Jamie gave out his latest order over comms and through the mental link. “Inferno, I need you and Killjoy to meet me at the United States Supreme Court building. Be advised, the nullification field has shifted from the White House up to the Capitol Building into Third Street. We’ve still got civilians in the Capitol Building under attack.”
He was guessing at the nullification field reach, but if Blanchett was with Stanislav, then it only made sense. Katie carried his order to Alexei’s mind. Matthew’s confirmation echoed in his ears while Alexei’s rang through his mind.
“Copy that, Apollo,” Matthew said.
Wilco, was Alexei’s flat response.
“Think I saw a motorcycle over that way, sir,” one of the Strike Force operatives said as he jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Couple of abandoned cars, too.”
Jamie was too far away from the Supreme Court Building to make it there by foot in the midst of fighting under such a tight timeline. Borrowing a vehicle was the only option, and he wasn’t going to ask to use the armored vehicle currently covering the group. They needed it more than he did.
He only needed Kyle.
“All ground troops, you are ordered to cover Apollo on his route east,” Liam said over the comms on a general channel.
He would have issued more orders, except his comms were cut as the director came on the line, overriding everyone.
“Apollo, you will hold your position,” Nazari barked out.
Jamie rarely disobeyed a direct order. He’d spent his life following them, after all. From his father’s demands to his superior officers’ needs, Jamie had done what needed to be done time and time again. But when it mattered, when it was important, when he knew he was in the right, that was when he disobeyed.
Like the old song went—freedom was just another word for nothing left to lose.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Jamie said, refusing to back down. “But I can’t do that. Apollo out.”
Jamie hit the kill switch on his RealIdent chip, frying the bioware and effectively shutting down his comms. He still had Katie to guide him, as always.
I’ll get you to Kyle if it’s the last thing I do,she promised.
As with any good sergeant, Jamie trusted Katie would get the job done.
Jamie peeled away from the group, racing east toward the intersection. The bus from before wasn’t the only vehicle burning on the street. Jamie bypassed all of those, attention locking on a viable car whose owner was still slumped over the steering wheel, dead from a bullet through the back of her head. The car itself had crashed into a light post, the engine still running. The only way to find out if it still worked was to drive it.
Jamie hauled the body out of the car and left it in the street. He got behind the wheel, staring grimly out the heavily cracked, bullet-ridden windshield. When he put the car in reverse, the street light wobbled precariously before falling across the sidewalk. The car, despite its dented front end and bloodstained seat, was good to drive.
So Jamie drove it.
He careened back around the corner, heading back up Fifteenth Street NW toward Pennsylvania Avenue NW. He passed pockets of hunkered-down Metropolitan police as well as the National Guard who didn’t so much as point their weapons at him.
Keeping your route clear on our end,Katie told him, her mental voice sounding a little strained.
Human minds weren’t built to handle any of the mental powers easily. Katie used her telepathy to keep fingers off triggers, regardless of the damage she left behind in the minds of the people on their side. Right now, Jamie’s priorities didn’t include Washington, D.C., or its people. Katie knew that.
Whether it was Katie’s sheer mental will or Stanislav’s ability to see the future, Jamie’s drive to the Supreme Court Building happened quicker than he anticipated. The bulk of the fighting was taking place within the National Mall and around the White House. That didn’t mean the going was smooth, but Jamie wasn’t stopping for anything or anyone until he reached his destination.
He detoured onto Indiana Avenue NW, the street name changing halfway through as he took a wide route around the National Mall and the smoking Capitol Building. The nullification field remained strong around him, which made him think Stanislav was focusing more on him than on anyone else in the field. If it meant his team and all the other MDF metahumans could keep fighting outside of Blanchett’s range, then Jamie was fine with being her target.
Jamie drove down Second Street NE with one destination in mind, trusting in Katie to watch his six from wherever she was in the field. He braked to a hard halt when Katie gave the order.
Stop,she ordered.
Jamie slammed his foot on the brake and turned the engine off, getting out of the car. He brought his borrowed rifle with him, bringing it up in a smooth motion as bodies slipped free of the surrounding shadows near the houses.
Katie pressed hard into his mind, staying his finger on the trigger.They’re friendly.
Jamie recognized Alexei and Matthew a split second later and he stopped fighting Katie’s control for his weapon. She left his mind again, turning her focus elsewhere.
Alexei was the first to reach Jamie’s position, steely gray eyes locked on him. At some point, Alexei must have removed his tactical goggles, most likely after Sean had phased him. Normally, Jamie would be annoyed that Alexei had ditched the eye protection just so he could see, but tonight wasn’t normal.
