[CHAPTER 13] — Marcia
Marcia had woken up three days after she was attacked and Laura was abducted. She had sent messages to the other members of Laura’s team as soon as she had someone she trusted, but had not heard anything from them since. She was getting reports that one was incessantly in the field and did not even use the dorm he was assigned; the other one was doing her job well but spent a lot of time socializing with her ex-sister-in-law Dora; the woman here, Katherine, seemed to be the head of the little group, and she was the one who was in the most danger.
She had been the one that James had been taunting her over before Laura and Sean burst into the room. He had been telling her how they had the woman’s daughter, and it was all coming to a head now that they had the girl. The first two weeks all she could remember was that Laura was taken, but as she healed, she began to remember other clips of him speaking about Katerina- whom she had thought was Katherine-and her daughter. Marcia kept trying to remember everything James was saying to her that night, but it was coming in fractured; like a Vine, she was only getting five or ten second video clips every time she tried to remember any details.
It was three weeks now since she had woken up in the hospital bed, and she was just starting to get back to a somewhat normal schedule when her spy had sent her another message that had brought back one solid memory that was a little more than useless; but not much. James was on top of her, assaulting her body once again, while talking about someone named Katerina, how they had her daughter, and what they planned to do once they captured Katerina or lured her to their base. It was this memory that had her up and out of bed that day, getting dressed and ready to go find this Katerina and warn her before something had happened. When she hadn’t gotten a reply to her first message, she had wanted to go find one of them and speak to them directly; however, as the CEO, she had more people relying on her.
Those people had overwhelmed her with security and 24/7 assistance with whatever she had needed; but they were not her people, they were company people. After she had sent that first message, she had not seen any of her own personal assistants for two weeks and by then Marcia wasn’t even sure her memories were real as nothing had happened to the woman yet. It wasn’t for another week when she got the message from her spy that triggered the memory that she had been trying to hold together for these three weeks; they knew about Katerina’s abilities and they planned to use her to unlock her daughter’s abilities so she can be a weapon for the Cult.
Once she was dressed and ready, she checked her watch; someone came every 30 minutes to check on her and she had barely more than a minute before someone came back. She jumped into her bed and covered up, acting as though she were still in bed in her pajamas. Moments later when someone walked in, she stretched and rolled over as if she were not ready to get out of bed yet. The woman who came, Marissa, was not the brightest bulb in the box and simply nodded silently and left.
Marcia jumped up out of bed the moment her footsteps faded down the hall and she went over to the wall opposite her bed. Behind an old and faded tapestry was a secret door that led to an escape passage that only she knew about. The builder that had worked on it had an unfortunate accident before the entire thing was finished, forcing Marcia to complete the last hundred feet of the passage herself. It had been backbreaking work, and it took her a month to finish it by herself; but now that she actually needed it, she was grateful she had put the work into finishing it.
The passage wound its way under the dorm and grounds to a secret garage that held off-road vehicles. When she reached the garage, she cautiously listened to the room beyond and when she heard nothing, carefully opened the door and stepped into the room. Most of the off-roading vehicles were not there, but her ATV was sitting in its spot waiting for her. She went to the shelves behind the ATV and looked for the box that held the hidden key, then went over to start it up.
This was the riskiest part of her escape; though the garage was secret from most people, it was not secret to all. Once the garage doors are opened, the outdoor security cameras would start recording and would send a signal to the security office. As they were alerted to her current restrictions, they would immediately start tracking her movements through the forest, so she would have to be faster than they were. She prepared herself to ride immediately, perching atop the seat, gripping the handle in one hand and the garage door opener in the other; when she was positioned to complete all the necessary steps in one swift movement, she hit the garage door opened, started up the ATV, and peeled out of the garage as fast as she could go.
She heard the alarms go off immediately, and heard the loudspeaker announcing “Intruder, intruder!” repeatedly as she sped away through the forest. These were trails she knew well, and she hoped that the trail she was looking to turn off to was still unknown so she could make a clean escape. When she heard the distant sound of pursuing vehicles, she hit the accelerator and didn’t slow down going around turns. She had a difficult time keeping all four wheels of the ATV on the ground consistently on the uneven trails, but she was managing and she could hear the sounds fade away.
She reached the turn-off for the trail she was looking for and found a tree blocking the path. She stopped right in front of it and turned her engine off, listening for the sounds of her pursuers. Hearing none, she walked over to the tree and tested its weight; it was quite heavy- too heavy to fully pick up and maneuver by herself. She could almost get it up high enough to perch on her ATV, but not quite.
She ran to her pack and took out a length of rope. She tied the rope around the branch and threw the loose end over a branch in a tree above. She pulled the tree up little by little until it was high enough to squeeze her ATV under, which she did quickly and then gathered her rope from the trees after allowing the tree to fall back onto the path. She continued on the secret trail as quickly as she had approached it.
As she raced away from her home, she wondered for a moment if she would ever see it again. Pushing that thought back, she continued on with a fierce determination. Whatever the woman and her daughter had for abilities could not bode well for the rest of the world if James found a way to weaponize them. She rode for several hours, avoiding all sounds of others on the trail whenever she encountered them; hiding in bushes and ravines when she heard other vehicles and weaving her way back and forth through the forest in an erratic pattern designed to make it look like she was out on a leisurely ride but not heading in any specific direction.
Just when she was going to head back to the mine Katerina was assigned to, Marcia heard someone struggling in a bush not far from her. She pulled her ATV behind a large group of fallen trees and covered it in branches before moving on foot towards the sounds she heard. When she reached the bush, she heard the sound of a man struggling to pull something up the air shaft, and she peeked through the branches to see who it was. She was surprised to find Carl, or so she knew him by, pulling something heavy on the end of the rope that plunged down into the air vent below.
She walked over and grabbed hold of the rope, surprising him enough that he almost lost his footing. She gave him a look of determination and began pulling on the rope; she knew these were people that were on a mission to take down the most hated enemy of all decent humans, so she didn’t question what it was that he was hauling to the surface. When finally the load reached a height where she could see what it was, she began pulling with even more ferocity than before; it was her abducted ex-sister-in-law. When she was within arm’s reach, she grabbed hold of Laura and began pulling with all her might into her arms.
“Danika! Danika!” Marcia said with fervor as she firmly patted Laura’s face in an attempt to bring her to consciousness.
“She’s weak and injured, I doubt she’ll wake up right now. She needs a doctor and a hospital; do you know where we can bring her? Someone we can trust?” Cal was questioning her and Marcia was only half- listening, checking Laura over herself for signs of life. As soon as she found her weakened pulse, she gave Cal her attention.
“Yes, I have someone I can trust. I have my ATV over there,” she said, pointing in the direction of her hidden four- wheeler, “But I can only take one of you.”
“Take her, I can make my own way. If she doesn’t get help soon, she might not make it and she has a son to get home to.” As Cal said this, he hauled the roped that was still tied to Laura’s waist over his shoulder and grabbing the length tied to her waist, hoisted her up onto his back; holding the rope tight to help carry her. “Let’s get moving.”
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Marcia led him to her ATV and quickly cleared the branches she used to hide it away, starting it up and getting on to move it out of the brush so it was easier to secure Laura on the back. When she was cleared, Cal came over and gently positioned Laura’s unconscious form to the back in a sitting position, using the rope tied to her waist to secure her to Marcia’s back. Checking that the ropes were secure around both Marcia and Laura, Cal uttered a quick “Good luck” before Marcia hit the throttle and took off towards her trusted friend, Deitrick. She knew she couldn’t bring Laura back to the Dorm where all the corporate stooges were waiting for them, so Deitrick would have to treat her in his basement like he did for Marcia when she needed it.
It was much more difficult for Marcia to go full speed when she had an unconscious woman tied to her back, but she managed to go pretty fast regardless. Hiding from and avoiding her own pursuers was also difficult, but finally after two hours she pulled up to Detrick’s back door. He was already standing outside waiting for her; as she knew he would be, his trail cams picking her up racing along the trail as soon as she came into his territory. Without a word, Deitrick helped Marcia get Laura off the ATV and down to the basement. Once there, he began his questioning.
“Who is this, Marcia? What the fuck happened to her?!” Deitrick asked as he gathered supplies and donned neoprene gloves in preparation of examining Laura.
“James happened.” Deitrick was one of the few people who knew that Kevin had been executed in James’ place, mainly because he was the one who often had to treat Marcia’s wounds after James had left. This last time she was so close to death she hadn’t been able to get herself to Deitrick, hence the Corporation taking charge of her care.
Detrick focused on his examination silently and Marcia made her way up the stairs to Deitrick’s kitchen, where she began boiling water to help Deitrick wash Laura’s unconscious body and any wounds they found on it. It was clear she had not been able to bathe during her captivity, and she reeked of infection and open wounds. Some of the ones visible on her arms and one grisly one on her chest were already seeping puss, a clear sign that the body was trying to push out infection. While water boiled on the stove, Marcia searched for clean towels and clothing for Laura to change into. She had stored old clothes of hers here ages ago when she realized she’d have to keep coming back as long as James was alive.
When she had the supplies she needed on the counter, and the water was boiled, she positioned half the stack of towels flat and placed the pot of boiling water on top. Then, she placed the other half of the pile of towels against her chest and pressed it against the pot, picking the towels and the pot up from the bottom pile of towels so there was no part of the pot touching her directly. Making her way carefully down to the basement, she placed the pot of boiling water next to Deitrick and the towels next to it. She then sat back silently, moving only when Deitrick requested her do something; watching in anticipation to see what the verdict would be on whether or not Laura would live. It felt like hours before Deitrick stood from her side, taking one glove off, then the other before looking at Marcia.
“The rest will be up to her. I’ve mended her as best I can, the IV she has is full of broad-spectrum antibiotics, but whether or not she comes out of it will be up to her.” Detrick said as he reached my side. “You should get back; she’ll be safe here with me.”
With great hesitation, Marcia made her way upstairs and out of the house to her ATV. She knew Laura was safe, she just didn’t want to leave Laura not knowing if she would ever see her again; but there was a war to start and Marcia couldn’t do that sitting at her bedside. She fired up the engine and took off back towards the dorm.
Greg had spent the last three weeks fumbling around the mines around Katerina playing foreman. He had read and re-read the pamphlet explaining his job and what he was supposed to do but it hadn’t really made sense; so, he just stuck close enough to Katerina to keep an eye on her and did his best. The only part of the job he did understand was overseeing work, so he just supervised the work being done by everyone around him. Frankly, he hated being undercover. He was much better suited to lurking in the shadows awaiting the need to swoop in and kick some ass; but this was the assignment so he had to do his best.
He was older than the rest of the Centennial, and he had spent longer of his life on Earth hiding who he was. With the new regime on New Earth, and his ability to be open about his sexuality and home life he had craved the ability to be home with his husband making up for lost time. He hadn’t wanted to be on this mission; in fact, he had intended to give his retirement notice the same day they moved out on this new mission but there hadn’t been the time, and they couldn’t replace him easily enough to allow him to stay home and serve out his retirement. So, here he was, on his final mission with the Centennial and none of them knew it.
He had meant to tell everyone on the way in, but it hadn’t seemed the right time. Katerina was brooding over her lost daughter, Cal was brooding over his capture and release; Lord only knew what Rain and Laura were brooding over but there they had sat, brooding nonetheless. Greg had sort of become the Centennial’s father-figure, so to drop a bomb like retirement on them was a huge deal, and it had to be done right. So, he kept the news to himself; hoping that there would be a chance on the way home to explain his retirement.
His thoughts were often in the past, or in the future, but not focusing on the present. So far, they had not been able to glean any useful information out of anyone. Hell, they couldn’t even get most people to talk to them. He spent his days watching Katerina run tests and perform assessments. Today she was working on blueprints for the current mine system and looking for ways to improve structural integrity. He was bored out of his mind, and he was becoming increasingly unfocused; so, when Katerina was suddenly not at her station it took him longer than it should have to notice.
When he finally did notice, he searched frantically around the area they were working; increasing the distance he went as he cleared the areas. He returned to her work station and looked around her table, searching for any clue that would help him figure out what happened. With any luck, Katerina had seen the threat coming and left him a warning. He searched through each paper on the work table and found nothing; slamming his fists on the table in frustration, his eyes finally caught something.
The ground beneath him was littered with scuff marks, as if someone had been dragged away from this spot. He followed the drag marks to the road, where they ended. The tire marks where the vehicle had peeled off showed a general direction in which they went. Greg knew then he had seriously fucked up, and he had no idea how he was going to fix it. Greg's heart pounded in his chest. Katerina, the heart of their mission, was gone. His mind raced, sifting through the possibilities. Had she been discovered? Was this a trap? Or was it something entirely unrelated? He had to act quickly.
First, he needed to alert the others. He pulled out his comm device, his hands trembling slightly. He knew the use of the comms was prohibited since they’d found out the airwaves were being monitored, but he figured this was enough of an emergency to warrant its use. "Cal, Rain, Laura - emergency. Katerina's been taken. I need you at the mine entrance ASAP."
Next, he had to secure the site. Katerina's work, her notes, could contain sensitive information. He gathered her papers, scanning them again quickly for anything that could compromise their mission. He then destroyed them, the ashes scattering in the light breeze.
As he waited for the others, Greg tried to piece together what had happened. The scuff marks, the tire tracks - it was a clear abduction. But who? And why? Were they after Katerina specifically, or was this a random act of violence?
When Rain arrived, her face etched with concern, Greg quickly asked where the others were before he briefed her on the situation. The others were out in the field or had been abducted by the same people who had Katerina. "We need to find them," Greg said, his voice firm. "We can't let them get away with this."
Rain, ever the strategist, began to analyze their options. "We need to track the vehicle. Any cameras nearby?” She looked around quickly then added, “I'm checking the mine's security system. There might be footage of the abduction."
Greg, despite his guilt and worry, felt a flicker of hope. They were a team, the Centennial, even when there was only two of them. They had faced countless challenges together, and they would face this one too. They would find Katerina and Laura, and they would bring them back. He owed them that much, at the very least.
As they set off to follow the trail of their missing comrades, Greg made a silent vow; he would not think about retirement until this mission was over. He would see it through to the end, no matter the cost. His retirement could wait, two of his team’s lives were at stake.
Greg and Rain followed the tracks as far as they could before they ended up back on a paved road. The trail had gone cold, they had nowhere else to follow. Just then, Rain pulled a set of blueprints out of her pack and handed them to Greg.
“This is where they are taking them, I’m sure of it. This is the last base the Cult has on this planet, right here on the other side of the mountain.”
“Let’s not waste any time, then.” Greg responded gruffly as he moved to head towards the cave.
The two of them grabbed their gear, and searched for a vehicle they could borrow to save time. They found one, and after an intense moment where they thought they would be caught, fired up the engine and peeled out of there before anyone could stop them; heading straight for the coordinates on Rain’s blueprints.