51
For what had to be the umpteenth time in the last forty eight hours, Jag found himself pressing the tips of his fingers into his closed eyes to try and relieve the pressure from a looming headache. He was careful to ensure that outwardly he appeared calm and unfazed but even the most seasoned soldier would find themselves fighting off a stress headache with everything that was going on.
And it seemed like literally everything was going on and none of it was working in their favour.
“Digital forensics turned up nothing on EFHA or Matthews.” Kal announced as he walked into the room, dressed in his usual uniform and white hair neatly combed back. He looked like he had showered after a good night’s sleep but that couldn’t be further from the truth. “The only telling thing is that everyone fell into radio silence over usual channels about four months ago. They must have found new ways of communicating to ensure they were never tracked.”
“Not surprising. They would have known their digital presence was being monitored and tracked.” Jag replied. “How are the interrogations going?”
“Getting there.” Kal sounded more positive. “We knew these guys were low level so probably didn’t know much but, we have learned that EFHA are looking to hit a big target and that they have someone on the inside.”
“Camille.”
“No, actually.” Kal shook his head as he took a seat opposite Jag. “Someone else but they didn’t know much. Just that they are good with computers and they’re close to Matthews.”
“That’s not really much to go on.”
“It’s enough for us to start looking into all personnel with a background in computer science and so on. It will take time but we will find something.” Kal countered. “At least Cam was receptive to going back to Draygon with Sia.”
Jag couldn’t help but chuckle at the comment, shaking his head a little. “I hate to say it, but you have a lot to learn about our little human. She was lying through her teeth. She’s not even at the apartment.”
“What?” Kal’s face dropped. “Why did she lie?”
“I’m guessing to avoid Sia and being stuck under constant watch.” The larger male shrugged. “We knew she wouldn’t agree to it just like that.”
“But we agreed it’s for the best. We don’t know how long this will go on for nor the full scope of what the device could do to Cam.” Kal lamented. “I thought you’d be more...I don’t know... Frustrated.”
“I am.” Jag replied, his voice cool and calm compared to the raging storm of thoughts and emotions within him. “I want her safe just as much as you do but I also want her close so I can protect her.”
“So, you’re changing your mind?”
Jag didn’t answer immediately. He could have easily admitted that he was, but it wouldn’t be the complete truth. Since discovering how involved Camille was in everything, Jag had been constantly trying to figure how to keep her safe. He couldn’t help with the device EFHA had implanted in her like Kal could. He couldn’t teach her how to protect herself and fight like Sid could. He couldn’t even keep a close watch over her like he wanted to. Asking Camille to go to Draygon was both logical and the best option and yet, Jag couldn’t sell the idea to himself completely. Every time he thought about Camille being so far away, his heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice.
“I’m not changing my mind.” The male finally spoke. “Draygon is a far safer place than Earth. At least until we can take EFHA down once and for all.”
“That’s going to take a while, especially now that Sid is out of action.” Kal sighed, eyes wandering to the window thoughtfully.
But neither man had chance to delve into their thoughts for long. Only moments after they fell into silence, Jag’s comm device chimed, announcing someone was calling him. A brief glance told him it was Camille calling. It was odd considering the blonde barely remembered to keep her own phone or comms device with her.
“Camille?” Jag spoke up after hitting the answer button.
“I know where Nathan is!” Camille’s breathless and panic voice burst through the speaker. “He’s inside the Ark!”
---
Camille, wait!”
She heard Charlotte calling for her but at the same time she didn’t register it over the roar of her blood pounding in her ears She felt like she was on fire and yet stone cold all at the same time as her heart raced, threatening to explode from the surge of panic and sheer terror she now felt. It clogged her throat and punched her in the gut. It made breathing impossible and sent her thoughts crashing through her skull like debris caught in a tornado.
She had had to get out of the tunnels. Despite their ginormous size, the tunnels had suddenly felt too small. There was no where to hide from those green eyes and that dark presence.
“Camille, stop!”
Camille didn’t stop though. She didn’t slow down as she ran through maze of tunnels, propelling herself further and further away from her past. No, she would not stop. She would never stop until Nathan was locked up for the rest of his life. Sure, it was an icy cold fear that motivated her but there was anger there. Anger for herself, anger for the innocent people hurt by his plans, anger for what had happened to Sid.
A gentle hand on her arm grounded Camille immediately and she almost stumbled when she came to a halt, chest heaving and eyes wide.
“Mills, it’s me.” Charlotte panted, pale cheeks now coloured pink from running. “Hey it’s okay!”
“Sorry, I just needed to get out of there.” Camille panted in reply.
“I know but you nearly got us caught.” Charlotte frowned, letting Camille go. “This is really bad, isn’t it?”
“I think that’s an understatement.”
“We need to tell someone.” Charlotte muttered, shoving a shaky hand through her hair to portray her own nerves and worry over what they had just discovered.
Camille couldn’t disagree with that. Her hand was already reaching for her own crappy mobile to contact Jag. Her heart was still racing manically in her chest when the male answered.
“Camille?”
“I know where Nathan is!” The blonde blurted out before she could stop herself. “He’s inside the Ark!”
There was a moment of silence as the air seemed to crackle with tension before Jag spoke again, his voice dangerously low but calm.
“Stay where you are.” He replied. “We are on our way.”
Camille had been expecting just Jag and maybe Kal to appear armed with guns for Nathan and a telling off for her. So when it seemed like a whole army descended into the tunnels, Camille was shocked. She knew she shouldn’t be. After all, she was literally standing in a military base and her partners were all soldiers. There was a small amount of relief mixed into the cocktail of fear and anticipation. Perhaps there was even a little hope. But it was all short lived.
After what felt like hours of waiting, Camille’s heart leapt into her throat at the sight of Jag reappearing only for it to sink like a stone into her stomach when she saw the look on Jag’s face.
Nathan wasn’t there.
“I don’t understand.” Camille floundered, blue eyes glimmering with hot tears of frustration, but she forced them back. “He was just there! I saw him!”
“I believe you.” Jag’s voice was surprisingly soothing as his large hands gently cupped the blonde female’s face gently. “There was evidence of people being down there, but they’re gone now. My team are going to continue searching the tunnels to find any clues Nathan or his people might have left behind.”
“We might actually be able to help with that.” Charlotte piped up from the background, body shifting awkwardly. “We think we know who the real mole is.”
“She goes by the name Tina.” Camille added when Jag raised a dark eyebrow in curiosity. “But it turns out that isn’t her real name. She also happens to work with us.”
Jag’s gaze darkened at that information and Camille could feel his anger and desire for retribution. Tina had helped ruin the lives of colleagues and civilians. She had fooled everyone who met her and, even though it wasn’t directly, Tina had contributed to Sid nearly being killed.
“Charlotte, would you mind linking up with Kal and letting him know what you’ve found?” Jag finally asked.
‘’Sure thing.” Charlotte nodded, giving Camille a small smile before heading of in Kal’s direction.
“What about me? What can I do to help?” Camille asked, eyes widening as she looked up at the giant alien.
“You can help by letting me take you home and look after you.” Jag’s lips lifted into a crooked smile sending butterflies fluttering throughout Camille’s stomach.
“But what about finding Nathan?” Camille frowned in confusion. “Don’t they need you here?”
“They can manage without me for a few hours.” Jag replied without hesitation. “By the end of today, Nathan and Tina’s faces will be all over the news and social media. They won’t have anywhere to hide. So, while that happens, I am going to take my female home, cook her dinner and focus on being with her.”