Spin
Caz grabbed my arm and began tugging, her short hair swaying in the cool breeze. “What?” I asked. “Shouldn’t we act cool, like we belong here?”
Her eyes narrowed and she began to run. Something was odd about that. I reached up to rub my face, running my hand along my helmet. “Aw crap,” I muttered. I was wearing my helmet, but she wasn’t wearing hers, or carrying it, which meant that someone was going to find it and we would be caught soon if we didn’t leave now. I tucked the papers we had just stolen into my shirt and began running after Caz.
We had only travelled a few feet when an alarm began to sound. In a way, it was a blessing because it meant everyone started running around the base, so we didn’t look too out of place. Unfortunately, the base quickly entered a lockdown, so there was no way to exit. I caught up to Caz who was now hiding behind a shed. “What do we do?” I asked.
She looked around frantically, her lips pressed together until they were just a thin line on her face. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she focussed on something behind me. I turned around, hoping to see an easy exit. Instead I saw a large building with a giant satellite dish on top. My heart sank. “That’s not a television satellite, is it?” I whispered.
She shook her head, starting forward.
“We’re going to break in there and transmit the contents of these papers, aren’t we?”
She nodded, throwing a grim smile at me over her shoulder. “You’re starting to pick up on things faster,” she said as she broke into a jog.
“Lucky me,” I muttered, following her.
We ran for a moment, trying to stay somewhat hidden. There was still frantic activity going on all around us and we were ignored, but I knew that wouldn’t last. “You’re too conspicuous without your helmet,” I said. “If anyone looks for even a second, we are both toast.”
“I know, but we don’t have any alternative.”
I smiled, even though she couldn’t see it. “Sure we do. Give me your gun.”
“Why?”
“You’re my prisoner. I was told to meet the general at the communications building once I had captured you.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “Why would the general meet you there?”
“I don’t know. But this is the army. I don’t have to know, I just have to do what the general says to do, even if it doesn’t make sense. Do you want to question the general’s orders?”
She didn’t look completely convinced, but she handed me her weapon. “It’s the best option we have,” she said. We continued towards the building, but now I was behind her, my gun pointed at her, and we were walking briskly instead of running. I was glad that the helmet covered my face because there was no way I was keeping a straight face if we were confronted. I could only hope that my voice stayed steady.
We neared the building without being stopped. I saw a couple soldiers notice us, but the ruse seemed to work. I think I may have had a higher ranking uniform, because at least one of them looked like they wanted to say something but hesitated when he saw my uniform.
As we reached the door, a guard stopped us. “You can’t go in there.” He didn’t point his weapon at us, but he moved it slightly, getting it ready to shoot us if needed.
I took a deep breath and plunged ahead with the plan. “I have orders to bring this prisoner here to meet the general.” Good, my voice sounded somewhat steady.
“Why here. Sir.” That confirmed it. My rank was higher than a private, thank goodness.
“I have no idea, son,” I said, trying to sound somewhat exasperated. “When I get an order, I usually don’t ask too many questions. Leads to things like court martials and discharges and, once, a firing squad.” Caz threw a scowl at me that I chose to ignore.
The guard said nothing for a long moment, obviously torn about what to do.
“Well, don’t worry about it,” I said, beginning to turn away. “When the general arrives, would you mind telling him why we weren’t able to meet him like he ordered?” I emphasised the last word slightly.
“Sorry sir, go right in,” said the guard with a nervous squeak.
“Thank you.” I returned the salute he threw me and walked through the door he held open for
me. I could get used to this.
