He's wrong.
I can save them all.
CHAPTER 4
THE RED EAGLES
I wonder if this is my fault, if the terrorists were inspired by my threats at Jax's execution. I was bluffing, but the world didn't know. From now on, I must be more careful with my actions.
Trix meets me in the sewers. TR and Zorin position themselves in the building across from the terrorists. We will convince their leader to free the hostages. If that fails, we'll free them ourselves.
I pinch my nose as I trudge through water and filth.
Trix chuckles. "What's the matter, N, not used to the sewers?"
"The smell is unpleasant." The smell is horrible, but I'm trying to look composed.
"Why'd don't you just fly over it?"
I can, but Trix can't, and right now, I need to build camaraderie. I need her to see I'm willing to get dirty like the rest of them. "I like walking. Don't you?"
"Sure, N. I'd rather walk than fly any day." The sarcasm is thick.
We share a smile.
"Are we almost there?" I ask.
She checks her eGlass. "Five feet away."
I raise my eyebrow, though it's hidden under my mask. "You say feet when I would say meters. Why don't you use the universal system?"
She shrugs. "My mom and I worked on a lot of old vehicles, used a lot of old parts. Quarter-inch bolts. Twelve-foot tape measures. That's what I know."
"My family was…" I debate how much to tell her. "My family was modern. They liked to live small, away from big cities, but my mom was a tech genius and kept our technology fairly up-to-date."
"Tech genius, huh? That explains a lot. Sounds like our moms were pretty awesome."
I stop walking. "Yeah, she was."
"What happened to her?"
"She fought a battle she couldn't win."
She grips my shoulder. "I'm sorry, N."
I try to keep my emotions buried. This is not the time. I start walking again. "We've all lost things."
"It doesn't make it easier."
"How'd you deal with it? When your mother passed?"
"My mother's still out there."
"Oh, sorry." I never imagine her with living parents. When I see the Dark Templars, I see people like me, with nothing to lose. Perhaps I am wrong.
"Don't be sorry, N. My mom and I, we haven't seen each other since the War. She didn't like that I volunteered."
"She was looking out for you. You were looking out for others."
She stares down the tunnel. Her eyes are distant. "Yeah, I suppose. I know I said I joined to help the soldiers. It's what I tell everyone, but really… I joined for a boy."
I want to ask what she means, when Evie speaks into my ear. "Scarlett, you are in position."
"Thanks, Evie." I turn to Trix. "Time to do your thing."
Trix grins. She flips her automatic rifle over her shoulder and jumps. She flies higher than any human and thrusts her open hand against the ceiling. A ring of red explodes from her palm, turning the stone into lava and then ash. It happens in the blink of an eye. I've never seen her powers in full force before. I'm glad she's on my side.
As Trix falls back down, so does the white dust, revealing a hole that leads inside the steel building. We both jump through it and land in a wide hallway. Trix grabs her rifle and scans the area. We're clear.
"Evie, hack the cameras." She does, showing me images from the different rooms. The hostages are all in one location, surrounded by ten Zeniths. The terrorists wear thick blue armor, military grade, making them look more machine than human. Where did they get the gear?
The top level is dark, the windows covered in metal. A lantern on the ground lights one side, casting the shadow of someone sitting alone. I can't make out the details, but this must be their leader.
Trix points her rifle at the double doors before us. "What's the plan, N?"
"We request a meeting. Evie, the military helmets will be equipped with eGlasses. See if you can contact one. Tell them Nightfall wishes to meet their leader."
"N, they're here," Trix says.
What?
Two armed Zeniths, their armor so large they tower over us, enter through the doors. How could they get here so fast? There were no Zeniths near us, unless…
"The cameras have been tampered with," I say.
Trix grits her jaw, finger on the trigger and ready to shoot.
I raise a hand, gesturing her to hold.
One of the Zeniths speaks. He sounds as if he's speaking through a radio. "Nightfall, we are here to escort you to our leader. He is very eager to speak with you."
I don't like this. Someone is anticipating my actions. But I don't have a better plan. "We have many things to discuss."
The Zenith tilts his gun at Trix. "You must come alone."
"I will, but my companion must not be harmed."
"Very well."
I step forward. A voice speaks through my eGlass. It sounds manipulated. "Don't go with them, Nightfall."
"Who is this?"
"Call me Crixus, leader of the Red Eagles."
Two shots explode from behind us, hitting the Zeniths in the head. They collapse, and I turn to see two people in the same heavy armor. But unlike the Zeniths, their armor is black. A red eagle is painted across their chests.
The voice in my ear continues. "These are two of my soldiers. You can trust them. They will escort you out of the building."