Book 2 Chapter 23: Have Mercy

Book 2 Chapter 23: Have Mercy

We moved across the hall, into a small room that seemed to have been used for storage. There was a ladder up to the roof which we climbed, staying low as we exited so that we could avoid detection. Leah pulled out her rifle, and peered through the scope which I realized had some kind of night vision function. The patrols seemed to have moved outward toward the walls, so our path to where we believed Mercy was being held was clear.

We slid down from the roof and fell back into our pattern of one person moving up, while the other watched their back, followed by the other moving up and switching roles. We didnt encounter any more patrols, and made it the rest of the way with no issue. I peeked out of the alley, and looked toward the target building. I saw three guards at the front, two on the roof, and based on the patrol pattern wed seen as we walked this way, this was one of the most heavily guarded areas, where all of the patrols converged..

We did a loop around the building, looking for any alternative entrances or exits. It was two stories, windows only in the front, the size of a warehouse. I could see why Leah had tagged it as the most likely place for storing the Remnants lost personnel and goods. An assessment that I shared, especially when I caught the scent of blood in the air around it. The only entrances were the front, and presumably the roof. Unfortunately the smooth stone walls gave us no obvious ways to climb up to it and make our way inside. We backed away from the building slightly to talk.

Did you see any other way in? I asked.

She shook her head. Only access seems to be the roof and the front door. There are at least ten guards inside, one large group of prisoners, and a single room with only two people in it on the second level. Thats likely where Mercy is.

I nodded, realizing that her scope had the ability to read heat signatures as well. I could charge the front, make it to Mercy and maybe even the other prisoners, but by then theyd have reinforcements, and while I could fight my way out, I doubt I could keep everyone else alive while I do it.

She shook her head. We arent worried about anyone else for now, they were secondary objectives that I see no way of accomplishing. Just Mercy, the other personnel can be used as bargaining trips or a source of information, but once they torture Mercy and determine how far her betrayal goes, theyll have no reason to keep her alive. Shes got the shortest time limit, so shes our priority. Though obviously we dont want to risk the other prisoners I have another idea of how to get in. She tapped her jump pack. These should have enough juice left to get us onto that roof.

Should? I asked.

Its hard to say. They can burn a lot of energy on a fall like we just had, and the readout is vague, she pointed to a small screen on the side of the handle that had the same readout as my projectile shield. Hers had a small chunk of energy left, and mine a sliver.

I nodded, it was the best option we had. We circled around to the portion of the roof that seemed the least defended, and waited for a patrol to pass. Leah went first, moving quickly but silently to the wall, and ascending gracefully up to the top. I did my best to follow her example, moving up to the wall, I pressed down on the button to ascend, but unlike Leahs smooth ascension, I blasted up hard and fast, rising up along the wall until my chest was above it, then I began falling. I reacted just in time to catch myself by the fingertips and pull myself up.

I nodded. Yes, I said, squeezing hard. The man's neck snapped and his eyes went glassy. I let his body collapse to the floor. I took a moment to try to calm myself. I hadnt expected to lose control, but I didnt beat myself up too much about it. Lots of people need killing, and that guy topped the list, at least for that brief moment.

Once the red had receded from my vision I turned to look at Leah and Mercy. Leah had unpacked a small first aid kit and was doing what she could to patch her up. There were cuts on her face, her nose had been broken, as had several of her fingers on one hand, a few of which were also missing their nails.

Can she move? I asked.

I can, croaked Mercy herself.

Leah nodded. They hadnt made their way down to her legs yet.

Mercy stood, and walked over to the corpse of the man Id just killed. She closed his eyes and muttered what sounded like a prayer for him.

Why? I managed to ask.

He was my cousin, she said simply.

The building rocked again, and I had to catch Mercy as she stumbled.

Leah looked at us both. Lets move.