Chapter 105: Jaywick

“How’d that go?” asked Serenity, looking up from a 1970’s magazine she’d fished out of a basket.

“Jelly says we’ve got people watching us right now,” said James, restraining the instinct to move to a window and peer outside. “I think we should go say hello.”

Yadriel sat up. “We’re being watched? Oh shit, it’s on!”

“It’s not on,” said Serenity. “At least, not yet. The other Americans?”

“That’s my guess. Jelly said they have military tech, which sounds like our guys.” James frowned. “I figured we’d deal with them tomorrow, but we might as well handle the situation now.”

Kerim sat forward. “Let’s be clear about goals. If they’re being covert, they’re clearly curious about us as well. Should we simply invite them inside for a conversation?”

“If they were the friendly types wouldn’t they have come and knocked?” asked Kimmie. “This watching us from the bushes is… I don’t know, it doesn’t make me want to invite them inside.”

“We can assume they’re here for the same reasons,” said James. “Belanger. So either we can work together, or they’re going to insist on competing. It’ll be good to know either way. Serenity, Kimmie, you’re both with me. Let’s go talk to them.”

“Me?” asked Kimmie in surprise.

“Yeah. You can help set the tone with your power,” said James. “Take the edge off, help us talk first, shoot later. But if it comes to shooting…”

Serenity’s grin was pure predator. “Then I’ll have that well covered.”

“Good. I’ll orient with Jelly and we can step outside.”

They’re down by the river, James. There’s a ridge that rises from the beach, and they’re crouched behind that looking at your building.

“I don’t get it,” said Olaf. “What could they want to learn by watching in the night? They know we are here. What more can they see?”

“Some dudes are weird, yo,” said Yadriel sagely. “They lurk around outside windows hoping to catch folks undressing. It’s a crazy world out there.”

Olaf stared at Yadriel. “You think these military want to catch me undressing?”

“Naw man, maybe Kimmie, maybe Serenity, you know? Or shit, you too, who knows?”

“Thanks for that insight into human nature,” said Serenity dryly. She was by the front door and checking each of her Sigs. “You’re growing by leaps and bounds, Yadriel.”

“I’m just a man of the world, you know?” Yadriel shrugged like it weren’t no big thing. “You grow up fast on the streets.”

“No kidding. Ready James?”

James zipped up his parka and slung his skeggox over his shoulder. “Bless Green, folks. Let’s go say hello.”

Jelly, keep an eye on them, we’re coming out.

James cracked open the front door and slipped out. The odds were low that the strangers would just open fire, but you never knew. He felt tense, light on his toes, ready for anything. They’d distributed the Major Runes on the plane, with the result that everybody now had a +6 to each base stat. Add in the +3 from Bless Green, and he was sitting at Agility 44 and Speed 47. He was faster and more agile than the War Hound, and with his Power of 56 and Strength of 54, he felt explosive and inhumanly powerful.

If it came to a fight, he didn’t think the strangers stood much of a chance.

The cold was bitter and immediately caused the skin on his face to tighten, his eyes to sting. Stamina 51 allowed him to shrug it off, however, and he strode along the side of the house toward the back which faced the river.

Motion sensors went off, flooding the area with bright white light.

They’ve ducked down out of sight,said Jelly. And have rather unwisely drawn handguns.

“Evening,” called James with false cheer. “It’s pretty cold out. You two want to come in for a hot chocolate and a chat?”

For a moment the darkness sucked in his words. He could hear the soft whispering hiss of the large river sliding by but couldn’t make it out. Then he heard a chuckle, raspy and genuinely amused, and two figures stood up, visible from the shoulders up.

“Good evening,” called one of the men, his accent distinctly English. “I have to admit old habits got the better of me. Probably should have just come up and knocked.”

Kimmie cleared her throat. “We’re here with the best of intentions,” she called out, voice laced with power. “We can all get along and work things out for the best.”

“That so?” The same man was doing all the talking. His eyes were hidden behind ski goggles, a fur-rimmed hood pulled over his head, a ski mask hiding the rest of his face. “Well, that’s very kind of you. We’ll come up onto your property if you don’t mind.”

“Come on up,” said James.

Oh, oh! There’s another Anima Sola here! It’s been keeping a high altitude. Maybe we can hug!

The two men vaulted up lightly onto the higher ground and rose to brush snow off their gear. They were both of medium height and slender build, both wearing matching white arctic gear with grayish blue camo markings that looked new and eminently suited to the environment, and both had their faces covered.

“I’m Captain Richard Jaywick with the SAS. I must admit we’re a little far from home.” The man’s voice was a rich baritone, friendly and slightly self-mocking. “We saw you all arrive in that private jet. Are you Yanks?”

“We’re Yanks,” said James. “James Kelly, Command Master Sergeant, Blue Light group operating out of New York, US Military special forces.” Had he even said that right? Fuck it. “SAS? You’re the UK special forces, right?”

“That’s right.” Jaywick was almost too affable for someone who’d been watching them in the middle of the night. “And you wouldn’t be the James Kelly? The man who started Blue Light and put out those videos?”

“Sexy Lumber Hobo Jack,” said Serenity with obvious delight. “The myth, the legend.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jaywick’s expression was hidden, but he sounded mildly incredulous. “What brings you all the way to Old Crow, Master Sergeant?”

“Same as you, I’m sure.” James still felt on edge. “Patrick Belanger.”

“Ah yes.” No surprise there. “Quite the character, isn’t he? Important people back home want us to have a word with him. Same as the Canadian boys that are also in town. It’s getting quite busy around these parts.”

“You want to share notes?”

“Sure. How about over breakfast? We’d planned to head out before dawn for his cabin, but we can delay an hour to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

“Sounds good. What time does the sun come up?”

“Now?” Again with the amusement. “Past ten in the morning. Let’s meet for coffee at the Moose Head at eight. We can have ourselves a chat and then still have ample time to hit the trail. Sound all right with you, Kelly?”

“Sounds good to me, Jaywick.”

“Excellent. Then, if you’ll excuse us?” Jaywick led his companion up the shoulder of the property, past Sarah’s truck, and disappeared onto the main road.

The Anima Sola is still overhead, said Jelly.

“That went well,” said Kimmie hesitantly. “Didn’t it?”

“I don’t know,” said James. “Can’t say I trust him.”

“Same. If he was really interested in exchanging info he’d have done so right now,” said Serenity. “Instead, he clearly wants more of his men with him. And for us to show up at a set time and place.”

Kimmie stared at Serenity. “You think he’s setting up an ambush?”

“Don’t know, hon. But he was too friendly for my tastes.”

“Too friendly? You wanted him to be angry or something?”

“Would have felt more genuine. We caught him with his pants around his ankles and he laughed it off like we were third graders playing hide and seek. What do you think, James? This meeting worth going to?”

James frowned off into the darkness. “I don’t think they’ll ambush us there. If they really want to get rid of us, they’ll hit us here while we’re asleep. Open fire on the side of the house with everything they’ve got. Bullets would tear through those logs like nothing. I think Jaywick actually wants to see if he can learn anything from us. But beyond that? Yeah. I don’t trust him either.”

“We could work together on this,” Kimmie insisted. “It doesn’t need to be antagonistic.”

“You’re right there,” said Serenity, throwing an arm around Kimmie’s shoulders. “It doesn’t need to be. But one thing you’ll learn about boys with guns, hon, is that they like find excuses to use them.”

James followed them to the front door where he paused. That Anima still on us?

Yes.

Can you be sure it belongs to the two guys who were here?

No. It could belong to someone else, I suppose. Want me to engage it in conversation?

Has it detected you?

I don’t think so. I’m special. Sneaky. Gloria-enhancement makes me amazing in so many ways. This poor guy is just doing his best.

Then let’s keep your presence hidden. Stay out here tonight, Jelly, and watch for trouble.

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Affirmative, James.

James slipped inside and closed the door. Serenity was debriefing the others, and Sarah was listening from the kitchen. She’d said the second group was American. An innocent mistake? Or had Jaywick lied to the locals?

The crew discussed the exchange, but seeing as it was already almost four or five in the morning for them, and they’d spent the whole day dealing with the Fourth Wave, it didn’t take long for people to crash. James and Serenity retreated to one of the rooms. There Serenity pulled her bedding to the floor.

“What?” she asked. “If they open fire on us, this way I’ll be safe.”

“We got Jelly on patrol.”

“Our scout’s name is Jelly. I’ll take my chances.”

James snorted and sat in his bunk. He pulled out his satellite phone, fiddled with it for a minute, then called Star Boy.

“James! How is Canada?”

“It’s cold. Listen, I need you to check on something for me. A Captain Richard Jaywick with the SAS has flown into town today. He was watching our building till Jelly flushed him out. Can you check in with Hackworth and see what he thinks?”

“Will do. Call me when you wake up.”

James turned off the phone, slid it beneath his pillow, and knocked out the moment he lay down.

* * *

It was still dark when they arose. The acrid smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the house, and James rose, rubbed his eyes, and checked his watch.

Ten before eight.

“All right, everyone,” he called. “We’re out the door in five.”

He drew out the phone and dialed Star Boy. “Any news?”

“Yeah, been waiting for you to call. Get this: there’s no Captain Richard Jaywick with the SAS. Now, special forces are secretive by nature, and we’re trying to get confirmation from the UK that they know they’ve got people in Canada, but currently we’re just getting denials.”

“No shit.” James leaned forward, elbows on knees. “How does Hackworth want me to handle this?”

“Cautiously. Jaywick could still be for real, just deeply embedded. But figure out what you can and call back in. If possible, don’t let him get to Belanger before you do.”

“All right. Could get ugly.”

“You’re James fucking Kelly,” said Star Boy. “You got this.”

“Ha. Thanks. I’ll check back in soon.”

People piled into the living room, grabbing snow gloves, parkas, scarves, heavy snowsuits, all kinds of gear that had been packed into their cases. Sarah handed out mugs, told them which way to go, and then they emerged into the darkness.

The Anima Sola watched us all night, said Jelly. But nobody else came close.

Noted.

Olaf and Jason headed out with Sarah to see about renting privately owned snowmobiles, while the rest of them headed to the Moose Head just down the street, packs slung over their shoulders; the town being so small made it easy to find. They crunched down the salted and gravel main road, past buildings set back from the road, each isolated from the next, most with lights on already and smoke rising from their steel chimneys. Dogs barked at them from kennels, and the occasional vehicle rolled down the street, tires crunching, faces curious as the drivers stared at them.

“Can you imagine living here?” asked Kimmie, hugging herself. “Dark till ten? No way. I need the sun.”

“You’d get all you need in the summer,” laughed Kerim. “When the sun doesn’t set at all.”

The Moose Head was doing lively business. Probably far more than it ever did, as a large crowd was gathered outside in two rough groups. The cafe was well lit, its yellow light splashing out onto the snow-covered yard before it, and it was there that the military folks stood, most holding coffees and watching each other till James and Crimson Hydra marched up.

“Right on time,” said Jaywick, moving up to meet James, a couple of other guys flanking him. “A proper military man.”

The leader of the other group also approached, and soon they formed a triangle. Everybody seemed to be of roughly the same build and medium height. Maybe special forces washed out the small and overly tall guys.

“Good morning. Captain Marceau with the Canadian special forces. Sergeant Major Kelly? We were told you’d be arriving last night. Welcome to Canada.”

“Thanks, captain.” Was that a pointed line, about how they’d been expected? Had Jaywick not been? “I assume you and yours are here for Belanger?”

“That is so. We arrived earlier this week, but stayed to help the people here with the Nemesis 3’s. Now that’s taken care of, we plan to find Belanger. But Captain Jaywick’s arrival here - and yours - means we should clarify how we’re to go about that.”

“My commanding officer told me to work with local enforcement,” said James. “He didn’t mention that the SAS was going to be in town.”

“We just popped in, last-minute like,” grinned Jaywick. He pulled down his mask to sip his coffee, revealing a bristly orange mustache and lean, carved cheeks. “But we’re all friends here, aren’t we? Yanks, Canucks, and Brits? We should work together. Share intel, do the right thing for mankind.”

“Yes,” said Marceau uncertainly.

“Or not,” said Jaywick with a shrug. “We’ve rented six snowmobiles and intend to leave for the homestead within the hour. We can travel separately if you all prefer.”

“Given that we don’t know what’s ahead,” said James, “it’d make sense to move together. Captain Marceau, you have transportation?”

“We do. You’ll have to scrounge around town for more snowmobiles, however. The locals keep a few on hands for folks who come in to ski, but not enough for you all.”

“We’ll see what we can do. So. What do you all know about Belanger?”

Marceau and Jaywick exchanged measuring glances, and then Jaywick shrugged. “Enough to make it worth our while to fly out here. The boys in intelligence flagged the report where Patrick reported speaking with a Monitor days before everyone else, including you, Kelly. His medical records are fascinating and given that nothing else was suggesting itself worth investigating, we thought we’d come have a chat.”

“That so.” James studied Jaywick. The man sipped his coffee, expression innocent, eyebrows raised. “Well, that’s what we know as well.”

“Nothing else?” Jaywick looked mildly surprised. “I’d have thought you’d have more info. What with your chatting with Monitors on your spare time. No idea as to what their interest in him might have been?”

Did he know about the Light Eternal? James held his gaze for a beat, then shook his head. “We’re grasping at straws here. But what else are drowning men going to do?”

“That’s about the right of it,” said Marceau unhappily. “The presence of the demon symbol has us curious, though our first investigation a month ago turned up nothing.”

“Well. My boys are going to head out, then.” Jaywick took a last sip of his coffee and dashed the rest out upon the snow. “See you there, lads.”

“Give us a moment,” said James. “There’s safety in numbers. We’ll head up together.”

“That’s sweet of you, Kelly, but I think we’ll get started now.” Jaywick raised his mask over his face. “Early bird catches the word and all.”

Marceau frowned. “We can spare you two of our snowmobiles, Kelly. Enough for four of your people. But we’ll be leaving now, too.”

“Mighty kind of you.” James watched Jaywick walk over to his men who immediately started gathering up and moving to where a half dozen snowmobiles were parked and loaded with gear and guns. “Watch out for Jaywick. My CO says they can’t get confirmation that he’s real SAS.”

“Oui, we’re having trouble identifying his unit as well. But he speaks well and knows enough about the SAS to answer our questions correctly. We’re going ahead to keep an eye on him. Hurry and catch up when you can.”

James clapped Marceau on the shoulder. “Will do. Be safe.”

“Yourselves as well, Blue Light. Or the Sacre Bleus, as we call you up here.” Marceau smiled. “Follow our tracks. And hurry.”

James watched as Marceau gathered his squad - also nine strong - and strode off down the street toward an empty lot where more snowmobiles were parked, a couple of guys tightening straps and packs.

“Shit,” said Yadriel. “This don’t feel right. How late we gonna be to this party?”

James frowned as the first of Jaywick’s men gunned their rides to life. “Late. Let’s hope Marceau keeps shit under control.”

The first of the snowmobiles drove out onto the road and began to make its way toward the end of town.

Jaywick gave a cheerful wave as he rode away, and James had to resist the urge to give him the finger.

“All right, standing around here won’t help us any. Let’s help Olaf and Jason get the remaining snowmobiles. Every minute we lose is one we give Jaywick with Belanger.”

“Let’s break up, groups of two,” said Serenity. “Just bang on doors and ask to rent whatever they’ve got. When you get hold of one, radio in to Kelly with your sat phone.”

Everybody nodded and split off, leaving James to go into the Moose Head proper to speak with the manager about renting something. But he walked slowly, watching as Jaywick’s column of snowmobiles dwindled into the distance.

Shit, he thought. Should he have forced Jaywick to wait? Held him at gunpoint? Asked Kimmie to delay them?

Too late now.

All he could do was hurry and pray they weren’t too late.

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