Free 1941539114 (S) by Jeremy Robinson

which allows us to coordinate with state, federal and military emergency responders. It was created in the wake of the first Nemesis attack on this stretch of coastline, but it’s been upgraded recently, thanks to Zoomb. The FC-P is the only government agency capable of activating the communications network, and once we do, all information flows through us, which really irks my former superiors in the DHS. “Organize relief efforts.”
    When I turn around, Cooper is headed for the door.
    “Coop,” I say, stopping her. “Is Spunky okay?”
    She looks a little paler when I ask, but nods. “The daycare is fifteen miles from the coast.”
    I nod and she leaves. The others wait for their orders, but I have nothing for them. “The rest of you, eat your Wheaties and get some rest. I have a feeling this day is about to go from shitty to Montezuma’s Revenge. We need to be ready to react.”
    When I turn back to the view, I hear three sets of receding footsteps. Collins steps up next to me, looking out at the scoured-clean view, tears in her eyes. “I’m getting tired of being stepped on.”
    I catch sight of something when I nod. Although most homes have crumbled or been yanked back toward the ocean, a single house stands alone on the far side of the hill. It’s a white home with light blue/gray shutters. After Nemesis first laid waste to the area, the family there, including three boys and two golden retrievers, had left. Thanks to Zoomb, and I suppose to me, they had returned. I’m about to head down and see if anyone is there and alive, when I see motion on the roof. The family is there, safe and dry. Even the dogs. One of the boys is waving at me. I return the wave, and turn to Collins. “Me, too.”
    I take out my phone and speed dial a number.
    “It just came on the news,” Alessi says. She’s Endo’s half sister, and now she’s running the company I own. “What do you need?”
    “Full relief package for every community hit,” I say.
    “On it. Anything else?”
    “Put the WCS protocol on standby.”
    “Are you sure?” she asks.
    I look Collins in the eyes and see the same determination I feel. No more getting stepped on. “I’m sure.”

 
     
    9
     
    “Chill out. It’s not like they can see us.” Lilly leaned forward in Future Betty’s cockpit, looking down at Big Diomede. The surface crawled with Russian military. Helicopters came and went, transporting personnel, most of whom carried assault rifles. Those who didn’t, carried an array of scientific equipment that Lilly couldn’t identify. Lines of men walked patterns around the center of the island, sweeping metal detectors back and forth. At the far end of the island, opposite the ramshackle Russian outpost, stood a series of domes connected by tunnels. The prefab base had been flown in and set up in just hours.
    Maigo stood in the cargo bay, turning slowly to take in the three hundred sixty degree view. “No, but they can still run into us. We’re not immaterial.”
    Four Russian MI-24 Hind attack helicopters, big, imposing and armed with enough firepower to lay waste to a city, circled the island. Further out, the Russian stealth fighters did laps, sometimes cutting through the air just over the island. They were surrounded by enemy activity on all sides, top and bottom. Despite the X-35 being the world’s most advanced aircraft, capable of hiding in plain sight, Maigo had no doubt that they would eventually be discovered if they stayed too long. The island was home to a lot of very annoyed birds. How long before one of them flew into the hull?
    “Bonus points for the five syllable word,” Lilly said. “But we’re not stationary. I can move if anything comes our way.”
    “We should at least let the others know what’s going on he—”
    Lilly craned her head out in slack-jawed shock. “Are you serious?” She extended a black, clawed finger. “First, they’ll make us go back.” Two fingers. “Second, they’ll never let us