The house sat on a block by itself in a neighborhood that had been in development at the time of the Disruption, which was what the humans called the destruction of their way of life. The windows were boarded up. The front yard was covered with weeds many years old, some making tangled vines that climbed up the sides of the house. The front door was off its hinge and slightly ajar, creating a final touch for the perfect picture of abandonment. And worthlessness.
Joy gently urged the mayor forward with a fist in the small of his back.
If Rautt had come looking, they would have noticed that the floor inside was relatively clean, but underground access was so expertly disguised by the perfect matching of wood flooring, that even the mayor had to search and fumble to find the spring. While Carnal stood at the opening, Easy lifted the door, revealing steps. With a glance at Carnal he began to descend, leading the way down. As the exploratory party followed, Joy and Clash stayed behind. Without needing to be told, they posted themselves as lookouts at the front of the house.
The space below ground was enormous, a big open room that served as both factory and warehouse. Weapons were being assembled on long tables in the middle of the room then stored on shelving that lined the walls. The mass of weapons and ammunition spoke volumes about how long the humans had been planning and working toward what they viewed as their liberation from hybrids. There were about a hundred people working. At least they had been working before they stopped to stare with open-mouthed curiosity. On rising that day, none of them had thought their day would include a visit by high-ranking Exiled.
As was true of the other secret facilities, much of the heat and warmth was being provided by oil lamps, but unlike the other facilities, the munitions plant had dozens of shafts of sunlight dotting the vast expanse, like little spotlights. They had installed six-inch pipes that ran upward to the surface, and disguised them above ground with weeds. The pipes were covered with filter grids to keep out both debris and varmints. When it rained they collected the water in buckets.
“How do people come and go without being seen?” Rosie asked the mayor.
“The people who work here also live here and don’t leave often.” He waved toward a hallway. “We bring supplies the usual way, horse-drawn wagon, but there’s no one left out here to witness activity. Everybody moved into the city after the Disruption. Except for the farmers, but the closest is too far to take note of comings and goings.”
Comstock directed the facility supervisor to tell the Exiled everything about the operation. The man was clearly reticent. Rosie watched a series of emotions pass over his face before he settled on compliance. As they walked down the aisles of assembly lines, it was clear to Rosie that the Exiled were stunned, imagining the impending demise of their race along with the Rautt.
The supervisor became more and more animated as the tour progressed. It was clear that he was proud of the work they had done with firearms, but not nearly as proud as he was of the pipe cannons.
He held one lovingly in his hands as he explained, “They can deliver an explosion of blasting powder up to a mile away.”
Rosie watched the look of shock pass over the faces of the Exiled as each comprehended that their entire settlement could have been wiped out during the night as they slept.
On arrival back at City Hall, Free said, “Mr. Mayor, we’ve got a lot of talking to do and some decisions to make. While we are considering all that we’ve learned today, we need some assurance that your plans for annihilation of our species won’t be sped up.”
“I assure you…” Comstock began, but Free held up his hand.
“Given what we’ve learned today, I’m going to need more than assurances. We’re going to gather up the people we’ve met today, the students, workers, everyone at the facilities, and bring them here to be detained while we sort this out.”
Rosie put her hand on Free’s arm. “May I ask him a question before I go?” When Free indicated his assent, she turned to the mayor. “What was your go date?”
All the Exiled within hearing distance went still. Clearly the question piqued the interest of every hybrid present. As they waited for his answer with rapt attention, Comstock’s mouth pressed into a straight line as he glared at Rosie. She guessed he’d been hoping to get off without ever having to reveal that information.
“Well?” The fact that Free was quickly losing patience was reflected in his body language and tone.
Without taking his eyes away from Rosie, Comstock said, “Six weeks.”
Free’s jaw clenched visibly before he turned to Carnal and said, “Take your mother, the elders, and Rosie to Newland and come back with enough peacekeepers to round up key personnel and manage the hostages.” To Comstock, he said, “Who should we see about providing food, drink, and bedding?”
“I, ah, have an aide who could manage that, but not if she’s being held here.”
“Two of our people will accompany her on that errand.” He looked at Carnal. “The people you bring back will need to bring enough food and drink for sustenance. No Exiled will be accepting anything from humans.” Carnal gave the mayor a look of pure malice before nodding at his father.
To the elders, Free said, “Convene at my house and wait for me. Serene will feed you and make you comfortable until I arrive. We have a lot to talk about.” He looked at Rosie. “You, too.”
Two hours later Free walked into his house, having been satisfied that the situation was contained in Farsuitwail for the time being.
Serene handed him a bowl of stew and an individual loaf of warm bread. “Here.” Her look said that, whatever was going on with humans, her priority was her mate.
He smiled at that, pulled her into his body, then nuzzled her neck and ear until she laughed softly and leaned into him.
Free sat down at the head of the kitchen table, with three people seated on each side. All six were looking at him with expectations he wasn’t sure he could deliver. He pulled a bite of bread away from the loaf and put it in his mouth.
“We’ve got a lot to talk over.”
Thorn spoke up. “We do, but not in front of this human.” He looked at Rosie with a distaste that hadn’t been present before the afternoon’s revelations. “Why is she here?”
Free calmly blew on a hot spoonful of stew before putting it in his mouth. He smiled at Serene. “How did you manage to be in Farsuitwail most of the day and still manage this?”
Serene looked embarrassed by the public praise. “I left it simmering on the stove, told Charming to watch out for it in case I was gone too long.”