She grinned. “Only you would consider that.”

  Footsteps echoed, and she waited for Jonah. He came in through the doorway. “Ready?”

  They each reached for bags and headed to the kitchen, piling them by the boxes and files, comp-units, and armaments. The food in the kitchen had already been sent ahead to base so nothing was wasted.

  They stacked everything into the vehicle, creating a small crouch way for both of them, just in case the combatants stopped the car. Then Daniella headed to the oversized pantry, searching the uniform cupboard hidden in it, and tugged out a plain black uniform of a courier company.

  Kallee waited by the door and accepted the uniform with a sniff. “Do I have to?”

  Daniella chuckled at Kallee’s derision to the clothing. “Yes, you do. Now hurry, before we get caught.”

  Kallee slid into the pantry, closing the sliding door. Barely a moment later, she opened the door a crack and handed her pants and top to Daniella. “Here. Take them. I’ll be putting them back on once it’s safe.”

  She stepped out, the uniform in place and her hair wound up. It made her look far different from the Kallee that Daniella was used to.

  Jonah paced in the kitchen and glanced at them as soon as they entered the room. “We have to move. I’ve heard the children are moving en masse. We don’t want to get caught.”

  He ushered them to the vehicle, helping Daniella inside then following her and re-arranging the boxes as he moved. They sat on the floor, looking through the tiny peepholes Jonah had fashioned as Kallee slammed her door shut, started the engine, and the van rolled down the driveway.

  At the gate, the guard waved them through. As far as they knew, Jonah and Daniella remained in the house. If arrested, they’d have no information to provide.

  Jonah had promised he would give the evacuation order once they were clear. He kept his words, as at the five-minute mark he beeped them. “Evacuate immediately. The house is compromised, and we’re away.”

  They didn’t respond, and Daniella fought off nausea that rose. “Jonah, are we…”

  “Look ahead, Daniella. See that wall of children? They’re heading for your house. We escaped just in time.”

  Her fingers itched to form a ball. Instead, she splayed them on the floor of the vehicle, welcoming the pulse of the engine as the crowd of children parted for them.

  She held her breath as Kallee slowed, then stopped, winding down the window. “What’s going on?”

  “Continue on your way, woman. We’re not here for you.”

  The thud of feet echoed, and Kallee moved the van forward once again. “We’re through.”

  “That was far too close, Jonah. They’ll know Kallee’s face now too, if they put it together. I don’t understand why they didn’t check the van. We came in the direction of—”

  “Because they’re untrained. They don’t understand about planning and strategy because they’re simply weapons. Now if we could just lay our hands on one. Get them to switch sides.” He inhaled deeply.

  “What?”

  “That’s the key.” He grabbed his communicator. “Get LV to the corps base, Sevres, I have an idea.”

  They rolled forward, the base looming before them. It felt too easy. No one had stopped them, and Daniella’s belly settled like a hard knot of worry in her gut.

  Jonah pushed out of their hidey-hole and scrambled into the front seat beside Kallee. At the gate, the van rolled to a stop.

  Guards in tactical suits lifted weapons, snub-nosed rifles trained on them, the intention to kill should they attack clear, while large, hulking tanks were stationed at various points along the fence.

  Daniella’s mouth dried, and she moved up to her knees.

  “Sir, you’ve been authorized to move through with your team. Go up that path. Second building on the right. I’ll alert the general that you and the senator and her assistant have arrived.”

  The boom gate rose, and once they cleared the first line of defense, Daniella drew a full breath. “I think this is going to be quite different from anything else I’ve ever experienced.”

  Kallee and Jonah remained quiet as the vehicle swung into a slow arc and came to a standstill outside a squat, red brick building.

  “I’ll let you out.” Jonah climbed from the vehicle, and Daniella listened to the screech of the door as it shut.

  The thud of the rear opening and the shuffle of boxes alerted her that Jonah had joined her. When the last items were cleared away, he held out a hand, his gaze dark and unreadable. She accepted his assistance, moved through the piles, and followed him down to the ground.

  “I’m not sure that’s my favorite way to travel, Jonah.”

  He barked a laugh at her dry words. “Maybe not, but it did the job. Come on, let’s get inside.”

  * * * *

  Jonah waited in the corner as the lights lit up the desk Daniella and Kallee decided met their needs. The team had removed every other identifying feature from the viewing area. Daniella fiddled, the movement of her hands the only give away of her nerves.

  Her senatorial robes and the makeup she and Kallee had applied hid the pallor of her skin. They’d decided the first broadcast had to be impactful—a blow to the newly formed republic.

  Kallee moved behind the camera, her fingers twiddling and refining until she called, “Good to go.”

  Daniella smoothed her hands over her hair, settled them in her lap, and attained an attitude of ‘we’ll get through this together’ as she settled in.

  Kallee indicated three, two, one with her fingers.

  “Good evening. I am Senator Daniella Villede. You would be aware by now that President Yin’s government was overturned less than twenty-four hours ago. Since then, his plane was attacked and brought down with a total loss of life. His successor handed over the government to Senator Delspar after locking the majority of the senators from the chamber of government. This so-called government is illegal. Before his death, President Yin enacted the Core Principle. This means that you and everyone you know should prepare for and defend what is yours in any way you deem necessary. Be that property or members of your family. We, the legitimate government, have done so as well. As of now, we have control of the Armed Corps, the Air Defenses, and Water Guardians. But we need your help. Without you, without the things you know and the people you have connections with, we are sightless. We call on all citizens to make a difference. Since the enaction of the 21st Testing Protocol, armies of children—bio-cybernetically enhanced warrior children—have taken to roaming the streets. These children are dangerous. Your children, the ones you hold close, are as much in danger as these children represent to us. Keep them close, do not let them wander, because citizens who do not know them may take action as the incursions grow worse. Be aware, citizens. We are now at war. We are all facing extreme danger. Prepare yourselves, and know that we, your rightful government, are taking steps to address the situation. It may take a long time, resolve will be tested, and you may question the rightness of our actions. We don’t take them lightly. We don’t take them unlawfully.”

  For a moment, she waited. A heartbeat in time allowing the words to sink in.

  “We will leave no stone unturned, and we will resume control. Life will return to normal, but right now, we must fight what is thrust upon us. We do this to honor those who came before. To protect those who are yet to be, and to ensure the freedom of all. Until then, I’m here. I’m watching and working with our forces.”

  The light flicked off, and Daniella slumped, breathing hard.

  “Did it tape? I don’t think I can do that again.” She tugged at the robes as Kallee moved to the desk, extending a glass of water.

  “It was better than I expected. You looked strong and in control, and damn it if I didn’t get a little girlie-crush right then and there.”

  Daniella smiled, a weak shadow, as Jonah strode up to her. “Come on. Let’s wash off the gunk and get you settled in something more comfortable.” He could tell she needed a moment, in the way she twisted her fingers.

  She nodded and rose, and he slid his hand around her waist. “Did LV arrive?”

  He nodded. “She did, and we have the girl firmly contained in the brig right now. Clarissa isn’t overly happy, but until we can work with her, it’s the safest location for everyone.”

  “Will they check for an implant? We found one in Clarissa after Jeremy…”

  “Sara Windhower is looking at her scans. If there is one, we’ll find it and neutralize the threat. Right now, though, you need some downtime.”

  Daniella grunted. “I’m not an invalid. What I should be doing is drilling with everyone else, for safety.”

  He cocked his head. “You want to drill?”

  Her bark was dry. “Not really, but I’m neither tame nor easy to take even if they do get near me. You did listen to what I said, right? We’re all responsible. Me, as much as anyone else on this base. Give me a gun and teach me to use it. Teach me how to fight.” Her face hardened, driving away the softness she regularly wore around him, lips tight, and eyes cold and flat. Now she was a warrior, and this was the attitude she’d worn in the chamber the day they’d attacked her.

  “All right, McNally can drill you on the basics. If I think it’s safe, you can then join the other recruits.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her with a soft finger to her lips.

  “You’re a key target. I will take every precaution, senator. You are the face of our resistance. If we lose you, then the heart leaves our campaign. And I will not lose you.”

  Did she understand what he was saying? The profession he’d buried in the words.

  Blinking, Daniella glanced away. “Kallee, can I have a moment?”

  The other woman scurried from the room, and Daniella turned back to face Jonah.

  “I’m not a weakling, Jonah. I know exactly what I am to the resistance.”

  A sudden flare of anger erupted. “Dammit, you’re more than the sum total of the fucking resistance. You mean a whole heap more than that to me, but I won’t put you in a position that could be dangerous. Understand?”

  When she cocked her head in silence and glared at him, he stepped back. “Jonah, do you trust me?”

  That stopped him more effectively than a brick to the back of the head. “Yes, I trust you.”

  “Did you trust me when I addressed the people and called them to our defense?”

  Shaky ground here, he thought. “Yes.”

  “Then why don’t you trust me to train with the others? The men and women who’ve come to the base to help us?”

  “Because I refuse to lose you like I’ve lost almost everyone else I love. Dammit, Daniella, don’t ask me to put you in a position where I can’t control your safety.”

  She grinned like the cat who ate the cream. “Ahh, I knew it. See, I don’t want you taking chances either. You’re the heart of the combat arm of this new resistance. I could ask that you stay here, be safe and move the chess pieces on the board, but I wouldn’t, and I won’t. I love you too.”

  She reached out, captured his head between the palms of her hands.

  “I trust you. You’ll stay safe because there’s a whole lot more we want to explore together. I want the same. I’ll be safe. I’ll follow McNally’s orders, and each night we’ll come together, share a bed, and talk about our day. But Jonah, in war, things happen. Bad things.”

  He sighed. “I know. I just… I don’t like feeling like I’m not in control and your safety…”

  They kissed, a soft sigh that whispered over their lips. Gradually, the tension in his muscles released. He pulled her against his body, let her rest against him.

  * * * *

  Morning light filtered through the blinds, and Daniella moved, trying to twist, but a warm and substantial something stopped her. She cracked open her eyes. Jonah.

  The banging on the door had her jerking, and Jonah came awake, sitting bolt upright in the bed, his arm already tunneling beneath the pillow where he’d stashed a handgun.

  “Senator? You’ve got a delivery.”

  She started to climb out of bed, but Jonah slung out his arm. “Wait. We don’t know what it is, so we need to be cautious. We’ll meet them in the secure zone, so get dressed.” As Jonah moved away from the bed, she was treated to a view of his naked back, and she sighed, clearing the haze from her mind.

  “Leave it at the main building,” Daniella called out. “We’ll come to you in a few minutes.”

  Now she rose, glancing around for clothing, and spied the black leather pants and tight, form-fitting shirt she’d laid out the night before.

  Gathering up her hair in front of the mirror, Daniella frowned. “I think the hair has to go.”

  Jonah stepped up to her, his hands fastening over her hips. “Why?”

  “Because I don’t have time to fuss with it, and in a fight, it’ll only get in the way.”

  Tension filled his body, and she waited for the recommencement of yesterday’s argument. When he remained silent, Daniella spun in his arms.

  “Nothing to say?” she asked.

  “I like your hair, but it’s your decision. Whatever you choose will be right with me.”

  Warmth tingled, spreading to every nerve ending in her body, and she kissed him. “Urgh, I haven’t even had time to brush my teeth!”

  He laughed. “I’m sure five minutes more won’t kill anyone.”

  He released her, and she hurried to the bathroom, took care of the basics, and was back in record time.

  Jonah grabbed her hand, and they moved through the door, up the hallway and past other tiny units. They’d squeezed as many into the accommodation sector as possible. The night before the general had informed them that the number of people on base had nearly doubled.

  They stepped lightly up the roadway, passing cadets running in groups, others loading into vehicles to attend what she guessed was armament training and a range of other exercises she didn’t have a clue about.

  At the main building, they moved through the security portal and settled in the small office that had been set aside for their use, the desks pockmarked and the chairs screeching, but it gave them some privacy to conduct their work.

  The door slid open, and General Armand DuSaint stepped inside, a packet in his hands.

  “What’s wrong, General?” Jonah peered at the man.

  He shook his head. “Our scanners couldn’t tell if there was anything dangerous in it, but I’ve got a secura-tent on the way.”

  Daniella screwed up her face. “I’m not sure I know—”

  “A secure tactical container. Explosives, dangerous powders, and compounds can be secured. There’s also a remote system for handling the item.”

  She made an ‘O’ with her mouth. “Fine then, we should wait, I guess. General, did LV have a comfortable night?”

  The general had to be in his sixth decade with sharp, gray eyes that could turn frosty in an instant. His hair was closely cropped in shades of salt-and-pepper, while his frame was wiry. “I don’t know much about the children, but the guards said she didn’t eat anything. We’re wondering if she’s got a port device. Didn’t sleep, spent part of the night howling she didn’t like the dark or separation. The rest of the time, she was like a robot, sitting in her cell.”

  Daniella bit her lip. “Maybe McNally could see what’s going on?”

  “Fine. I’ll have her swing by before you begin your training,” grunted Jonah, as if his mind was on something else.

  A knock at the door surprised Daniella, and she jumped. When both sets of eyes settled on her, she blushed. “I’m a little out of my league here, gentlemen.”

  “Enter,” Jonah bellowed, and a younger woman entered the room carrying a clear box with metallic hands inside.

  From her pocket, she retrieved a set of heavy gloves. “The remote gloves allow you to activate and use the item. The left glove palm has the device unlock and lock remotely. Slip it on, press the button, and the door opens at the top. Pop your package in and press the button. The box is then locked and will allow you to manipulate the hands using the gloves. The concept is simple. Once you see what’s inside the package, you can run a diagnostic on the item. So long as whatever you’re checking is in our database, we’ll have an almost instantaneous idea of what it is. If we can’t work it out, the box will not re-open without a hard over-ride.”

  The woman assumed parade rest once Daniella tugged on the gloves. “Left hand, you said?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She pressed the small, red point, and the box opened with a whoosh.

  The general placed the packet inside, and she pressed the button once more. The box locked with a click, and the general stepped back.

  Feeling foolish, Daniella moved her hands, and the tiny remote pair in the box mirrored her moves. The brown paper slid away as she tugged on it.

  The item before her had her stomach roiling. A charred digit, the nail bed blue and purple. A ring. One she knew.

  “It’s Yin’s.”

  Jonah swore and made to cover it. The general and the woman both stayed absolutely still.

  “Leave it, Jonah. They want me to give in and cave to their demands. I won’t let the bastards make me. Who delivered this?”

  The general frowned. “We found it in the vehicle the child, LV, was transported in. We thought it was from one of your people. It has your name on it.”

  Daniella pressed the button to release the locking mechanism, but it beeped and glowed red.

  “Uh, senator. There’s a threat. Let me check.” The soldier dragged a tiny computer from her rear pocket and pressed buttons in a quick sequence, then sighed. “It’s Geronica-B.”

  When Daniella looked at the solider, confused, the woman shook her head.

  “It’s a dangerous compound and causes extreme pain followed by a swift death. The digit is coated in it. The paper is now compromised. I’ll take it back to the lab. We’ll take a print of the writing and return it to you, sir.” She turned to Jonah with an efficient movement. “For handwriting analysis.”

  The soldier gathered the box and hurried from the room, followed by the general.