Chapter 18 #3
Vicious leaned over from the back seat, folding his arms as he did.
Something else that had struck me since leaving the community.
They were a team, working together seamlessly, yet they were obviously also friends.
Since I didn’t have any real friends within the community my family had created, I didn’t understand the bond.
The more time I spent with them, the more envious I became.
“We were programmed with certain knowledge, including corroborated details about locations.” His answer didn’t surprise me as much as make me curious.
“Programmed genetically?”
“Nodes strategically placed throughout our brains. Think of it as having computer chips placed in our brains. Data wired without our cranial synapses holding extensive details regarding everything from knowledge about mission systems to medical terminology, weaponry and logistics.”
“Along with buildings, engineering data, the ability to identify poisons and other dangers,” Wrath added.
“I even heard a few Verndari were gifted with culinary skills and appreciation of music, arts, and history.”
“So what was important all those years ago wasn’t lost,” I mused, finding the entire science incredible if not terrifying.
Rage mirrored my thoughts, his facial features hardening. “The implants were described as a glorious gift, instead being an invasive violation of the mind, contrasting the cold perfection of previous technology with the chaotic, messy nature of true human emotion.”
His words sucked the energy out of the space.
“Wow, dude. That’s quite a downer,” Vicious said. While Wrath laughed in response, both Rage and I sat quietly with the revelation of just how much of their bodies and minds had been altered.
All under the guise of the betterment and protection of the people.
What I’d seen with Rage before was a fight to keep his humanity and the memories that would remind him of his importance. Just like what I’d experienced. I’d had other dreams, but none more defining than the one with my mother.
No wonder the king wanted to get his hands on the Verndari. They truly were the ultimate weapon. With an army of them, they could control what was left of the country and all aspects of the future.
For a little while, the only noise was from the rumble of the engine. When the sound changed, the features outside the window passing by at a slower rate, Wrath seemed to stiffen.
“We’re coming into Marienville. The town survived the war with minimal damage, the rural location and luck of the draw with the fronts from nuclear fallout keeping the inhabitants alive longer than in other cities.
They even survived the initial plague, building walls around the city to protect themselves. ”
“What happened?” My question was met with the two men up front acting as if they didn’t want to tell me.
The town itself came into view before either of them answered. Huge concrete-type walls were on both sides, the ending point not clear from where I sat. There were buildings peering over them, tall structures placed directly adjacent to the walls.
“What are those?” I asked, leaning forward.
“Lookout stands, guards positioned inside to watch for marauders, Freedom Hunters, and wild animals.”
I shuddered from the thought, suddenly feeling so small. So inconsequential and also very lucky.
Wrath drove slowly around the block wall, signs of brutality occurring only minutes into the drive.
There were portions of the wall that had been destroyed as if by explosives of some kind, other areas charred from fire.
The partially open space held fleeting glimpses into the interior, the entire scene visceral and leaving a dull ache inside.
Whatever fight the community had faced had been bloody.
“There is a subtle heat source coming from underneath the town, but nothing above ground.” Vicious was watching the heat-seeker console, tenser than before. I’d come to take that as being in his role within the mission. Protector. Security.
“From humans?” I asked, uncertain if I wanted the answer.
“No, Star. The source is likely from an energy source used for keeping machinery active for a portion of the town. There are no humans, no beasts that I can tell either.”
I hated hearing his answer but didn’t need any additional information to know the community in its entirety had perished.
“There’s an opening between the walls. Someone blocked it off,” Wrath said, pointing out the window.
“Then let’s unblock it,” Rage stated, immediately turning his head so he could glare at me.
If the boys wanted to do grunt work, it was fine by me. I remained right where I was.
Yet as they worked together to create a path, every muscle tightened. I couldn’t stand the thought of finding additional bodies like the ones we’d found. Maybe I’d reached my limit of death and decay.
As soon as a passage was created, Wrath took his time rolling the vehicle through the opening.
Destruction was never easy to see, no matter how many cities and towns I’d passed through.
Even in going into the City of Lights, I’d never really been as overwhelmed by the sight of horrific rubble and despair as I was realizing this town had made such a valiant effort to maintain some sense of community much like I’d experienced with my village.
There were clear signs of a massive disturbance, a brutality made apparent by dark stains on the exterior of buildings and burned-out hulls where homes and businesses had once been.
While it was clear whatever had occurred had been weeks if not months before, to me it seemed as if the ghosts of the dead remained.
What struck me was that there were no bodies, at least in plain view. Not one. What had happened to the people living and maybe even thriving here?
“Where do you want to stop?” Wrath asked only minutes after driving down a street. Even the roads weren’t too bad, pavement cracked, but there’d been an obvious pathway.
“Choose a house. We need to block the entrance the best we can and keep watch.” Rage’s command was met with silence.
Yet less than five minutes later, Wrath found what I could only imagine had been a beautiful home nestled among others on the street.
There were even a few vehicles, which were parked as if only recently left.
I was stunned by the history lesson and the taste of what had been happiness not even that long ago.
“This should do,” Wrath offered.
I’d never wanted to believe there were pockets of populations who’d managed to pick up the pieces. It was too much to think about, too painful to wonder if there was something better out there.
My heart ached for the people. And for humanity.
“Alright. Let me sweep the house. Where is the heat source from here?”
Vicious leaned over. “Five hundred yards directly ahead. Should we check it out?”
“Maybe. Let’s get settled first.” The next look Rage threw me was a basic challenge. Don’t dare defy him again.
I didn’t. With Wren already traumatized, I had no intention of antagonizing the situation.
Rage was heavily armed, his body covered with dirt and blood, which didn’t seem to bother him in the least. It didn’t bother me either. I took some comfort in knowing he’d do what it took to keep all of us safe.
Even as he stepped out, he took the time to peer at me through the glass. When he did, I felt a different set of emotions that I couldn’t understand, a warmth that transcended the earlier passion. Whatever the reason, the tightness in my chest only grew worse as he walked away.
And when he was out of sight, I realized how much I missed him.