

‘What do you want?’ Miles asked. His side of the fence was littered with old things that the racecourse either didn’t need or didn’t use anymore.

‘The truth for starters’ Celeste said.

‘How many times do I have to say this? I am not a spy!’ Miles groaned.

‘Really?’ Nathan asked.

‘Yes. But no one will believe me’ Miles complained.

‘Where did you transfer here from?’ Celeste asked.

‘Northern Territory Army Corps, Darwin Command. I was there for eight years’ Miles answered.

‘I would believe you, except we can’t find any evidence of that. In fact any mention of you begins two years ago’ Celeste replied.

‘What? That’s not possible’ Miles said.

‘So I’ll ask again. The truth’ Celeste said.

‘I just told you the truth’

‘What was your mission, huh?’ Nathan asked. ‘Intel? Warning of attacks? Planning of attacks? Sleeper agent?’

‘None of those because I’m not a spy’ Miles retorted.

‘Not anymore, because we’ve got you locked up in here’ Celeste said.

‘I am not a spy’ Miles repeated.

‘You don’t want to break? That’s fine. But we’ll be back tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after that, for as long as it takes’ Nathan said.

‘And each and every day I will tell you the same thing. That I am not a spy, because I’m not’ Miles said.

‘You do that. But sooner or later, you’ll break. They always do’ Celeste said as Nathan helped her up. Together they moved back up the passage.

‘Whatever you say Celeste. But they when they come, and they will, the soldiers won’t follow you’ Miles called out, but they ignored and walked back out into the main lobby of the grandstand.

Waves. Jason saw them in front of him. He was on a beach somewhere, still near Perth he guessed. He looked behind him and a large hotel. The sun setting over the horizon. It would be dark soon.

‘Scarborough’ Jason said to himself. He continued to look around, not moving from his place in the sand until he saw a blonde haired girl crying as she moved down the sand covered stairs. As she drew closer to him, Jason recognised her.

‘Celeste?’ he said, but she ignored him. Jason a hand out to hold her, but it passed straight through her.

‘This isn’t real’ Jason said, as he turned helplessly to watch Celeste walk into the water until her shoulders were covered. Jason realised what was going to happen.

‘Celeste! No!’ he yelled as he ran towards the water, but something held him back.

‘You can’t help her. Not here, not now’ a voice said behind him.

‘Is that you dad?’ Jason asked turning around. The man behind him nodded, his long black hair blowing in the wind.

‘Yes. Please listen, there isn’t much time. Do you have the envelope I left for you?’ He asked.

‘Yes dad. Not here, but yes I’ve got it. What does it mean?’ Jason asked.

‘You’re on the right track. There is a spy inside the walls. Biding his time. I know who he is’ His father said.

‘The who is it?’

‘If you don’t believe me, the last piece of paper will confirm what I’m telling you. The spy is-‘

‘Jason?’ Emilia said leaning over him.

‘What happened?’ Jason asked.

‘We came across Lansdale, started collecting resources, then Sarah started coughing and you just, collapsed.

‘Sarah?’ Jason asked springing up. Sarah wasn’t far from him, coughing up blood. He slid on his knees towards her.

‘Oh no you don’t. I did not break you out of a prison to have you die on me like this’ Jason said, but everything that he did he no effect. He knew that Sarah was going.

‘Don’t blame you-‘ she managed to say with her last breath before her body went limp.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Stage Three- Prison Break

‘Celeste!’ Nathan called out.  They were in the front office of the racecourse. Nathan was sitting at the computer.

‘Did you find something?’ Celeste asked.

‘I think so. It took me a while to get in. and I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t double checked’ Nathan said.

‘Nathan, just tell me what you found’ Celeste told him.

‘I had a look to see if Miles was registered military, and he was from about two years ago. I didn’t think anything of it at first. Soldiers get transferred all the time-‘

‘Nathan. What did you find?’

‘Captain Miles didn’t exist more than two years ago. I went back as far I could in the archives, all the way back to the start of the war in Saudi Arabia. There’s no mention of anyone with the surname Miles dead, alive or missing up until two years ago’ Nathan said.

‘Well maybe he was a new recruit’ Celeste said.

‘Then he wouldn’t have the rank of Captain. Also, when he was first mentioned, he was already Captain’ Nathan told her. Celeste paced the room.

‘A spy? He was right?’ She whispered to herself.

‘What was that?’ Nathan asked.

‘Before the attack at the Showgrounds, Jason theorised that there was a Nexus spy. Could the Nexus do something like that? Falsify Miles’ admission papers?’ Celeste asked.

‘I can’t say for sure but it’s possible’ Nathan answered. Celeste though it through.

‘If he is a spy, then I would consider his little mutiny a declaration of war, wouldn’t you?’ Celeste asked.

‘If he was, then yes I would. If’ Nathan told her.

‘We need to proceed carefully. If Miles thinks we’re onto him, then he’s call Nexus forces and we won’t stand a chance’ Celeste said.

‘How about a mutiny?’ Nathan asked.

‘It won’t work. We don’t hold enough influence to get people to follow us’ Celeste said. There was a loud crash from inside the grandstand. Celeste and Nathan quickly entered the main lobby on the ground floor. The scene was similar to a hostage situation, in reverse and going both ways. A pool table had been over-turned, Celeste presumed that was the loud crash they had heard. The civilians had gained weapons and turned them on the soldiers. The soldiers, for their part, also turned their weapons on the civilians.

‘This is ridiculous’ Celeste said, walking through the crowd that were standing either side of the bar, drinks still sitting on the bench.

‘Lower your weapons’ Carlisle said directly to the civilians.

‘You lot lower yours first. You have no right to treat us like that’ a civilian spat back.

‘Treat you like what?’ Nathan asked.

‘Like second rate citizens. People who are just barely surviving. They’re in this boat with us too’ another one answered.

‘Alright,’ Celeste said. ‘Here’s what’s going to happen. You are going to give me your gun and everyone will lower their weapons’ Celeste said to the civilian closest to her.

‘But-‘ began a soldier.

‘Everyone. Give it to me’ Celeste said sternly holding out her hand. The civilian begrudgingly handed it over and everyone, soldiers included, lowered their weapons.

‘Ok. I’m sure Miles has given you all jobs to do, so go and do them. Now’ Celeste ordered.

‘I don’t recognise your authority’ A soldier called out.

‘Do as she says,’ Carlisle ordered. ‘Because you recognise you my authority and we are not going to shooting anybody, are we corporeal?’

‘No sir, we are not’ the soldier replied.

‘Good. Military, that way,’ Celeste said pointing towards the far end of the grandstand. ‘Everyone else, that way,’ she said, pointing the opposite direction. ‘Disperse, now’ and everyone reluctantly left.

‘Nathan, come with me’ Celeste said as she moved towards the stairs.

‘Where are we going?’ Nathan asked.

‘To have a chat with our Nexus friend,’ Celeste whispered back. ‘And someone fix and clean up that pool table’ she called out.

‘Celeste, shouldn’t you be-‘ said Miles’s voice

‘Working? Yeah I should, but we need to have a little chat. Back where you came from’ she said stepping out onto the landing and walking past him.

‘No. You can talk to me here’ Miles replied.

‘Fine’ Celeste replied, slamming the weapon down on the table. Miles looked at it.

‘Where did you get that? That’s supposed to be in the manifest’ Miles asked.

‘I’m well aware it’s supposed to be in the manifest, because that’s where I put all our weapons before you so kindly removed me of my command’ Celeste growled and then gasped as a sharp pain shot across her stomach.

‘Are you ok?’ Nathan asked.

‘Yeah it’s passing’ Celeste replied dismissively.

‘That doesn’t answer my question. Where did you get that?’ Miles asked again.

‘Were you aware that your men were running a Black Market trade? Weapons for alcohol. Because I wasn’t’ Celeste asked. She began to feel slightly dizzy.

‘No I wasn’t,’ Miles said. ‘If I was I would’ve put a stop to it’

‘Well, I should think it’s in your best interests that the civilians are disarmed. They’re not very happy with your men. Oh,’ Celeste said, picking up handgun she’d confiscated. ‘I’m keeping this. Call it an insurance policy’ she added as she started moving toward the stairs.

‘Jason’s dead Celeste. I know it and deep down you know it’ Miles said. Celeste felt a sharp pain across her stomach, much more intense than last time and her vision became blurred as she hunched over, leaning on the railing.

‘You… You’re wrong…’ She gasped. ‘He’s… he’s coming…’ and her legs gave way and she felt herself fall backwards before staring into a black abyss.

The convulsions stopped and Jason was on his back, on the polished steel floor, gasping for air.

‘Well, that was fun…and new’ Jason said, carefully sitting up.

‘What do you mean Jason?’ he heard Sarah say.

‘Well you’re alive at least’ Jason said staring her. For a girl who’d spent the best part of two months inside an alien prison, she was in near perfect condition. Sarah had not one scratch on her as far as Jason could see.

‘Is that why you’re here? To save me?’ Sarah asked. Jason nodded. ‘You shouldn’t have come. It’s dangerous here’

‘We’re in the middle of a war, Sarah. Everywhere is dangerous’ Jason replied.

‘It’s safer out there. In here, they are Gods. You shouldn’t be here’

‘I promised Celeste’ Jason told her. Sarah’s mouth opened and then shut. Jason stood up, unstable on his own legs, he fell back against a wall.

‘That’ll wear off quickly. What did you promise Cel?’ Sarah asked.

‘That’d I’d keep you safe. After you were taken… after I came to… I promised I’d bring you back’ Jason said. The effects were wearing off fast. Strength returned to his legs and he began walking around the room.

‘Can it be done? Getting out of here?’ Sarah asked.

‘I think so, but we’ve only got one chance and we need to go now,’ Jason said, nodding. ‘Are we allowed out?’

‘Yes. It’s before curfew’ Sarah answered, opening the door. The corridor beyond was dark. Almost pitch black without the light of the room they were in.

‘We’re going to need weapons’ Jason said.

‘Then you’re in luck. The Tallentiri have them locked up for study’ Sarah said.

‘Where?’

‘I’ll go get them. I bring back as much as I can. You release the other prisoners, mostly soldiers captured from the attack. Just knock on the wall, they’ll come out’ Sarah told him and then she ran off down the corridor. Jason walked along, knocking on the wall, and slowly people stuck their heads outside.

‘We’re going’ Jason told them each they asked what was happening. Sarah returned carrying two large bags over her shoulders.

‘What did you take?’ Jason asked.

‘Everything I could get my hands on. I thought you might be interested in this’ Sarah said, pulling the Aug out of a bag.

‘You were right,’ Jason said to her before turning around. ‘Help yourselves’ he said to those gathered around him.

‘There’s plenty of ammo so take as much as you want’ Sarah called out. There was the loud boom of an explosion outside.

‘We’ve got company’ someone said.

‘Go. Now. Find a way out. We’ll find who we can later. Just go’ Jason said.

‘Where are we going?’ Sarah asked.

‘To find Claire’ Jason said, heading off in the way of the main door, which opened as the power went out.

‘It must use power to keep it closed’ Sarah summarised.

‘Yeah. Let’s go. We don’t have much time’ Jason said. They hurried along corridors until Jason heard the pounding of boots from around a corner.

‘Get behind me’ Jason said carefully approaching the corner, the Aug at the ready. Jason peered around the corner and saw three Nexus soldiers moving away from him.

‘What are they doing inside?’ Sarah asked.

‘That’s a good question. We brought them here, but they weren’t supposed to come inside’ Jason replied. He moved forward as the soldiers turned the corner. They ran into Claire, Emilia and Razim moving the opposite way as they turned a corner.

‘You’re out’ Claire said. Jason nodded.

‘Did it work?’ He asked.

‘Yes, Tallentiri forces are focus on the North, East and West side. We have to go out the Southern side of the prison’ Emilia said.

‘South? That’s the other side!’ Sarah exclaimed.

‘Yeah well we don’t have a choice’ Jason said. A shot fired into the wall next to them. A Nexus soldier had found them.

‘Run’ Claire said. Jason fired back as all five of them ran down the corridor. Jason saw the soldier drop to the floor, either dead or in pain. They turned right and then right again to avoid a fire that had started not far from where they had turned originally. Then they turned left to avoid a fire fight between more Nexus forces and a group of prisoners. They quickly ran from one side of the mess hall, which was now pure chaos as everyone had left in a massive rush after the attack, to the other. The final corridor was ahead of them. The exit was so close. They all ran for freedom and then shots were fired. Jason threw himself into the ground and directing himself into a roll around a corner, behind cover. Razim and Emilia had somehow not been hit. Claire had been hit in the shoulder, but Sarah was on the floor. Jason returned fire on the Nexus soldiers who had fired the shots. They soldiers dropped to the floor and Jason rushed over to Sarah. She was losing a lot of blood. Jason slid on the floor towards Sarah.

‘Cover us!’ he yelled at Claire and Razim before turning to Emilia. ‘Do something!’ Emilia stood still while Claire and Razim moved to provide cover fire.

‘Do something!’ Jason repeated.

‘I don’t think anything can be done Jason,’ Emilia said. ‘Even if something could be done, I doubt it would make a difference’

‘Yeah?’ Jason said, pulling off his shirt and stretching it out. ‘Well I’m not just going to let her die’ he added. Carefully, he placed his shirt around Sarah’s body, tying it tight under her. He then pulled up, her now unconscious body, and slowly moved himself towards the freedom that he had planned from the moment he was captured.