“Chicken!” I blurt out. I've had way too many pouches, and I've never heard of the other one. My mouth waters at the memory of the time I shared chicken with Atom. The burnt taste of orange and the juicy meat that enlightened my mouth. That seems like ages ago now, but it's what led to my being here.
KJ prepares some chicken over a flame and serves it with those lentil things. They look like dirt, and I don't care for them much. Her family joins us at the table, and we tell each other stories over the delicious meal.
Martha speaks of how the scientists and first set of drones came when she was KJ's age. At the time of their arrival, Nairobi was prosperous, though corrupt. The longer the scientists stayed, the worse it got. She mentions how the scientists destroyed resources and the infrastructure. The stadium's inside used to be an open-source garden where people from the city would only take what was needed. The community maintained it together. When the scientists took over the stadium, they got rid of the crops and gave everyone injections and pouches. Those who were not vaccinated fell to rabid dementia. Those are the Cabras.
I tell them about the compound, Atom, and the other Genesys. How they shipped me out here for breaking the rules. I also divulge that many scientists and I don't want the world to end and that we are working to stop the Ragnarok.
“What do you mean, stop the Ragnarok?” Martha interjects.
“The world is going to end?” Jean whimpers.
“Do you guys not know what's happening? What they are building?” I'm surprised by their lack of knowledge.
“They never told us. They punish you for questioning anything,” KJ responds.
I look at all four of the women. “They're building bunkers. For those Genesys I mentioned. The scientists believe that humans are on the verge of extinction, and the Genesys are the restart for humankind. Almost everyone else will be killed in a worldwide nuclear event.”
The air has sucked out of the room. KJ and her mother are at a loss for words. Even the little ones seem to understand the gravity of what's happening. My heart aches for them as I see them try to come to terms with their mortality. It makes my resolve to stop the Ragnarok even stronger.
I stand to comfort KJ, but two drones burst into the house before I can reach her. They tear down the fabric covering the door and aim rifles at us. I recognize 13 right away. Instinct throws me between the drones and KJ's family. I sense Martha retreat into another room with the two young ones. KJ remains behind me. The second drone steps toward the room behind me, but I cut him off and push him back.
“Stand down, 80!” 13 demands.
“Why are you here?” I shout back.
13 pulls his gun and aims it at me. “You are in violation of—”
I charge and knock the gun out of his hands. It tumbles across the floor. My fists fly in fury as his connect with various parts of my body. He's quicker than I am, and the blood that I already feel streaking down my face is a testament to that fact.
He has the upper hand and throws me to the ground. KJ draws my attention. She's doing all she can to keep away from the other drone, who’s chasing her around the room. The pain of 13's knee digging into my chest pulls me back to my predicament.
“I would kill you if it weren't for direct orders not to.” He glares at me. Fire burns in his eyes. He might not be able to kill me, but he sure seems intent on getting me close to death.
“Stop!” Pocket runs out of the backroom and jumps on 13's back. He flings her off, and she lands hard on the ground.
“Pocket!” Martha screams from the doorframe to the other room.
I use the opportunity to grab 13 and pull him into a sleeper hold. My arm squeezes tight around his neck. He struggles against me, but I have the perfect leverage, and his flails have little effect.
“Let him go!” the second drone commands. When I look over, I see that he has Pocket in one arm, his gun aimed at KJ.
There is no negotiating with him. I know how he operates, and what is going through his mind. That used to be me. It pains me to think that I was so calculated and cold. He will kill them both if I don't comply.
“Okay. Just don't hurt them. They did nothing wrong.” My grip on 13 gets looser. I'm about to release him when a deafening bang and loud screams force me to retighten my grip. I look to KJ and Pocket. They are both in a panic. Pocket is screaming her head off. Between them, the drone falls to the ground. Blood soaks his back. Behind him, Martha stands stone still with 13's gun in her hands.
“Take Pocket away!” she yells at her KJ. Her daughter does as she's told and pulls Pocket back into the room behind their mother. Martha walks toward me with the gun trained on 13; his breathing barely registers, and he has stopped struggling.
“Don't,” I plead with her. “He's an Alpha. Senior-level. If he goes missing, they'll come looking for him. They will kill all of you and anyone else around here.”
She puts the gun down. “I want you gone. Do not come back. Do not see my daughter. Or I will use this on you.”
I know better than to contest. KJ stands behind her, face visible over her mother's shoulder. I look toward her, apologizing with my eyes. Her smile gives me comfort. She understands.
13 is motionless. I check his vitals to make sure he's still alive. His breath and heartbeat are faint, but they are still there.
