Darkest Days Read online

  Whether they were getting stronger, or the notion of getting out of the darkness was driving the soldiers, he wasn’t sure. They moved quicker up the stairs than he anticipated they could. Breathing so hard from the effort, they were unable to respond to the Anunnaki soldiers who greeted them at the top. They took the last step and entered the warm sunlight, leaning their heads back to soak it in and laughing as they tried to catch their breath.

  Athos settled on the guardrail at the edge of the city with his hands on his knees. After a short-lived celebration, his exhausted soldiers collapsed on the benches lining the park that composed the perimeter of the city.

  The general blinked his eyes, having trouble seeing in the bright light after being in the darkness for so long. He glanced around the Pegasus’ city. Pride swelled in him as he surveyed his people. The Anunnaki were resilient. They’d been reliant on slaves and advanced technology for millennia, and both had been taken away from them in an instant. This upheaval of their way of life would leave most species in a state of chaos, but not the Anunnaki.

  There were a few hundred slaves from other planets aboard the Pegasus. Most of them were house servants, though a few were used for the less desirable aspects of the ship’s maintenance. These slaves were controlled by brainwashing and intimidation, and the green entity hadn’t been able to free them. The slave gene incorporated into the humans’ DNA had seemed brilliant before this attack, but now Athos wondered if the old ways of controlling other species were better options.

  His soldiers guarded the perimeter railing, armed with the primitive, metal-projectile-firing weapons they’d gathered. Since the citizens, sailors, and soldiers had moved up to the city from the dark apartments on the lower levels of the ship, they’d had to erect tents in the parks to house them.

  “General Athos.” Gentras’ voice caught his attention. “Thank the gods for your safe return.”

  Gentras strolled between the tents toward him, smiling his greeting.

  “How did you fare on your mission?” Gentras looked worried. He was wise enough to know that they couldn’t survive without the allegiance of the humans.

  “It was a success,” Athos reported. “Most of the humans in the city answer to a single leader called Shamus. I met with this boy, and he has vowed his allegiance.”

  “How will it help us fight this enemy?” Gentras asked, gesturing to the sky with his hands. “We have no weapons that are capable of harming it.”

  “Not yet,” Athos answered. “But I think the enemy expects the humans to turn against us. We will show it that the humans belong to the Anunnaki—that they are our weapons.”

  “I see,” Gentras said, sounding mildly disappointed. “Not a path that will lead to the annihilation of the enemy.”

  “That will come later,” Athos replied. “Until we can learn more, we must thwart their plans where we can and search for their weaknesses.”

  After staring silently at Athos for a moment, Gentras nodded. “I must respect your wisdom on these issues of military strategy. My expertise is politics, after all. I lead with the pen and not the sword.”

  “And you excel in that arena. I see you’ve been busy in my absence.” Athos returned his smile.

  “Indeed, we have,” Gentras replied. “Despite the dreadful gravity on this planet, we’ve managed to establish ourselves in a relatively comfortable way. When you are rested, I can give you a tour.”

  “Rest is not a luxury I can afford.” Athos stood, his joints complaining with cracking sounds. “I’ll have your tour now, if the option is available.”

  He tried not to sound like he was giving orders to the aristocrat. Although martial law had taken effect, and he was technically in charge, he didn’t intend to flex his authority unless circumstances deemed it necessary. If he had to put them in line, he’d reserve giving orders to the elder aristocrats for closed-door meetings. The citizens needed to feel like the Anunnaki system of government still functioned; it would help them stay sane. They’d lost so much that was familiar to them, and the political system was one of the few things that could be maintained without the need for advanced technology.

  “You are incredible,” Gentras replied, smiling at him. “I’d be fit for the afterlife if I just endured the adventure you’ve been through.”

  “It is my duty,” Athos replied, trying not to grimace. “Please, lead the way.”

  “Very well.” Gentras turned and walked toward the city. “As you can see, the soldiers have set up camps around the outside, creating a protective barrier for the citizens who occupy the inner city.”

  The aristocrat’s voice carried more pride than usual. He led the general into the city, seeming excited to show him what he’d accomplished.

  “We had to repurpose some of the Pegasus’ systems, finding those drainage, water storage, and supply facilities that do not require power,” he said, pointing at a fountain where citizens lined up with vessels to collect their ration of hydration.

  “How are we getting water up here?” the general inquired.

  “Luckily, the ship’s reservoirs had just been topped off before the purification system was deactivated.”

  “But those are on the lower levels of the ship,” Athos replied. “There is only one tank up here, and it can’t hold enough to last for long.”

  “Our engineers are the finest in the fleet,” Gentras replied. “They are working on developing wind turbines and other methods for transporting the water. For now, we’ve had to use the loyal humans to manually bring it up.”

  Athos looked where the aristocrat pointed and could see the engineers working to build wind turbines along the round building’s crown.

  “They are going to connect those to pumps?” he asked.

  “Yes, using an ingenious gear system they’re putting together. You can see the first one being assembled on the exterior of the coliseum.”

  “Impressive.” Athos had always thought of the engineering department as a place to send those not brave enough to be soldiers. He’d never underestimate the white-jumpsuit-wearing tinkerers again.

  “It seems like they’re working on more wind turbines than should be needed to bring up water,” he observed.

  “I expect they’ll get the water moving fairly quickly,” Gentras replied. “The rest of the turbines they plan to connect to reduction gears they are building. I have them experimenting with different generator ideas so we can try to get some electricity back online.”

  “It seems the enemy has control over electricity, even in its crudest form,” Athos said. “Somehow, I doubt they will succeed with the generators.”

  “I fear you are correct,” Gentras agreed.

  “However.” Athos rubbed his chin. “There are lots of other ways we can use this energy they are harnessing.”

  Gentras continued his tour, and Athos’ admiration for the Pegasus’ engineering team grew. They were coming up with solutions to create a sustainable environment for the citizens and soldiers who occupied the ship’s city. When they’d first landed, he didn’t imagine they’d be able to stay on the upper levels for long, as it would be hard to get resources. But these problems were quickly being solved.

  “Pardon me, General,” Gentras said, sounding weary. “I must sit for a moment; this gravity makes me feel twice as old.”

  “Please,” Athos replied.

  They settled on a bench near the railing along the opposite side of the city from where the general had ascended. Athos looked out into the darkness that seemed to shroud the rest of the planet. Then he leaned his head back and let the blessed warmth of the light that spilled down onto the ship bathe his face.

  “This light is a resource,” he mused. “If we could send some of it down to the areas surrounding the Pegasus, we could use it to help us control the new human recruits.”

  “Like a form of payment for their allegiance,” Gentras agreed. “We should be able to use the reflectors that concentrate the ship’s plasma pulses from the main gun
s. Although, it may intensify the light too much if we aren’t careful. We’ll have to make some modifications.”

  “It would be better if the engineers could make the reflectors variable. We may be able to get a dual purpose out of them.” Athos imagined having a concentrated beam of the warm light might give them a tactical advantage if the ship was attacked.

  He stood and looked down the side. Darkness shrouded everything, and he could only see the fires burning to keep the soldiers warm on the ground far below.

  “How are our food supplies?”

  “We are harvesting the food from the ship’s gardens and preserving it, mostly by drying the vegetables in this sunlight,” Gentras answered. “There is more than enough to feed the citizens and soldiers, though I don’t think we can sustain a human army for long.”

  “They’ll have to find food on their own,” Athos said. “Keeping our people fed and safe up here is the top priority.”

  “Will they stay loyal if we don’t feed them?”

  “I’m glad to hear your concern on that subject; a strong army should be one of our primary objectives,” Athos commented. “If we can divert some of this sunlight to the ground, I expect it’s all the motivation they’ll need.”

  “What if the humans we recruit turn on us?” Gentras continued. “Why would they let us control this light when they could just overrun us and take it for their own?”

  “If we can concentrate the sunlight, we can weaponize it,” Athos answered. “With that and my soldiers standing guard, we should be able to hold this high ground.”

  “And what if the enemy takes this light from us?” Gentras asked, sounding more curious to know Athos’ plans than afraid. “What will we do then?”

  “We will do what we’re doing now,” the general replied, trying not to sound grim. “We’ll adapt, improvise, and survive. It is our duty. We may be all that is left of our species.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Although it did nothing to abate the darkness, Shane could see the black disk with a faint halo of light surrounding it making its journey across the starry sky. It set in the west, then rose in the east and passed overhead, heading down to end another day. Fear of incineration by the Greenie driving them, they continued to march.

  His charge of kids had slowed to nearly a crawl, and the sounds of their footfalls grew louder as they began dragging their feet through the leaf litter.

  “They need rest,” Steve said in a hushed voice after helping a boy who’d tripped and fallen in front of them to his feet.

  “I know,” Shane replied. “I’m just afraid of what will happen to them if we stop.”

  They exited the forest into a cow pasture. Another kid tripped over her own feet and fell into the frosted grass. Shane decided they had no choice.

  “Let’s take a break here for a few hours,” he ordered, rubbing warmth into his arms. “Build some fires before we all freeze to death and then get some sleep.”

  Sighs of relief echoed across the pasture. Shane ordered a head count.

  “We’ve got to be out of the parklands now,” Tracy observed. “The going should get easier.”

  “Yeah, until we get to Atlanta,” Shane said, glancing at Kelly.

  Her face reflected the starlight. She wore the oblivious expression she’d had since they were reunited with her and Jules. Jules seemed more content now that they headed for a showdown with the Anunnaki. However, she still cast murderous glares toward Jones and his clones every few minutes. He hated keeping her bound, but if the tall, wiry girl got loose, she would kill any Anunnaki she could get her hands on.

  “I found some blackberries by the forest,” Nat said.

  Shane looked toward the sound of her voice and saw her walk up to Kelly. The little girl shivered from the cold. She held the berries in her shirt and looked timid, like she wasn’t sure if her sister would blow up at her again.

  “Thanks,” Kelly said, reaching to take a handful.

  Kelly grinned at Shane, as if to show she was trying to be amiable. She seemed to feel bad for not remembering her little sister, and perhaps him. Although it wasn’t the look of affection he remembered and longed for, her smile sent a surge of warmth through his heart. Shane smiled back, and then noticed the world seemed to get brighter. At first, he thought it was just his imagination.

  “Blessed sunlight,” Maurice announced, clapping his hands.

  Shane looked up and saw the black disk pull away from the sun. Brilliant yellow light blinded him. He kept his face tilted up with his eyes closed against the brightness, drinking in the light and warmth. The kids broke into relieved cheers, some of them weeping with joy. The sunlight immediately warmed the pasture and even the cows mooed their excitement.

  “It only shines on this pasture,” Steve observed. “Look, the area beyond the fence is still dark.”

  “It’s our reward for doing what we are supposed to be doing,” Jules said frankly. “When the sunlight fades, we’d better continue toward Atlanta.”

  No one responded to her. Shane didn’t doubt she spoke the truth now. He expected Greenie would return and take more lives if they didn’t continue. For the moment, he didn’t care. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes again, bathing in sunlight. Nothing had ever felt so good.

  “All accounted for,” Tracy said.

  Barely able to open his eyes against the light, he looked over at her, amazed they hadn’t lost anybody while stumbling in the woods. She smiled at him and sat down next to Jules.

  “I don’t care if you are crazy,” Tracy said, leaning her head against Jules’ shoulder.

  When the bound girl tore her squinted gaze away from Jones, her expression softened. She pressed her lips against the top of Tracy’s head.

  Jones looked at Shane and shrugged his shoulders. The alien looked beaten down and demoralized. This wasn’t the same man who’d trained them for all those months, and Shane didn’t know how to help him.

  Shane’s eyes slowly grew accustomed to the light. The kids around him settled in the grass, and then began lying down. They soaked up the sun and fell asleep. Shane thought it a brilliant idea, and lay down near Kelly. Within minutes, the warmth soothed him into a deep slumber.

  “Shane!” Kelly’s voice cut through his comatose state. “I remember you! I remember everything!”

  “What…?” He sat up, annoyed at first that he’d been woken. Then what she said registered. “That’s wonderful.”

  Kelly’s smile was bigger than he’d seen it since before the Anunnaki came. Her beaming face reflected the sunlight, and she appeared to be an angel to him. She surprised him with a kiss, pressing her lips to his and holding them there. Excitement, joy, and relief ignited in him. He wanted to stay locked in her embrace forever.

  Kelly pulled away from him, her eyes widening.

  “Nat,” she whispered.

  She hopped to her feet and spun around, looking for her sister. Nat lay near the other children, asleep on her back with the sun shining on her dirt-smudged face. Kelly darted to her side, scooping her up into her arms and spinning her around while singing out her name.

  Nat woke with the same look of confusion Shane had felt. Kelly explained her memory had returned and landed Nat on her feet. They danced around each other, laughing and crying at the same time.

  Shane glanced at the sky. The sun was an hour from the horizon. He guessed he’d gotten four or five hours of sleep. The rest of the kids on the field were still laying down, though a few had sat up, no doubt roused by Kelly and Nat’s revelry.

  He watched them dance and hug each other, the joy he felt receding as he remembered the dire situation they were in. Still, even if they had to fight to their deaths, he’d rather do it with Kelly remembering him and Nat. He’d savor every moment they had left.

  “What’s going on?” Jules asked groggily.

  Shane went to her, helping her sit up. He hoped the benefit Kelly experienced had extended to his tall friend.

  “Kelly’s
memory has returned,” he said, the excitement bubbling in his voice. “How do you feel?”

  “A lot less like killing those guys,” she said, eyeing Jones and his clones. “It’s like I was possessed or something. All I could think about was murdering every Anunnaki I could get my hands on.”

  “Jones,” Shane called.

  The captain stood and walked over. His face didn’t express the excitement the humans felt about seeing the sun. He looked down at Jules, compassion in his eyes. Though he’d always been a stoic person, Shane could see how much Jones cared for them.

  Jules’ expression didn’t change. Shane couldn’t find the rage that seemed to boil in her eyes every time she’d looked at the Anunnaki since getting off the busted alien transport.

  “I think you can untie her,” Jones said, answering Shane’s question before he had a chance to ask it.

  “I’ll keep an eye on her,” Tracy said, seeming eager to get her girlfriend out of the bindings.

  Jules looked up at Shane, her expression saying she’d be okay with whatever he decided. He studied her eyes a moment longer, searching for any sign of her former insanity.

  “Untie her,” he said hesitantly.

  Tracy didn’t wait for a second invitation. She went to work on Maurice’s knots, freeing Jules.

  “So much better,” Jules said, rubbing her arms.

  Shane felt terrible, seeing the red indentations the rope had left on her skin.

  “Don’t worry,” she said, sounding grateful. “I’ll tell you if I feel weird again.”

  He nodded and turned his attention back to Kelly and Nat. They’d sat down and were still laughing and hugging each other. Kelly waved for him to come sit with her. He did as she asked, and she put an arm around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder as she continued to listen to her little sister. Bubbling with excitement, Nat told Kelly about all that had happened at the hidden base while Kelly and the others were gone. Nat relayed the new responsibilities she’d taken on, sounding much more mature than he remembered.