Jack woke in his own king-sized bed with a nasty hangover. The pink-haired woman and redhead lay naked across the bed. He realized he was unclothed as well and quickly donned a bathrobe. The night was a blur in his mind. He was pretty sure they had slipped something in his drink. He'd remembered seeing Henry and Alexandra in some compromising positions. He wished he could burn those memories out of his mind.At one point, he remembered fending off Alexandra and had instead picked the lesser of the two evils. He ended up sleeping with these two girls instead. He wasn't proud, nor happy about it, but it was better than sleeping with a woman that looked like the woman he loved.He showered the sweat and other dried fluids off of him, wanting to scrape the stench of the previous night away. He slipped out of the bathroom. The two women still lay passed out on his bed. He went to the kitchen where his cook sat grilling up a meal. To his surprise, Alexandra and Henry sat at the table drink
The crowd was smaller than when Henry was elected and there was no big throne to cart Jack around when the final results were announced, but it was still exciting and loud. They sat at tables in his mansion with live coverage plastered all around the walls in the room behind the foyer and the outdoor pool area just on the other side.When the announcement finally hit, Jack couldn't help but be excited. The air buzzed with it. The roar of the crowd surged through him. Deep down he still felt lonely, but on the surface he drank in the praise and tried to fill the emptiness. Henry sat to his right and Zeven to the left. They were the first ones to pull him into a hug. Alexandra was next. She held him a little longer than he felt comfortable."Congratulations," she purred in his ear over the noise."Thank you," he pushed away from the hug and went to shake some hands with the campaign team. His team had been much smaller than that of Henry's, but many of them were the same people.Afte
Jack turned another page of the bill in front of him with a flick of his fingers. He blinked his eyes tight to try and relieve the strain from the screen, then rubbed at them when that failed. His cuff buzzed. He twisted it to read the message.It was a text from Dyna that read "Dinner tonight?"Jack frowned. He had been trying to do his best to stay away from her as Henry suggested, but it was hard coming up with excuses to dodge her invitations. He let the message sit while he continued reading through the bill.Most of the bills trying to get passed were vetoed just because they were so complex that most of the Representatives didn't feel comfortable passing them. For instance, this one would allow a human to purchase health care from a hybrid company, but it also allowed pods to use more power, let corporations lower wages, and let insurance companies increase minimum deductions. So, for one good thing that could be had, numerous bad things would get passed along with it. The Re
"I really don't like you seeing her," Henry grumbled.Jack stood with his hands on his hips in Henry's office. "I don't really think you get a choice in the matter. Besides, aren't you always telling me to network?""Yes, but she's a wild card.""A very rich wild card. I thought you were okay with this?""I never said I was okay with it. I said I would have to make some changes with it." Henry sat back in his chair."Well then make your changes. Put me down for two for the Christmas party tonight.""Why do I have to put you down for it? She's hosting it, isn't she?""I don't want someone to see that as an opening to fill.""Fine." Henry gave a violent flick and Jack assumed the change had been made. "But I want you to be careful. If you let her get too close..." His eyes ran to Jack's ears and he felt like Henry was looking right into him. Jack brushed the notion away."Don't worry. I will make sure it doesn't affect my work."Henry looked as if he would say something else, b
Jack opened his eyes. The biome he stood in was covered in snow. The last time he had seen snow was the first time he held Alex in his arms overnight. That pang hit his stomach again. He fixed his frown into a smile and looked at the scene. Lights hung across the top arch. Trees dotted the open area lit in colorful lights and sparkling garland. People milled about in coats and hats as they headed toward a giant glasshouse. It was truly a winter wonderland, but all Jack could do was think of the base where he had left Alex."Do you like it?" Dyna asked.Jack smiled. "Of course I do.""Have you ever seen snow before?"Jack thought it an odd question but then realized that most people in the Undersea hadn't. He shook his head."It's great. You can make snowmen out of it and throw snowballs, just like they do in the movies.""Really?" Jack did his best to fake interest."You've seen this before, haven't you?""Not this one. Show me.""You're a hard one to surprise." She grabbed hi
"Come on, you can do it!" Alex held Brooke's hand as she breathed hard.Tom held her other hand. "Come on, honey. One more big push."Brooke's grunts turned to a guttural scream as she pushed hard. The nurse caught the baby as it slid free. Crying filled the room as the newborn was shocked with sudden brightness from the overhead lights."It's a healthy baby girl," the nurse said and set the baby down on Brooke's stomach. "Would you like to do the honors?"Tom accepted the special scissors and clamped the umbilical cord."Let me get her all cleaned up for you. I'll be right back." The nurse took the newborn and disappeared behind the curtain."Good job! She's beautiful," Alex said and squeezed Brooke's hand.Brooke's brow beaded with sweat. Her nightgown was soaked through, but even so, she glowed. Tom glowed, too, for that matter. She'd never seen him look so happy. She knew she had made the right decision all that time ago.When the nurse returned, she gave the newborn over t
Jack looked up from his desk as Henry entered his white marble office."I want you to recommend to veto that bill," Henry said as he entered.Jack frowned as he looked down at the screen with the current bill on it. He flicked and the screen folded down into the table. "I haven't finished reading through it yet, but so far it is the most direct bill I have read since I've started and that includes the ones you've written.""Just veto it.""Normally, you tell me to read over it and think about it carefully. You don't normally order me to do something."Henry put his hands on his hips. "Don't mess with me. Just do what I say."'Jack looked down at the screen in the table and then back up to Henry. "What's in the bill that's so bad? So far it just seems like basic laws and rights for humans.""It's bad for business. Just veto it. It's got loopholes and stuff. You're my friend right?""Well, yeah.""So, listen to me.""I still think I should at least read it first."Henry came u
Jack finalized his materials for the meeting and waved the save button. He stood and smoothed out his suit, buttoning one button. After one more look at the material, he strode out of his office into the greeting area. A wave at his secretary made him only hesitate a moment as he walked past. There was something new about her today, or was she a different woman? He kept walking and pushed the thought for another time. If she was new, he would introduce himself later.He hurried past Henry's office area and took the elevator down. After the courtyard, he walked to the main meeting building. After a few levels, he reached the press meeting room. It was packed with people already. The chairs were full so he stood in the back with the other displaced people, mostly cameramen who manned their small orbs with tedious fingers.Henry stood on the stage with Zeven at his right and Alexandra at his left. A few others from his office stood behind him, probably just for moral support. Guards and
Jack woke with a splitting headache. The white tile ceiling above him looked like that of a hospital room. He gave an inward sigh. The last time had been three months. He wondered how long it had been this time.His fingers felt tight and his hand cramped. He looked over to see they were taped together with someone else's hand. He blinked the sleep from his eyes. As his vision cleared, he saw Alex lying on the cot next to him. Their tactical suits had been removed but the tech suit remained. Both of them were layered in blankets strapped to wires. He racked his brain and remembered the nova they had set off. The third one in a row must have taken its toll.He sent heat into Alex's hand. Her eyes blinked opened. She pulled at her taped hand and then used her free hand to rub her eyes. She looked around. "What's going on?""Wish I knew," Jack answered.She quirked a smile, then pushed the covers back. "It's kind of hot in here, isn't it?""Is it? I can't really tell." Jack sat up, l
The rumbling throughout the Sanctuary stilled as the battle above drew silent. Tom turned to Jimmy. Jimmy nodded and the team climbed to the Surface.After the light, the tunnel, and the door, they emptied out onto the street. Their men looked tired but had smiles on their faces. The team leaders directed them on searches to find any survivors, whether they were friend or foe."Has anyone seen Alex?" Jimmy shouted.Several people shook their heads.Jimmy turned to his team. "Let's spread out. Knowing them, they'll be up somewhere high."The team diverged. Tom searched on his own, always keeping at least his pistol at the ready. The sun slipped over the horizon casting the buildings in a deep twilight glow. Tom climbed the stairs on several buildings to the top but didn't find anything except dead bodies and empty bullet casings. After five buildings, the night settled in. The tanks disappeared back down into the tunnel. Jimmy recruited more people to help search. Armor-clad bodies
Someone was calling his name. At least he thought. There it was again. Tom blinked. The room was black and hazy."Tom?" Jimmy's face loomed above him."What happened?""A fireman got to you. Are you alright?"Tom wiggled his fingers. He could feel the skin pulling across his arm as he moved. "I'll be okay, just a few blisters." He pushed back to his feet, climbing up over the top of the dead Alphas.Their power suit clad soldiers surrounded the room with guns drawn. Bullets covered the floor along with bodies of the Alphas and a few of his team members. His stomach twisted at the loss of good men.Jimmy put a hand on the shoulder of his power armor. "They died saving us. We need to get moving. We've gotten ten so far. We'll finish a sweep and then start clearing the level below."Tom nodded. "Let's go."Jimmy led the way. His team fell in behind him as they jogged down the streets checking building to building. The battle had tightened in around the Sanctuary. The noise of it s
The three of them sat dressed in black tactical gear layered over Alpha tech suits. Alex's dirty face watched Jack as he tightened down the straps on her suit."We stick together, okay. No running off and playing hero on your own," Jack warned. He looked at Lexi while he said it."I thought you were going to make me stay in the pod," Lexi said."I would but it won't be safe there.""I don't think it will be any safer with us," Alex said in a low tone.Jack turned to Alex. "At least we will be able to keep an eye on her. She tends to always find trouble when I tell her to stay put."Alex's eyes flashed to Lexi. "Don't I know it."Lexi rolled her eyes. "If it weren't for me, you guys wouldn't be together, or maybe you'd even be dead.""Watch your tone young lady," Alex warned.Lexi grinned. "I know you're trying to be all tough, but it's really good to hear you say that." She stepped forward and gave Alex a hug.Alex melted. She laid her head against Lexi's cheek. "You're so ta
Jack reached over and touched Alex's shoulder. "Wake up, love."Alex squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed at them with the back of her hands smearing the soot across her face. "How long has it been?" She looked over at Lexi sleeping in a reclined chair.He reached his hand out and wiped at a smudge with his thumb. It only made it worse but she smiled at the touch. "About six hours," he said."You shouldn't have let me sleep so long. You need rest, too.""I got a few hours. Don't worry so much."Alex looked out the pod screen. "I can't help it. I'm finally free of Henry's terror, but now I feel like we're on the verge of losing it all."Jack's mouth drew down in a frown. "It's not going to be pretty. Ellie messaged me before we left her range. Looks like the Alphas are ahead of us by a few hours. When we get there, we will have to fight through them to get to the base."Alex nodded. "Did you see much of it when you visited? It's huge.""No, I only really had one thing on my mind at
Tom sat at the table drumming his fingers. "Does anyone actually know how to work these computers other than Ellie?"The five people working the screen didn't look up.Jimmy crossed his arms over his chest. "Just give them time.""General, the ships are in place.""Good," Janice said, leaning over the tech's workstation. "Anyone have a status on the Alphas?""They're closing in. The ships are taking them out now.""It looks like they are floating topside. Orders?""There's nothing the ships can do up there. Tell them to concentrate on as many darts as they can. Send runners topside and tell them to prepare." Janice turned to Jimmy and Tom. "That's your cue. Do your best."Tom saluted and Jimmy nodded. They turned out into the hall. Their teams waited for them, strapped with weapons and power armor. Tom donned the power armor helmet, gave a nod to Jimmy, and led his team away.As they walked down the halls, they passed locked doors to apartments. Their people, the ones that wer
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him as the gunfire continued to rain down on them. She lifted her chin up. Her eyes connected with his and she smiled.He smiled back. They were going to make it. Somehow, they were going to make it. He tilted his face down and pressed his lips to hers. The liquid electricity filled him. He could feel the energy building in them. He held on to it as he kissed her. She parted her soft lips and he slid his tongue inside. Her tongue moved along his, soft, slow, and passionate. He pressed her against him, gathering the energy they created. He could feel the energy sparkling on his fingertips, asking to be released. He held it back until they vibrated. Finally, he let it go.The white-hot fire burst from them. In his mind, he could feel it like an extra sense. He coated the stadium with it. He could tell it what to touch and what not to. Screams of Alphas pierced the gunshots as the white fire flashed into a nova. He could feel the en
Jack turned to Lexi. "You have to stay here. Got it?""But, Dad-""No. Stay. Promise me that you will stay?""Please let me help."Jack shook his head. "There is nothing you can do, muffin. Please. I don't want to worry about you. I have to get your mother and I need you to be safe. So take the pod and go. I will catch up as soon as I can." Jack flicked at the controls, locking them in place.He held his arms out for a hug. She stepped into it, burying her face in his shoulder. He held her tightly."I love you," he whispered. "You've grown into a fine young lady. I couldn't be more proud of you.""Please don't leave me again," she whispered.His heart sank and he hugged her even tighter. "It will be the last time. When this is all over, I will always be at your side. I promise.""You better."He stroked the back of her head. "Please be safe." He stepped back to look at her."Wait." She pulled the sapphire ring off her finger and stuffed it in his shoulder pocket."What's th
Alex stood locked in a small empty room the size of a utility closet. The walls lay bare except for the light switch. She flicked at the walls, but the screens were disabled and didn't respond.She paced back and forth, rubbing the Vice at her neck. Her bare feet didn't make a sound as they worked the white tile of the floor. She had to figure a way out of here. She needed to find Brooke and Tom. They had to be free. They were only here because of her. This was her problem, her world, not theirs. She flicked her palm open and drew a fireball. Her insides were still hot, but the pull of energy from just one fireball was tremendous. The amount of focus it took to wield it was much harder than it had been when she was pregnant.Alex pressed her ear to the door. Two heartbeats from the other side. She had no weapons other than the fire. She may be able to take out one Alpha, but not two. She sighed, then moved to another wall. There was no sound coming from that side. She tapped on it. S