Page 28 of Seamus: Unconventional
She nods. “I was told it may take time because they need to verify and hopefully find someone that was studied. The cyborg studies hold no weight because there isn’t anyone to testify as proof.”
“They’re real too but there’s not enough of them left in there to fight. There could be more but what I’ve seen has too much continual enhancement that steals the human soul right out of them.”
Her hand touches the scar again and whatever haunts her shows through her eyes like one of her stories trying to get out and soak up light. “Military does have a way to suck humanity out of you.”
That surprises me. The scar isn’t from enhancement or it’s not anything I’ve seen before in any lab we went to. “Did they enhance you?”
She does one of those haughty huffs like Light. “No. I was caught and held trying to save a K-9 but the team was ambushed. I was told there were no other survivors when a team came for me.” That scar is a disfigure start that didn’t get finished, it’s a thing with some countries to hold and mark women daily so they aren’t ever in a power position. If the woman lasts too long, they kill them but they mostly get chained or bound in empty buildings that are close to firefights.
Light sends me all that and more but I got it. The picture almost has me wincing.Fuck. “The K-9?” I throw out keeping neutral on my face. She isn’t hiding under the bed or afraid of me and remembers how to smile. She definitely didn’t let anyone take her drive and determination. I can relate.
Her eyes find some light. “He escorted me home and was supposed to go to his handler’s dad but an accident from Vegas to the base…”
I get the haunted look and nod with my eyes on Sarge’s head against her leg. She’s rubbing his head automatically, I don’t think she even knows it. “I’m sorry he didn’t make it home. Badass has been rescuing military like me, partners like mine, enhanced and other war and service K-9s. Some are sold black market…” Her nod stops me. When people agree or acknowledge information, I always pause for anything they want to add. I’m out of the loop and had only me and my partners points of view, so anything she can add is knowledge I don’t have yet.
Every partner turns to look at a closed door just in the hallway. Shadow moves toward the hall and stands at alert.
“They’re better than the PD. My brother is back. The contractors are supplying and training almost half the dogs now. They have other animals they’re supplying but they’re using newly acquired elite dogs for breeding and cash. I’ll give you what I know and a flash from the MIA tech but you’ll be more interested in what Cody has to say first.” She points to the door opening.
Cody’s friend looks familiar. “Judge?”
The giant shepherd’s ears twitch and he breaks training protocols coming right at me fast. Shadow gives a happy yip and moves to my side before Judge makes it to me. The move stops Judge from jumping and gives me a chance to bend before I’m bowled over. “It’s been a while, Brother. Glad you made it back. We heard Master Sergeant Kramer didn’t make it.” I give a short cranial scratch and get his head leaning into my arm.
“Who are you?” Cody has me standing up but his relieved look has me quiet. “Badass? FBI just told me you were called.”
I nod. “I’m Seamus MacGregor. These are my partners. They’re chipped and some enhanced but they’re all partners, all military.”
Cody gets it without a map. He looks at his sister. “The dogs you told me about from the flash?”
She nods but doesn’t add anything. Since hologram boards are still showing on the side by the window and he’s a detective, it’s fairly obvious.
“You know Sam from the military?”
I nod. “He’s elite. His ID chip would have his record but he was with a Ranger unit. His handler was one of the best Rangers I ever met. His specialty is tactical and they clocked more jumps than the rest of the team.”
“He’s not chipped or wasn’t. Linda trained with him and watched the vet chip him for PD. She said he’d been trained but everyone said he’s just smart.” He’s a detective and just believed that?
“Okay. So, what’s happening here and what do you want to happen here?”
“Sam needs to be safe. Linda had an app that has his body cam files. It records everything.” He takes two steps closer and points to Judge’s collar. “Right there. I haven’t shut it down because they keep doing more shit and adding proof.” He’s not clueless.
“We can keep Judge safe. You and your sister are not.”
He nods looking at his sister. “You should go with them. FBI said Badass has towns and communities that are safe.”
I smile at the endorsement from the FBI.
“Seamus, get out now!” Mase yells and every partner moves. Three surround me, three have Judge and the others move toward Katie and Cody.
“Let’s go! Everyone out!”
Cody opens the bedroom door. “Dogs, out. Fire escape, three windows down is maintenance to the stairs.”
I hear a thunk and follow the partners that are going out the door we came in. “Go left! Follow to the end.” I hope to Christ the others made it out the bedroom window.
The chopper is going up while onboards are shooting. “This is government, Boss. Are we shooting them?” Mase asks, but I don’t hear the answer because of the explosion right behind us. The stairs we came up are gone. I’m glad we’re moving back.
The battle around us rages and it’s loud but not hitting us as we make the stairway meeting up with the other half of our team and the newbies. “Shadow, everyone accounted for?”
