87 Below

Chapter 18: Backslide

Atlas tapped his foot on the metal flooring irritably.

"Where is she? She said to meet here in five."

"Shh! You'll get us caught," Hope scolded the man in a hushed tone. As if on cue, footsteps sounded from behind them. They had holed up in the boiler room just behind a sizable unfamiliar piece of machinery. Its loud hiss sounded every so often emitting scolding steam from the top. The footfalls reached closer to their position, forcing them to move around the other side of the contraption.

Peering carefully from his crouched position, Atlas saw greasy grime-covered boots standing inches from his face. The engineer paid no attention to the two as she moved across the room and to another machine that needed maintenance.

Atlas saw movement from the corner of his eye. Anita was using a large circular tube as cover and waving them forward. He signalled back to Hope, who obeyed, taking the lead. They remained crouched as they crept across the concrete floor to their companion.

With a glare, Atlas whispered, "You said five minutes. We were worried-."

"There's no time." When Anita spoke, her voice was grave. Her jaw set in a hard line.

Atlas popped his mouth shut as he listened to the older woman. She looked as if she had seen a ghost.

"They are launching a counter-attack. They located the camp. Please tell me you prepared for this."

Atlas was stunned. He remained frozen as Hope responded, "No. Colin said that the camp was erased from their system memory."

"It was," Anita said grimly, "But they found one of our soldiers alive and questioned her in the meeting... threatened her daughters too." She shook her head, vigorously, "We need a distribution to buy them time. Anything will help."

"We have an army," Atlas chimed in, raising his sullen face.

"Don't be ridiculous, Atlas. We only had enough manpower for the one attack. We already lost many men, and who knows if the reinforcement stuck around. They have rights and lives to maintain aside from the war."

"Not them. The prisoners." Atlas held Hope's gaze steadily and ran a hand through his sweaty hair. The thick black curls fell into his face despite the effort, "We can set them free and start a rebellion from within. The perfect Trojan horse. Angry prisoners."

Hope's eyes went wide with-- well-- hope.

She must be thinking about her mother.

Her big green saucers immediately shifted. She seemed concerned, confused, and upset, "But... they'll die. They're still weak and broken. Even if we free them, how do we know they'll fight? And If they do, how many will we lose?"

Bitterly, Atlas replied, "They're already dead. We can only offer them freedom and pray they take it." Atlas turned his gaze to Anita, "How do we do it?"

Anita nodded and painted an image on the concrete with her finger. The visual aid gave no actual visual, but it eased Atlas' mind nevertheless to see her detail the plan. He watched her fingers as she explained the control room and how to access it. The entire situation was surreal. He was in his early twenties and leading a frenzy of rebellious prisoners. Atlas sighed and wished for a normal existence filled with work, family, and boring adventures.

What is normal?

"How is your memory?" The squadron leader questioned. Atlas furrowed his brow. Noticing his questioning look, she amended, "I corresponded with Colin to make sure you got out safely. He told me the implants had messed with your memory."

Atlas nodded in confirmation, "Mine hasn't fully returned. I can only remember little pieces."

Anita swore under her breath silently. Suddenly, more footsteps headed towards them once more. The group shrunk into each other, pressing their bodies tight against the metal protection. The steps eventually faded, making exhale in relief.

"Then we have no way of even cracking the system to free the prisoners. If your memory had returned..."

"What are you talking about?" Hope questioned, "What would he remember?"

"Atlas," she said, gesturing to him, "was the best hacktivist in the resistance. If we needed into a database, he was the one to do it. Years of practice will do that for you. But if you can't remember..." She clapped him on the back, causing him to jolt forward on the balls of his feet.

Hope bit her lip, clearly contemplating something. "Maybe this..." She trailed off quietly inching toward Atlas. The man was shocked when her soft lips brushed against his own. The feeling sent blood rushing to his cheeks. It was an innocent kiss, but something about it felt electrifying. Her golden orange hair licked at his face, tickling his jaw. This felt right. The gorgeous girl pulled away too soon for his liking, leaving him to stare in confusion, mouth open like a fish out of water. Anita was watching them curiously, possibly confused.

"What...," The words were a failed attempt at comprehension as they left Atlas' lips.

Hope was beet red as she tried to defend herself. "I-I just thought that since we were finances once... Maybe that would-- forget it. It obviously didn't work."

The ghost of her lips lingered in his mind. He attempted to shake the thoughts from his brain to regain any symbolism of his past. Hope composed herself before continuing in a calm and collected tone.

"Well, we have to try this. There has to be something in the database to help us, right?"

Atlas shrugged, "Yeah, maybe theirs, a sticky note with the password." His voice dripped with thick sarcasm as he rolled his eyes at Hope. The girl squinted at him and pushed him forward just as A had done, earning her a glare. Clearly, the kiss had been purely experimental.

"Last time I ever kiss you," Hope muttered and crossed her arms defensively, "I meant something to help jog our memories. They had to have files on us, right? It is a lab, after all."

Atlas nodded, pushing her warmth out of his mind, "Maybe. It's a risk, but it's a risk I'm willing to take if it means freeing your mother. I owe her." At this, Hope smiled. The smile was almost enough to make him forget their impending failure.

"It's settled then. you two sneak into the control room, access the database--hopefully regain your memory-- and free the prisoners." Anita looked worried as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders, "Please be careful. The resistance needs you. We all do."

With that, the woman scurried into the hallway where they had all entered. Atlas and Hope shared an awkward and silent moment before moving to follow. They secured their helmets once more and walked briskly and discretely toward the control room.

They moved with intent and purpose, walking side by side. Even so, Atlas couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen today.