Afflicted

While the phone rang, I quickly pulled the first pistol apart and set to work cleaning the barrel.

“I told you I’d call when I had something,” Kai’s voice came through the earpiece.

“Sir,” I corrected him, knowing full well he wouldn't use it.

“Have you completed your rescue mission?” he asked.

“Almost,” I replied.

“So she's alive? That means I just lost fifty bucks to Santos. I hope she thanked you properly.” Kai sniggered like a twelve year old and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah her and ten of her friends. She's brought half the cheerleading squad and a handful of jocks back with her too.”

“So does that mean you're ready to come back and join us? We're having a bit of trouble contacting anyone higher up and I think we'd all feel better having the whole team together again.”

“We’re back at my house, just need to get them to Harbour City.”

“Might be some issues with that…” Kai trailed off and I could tell he was holding back on purpose.

“Just give it to me straight,” I sighed. Kai hated delivering bad news; if he was holding back, it couldn't be good.

“It's just chatter at the moment. Hawker is working on confirming it and it's not been easy to get through to anyone higher up like I said-“

“Just tell me,” I growled, time was precious and I didn't want to waste it while he minced words.

“They're saying… that the cities aren't going to take everyone in. That they're going to lock the doors-“

“When?” I snapped. If this was really going to happen, I needed to make sure Katy and Reese were inside before then.

“That's just it - we don't know. It could be days, weeks… hours-“

“Have you been given new orders yet?” I started to reassemble the gun I was working on. If what he was saying was true then there was no time to waste.

“No sir. Like I said the higher ups have been quiet. We were moved to a new location further away from the city. They want us to keep an eye out for contaminated people and stop them from approaching The Wall. We’ve been maintaining our position here but have had no new orders for hours. It's almost like they've forgotten us.”

I paused, Kai only called me sir when he wanted orders.

“Stay together. I want you to keep trying to get hold of anyone you can and confirm whether or not they're closing the gates. And I want a timeframe if possible. In the meantime secure your position and protect any civilians you can. Your last orders were to defend the public against any personnel contaminated by the water so make sure you do. Stay vigilant and wait to hear from me unless you have any more information.”

“Are you coming to meet us?” Kai asked before I could end the call.

“Just as soon as I deliver this group to the city,” I assured him.

“Our orders are to defend against contaminated people. Not ferry everyone to the cities,” he protested.

“I'm not abandoning Ka- these people,” I said firmly.

“Please tell me you're not pining after the girl next door?”

“I'm doing my duty,” I growled. “You do yours.”

“I'm just saying-“

“You're saying too much Sergeant. Question my orders again and I'll be bringing you up on disciplinary.” I hung up on him before he pushed me into following through on my threat. I hated pulling rank and he knew it, hopefully it would keep him quiet for a while and I could ignore the ring of truth his words held. I hadn't been officially asked to come back in so my compassionate leave still stood. What I did with my time was my own business until that changed.

I stood, rolling my shoulders back as I forced the irritation out of my body. Getting pissed off wasn't going to help any of us and I needed to keep a clear head if I wanted to get everyone to the city in one piece.

My conversation with Kai hadn't been a complete waste though; it changed our plans. If they were going to be closing the doors to the city then I needed to make sure I got Katy and Reese there as quickly as possible. I couldn't waste time driving their friends around to their houses.