Maybe it’s time I had somebody around who sees me otherwise.
That could be a dangerous game, but after the past days, she trusted Jael completely. If he wanted her dead, she would be. He’d suffered untold anguish to preserve her life, and the weight bothered her. She didn’t like the sensation of being in his debt. Whatever he’d said about treating him like a person, that wasn’t enough to balance the scales.
He was quick and efficient, returning wrapped in a length of cloth cut from some old mining uniforms. It draped around his hips as he moved. She noticed how thin he’d become just in a few days, though his build had never been overly muscular, which made his strength surprising. Dred hoped to Mary he never issued a challenge.
“I don’t have any clean clothes in here,” he said with a shrug. “And I’m not putting those back on. I think I might have them burned.”
“My turn,” she said.
There was no point in pretending he hadn’t spent the last four days becoming intimately acquainted with her body. Modesty was for people who lived normal, quiet lives. She stumbled toward the lavatory with his hand at her back to help with her balance. By the time she’d made it to the doorway, she was exhausted, but she wouldn’t admit it.
The men need to see me, if only a glimpse, for my victory to be complete.
She stepped into the tiny cubicle and Jael reached around her to turn on the water. The tepid trickle didn’t feel as good as she wished, but it was better than nothing. With his help, she washed up quickly, conscious of the water she used. If the other territories were reckless with their use of it, the tanks might be dry for a while before it all passed through the recyclers and filters, then filled back up for use. The idea of a water shortage scared her as much as anything in this hellhole.
Dred rinsed quickly, then said, “You can step out. I’m pretty sure I can dress and dry off without hitting my head and dying.”
“Forget it. I didn’t spend all this time bringing you back from the dead for nothing.”
“Fine.” She accepted his help, bristling, but by the time he handed the shirt to her, she admitted she needed the aid. “Ask Tam for some pants, then let’s go make a victory lap.”
“You got it.”
Outside, Einar stirred from a chair he’d hauled to the door. The big man’s expression brightened, then he swept her into a bone-crushing hug. “I can’t believe it. The last time I saw you, I was sure—”
“Just call me a miracle worker,” Jael said dryly. “Put her down now, lug. She’s breakable.”
“I am not.” Dred glared at them both and stalked toward the hall. When she reached her destination, the men rose as one and cheered in thunderous tones. They shouted for her as she marched around the hall, arms raised to demonstrate her strength.
She prayed nobody ever guessed how much each step cost her.
26
Zero Hour
Three days later, Queensland was as ready as it would ever be to march on Abaddon.
Jael still wasn’t sure it was wise to put all their faith in Silence. Treachery from Death’s Handmaiden would cost the territory everything. But Dred’s crew had voted in favor of the strike, so they moved forward, laid in all possible preparations. Thanks to a couple of return trips down the lift and back again, they had a turret set up at two checkpoints and plenty of ammo. Wills had the maintenance bot running perimeter checks now, not looking for walls in need of repair but intruders. And Einar had crafted some really bad-ass armor out of the Peacemaker unit.
Jael had fifty men under his command. He had been concerned about the bottleneck leading into Abaddon, which was why they’d agreed to split their forces. He was leading one group, Einar another, Martine the third, and Dred the last. Wills and Ike remained behind to look after Queensland while Tam would be gathering intel quietly on his own, which was what he did best. It had been so many turns since Jael had fought in an actual battle—and he’d never led troops before. He was astonished she’d trusted him with the responsibility, yet life as a merc had prepared him for combat more than armed robbery, rape, or mass murder, the credentials other fish had to offer.
So maybe it’s not that they trust you—only that they don’t have anyone better.
That probability made him laugh softly as Dred strode into the hall. All eyes turned to her, and the men parted and fell quiet. She vaulted on top of one of the tables so they could see her from all corners of the room. That movement said she was strong and fit to lead, but only he knew how much it cost her. He read fierce pride and admiration in their collective faces; this woman could command armies in the real world. They would follow her, not for any cause, but through the sheer force of her will.
“This is phase one in the eradication of our enemies,” she called in ringing tones. That received a howl of response, and she let them get it out of their systems before continuing. “By this time tomorrow, the hell Priest calls Abaddon will be a wasteland. If you’re angry, show them your rage. Teach them what it means to be a Queenslander!”
Deafening cheers rang out. Jael couldn’t believe it, but in half a turn, she had managed to unite these men into a nation. These criminals took pride in their homeland, such as it was, and he had no doubt it was because of her. The man she’d killed must have lacked similar magnetism, or there was no way she could’ve supplanted him so impressively. He’d worked for petty dictators who would’ve killed for her charisma.
Of course, they killed all the time, so that’s not saying much.
“When you report to your commanders, remember that when you fight for them, you’re fighting for me.” Her gaze went somber, and she spun in a full circle as if making eye contact with everyone in the room. Jael noticed Martine propped against the far wall. Her men stood ready nearby, listening to the Dread Queen.
“Some of you won’t return,” Dred said then.
Damn. And she was doing so well, too.
But he had underestimated her. The room quieted again, and he glimpsed Tam pushing forward as if to rein Dred in. She ignored him and went on. “Once this is over, I’ll have Wills carve your names on the wall. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten, nor will your bravery be in vain. The Conglomerate locked you away. They said you were too wicked to walk free. I say you’re warriors, and I believe all of you possess the potential to be heroes.”
“Damn right,” Einar roared, and the crowd echoed it back.