He wanted to think of a disaster recovery plan. If Charlie couldn’t get on the shuttle, they needed another play. Something effective. His mind blanked. It seemed like they had a one shot deal.
Cutting through the trees, scrambling over obstacles and surveying the damp ground for fresh croatoan boot marks helped release some of the tension he felt building inside.
Above, he heard the increasing hum of the shuttle descending toward farm. The others would see it shortly. They positioned themselves in woodland between the landing area and warehouses. A trail was cut through the woodland to allow the containers to be transported for loading. As soon as the croatoans appeared on the trail, the plan was to attack the warehouses. Starting with the barracks.
Something moved in the trees ahead.
Gregor ducked behind a moss-covered rock and peered over it.
A figured darted between two redwoods, heading toward him.
Human.
Charlie Jackson.
Gregor looked down the sights of the AR-15. Aimed at Charlie. Followed his movements as he closed in. Fifty yards. Forty. Thirty.
His finger itched on the trigger. Gregor waited years for this opportunity. Denver would take the bomb if his father didn’t show.
He couldn’t fire. Yesterday, Jackson would’ve been worm food. But not today.
Charlie hadn’t spotted him. He was twenty yards away. Gregor kept the rifle shouldered and stood. “Managed to deal with the alien?”
Charlie abruptly stopped. His hand twitched against the alien rifle. He darted behind a tree. “Waiting to ambush me, Gregor?”
Gregor knelt back behind the rock. “I wasn’t going to shoot. I could’ve easily killed you if I wanted.”
He peered over the moss. Charlie’s head shot back behind the tree.
“We need to finish this, Gregor. Lower your rifle.”
“Both of us come out after I count to three. Leave our rifles on the ground.”
“Why should I trust you? You don’t have to pretend to care. Nobody else can see you out here.”
“You need to get that bomb onto the ship. It’s in all of our interests. I’m arranging a place for you on the shuttle and leading the attack on the farm. Why would I jeopardize the plan?”
“Because you’re a dick, who has no respect for life.”
Gregor scowled and bit his fist. “The shuttle’s arrived. There won’t be another run until tomorrow morning. If there is another run. You heard what Layla said.”
A sickly looking rabbit with greasy fur shuffled between the rock and tree. Time was against all native species. The shuttle would be gone in less than an hour.
Gregor stood, placed his rifle on the rock and held his arms out.
Charlie looked around the tree. He placed his rifle on the ground and stepped out.
They stood twenty yards apart. Charlie walked to his side. Gregor moved to keep an equal distance until they were ten yards away from their weapons.
Charlie rolled up the sleeves of his camouflage shirt. Gregor took off his watch. They started circling a large rock, staring at each other.
“Why did you kill Pippa?” Charlie said.
“It wasn’t me. I swear on my mother’s grave.”
“Your mother was a whore. Stop lying. Why did you do it?”
Gregor winced. He’d slit throats for lesser comments. “I killed the man who did it, yesterday morning. You on the other hand, killed my cousin.”
“He was collateral damage. I blew up a croatoan building. If you lot didn’t have your tongues stuck up the croatoans shit pipes unlike us survivors—”
“Stop right there. You won’t get a rise out of me. I did what I needed to keep my team alive. Those humans, livestock, they’re bred for food. They didn’t have a previous life like you or me. I only went after people who attacked my operation.”
Charlie shook his head, maintaining his cold stare. “You think it’s acceptable? Do you? I mean, deep down in your commie soul?”
“I’m not commie, and the ice age froze my soul. We’re never going to agree, so let’s get this plan out of the way and meet back here.”
“You know I’m not coming back, Gregor. Whenever I think about Pippa, I can’t help seeing your ugly face. Do you think that’s the last thing I want to see up there?” Charlie pointed to the sky.
Gregor stopped and reached for his pocket. Charlie stopped opposite and narrowed his eyes.
They walked toward each other. Gregor produced the blue bead necklace and held it toward Charlie. “Here. I think you’ll want this for your journey.”
Charlie paused. Looked down. He snatched the necklace from Gregor’s hand and briefly closed his eyes. “If you lay a finger on Denver after I’ve gone…”
“We’ll go our separate ways. You have my word on it. From now on, my enemy’s enemy is my friend. “
Charlie started walking back toward his rifle. “Let’s do this.”
MAKING their way back to the group. Gregor kept a healthy distance between himself and Charlie. A suspension in hostilities was all they needed. They were never going to be friends. There was too much water under the bridge.
Four people squatted against trees when he approached. Layla frantically gestured him over when she saw Gregor coming. He quickened his pace and crouched next to her. Charlie stooped on her other side. They briefly glanced at each other, then Layla.
“How’d it go?” Gregor said.
“They’re starting work right away. Alex is going to stall the croatoans,” Layla said. She looked at Charlie. “Vlad will help you in the meat processing warehouse. He’s going to put some equipment in a container for you. An alien rifle and some oxygen equipment.”
“What about the farm? Any step-up in security since yesterday?” Gregor said.
“Some reinforcements came down on a shuttle last night. Just the usual ones, nothing like that thing we saw in Ridgway. Besides Augustus asking them to pressurize the breeding lab, it’s been business as usual.”
“Breeding lab. You fucking people,” Charlie said. “Can we rely on them?”
“Augustus’s message put a rocket up their asses. It doesn’t take a genius to work out why he wants to do it.”
Gregor raised his eyebrows. “Because they’re changing Earth into the middle box?”
“What’s he babbling about?” Charlie said. He looked at Gregor and slowly said, “They’re doing it because that ship is gonna complete the terraforming process.”
“I know that,” Gregor said. “I was referring to a scientific experiment. Something that’s probably way above your head.”
“Look above my head,” Charlie said. “There’s two ships that want to kill us.”
Layla grabbed Gregor’s sweater arm and twisted. She did the same with Charlie’s shirt. “Knock it off. The pair of you. Charlie, there isn’t much time; move to the back of the meat processing building.”
“We’re both committed, don’t worry about that,” Charlie said. “How will I know the difference between Alex and Vlad?”
“Alex is a woman,” Gregor said. “You might’ve met Vlad before, I’m not sure.”
Denver moved over and joined the huddle. “Well? Are we ready to go?”
“We?” Charlie said. “There is no we. I’m doing this on my own. You’ve always known it.”
“I’m coming to make sure you get into that container. Once Gregor attacks, I’ll come in from the other side. Add to the confusion,” Denver glanced at Gregor. “Are you okay with that?”
Gregor raised his left shoulder and pursed his lips. “Fine with me. I’ll bring other three in.” He looked at Ben and Maria. Both held their respective weapons and peered through the trees. Hardly special forces but it’d do.