She twisted in his grasp, thrashing fiercely, but iron hands closed around her throat. A heavy booted foot pushed her down, pinning her against the lake floor.
Don’t give up! a panicked part of her said. You’re the Flying Fish, and fish don’t drown!
But even flying fish need to breathe… and the hands were cutting off her gills and her windpipe. Her arms and legs felt weightless. The hands felt like an iron vise.
“Don’t you want to know?” Max’s words throbbed in her head.
As her eyes started to bulge in their sockets, the last thing Nudge saw was the strange look on the young man’s face, looking down at her through the rippling water.
Now I know, Max, she thought. Now I know the truth.
39
HORSEMAN TRUDGED OUT of the water of the lake. His pants clung to his legs, and he was breathing heavily after the struggle.
He had expected the whole thing to be easier and was surprised at how emotional he felt. That definitely wasn’t what the doctor had had in mind when he’d programmed his soldiers.
He waited several minutes, studying the rhythms of the ripples until he was sure his voice would be steady. Then Horseman pressed the call button implanted in his wrist.
A middle-aged face appeared on the screen: the Remedy.
“A10103!” he exclaimed.
Horseman nodded with a humble half-smile.
“I must admit I was beginning to worry. I nearly sent a rescue mission to root you out.” The doctor grinned wolfishly, and Horseman was grateful for the poor pixelation. “Tell me, how are your… travels?”
Keep it brief, just stick to the basics, Horseman reminded himself.
“I had a most satisfying morning, Doctor.”
“Oh, yes? Report: You haven’t killed the whole flock, have you?” The man’s bushy eyebrows jumped in feigned delight, but Horseman knew the doctor must have the same information that he did.
“No, sir. My coordinates indicate that the group has split up, so I am tracking them individually. But you’ll be pleased to know that Nudge… official name Monique,” he corrected himself, “is dead.”
“Well done!” the doctor praised Horseman, but blinked back at him expectantly, waiting for more information.
“Monique did not detect my approach, and my skills far outmatched hers. It was over in seconds.” Horseman knew his maker would want to know how strong he was, how impenetrable.
“I see,” the doctor said, sounding disappointed that there were no gruesome, salacious details.
“She… wept in fear,” Horseman offered.
“This is why we must press on in our cause.” The doctor’s voice rose emphatically. “The newer generations are stronger, more perfect. When it comes down to it, these so-called heroes are just accidents, like all of the older generations.”
“Yes. Accidents,” Horseman agreed. “Which reminds me…”
He looked across the pool of water at the ledge where Nudge’s limp body lay. He watched the small dog licking her face and smiled, then positioned his arm so that his master could see the image.
“Should I also destroy the remaining canine?” Horseman asked. “It would be my pleasure.”
Book Two
EVOLUTION GONE WRONG
40
RUSSIA WAS OUT—for now, anyway.