Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(81)

"What if that's what they want-to feel you out?" Auggie asked.

"Auggie, they've seen and heard enough already, I think," I said. "Why would they keep doing dumb stuff after all that?"

"To see if you have a weak spot," Ilya poured Scotch for me and pointed to a barstool.

"So they steal crowns, jewels and artwork, to sell to fund an insurgency," I said. "Then, they attempt to destroy our Program, because they learn we might be able to stop them," I began to tick items off on my fingers.

"When their first several attempts failed, they set the creatures free, assuming we'd be sent to look for them. After we solve that riddle and get rid of all that, they send somebody with a clouded mind against me, because they know I can see through most people. Still, we manage to survive what should have blown us to bits in Alaska. After that, they think they've killed us off and start bombing planes from different countries, possibly intending to point a finger at the insurgents, who'd love to start World War III anyway. When the shipment of rockets they send to the insurgents is rendered harmless by us, they hand over bigger bombs that need floppy drives to work. Is any of this making any sense to anybody?" I asked.

"Is that meeting going to have sufficient security?" Ilya asked.

"The best we can provide."

"They've managed to keep us busy, haven't they?" Richard said. He and Maye walked in and took seats at the island. Ilya held up the bottle of Scotch. Richard nodded and rose to collect two more glasses.

"Fuckers," Auggie huffed, emptying his glass in one swallow and holding it out for a refill.

"We still have to consider where Merle Askins fits into this," Maye said.

"I have an idea he's either dead or a drug survivor," I said. "I can't get a line on him, either way."

"I hope he's dead," Ilya hissed.

"The media says he's in another country with no extradition treaty," Richard said.

"While that could be a probability, we can't say that for certain," Auggie supplied. "We have no evidence as to where he is-last we heard, it looked as if his vehicle was headed north."

"Toward Canada, maybe, where Hal Prentice is holed up?"

"Maybe." Auggie's one-word answer was accompanied by a shrug.

"So we wait until they start lobbing missiles, which Corinne will have to deal with?" Opal and Matt joined us at the island.

"Looks that way," Auggie agreed. "I hate this," he added.

*

Video-Drug Subject: Merle Askins

"Too bad about your blood type-we could have created something better if you'd had one of the blood types we've already used," the doctor nodded as Merle Askins held the hand mirror up to examine his face.

"This is beyond f*cked up," Merle threw the mirror at the wall with a snarl. It shattered with a crash-its glass and plastic shards spattering across the sterile tile of his hospital room.

"You're stronger, now-much stronger," the doctor pointed out. "Perhaps that will compensate for the scales. Prove yourself to us and we'll enroll you in the replication program."

*

Ilya

"My darling, you must stop worrying." I found Corinne sitting up in bed in the middle of the night, arms wrapped around knees, her head lowered. My hand automatically went to the tender skin at the back of her neck; I massaged those muscles gently, as they were knotted with tension.

"I can't turn it off, honey," she murmured. "I can't shut it out like I did in Alaska. My son died because of that."

This was a conversation we hadn't had, and that worried me. "Cabbage, all of us face terrible things. No matter how good we are, we cannot prevent all of them from happening." The sheets rustled as I shoved them back and worked myself into a sitting position beside her.

"Will you answer a question for me, then?" she sighed.

"Always."

"What if," she began and then stopped.

"What if what?" I said when she failed to continue.

"Ilya, I love you more than anything," she said.

"And I you."

"But what if-what if I'm faced with a choice-of saving you from something awful, or letting the enemy get away?"

"Cabbage, listen to me," I said, pulling her face around so our eyes met. "Get that piece of excrement. No matter what. I have been taking care of myself for a very long time. Let me worry about me in that situation. Take the bastard down."

"Then you do the same, Ilya," she said before kissing me fiercely and drawing away to speak again. "No matter what my situation is, kill him if you can."

"I have never had a love such as this," I said. "We understand one another."

"I've waited for you my whole life," she said and kissed me again.

*

"Colonel Hunter, I have questions," I said the following morning. I'd left Corinne asleep in bed-she'd finally succumbed after I loved her into exhaustion.

"About?"

"Harriett Majors. What was her relationship with her husband like? Do you know?"

"I-uh, well, see James. He was curious, you understand."

"Of course. Thank you, Colonel Hunter."