Whispers of the Diamond: A Romance of Memory and Desire

Chapter 15 - Alex

It had been utter chaos as the militia swept in, government forces quickly overwhelmed as the same ones who'd attacked me moved in, breaching the building with few issues. This shouldn't have been possible, but half the security forces seemed to be out of place, and the militia had the high ground by the time they arrived. The body count—honestly, I daren't imagine.

I picked my way through Skyfield's outer edges. I needed to find the command and control room—that's where the real part of the plan would go down. Terra had been true to her word and given me the location, though I was unsure why as I worked my way in. Suddenly, I was slammed against a wall. I twisted free of the man and kicked the back of his knee. As he buckled, I wrapped my arm around his throat. He struggled and writhed, but I tightened my grip until he slipped into an unconscious state.

The sound of gunfire in the distance was unnerving, but I moved on, checking corners and clearing rooms as I went. I figured the militia would hold the more central half of the complex, so that meant I had to go up and over. I climbed the stairs, taking my time as the stairway was oddly clear. Something should have bothered me, but I stepped onto the roof and was immediately kneed in the gut by another militia member, this one far bigger than the last. I rolled back and drew my gun; the shot was clean between the armour plating, and the man collapsed.

I groaned as I stood. That well-placed knee had hurt; even Saras' lightweight armor hadn't stopped the pain. Holding my side, I made my way to the skylight above the control room. Inside, a white-haired woman was busily placing down what I guessed were explosives. Terra was at the master control unit, obviously tampering with it. The plan was to cripple Skyfield's operation. If they succeeded, the government would respond with martial law, leading to mass executions and all manner of extreme control methods. Now I understood why Terra had made sure I got here—she wanted me to stop her. The world was on a knife's edge, and this could tip it into the government's hands.

If I stopped her, then the government would review their policies here. The factory would shut down for a couple of weeks while they found their scapegoat. But the general populace would be spared their wrath because a hunter (a government employee) was effective in their deployment. That was the government's narrative: they protected and kept people safe.

I yanked free a couple of flash-bangs. The moment I dropped into the room, her backup would swarm it. I had a very narrow window to subdue her compatriots and extract her. Though I doubted she'd come willingly, that was fine—I had tranquilliser on me. I pulled the pin on the grenade and shattered the skylight, tossing the flash-bangs the moment I did. A hail of gunfire tore my way. FUCK! I hadn't seen him.

I took cover before firing into the room, sending everyone scattering as I dropped in with a safety line, cramming myself against a bank of computers and then edging along. I must be insane to jump TOWARD the gunfire. Another hail of bullets tore over my head; this guy was blind firing.

"FUCKING MOVE!" I heard him bark.

"Explosives aren't synced," the white-haired woman? The voice sounded familiar.

"WE HAVE TO GO!" the man barked.

This was simply a bad plan, I grumbled to myself before edging forward. Another hail of gunfire followed, and then a flash of white. She stopped in mid-stride to look at me; I swear to God I knew her, but she took off running. Suddenly, a hail of gunfire erupted, and Terra screamed. As she did, I stood and fired three shots, taking down her guard, quickly adjusting to the guy coming through the door and delivering a clean headshot.

"Terra!" I leapt over a desk and slid to her side, my hand at her waist as she cradled the woman. Her eyes streamed with tears; I swear I knew the woman but couldn't place her amidst all the chaos. There were cries and shouts, the screeching of vehicles.

"I can't leave her, Alex," she whispered softly.

"Those are the military turning up. Terra, we gotta go," I replied, taking her hand and leading her to another door. We made our way through the building as Terra moved slowly, trying to stay by my side. A few more shots rang out, and I wasn't picky about my targets—if it moved, I took it down, resistance or military. All that mattered was getting her out. As I opened one door, a hail of gunfire tore at us, prompting me to force Terra down. A couple of rounds hit—thank you, Sara—as I managed to scramble us both into a corner.

"Check your fucking fire!" I growled.

"Identify yourself!" snapped a voice.

"Hunter 12-08-06," I replied, "Oliviera."

"Our apologies, sir. We were told the resistance was present," I put my hand over Terra's mouth and motioned for her to be quiet as I stood.

"It's fine. I realise it's chaotic. Just watch who you're shooting at," I made a show of reloading, and they nodded before filing out the door on the other side.

"You've shot more of them than anyone here," Terra smiled.

"Yeah, I shut down their feeds. They have no idea. It looks like you blinded them. Sorry," I shrugged and motioned for her to follow me. By the time we made it to the street, there were calls and cries as I made my way to my car. She leant against the car, her knee bent as her foot was against the door, her eyes on mine.

"So, what now, Mr. Oliviera?"

"Give me the detonator, Terra," I said, my words edged with command as I raised my gun. I wouldn't fire, but she had to know I wasn't in the mood to be played with.

"You saved the day," she smiled and offered up the detonator, confirming my theory that her plan had gone off as she expected. I watched her for a moment before she smiled softly. "Now, are you gonna kiss me or keep pointing the wrong gun at me?"

I opened the door, pushed her inside, and followed her. The moment the door closed, my lips were upon hers, my hands roaming her body before reaching to unclip her tactical vest. Mentally, my hands were searching for blood and injury; realistically, I wanted her.