Epilogue
“Two on the left, three on the right. Only one of them is a soldier, the others are civilians,” I call, adjusting my scope.
“You got a clean shot?” the voice asks through the speaker.
“I don’t need one,” I reply. “Just say when.”
The soldier keeps watch over the workers driving metal posts into the lush grass, taking a few steps away from the large metal door of the makeshift metal compound.
While the soldier notices the lack of communication from his team members, he doesn’t look bothered.
I was counting on their laziness, which proved to be correct.
I press the button on the receiver, my lips kissing the mesh. “Are they taken care of, yet?”
The speaker is silent.
With a flinch, the soldier lifts his radio from his chest to his ear. He listens intently.
Shit.
“They know you’re in there,” I say, my finger hovering over the trigger.
A few more soldiers rush in, abandoning their posts on the other side of the compound. A group of three soldiers converse with exaggerated hand movements as the civilian scientists working in the nearby tent appear worried.
I grumble to myself, shifting my crosshairs to a flammable container near the group. If I shoot it, the civilians will be caught in the crossfire.
“If I do not receive orders, I’m following through with Plan C,” I say.
The speaker hisses, sounds of shouts and screams bursting from the tiny box.
I sigh.
This would have never happened if we had gone with my plan.
Steadying my aim, I apply pressure to the trigger.
Sorry, everyone.
My bolt releases at the same time the compound doors burst open, the metal tip spearing through a soldier’s arm as he’s launched backward.
The civilians scatter like insects, screaming when they see the hulking mass of scales step through the threshold with half a human body dangling from his mouth. The smug look on his face while the workers flee in horror fills his eyes with joy.
I sigh again, loading a bolt.
“This wasn’t the plan, Lowell,” I bark into the receiver.
From where I’m perched, I see Lowell toss me a cheeky wink. His claws drive into the back of a soldier who tries to crawl away.
“Only Gaia 4 members are privy to the true plans,” he replies into the radio.
His cackling, obnoxious laugh can be heard all the way from up here. I roll my eyes, unwilling to dignify him with a response.
Grabbing Lowell’s radio, Ginny shouts into the receiver. “Vivida’s intel was wrong. The construction operation was planned and on the books with Nilsan’s Government, but they hid it from their allies.”
My fist clenches in annoyance. “So, change of plans?”
When I catch Ginny in my sight, I see her nod.
“Yup, start lighting this site up.”
* * *
The roaring fire of the obliterated job site paints the night sky a deep crimson, a hazy smoke licking the tops of the tree-line.
I adjust my mask, the stench of burning plastics just as heinous as the burning bodies.
“Did the civilians and workers get out fine?” I ask, sliding off the back of Guy’s sandcycle. The treads don’t usually run over grass, but Lowell and I were able to build additions to convert them.
Guy shrugs shyly, his expression unsure. “The ones we could find, yes. Ginny and I did our best. We never found the occupancy record.”
Gaia 4 soldiers rip the camouflage tarp off our new hideout, the dilapidated exterior leaving plenty to be desired.
Between my previous surveying jobs and my knowledge from Grandma’s expeditions and journals, I’ve pinpointed abandoned buildings to relocate and build the Gaia 4 bases in.
While some were condemned, others maintained their structure, so Lowell decided to split the bases across the continent for added safety and mobility.
Well, it was actually my idea, but as a nonmember, he refuses to give me the credit. Not that anyone but me would care, anyway.
“I’m glad some of them were saved. The scientists are just doing their jobs,” I say, helping Guy conceal his sandcycle.
Guy’s smile is crooked. It’s an unfamiliar look for him. “Lowell would have killed them all if you weren’t here, you know.”
I grimace, my cheeks heating. “I seriously doubt that. He’s still pissed I won’t join. Vivida and the neighboring governments view me as Gaia 4’s official representative, so I don’t get why that’s not enough for him.”
“Anything less than complete devotion won’t be good enough for Lowell. He’s possessive,” Guy says, flicking his eyes over to where Ginny is giving orders.
Once her gaze connects with his, all his attention shifts. I’d be offended, but the fresh bite marks Ginny tries to conceal with a scarf tell me all I need to know.
“You go inside. I’ll catch up with you,” I say, nudging Guy with my elbow.
He startles with a gasp, pressing his lips into a bashful smile at being caught. “Thanks. I’ll see you inside?”
“Yeah,” I confirm, grinning as I watch him gleefully saunter to Ginny.
As everyone exchanges greetings while funneling inside the facility, I plop down on the edge of a long-felled tree. I prefer to have a few minutes of quiet time to collect myself before confronting the bustle of the mess hall.
Pulling materials from my pouch, I restring my crossbow across my lap. Now that it’s seeing more usage, it’s starting to show its age.
Each time I clean this bow, I’m assured I made the right decision for myself. My proclivity for danger aside, terrorizing Nilsan at the behest of rival city governments fills me with an excitement for life I never knew possible.
Long-gone are the days of idle paperwork and pointless reports, and I’m grateful for it. Even if breaking the law every day still ties my stomach into knots.
It’s been getting better every day, though.
Each time we shut down a construction site or raid an off-site facility, I learn just how deep the corruption within Nilsan goes. Kinsley was only one of many operating within high-ranking positions, manipulating their peers and subordinates for monetary gain and power.
Fighting against both the Nilsan Government and the illegal groups is not the position I’d ever expected to be in, but I’m more than glad to be on the other side of it.
I’m gradually coming to terms with the years of loyalty now crushed to dust, but I’d be lying if I said the camaraderie Gaia 4 provides wasn’t helping me get over the feeling.
I try not to let them know just how deeply I cared for my old job, at the risk of looking like a sentimental idiot.
I’m an outlaw now, like Grandma was.
I cradle my face in my palms, chuckling.
She’d be so pissed at me.
Gravel crunches behind me in the distinct gate of a large Lizardfolk, a warm hand soon pressing to my back.
“You should ride with me next time,” Lowell whispers, his snout pressing to my ear. The scales against my skin are electric, a zap running down my spine.
I turn my head so his nostrils hit my cheek, his scalding breath spreading over my face.
“The last time I rode with you, we were stranded in a desert for days,” I tease. “That aside, Guy is a much better driver than you are. He doesn’t try to show off by jumping and pulling tricks over hills and dunes.”
My skin prickles as he rakes a claw over my arm, goosebumps breaking out in its wake.
“Aw, you wound me, May. It makes me jealous when you wrap your arms around his waist, pressing yourself into him. It should be me.”
I snort in disbelief. “With the way he looks at Ginny? Please, you have nothing to be worried about.”
Lowell chuckles, sucking his teeth. “With how they stare at each other with those lovey-dovey eyes, I can’t believe they think their relationship is a secret.”
Even to the most oblivious, it’s painfully obvious. Then again, Lowell and I thought we were being discreet, ourselves. That is, until we revealed our relationship and a Gaia 4 mechanic shouted, “Then what the hell would you call what you were doing before?”
Needless to say, I understand their reservations.
“Let them come to terms with it on their own time,” I say, caressing Lowell’s arm. “Ginny is a prideful person.”
She’d be horrified if she knew we’d found them out.
“Then make Guy and her ride together so you can ride with me.” He kisses my cheek. “Like old times.”
I giggle when he pinches my skin between his claws. “Hell, no! Your recklessness will get me killed, idiot. I already sleep next to you. What else do you want?”
His eyebrow twitches, his deep-amber eyes curious. “There are many things I want from you. Need me to list them?”
I blush at his innuendo, huffing. “I already give you plenty. No need to be greedy.”
“Well, then you know exactly what I want from you.”
This again.
Taking his hand between mine, I give it a soft squeeze.
“I told you, I’m not joining Gaia 4 until you are officially taken off the eco-terrorist watchlist. I’m happy as your unofficial consultant for now.
Until that changes, Guy will continue to escort me,” I say, arching my back when he tickles my side with his free hand.
Lowell has gotten into the habit of pinching and tickling me when he’s not satisfied with my answer, always looking for a way to get a rise out of me. It’s the only subtle act of aggression I let him get away with.
“I think our allies are happy about that, too. That minister lady still refuses to look at me. I don’t think she’d let me through the door without you at my side,” he says, pretending to be upset over it.
“You’re not really… uh, as you said before, ‘good with words,’” I grimace. Between Lowell’s excessive profanity and “let’s just kill them all” attitude, he is not very popular with the diplomats. He did warn me, though. I’ll give him that.
“Yeah, whatever. So when we’re officially off the watchlist, you’ll join?” he asks, enveloping me in his arms. Gently, he rocks me back and forth from behind.
I laugh. “I’ll think about it.”
Grunting in frustration, Lowell squeezes me tighter. “I’ll eat you if you don’t join.”