Chapter 226: Cross town and its surprises.
Carson’s silence was colder than steel. When he finally spoke, his voice was flat, all friendliness gone. "That will not necessary."
He moved slowly, deliberately.
Every step echoed in Augustus’ mind. When their eyes locked, Augustus’ breath came short, fast. He knew that look, it was the look of death itself. Panic clawed at him and his lips quivered with the ghost of a plea. But words could not save him now.
"Do it quick." He whispered, surrendering.
Carson nodded. "With pleasure."
The steel of the blade flushed, swift and final. Augustus gasped once, then slumped, his eyes wide with terror. Carson wiped the blade with calm as though he had just swatted a fly.
"Clean it up boys and make sure every part of him is turned to ashes." He ordered. "Tonight, you finally get to sleep in your own beds."
The guards moved instantly, they carried the body outside while two got the cleaning supplies which had been resting behind the door. After tonight, there would be no signs that Augustus had ever been on the base.
Carson came out of the torture chamber and moved to the monitoring room. He paused near the door on noticing the couple.
"Presidents, I was about to call you and give you the good news. I did not realize that you both were already here. Did you hear what he said?"
"Everything." Hades answered, his face unreadable, but his eyes were filled with a storm. "Augustus said the soldiers take so many smoke breaks. I hate to be that guy, but we are going to have to deal with this. I have noticed that many who patrol the third wall are lax during certain times of the day.
While this does not necessarily make them easy to take out, it makes us vulnerable. Anyone can take advantage of this to do something harmful."
Elio then said, "I have also noticed that many unnecessary people go in and out of the command center in the first wall. Some want to watch what is happening outside and others want to keep their friends or loved ones on duty company.
But if someone with bad intentions goes inside, there is not telling what kind of damage they could do. The small gate can be opened from there. It only takes thirty seconds for a superhuman or someone that runs really fast to make their way inside."
Sunshine nodded.
Carson let silence breathe before he asked, his voice edged with curiosity. "What next? Now that we know the plan of the marauders, do we attack or lure them out?"
Sunshine’s bones felt heavier than her bones could bear anymore. Fatigue wrapped around her shoulders, dragging her down by the minute. She could not think clearly, not tonight. "We’ll see tomorrow. At least we have settled Augustus’s matters tonight." She said in a low voice. Then she forced a tired smile, one of brittle approval. "Well done, Carson. You can go to Ariel tomorrow and receive your rewards."
"The soldiers that helped you as well." Hades mentioned. "And you Elio. Everyone that has spent some nights sleepless because of this matter needs to be rewarded."
Carson smiled.
The soldiers in the monitoring room secretly high-fived from below.
And with that, Sunshine and Hades left, returning to their home. As tired as they were, they checked on the children and noticed that they were sleeping.
They went to their bedroom and Sunshine checked on White. He was not sleeping on their bed but a baby crib beside a dim table lamp that was reflecting fireflies.
The couple climbed into bed, without saying a word. Exhaustion was their companion for the night. Hades did not even have the energy to tease Sunshine. As she rested her head on her his chest and closed her eyes, the system sent an alert.
[World opening in three days.]
Sunshine fell asleep, torn between two choices. If there was an opportunity to go another world or return to Veldek, what would she choose?
She had to get revenge for White’s mother, but she also needed to collect more repairable things that would save their lives in the apocalypse.
*****
Crosstown was no longer about scattered maze of bunkers and irrational survivalists. It had become a unified base. A wall had been constructed to keep the invaders, and hostile creatures out and the iron gates were heavily guarded by armed men and women.
Stone houses had been built on the surface where essential services were provided. This included a small hospital, school and communal housing for survivors that they called refugees.
One bunker was the command center, and it was rumored to have the capacity to house over fifty thousand people. It was also said to be fully stocked with supplies and weapons. The people at crosstown all depended on the mercy of its owners who had become the leader of the Cross-town base.
His name was Strauss.
If any of the Quinn’s saw him now, they would be shocked for Strauss was none other than Cassius. He was different...normal for one.
He had abandoned the Quinn name, it represented weakness, days when he was a fool, days when everyone trampled all over him. It represented a past that he had erased.
Cassius Strauss was now who he was always meant to be. A conqueror, a leader. A man who did not bow to the Quinns especially Hades and Hadrian.
Cassius had reshaped the base to his satisfaction, to him Crosstown was not merely for survival. It was a kingdom which he had made for himself as the king, and he had three queens already.
Here, he was feared for he did not hesitate to kill, and he was revered for he gave out free supplies. He kept the people in line using fear.
In such a short time, he had gathered many followers and those that owned bunkers in the town either stayed out of his way or followed his leadership.
It was early morning, and he was on the surface, watching men build a watchtower through a window in a stone house that served as his surface home. It was only partially built as he wanted a worthy manor like Quinn manor.
The refugees were the biggest source of labor that he had. They were supervised by superhumans he was beginning to collect. He had picked the idea from Ceasar, but he was brighter than the man and he was treating them loyalty, as long as they were loyal to him.
There was a knock on the door, his right-hand man Tigan stepped in. He was a middle-aged man that had been with him for many years and a former employee of Quinn group.
All the while he had been roaming in Rainhounds and the white house, Tigan had been one of those preparing Crosstown for his arrival.
"Breakfast has been served."
"I am not hungry, Tigan." Cassius replied.
Tigan let out slow breath, he was worried because Cassius had not eaten the day before. He could not understand what his young boss was thinking about.
Cassius exhaled loudly after the door slammed shut, even with the weight of Crosstown at his back, there was yearning in his heart for Sunshine. When would she come to Crosstown and see their kingdom?