“If it were simply getting out of the city,” Alcent replied, “then I would have just followed you the rest of the way yesterday and found the way out for myself.” He eyed her clothes and grime-covered skin. “Though I already have a pretty good idea of how you escaped.”
His remarks drew some light guffaws from the bodyguards. “No, I’m interested in you because you move like a soldier. More importantly, you have the single-minded ambition to escape the city. So far, aside from my own organization, you’re the only other person I’ve seen with a deep-seeded desire to overthrow the Terrans here in Miller’s Glen. I can use your information about what’s going on outside the city, but I would prefer just to have you… you and whatever plan you may have already surmised for getting off this freezing rock.”
“Flattered,” she replied coyly. She took a moment to think about his offer. “I have others in my group. Not many, but exceptionally well trained. If we join you, what guarantee do we have that this will be anything more than a suicide mission against a much better prepared opponent?”
Alcent leaned forward again, blood flushing his face red. “I want my revenge! I lost a lot of good men during the invasion, people I cared a lot about. I won’t stop until I see every one of the Empirical filth sent straight to hell!” He closed his eyes, his breathing calming and the blood draining from his face. “If you can figure out a way off this planet and help me get the revenge we all so richly deserve, then I will provide you with enough men, weapons, and explosives to level this city a second time.”
Keryn smiled and stood. She extended her hand. “Then it sounds like we’ve reached an accord.”
Alcent rose from his chair and took her hand in his, careful not to harm her with the bony ridges along his knuckles. “I see the start of a beautiful relationship.”
“If you think this is beautiful,” Keryn said, fidgeting with her crusted hair, “then you should see me when I’m clean.”
“Then let’s see you clean,” Alcent replied. Looping his arm through hers, he led her toward the back of the building. The bodyguards, close behind, brought the lamp so they could see. Alcent took her through one of the doors labeled “Authorized Personnel Only” and into a back room, a room littered with fallen chairs and long forgotten personal effects. Pointing at a second door, Alcent continued. “You’ll find a bathroom with a shower back there. It’s one of the few that my men have managed to hardwire for use. The water still works and is hooked up to a hidden heater on the back of the building. Go enjoy your hot shower.”
Keryn slipped into the back room and peeled away the filthy clothes, letting them drop to the ground. Naked, she stepped into the shower and turned the water knobs. Hot water cascaded from the showerhead, coating her body in warmth and steam as it washed away the waste that had covered her body in the sewer. She gasped in delight as chills of pleasure rolled through her body, the heat brushing away the cold that had infused her skin. She reveled in the feeling of the hot water as it coursed through her hair and traced the curves of her body, running over her breasts and following the lines of her stomach. Tension finally fled from her muscles along with the last of the dirt that had covered her skin. After spending only a few minutes enveloped in the steam and warmth, Keryn, with a hint of sadness, reached over and turned off the water.
She realized awkwardly that she had no way to dry herself, nor did she have any clothes to replace her ruined outfit. A polite cough interrupted her thoughts. Slipping her head around the flimsy curtain, water still dripping from her silver hair, Keryn was not surprised to see Alcent standing only a few feet away, kindly holding a towel in her direction.
“I have some clothes set aside for you as well,” Alcent explained as she took the towel and started drying. “They’re a bit sturdier than the ones you had been wearing and more fitting for the weather. If we’re going to be partners, I’ll need you to survive long enough to hold up your end of the bargain.”
Keryn finished drying but stayed behind the curtain, sure that Alcent had not left the room. “If you would be so kind as to close the door as you leave, I’ll see if I like your taste in clothing.”
She heard a bemused chuckle as the door to the bathroom closed softly. Stepping out of the shower, Keryn found the pile of clothes on the counter and quickly dressed. Alcent had included an insulated jacket as well as more practical clothing for the cold. Appreciative, she dressed quickly before stepping back into the break room, where Alcent and his bodyguards waited. He whistled in admiration. “You’re right, you are impressive when you’re clean.”
Keryn picked up her Terran rifle as she walked past him and back into the department store. She looked at the ruined front window and paused before turning toward Alcent.
“I’ll need you to hide this for me,” she said, holding up her rifle.
He took the weapon politely and nodded. “It will be available whenever you need it. Just let me know if you do.”
“Speaking of which,” she continued as they made their way toward the front of the store, “how am I supposed to get in touch with you?”
“You won’t find us if you come looking, if that’s what you’re asking,” he explained. “You’d be surprised at how many people I know here in Miller’s Glen. If you need to get in touch with me, I’ll know almost before you do. But I’ll be in touch. Just don’t be alarmed when you’re approached by strangers.”
Keryn stepped up into the display case, crouching next to the naked manikins. She turned as she worked on formulating a plan for their escape. “One more question before I leave. Did you disable the turret gun when I came back into the city?”
Smiling modestly, Alcent nodded. “I have people that can sabotage most anything in the city.”
“I’m probably going to need you to do that again,” she said finally, before turning and disappearing out the window.
The rest of the walk back to House 12 went quicker than Keryn had remembered when she was leaving the city. Even while moving with caution, her step was lighter; she was elated to have found someone of a like mind. The Terran patrols were light and she only had to avoid one as she moved through the buildings. Finally reaching the house, she pulled free her lock picks and quietly opened the door. The room beyond was dark, with the labored breathing of dozens of bodies filling the space. Everyone was asleep from the hard labors in the fields and no one awoke as she crept silently across the room, stepping over sprawled figured. Reaching the far side of the room, she finally found Adam; his blond hair jutting from the blanket as he tried to stave off the creeping cold.
Keryn stood, admiring his sleeping form, before she pulled off her jacket. Wordlessly, she removed her shirt, feeling the cold air rush across her exposed chest. Kicking off her boots, she unbuttoned her pants and let them fall discarded in the corner of the room. Her heart racing and her body shivering from the cold, she climbed, naked, under the covers.
Adam awoke with a start, startled as someone crawled into bed with him. Keryn placed a hand on his face and smiled. His demeanor turned from surprise to relief at seeing her safe. He threw his arms around her and pulled her close, relieved that she was alive.
“I was so worried you weren’t coming back,” Adam whispered. “We hadn’t heard anything since you…”
He paused, suddenly aware as her firm breasts pressed up against his body. She slid a naked leg over his and ran her hand along his back. Adam looked at her bewildered, her face full of color and passion, even in the darkness of the room.
“Keryn…” he began before she placed a finger on his lips, stopping him in mid sentence.
“Now is not the time for words,” she whispered and leaned forward, moving her finger only to replace it with her lips.