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Chapter 9: A Clever Distraction

An hour after Ostin had been incarcerated, a single soldier walked into his cell. Ostin was lying on his back on the thin, flea-infested cot, staring at the cracked ceiling. The guard had no gun but held a wooden truncheon in one hand. “Stand up,” he said.

“Qué pasa?” Ostin said, slowly rising.

“Stand up. Hazlo!”

“Okay,” he said. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” The guard looked at him without comprehension.

Ten minutes earlier, Ostin had reattached the RESAT to his chest, and when he was arm’s length from the soldier, he tapped on the box. “Can you turn this thing down? It’s too strong.” “No. Put your hands in front of you.”

Concealing the RESAT wires in his hands, Ostin held his hands out. As the guard brought the cuffs near, Ostin touched the bare-ended wires to the guard’s arms. There was a loud snap of electricity, and the man collapsed to the ground without a scream.

Ostin looked down at him. “I told you it was too strong.” Ostin crouched down next to the man to make sure he was out. “So that’s what it’s like to be Michael.” He carefully rolled the wires back, then quickly undressed the guard and put on his uniform. The guard was an inch shorter than Ostin, and the uniform fit well except for being a little snug in the waist.

When Ostin had finished changing, he handcuffed the guard’s hands behind his back, stuffed the man’s socks into his mouth, then wrapped a sheet around the man’s head to keep him from spitting the socks out. He took the guard’s key and bludgeon, peered out of his cell, and when he saw no one, walked out into the corridor.

The jail was small, a single corridor about sixty feet in length, with doors on each side. Ostin had no idea which cells his friends were being kept in, so he tried the key in the first door next to his, opened it, and quickly stepped inside. Zeus was lying on the bed, his face bent in a grimace. Sweat was beading on his forehead, stress from a RESAT that was set too high.

“Oye!” Ostin shouted.

Zeus sneered. “Eat my shorts, you ape.” “I’ll pass,” Ostin said, stepping closer.

Zeus looked over at him. “Ostin? How did you . . .” Ostin took the wires from the RESAT and hooked them to Zeus’s machine. “I’m going to unfasten this.” “No, don’t,” Zeus said. “It sets it off. It could kill me.” “Shouldn’t,” he said. He set his own RESAT on the bed next to Zeus. “I rewired this to counter yours. I’m ninety-nine point six percent sure that it will work.” Zeus looked at it a moment, then said, “Are you sure?” “I just told you how sure I am.” Ostin grasped the closest fastener on Zeus’s RESAT, then unlatched it. The RESAT immediately lit up.

“It’s powering up,” Zeus said anxiously.

“I know,” Ostin said. Suddenly the machine began to squeal.

“Ostin . . .”

“Does it feel different?”

“No.”

“Then don’t sweat it.”

Zeus didn’t feel it getting stronger. If anything, his pain was diminishing.

“I think it’s working,” Zeus said.

“For a minute,” Ostin said. “We’ve got to get it off you. The capacitor can only hold so much electricity before it will blow.” “Now you tell me.” Zeus frantically unfastened the rest of the clips, then pushed the box away from him. He fell back against the wall and took a deep breath, groaning in relief.

“You’re welcome,” Ostin said, grabbing Zeus’s RESAT and prying off its back.

“Thank you,” Zeus said. “I’m going to blast those guys to the next city.” “Bad idea,” Ostin said. “We’re still surrounded, and they’ve still got guns.” He yanked a few wires off the RESAT, then snapped on the back of the RESAT and gave the box back to Zeus. “Here, put it back on.” “I’m not putting that on,” he said, looking at the flashing lights.

“It doesn’t work anymore,” Ostin said. “It just looks like it does. If you walk out there without it on, they’ll know something’s up.” Zeus slid his arms through the straps, and Ostin clipped the fasteners back in place. He looked at Ostin. “What’s next?” “We need to find the others. Then we’re going to capture a few soldiers, put on their uniforms, and walk the rest of us out of here. That’s the only way we’re going to get past all those guards.” “Do you know what’s outside this place?” “Other than like ten thousand soldiers? No. We need Ian. If there’s a weakness, I’m sure he’s already found it. Do you know what room he’s in?” “No. I had a hood over my head when they brought me in.” “Yeah, we all did.” Ostin walked to the cell door. “All right, I’m going to open it. When no one’s watching, I’m going to cross the hall and open the door across from us. Get ready to run.” Ostin opened the cell door a half inch and peered out. No one was in the hall. He turned back to Zeus. “It’s clear. Come on.” Zeus walked up behind him. Ostin looked out again, then they both ran across the hall. Ostin shoved the key in the door, unlocked the cell, and pushed the door open.

“It’s us . . . ,” he said, as the door swung open. There were at least twenty dirty and angry-looking Peruvian convicts staring at him.

“Sorry, wrong room,” Ostin said, stepping back.

“Atacquenlos!” a large, bearded man shouted.

“Vámonos!” another shouted, rushing toward Ostin.

Ostin froze in the doorway, paralyzed by fear. Zeus pushed Ostin aside and with both hands extended, blasted the approaching men. The electricity from his bolt splintered off, traveling through all of the men simultaneously, and all of them fell to the ground, one of them grasping his chest. Zeus grabbed Ostin and pulled him out of the room.

“Wrong curtain, man,” he said, pulling the door shut. They went to the next door, which Ostin, though still shaken and fumbling with the key, managed to unlock. This time he opened the door more cautiously. At first neither of them saw anyone. Then Zeus pointed to the corner. “There she is.” Lying on her back on the concrete floor next to the far wall was McKenna. Her back was arched and her long black hair was splayed out around her. Zeus pushed Ostin inside the cell and shut the door behind them.

“McKenna,” Ostin said. Then he realized that she was convulsing. “No!” He rushed to her side. Her entire body was seized and her eyes had rolled back in her head. “It’s killing her!” Ostin shouted. “It’s too high!” “Shut it off,” Zeus said.

Ostin fell to his knees on the ground next to her. He fastened the wires of his RESAT to hers and practically ripped the machine off of her. She immediately gasped, then fell still.

“McKenna!” Ostin shouted.

Zeus put his finger on her throat, then his ear to her heart. “It’s not beating.” “CPR,” Ostin said. He began pressing on her chest, then listened. Then repeated. “I can’t get anything,” he said.

Zeus pulled him off her. “Stand back.” He put his hand over McKenna’s heart. “Hold on.” He shocked her, and her entire body jumped. He put his head on her chest. Nothing. He leaned back and tried it again. “Come on, McKenna.” Her body jumped even more. Then she groaned. He put his ear to her chest. This time he could hear her heart.

“It’s beating.”

Her eyes opened, then she began to cry.

Ostin knelt back next to her. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “I’m so sorry.” He wiped the tears off her cheeks. She looked up at him gratefully.

When she could speak she said, “Thank you.” “Anything for you,” he said.

“We’ve got to hurry,” Zeus said. “Before they find out we’re gone.” “Can you stand?” Ostin asked.

“I think so,” McKenna said. “Just help me up.” Ostin stood, and, taking her hands in his, helped her to her feet. After she was standing, her legs buckled a little and she fell into him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her up until she could stand on her own. “Sorry,” she said.

“It’s okay,” Ostin said. “Take your time.

Zeus looked at them impatiently. “Not a lot of time.” “We can go,” McKenna said.

Zeus pulled open the cell door and looked out into the hallway. “It’s clear. Give me the key.” Ostin gave him the key and Zeus crossed the hallway to the next door and opened it. Inside was Ian, who in spite of the effect of his RESAT, was still able to see what was going on and was sitting up expecting him.

Zeus waved McKenna and Ostin over. Ostin took McKenna by the arm and helped her across the hallway into Ian’s cell.

“I saw you do something to this,” Ian said, touching the RESAT.

“I can disable it,” Ostin said.

“Then do it,” Ian said. “It’s killing me.” Ostin attached the wires from his RESAT to Ian’s, then began unfastening the buckles. Ian slipped the box off, groaning in relief. “Thanks, man. I owe you.” Ostin began dissecting the RESAT. “You’re welcome.” “And for saving McKenna.” Ian walked over to McKenna and put his arms around her. After years of being imprisoned together in the academy’s dungeon, McKenna had become a sister to him, and he had yelled out for help as he watched her struggling with her RESAT. “How are you feeling?” “I’m better now,” she said, glancing at Ostin.

Ostin smiled, then continued working on Ian’s RESAT. When he’d rewired it, he replaced the rear panel and handed it back to him. “Here you go. It’s best to keep them on.” “I get it,” Ian said, rebuckling the machine.

“Where’s everyone else?” Zeus asked.

Ian said, “Jack, Abigail, and Wade are in the next three cells on this side. Taylor’s in the last cell on the opposite side, but she’s not there. They took her down to interrogate her.” “Not good,” Zeus said.

“No, it might be good,” Ostin said. “It’s just the opportunity we need. We’ll wait in her cell for the guards to bring her back, then jump them. But we still need to get the others. Ian, you need to tell us when to move.” “Jack’s in the cell next to us, then Wade, but we should get Abi first. She’s in a lot of pain.” “Then let’s go,” Zeus said.

Following Ian, they hurried down to Abigail’s cell. Abigail didn’t see them come in. She was lying on the ground facing the wall, writhing in pain. Zeus ran to her side. “We’re here,” he said.

She rolled over to look at him, her cheeks stained with tears. “It hurts.” “I know. We’ll get it off. C’mon, Ostin. Hurry!” Ostin fastened his machine to hers, and Zeus pulled her RESAT off. She rolled onto her stomach and sobbed, while Zeus gently rubbed her back. “It sucks, you know? You can take away everyone’s pain but your own.” “Are you okay?” McKenna asked, crouching down next to her.

“I think these guys are meaner than the Elgen,” Abigail said.

“I don’t think so,” Ostin said. “I just think they don’t know how to use the RESATs.” “Where’d they even get them?” Zeus asked.

“I’m sure they’re a gift from the Elgen,” Ian said.

“You can bet on that,” Ostin said. He stood. “We better keep moving.” Zeus cradled Abigail in his arms and lifted her. “Thank you,” Abigail said, draping her arms around Zeus’s neck.

“What’s going on out there?” Ostin asked.

Ian said, “There’s some activity in the front, but we’re still clear. Let’s get the other two.” Everyone but Ostin stayed in Abigail’s cell until Ostin had freed Wade, then opened Jack’s door, at which point the group gathered in Jack’s cell.

“Jack!” Wade shouted when he saw him.

“Hey, man,” Jack said. “It’s good to see you.” They guy-hugged.

Zeus walked in carrying Abigail. “What happened?” Jack asked.

“They had her RESAT set too high,” Zeus said.

“I’m gonna bust some heads,” Jack said.

“I’m with you,” Zeus said.

“Time for phase two,” Ostin said. “Ian, what’s going on outside the jail?” “Nothing good,” Ian said. “There are thousands of soldiers. They’ve constructed three supertall barbwire fences around the jail, so even if we get out, we’d have to somehow get through the fences.” “Then they’ve built their camp outside the fences, so after the fence we’d have to walk through the middle of thousands of soldiers.” “Yeah, I’m sure they won’t notice us,” Zeus said sarcastically.

“They didn’t notice us at the Starxource plant,” Jack said. “We walked right through their cafeteria. If we split up . . .” Abigail looked frightened at the prospect. “I think they would notice me. I don’t look at all like a Peruvian soldier.” “You’ll need one of their assault masks,” Jack said. “And uniforms.” “What we need,” Ostin said, “is a distraction. And I know where to find it.” He suddenly smiled. “Oh, this is going to be good.” “What’s that?” McKenna asked, taking Ostin’s arm.

“We’re sitting on a powder keg just waiting for a spark,” Ostin said. “The army took all the prisoners who were already in here and shoved them all in one cell, like sardines. They’re as tightly strung as a banjo.” “Two cells,” Ian said. “There’s one near the front, and the other is at the end of the corridor, next to Taylor’s cell.” “Even better,” Ostin said. “So here’s the plan. I heard some of the soldiers talking on the transport here. They didn’t know I spoke Spanish so they weren’t being real discreet. The bottom line is, these guys want us alive. Someone high up has ordered it.” “Why?” Jack asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s for public relations. Maybe it’s just so they can properly hang us, but whatever the reason, they’re protecting us. So here’s my idea. We start a fire—” “Wait, you want to start a fire while we’re still locked in here?” Abigail asked.

“Yeah. They won’t let us burn. Then, if we let out the other prisoners, and they see the smoke . . .” “Prison riot,” Jack said.

“And they’ll have to come save us,” McKenna said.

“Exactly. Except that the ones saving us . . . are us,” Ostin said.

“You lost me,” Wade said.

“Jack you, and I will be dressed up as soldiers. We’ll be the ones rushing everyone else out of the jail to keep them safe.” “Only one problem,” Wade said. “How do we start a fire? Rub sticks together?” “You’re kidding, right?” McKenna said.

Wade looked at her. “Oh. Right.”

Jack shook his head. “Dude, you’re so dumb.” Wade frowned.

“Where do we get two more soldier uniforms?” Abigail asked.

Ostin turned to Ian. “Are they still interrogating Taylor?” “Yeah.”

“Are there soldiers with her?”

“Two of them.”

“Perfect. We hide in her cell. When they bring her back, Zeus zaps them and we take their uniforms.” “Then we better hurry to her cell,” Ian said. “We don’t know how long the questioning will last.” “Let’s go,” Jack said. He opened the door. “Ian, is it clear?” Ian looked around. “Looks good.”

“Stay close to the wall, people,” Ostin said.

They hurried in single file down to Taylor’s cell. Ostin opened the cell door, and they all went in.

“When the time comes,” Ostin said, “everyone needs to stand against this wall. We don’t know how far they’ll actually come into the cell, and if they see one of us, we’ve got a problem. Zeus, as soon as the doors open, be prepared to drop them. When they’re down, Jack and Wade will pull them into the cell and put on their uniforms. Ian, you’ve got to let us know their progress so we can be ready for them.” “I’m on it.”

“Then how do we get out of here?” Jack asked.

“There’s only one way out of this hallway,” Ian said. “But there’s a guard stationed next to the door.” “Taylor will have to do her mind thing on him,” Ostin said. “Then where do we go?” “We go left, then walk straight out through the front lobby.” “What’s outside?”

“Soldiers. Lots and lots of soldiers.” “Any vehicles nearby?”

Ian looked around. “A truck, two cars, a motorcycle, and a transport van.” “Are there keys in any of them?”

He concentrated on it. “Not that I can see.” “I can hot-wire it,” Jack said. “It will only take me a few minutes.” “Then what are we facing?” Ostin asked.

“There’s a single gateway that goes through all three fences. The checkpoint has three guards with machine guns, two more inside the booth, and a tank on the outside.” “So we can’t run it,” Ostin said. “We’ll just have to convince them that we’re transporting the terrorists to safety.” McKenna touched Ostin’s arm. “What do you want me to do? Besides light fires.” “Keep safe,” Ostin said.

“I’ll do my best,” she said.

Just then Ian said, “They’re coming.”

“How many soldiers?” Ostin asked.

“Two. One on each side.”

“Where’s Taylor?”

“She’s in front.”

Ostin looked at Zeus. “Ready?”

Electricity sparked between his fingers. “Born ready,” he said.

Jack and Wade pressed themselves up against the wall near the door.

“Ian, give us a countdown,” Ostin said.

“Thirty feet,” Ian said. “Twenty-five, twenty, fifteen . . .” His voice softened to a whisper. “Ten, five . . .” They could hear the sound of the key in the door. Jack glanced at Zeus, who nodded. The door opened and the two soldiers pushed Taylor in.

Taylor saw her friends before the soldiers did. She looked at them, dumbfounded, trying to figure out why they were in her cell. Then one of the soldiers looked at Zeus.

“Surprise!” Zeus shouted, blasting both of them and knocking one of them out the door.

“Too much!” Jack said. “Take this one, Wade!” Wade jumped on the first soldier while Jack reached out into the hall, grabbed the other soldier by his feet, and dragged him back into the cell.

“Sorry, man,” Zeus said. “Got the rush on.” “I feel you,” Jack said. “I bet that felt good.” “Not for them,” McKenna said.

Ostin pushed the door shut. “Ian, are we safe?” “I don’t think anyone saw us.”

“Taylor, come here,” Ostin said, leading her by the arm to the bed.

Taylor still looked confused. “How’d everyone get in here?” “I let them in,” Ostin said. He attached his RESAT to hers. “Let’s get this thing off.” “You can’t take it off,” Taylor said, pulling away from him. “It goes off if you mess with it.” “It’s okay,” McKenna said. “He solved it.” Taylor looked at McKenna. “Then why is yours still on?” “It’s to fool them,” Ostin said. “I disabled it. But they don’t know it. These dudes don’t even know how they work.” “Then get it off me,” Taylor said.

It took Ostin less than thirty seconds to release her RESAT. When it was off, she fell back on the bed. “Thank you.” “Now I need to rewire it.”

Zeus and Abigail tied up the soldiers as Jack and Wade finished putting on their uniforms.

“What’s the plan?” Taylor asked.

“We’re going out the front door. We need you to do your mind trick thing with the guards there.” “Why would they let us out?”

“We’re setting the place on fire and starting a riot. In all the confusion, we’ll look like we’re trying to get you out to safety.” “How do I look?” Jack asked Abigail.

“Like one of them,” she said. “Except taller. And better looking.” Jack smiled.

“How about me?” Wade asked.

“You look like one of them,” Abigail said.

“Guys, we’ve got a problem,” Ian said. “There’s a soldier headed to Zeus’s room.” “Is anyone else with him?” Zeus asked.

“No, he’s alone. I don’t see anyone watching either.” Zeus walked to the door. “Then I’ll take him out.” He opened the door and stuck his head out. “Hey, amigo!” The man turned toward him.

Zeus reached out his hand. “Got a present for you.” He shot a single bolt nearly thirty feet, bouncing the man off the wall and to the ground. Zeus stepped back in. “He’s down.” “Time to go,” Ostin said, setting aside Taylor’s RESAT.

“Wait, what about my RESAT?” Taylor asked.

“Here, take mine,” Ostin said. “It can shock people.” She put her arms through its straps. “Thanks.” “What does it look like out there?” Ostin asked Ian.

“Surprisingly quiet. It’s like everyone’s having a siesta break.” “Which cell has the prisoners?”

He pointed to his left. “Right there, the cell next to us, left side of the hall.” “Zeus, you better come with us,” Ostin said. “In case the convicts come at us like those others did.” “You got it.”

“I’ll be your prisoner too,” McKenna said.

“I’ll take Abi,” Jack said.

Abigail nodded.

“And me,” Taylor said.

“No problem,” Jack said. “I can handle both of you.” “Not hardly,” Taylor said.

“Looks like it’s you and me, buddy,” Ian said to Wade.

“All right,” Ostin said. “Prisoners in front, guards in back. Put your hands behind your backs so you look handcuffed. No one leaves the room until Zeus and I have let the prisoners out.” He turned to Zeus. “Ready?” “Let’s do this.”

They walked out to the cell next to theirs, and Ostin unlocked the door. Zeus kicked it open. There were at least twenty prisoners crammed into the room. “Estamos escapando!” Ostin shouted. “Salganse ahorita! Huyan!” The prisoners just stared at Ostin, confused at seeing an American in a Peruvian soldier uniform telling them to escape.

“Come on!” Ostin shouted. “Motín!”

They still just stood there.

“We haven’t time for this,” Zeus said. “Stay in your cage, you rats.” “No, start the fires,” Ostin said. “That’s the plan.” “Right,” Zeus said. He blasted the mattress with both hands. It burst into flames. The convicts jumped back, then, looking at Zeus in horror, fled the room. Ostin, Zeus, and Taylor ran back to Taylor’s cell. “Come on!” Zeus shouted.

“McKenna,” Ostin said. “Light the mattresses on fire!” “Love to.” Her hand burst into flames, and she lit the mattress. Then she and Zeus went to each of the cells, lighting the mattresses until smoke poured out of the cells and filled the hallway. An alarm went off.

Ostin opened the cell door for the other prisoners, who didn’t need any persuading to get out, though they stayed away from Zeus.

“Everyone take their positions!” Ostin shouted. “Taylor, we need them to let us out now.” They walked to the door at the end of the corridor. “Abran la puerta!” Ostin shouted.

Taylor concentrated. Immediately the door opened. Soldiers rushed into the building with guns and fire extinguishers.

“Ian, which way?” Ostin shouted.

“Follow me.”

When they got to the outside door, one of the soldiers pointed a gun at them. “Alto!” The man suddenly collapsed to the ground.

A soldier standing behind the fallen man said, “Amigos, this way!” “Who are you?” Ostin asked.

“Apúrate!” the man said, grabbing Ostin’s arm. “We haven’t much time.” “Are you with Jaime?” Taylor asked.

The man looked confused. “Jaime?”

“The voice,” Taylor said.

He hesitated a moment, then said, “The voice. Sí.” Another alarm went off, and outside the fences the soldiers were emerging from their tents. “Please. Hurry.” They followed the man over to an idling prisoner transport van. He opened the back doors. “Everyone in, hurry.” Suddenly there was a huge explosion about a hundred yards west of the camp. Men started shouting and two sirens went off.

“Get in!” the man shouted.

When everyone was inside, the man shut the doors behind them, then ran around to the passenger’s side and climbed in. He shouted to the driver, “Vámonos!” The van pulled forward, needling through the growing crowd of soldiers who had come to fight the fire. They drove up to the first check station, where they were stopped by a guard with a machine gun. He spoke to the driver. “A dónde vas?” “Estamos sacandoles del encendio. Orden del general.” The soldier looked at the teens in the van. “No puedo dejarte ir.” The man in the passenger seat fired something, and the soldier dropped to the ground. Then the man pushed a button on a hand remote, and there was another explosion—this one closer to the jail—taking out a hundred-foot section of the fence.

“Vamos!” he shouted to the driver.

“Distraction,” Ostin said. “Clever.”

The van drove quickly in the opposite direction of hundreds of soldiers who were running toward the jail. Within just a few minutes they had passed out of the military compound.

“We did it,” the man said through a speaker box. “We got away.” Everyone in back clapped, except Ostin, who looked conflicted. Jack punched him in the shoulder. “Lighten up, dude. You and that awesome brain of yours broke us out of there.” Wade also punched Ostin in the shoulder. “Yeah, you’re the brain man.” Ostin still didn’t look happy. “I didn’t get us out of there; those guys did.” He turned to Taylor and frowned. “Why didn’t he know Jaime?” Taylor shrugged. “Maybe they don’t use their real names.” Ostin frowned. “Something doesn’t feel right. Can you read their minds?” Taylor looked over at the driver, who was divided from the back by a thick, bulletproof Plexiglas sheet braced with a metal caging. “I don’t know. I’ll try.” She put her hand against the metal siding of the van.

Ostin knocked on the plastic partition between them. The man turned back. “Yes?” “Where are we going?”

“Someplace safe, amigos,” he said. “Someplace very safe.” He turned back toward the front.

Taylor looked at Ostin with wide eyes. “We’ve got to get out of here,” she whispered.

“Why?” Ostin asked.

“They’re taking us to the Elgen.”