Mutiny (M.E.R. Series) Read online

  Mutiny

  by Jacqueline Gardner

  Copyright © 2012 Jacqueline Gardner

  Kindle Edition

  Mutiny is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. All rights reserved.

  Author Contact

  Website: www.jacquelinegardner.com

  Email: [email protected]

  Twitter: Writer_Jacque

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjacquelinegardner

  Dedication: To my supportive family and friends.

  ERIC

  1

  New Blood

  I have the habit of grabbing my arm after every serum injection and pretending it doesn’t hurt. But each injection makes my blood boil. I know the serum is what keeps us alive, but it hurts like hell. And believe it or not, I know a thing or two about pain. Back at Neptune House, Frankie nearly sliced my arm off with a garden shovel. He says it was an accident, but the smirk he gets whenever I bring it up leads me to believe otherwise.

  “Be nice to the new guy,” Frankie shouted towards Brian. I sat on the top bunk, clutching my arm and resting my back against the wall. It was after supper and soon we’d be summoned to do our nightly chores.

  “Why do you always insist on giving me advice?” Brian was sitting quietly with a deck of cards.

  “Because you could use it,” Frankie chuckled.

  There was a tap on the door. As our new comrade entered the room, I wanted to tell him to lose the nervous grin. But like always, I kept my mouth shut and let Frankie do the talking.

  “Day one aboard the sub! How does it feel, soldier?” Frankie grinned as he stretched out on his neatly made bed. His dark skin blended in with the tan bed sheets. The new kid turned pale at the sight of us. We were all older and more experienced.

  “Don’t worry,” Frankie continued. “Everyone does something embarrassing in front of the crew eventually. You should be relieved you got that out of the way.” I nodded at our newbie and clung to my arm, trying not to grimace from the ongoing stings. Complaining of any kind wasn’t allowed.

  “Everything looked like mush!” the new boy replied. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. “How was I supposed to know what was what?” Our new comrade had been assigned the letter ‘A’. He was a skinny boy with messy hair and a worried expression. His high pitched voice caught me off guard. I hadn’t heard a voice like his since Davis joined our team. Then again, ‘A’ was only thirteen. He’d learn to act tough, sit up straight, and he wouldn’t stay scrawny for long.

  Graduating to a full M.E.R. soldier was something I used to dream about at his age. I still remember my first day on The Pugio, the program’s submarine. I’d accidentally slipped in the hall and landed on Commander Z’s boot. With a rocking hallway and a slippery floor, you’d think the Commander would have cut me some slack. That wasn’t the case. I’d spent the next week scraping gunk off the floors with my fingernails. Sometimes my nails had cracked leaving an even bloodier mess, but they always grew back.

  “Hey man, relax,” I assured him. “No one gets whipped for barfing up anchovy chunks. This place isn’t like Neptune House. All the Commander cares about is that you follow orders and stay out of his way.” ‘A’ started to force a smile as he let out a huge breath.

  Did I feel guilty for giving him false hope? Not at all. If he knew what graduating to a full M.E.R. soldier really meant, he’d probably puke a second time. I was in no mood to clean up vomit.

  ‘A’ was one of us now. He was part of our team. Missions here were a lot more dangerous than the trials we were put through at Neptune House. Our limits were tested every time. But being stabbed, shot, or burned didn’t matter. We were M.E.R. soldiers - natural born regenerators.

  I casually let go of my arm. It was bright red and still throbbing but the hole from the giant needle was gone. I sighed. Every syringe of serum reminded me that I’d always be dependent on the program for survival. If I ran away or was left behind, that would be it. My DNA would over mutate and I’d be waiting around to drop dead. They help us, we help them. That’s how the M.E.R. program worked.

  “So what do I do now?” A’s voice was a lot shakier than he probably wanted it to be.

  “Your name,” I replied. “The Commander only cares about your letter but as part of our team, you get a name.”

  “Can I pick it?”

  “Hell no!” Brian yelled from his bunk. He wasn’t a big fan of mercy. Frankie shot him a disappointed look.

  “Ignore him,” Frankie interrupted.

  “I got it! How about we call him Anchovy?” Brian laughed at his own comment. ‘A’ looked confused again. “Well you didn’t think we were gonna call you ‘A’ your whole life did you?”

  “Brian,” Frankie muttered.

  “What? It starts with the letter A.”

  Frankie smiled as he jumped up and starting pacing up and down our narrow quarters. The floor shook but Frankie was used to keeping his balance. The Pugio was the fastest submarine in the world, according to the program. It looked like a skinny, black dagger when it tore through the ocean. None of us knew how it worked, but one day we’d be on the coast of California and the next we’d surface near Spain.

  “You gotta admit,” Frankie finally stated. “That is pretty funny.”

  “Man, am I glad there’s finally another new guy.” Brian sat up looking anxious. Brian had been a little touchy since Davis disappeared. “Anchovy suits you, little man.” Brian sized up our newcomer by squeezing Anchovy’s tiny biceps.

  “What do you think, Eric?” Frankie looked for my nod of approval. The fact that Frankie was a year older than me never mattered when it came to decision making. We thought too much alike to argue.

  “Oh give the kid at least one more option,” I replied. Anchovy was pale as he waited for the verdict. I felt a little sorry for him, but being given a stupid name would be the least of his worries in a few months.

  “Attention!” A sudden voice yelled from the doorway. “The Commander wants to see the four of you.”

  Anchovy watched as we marched towards the door. The Commander didn’t like to be kept waiting.

  “Coming?” Frankie asked.

  “What’s going on?” Anchovy replied.

  “When the Commander calls, you answer. It’s as simple as that.” Anchovy jumped up and mimicked our march. His forehead started to look shiny. We weren’t even out the doorway and he was already starting to sweat.

  The four of us marched down a narrow corridor that led to Commander Z’s quarters. The air was sticky as we stamped past the engine rooms. Anchovy had to resist the urge to cover his ears a few times. His earlobes were probably throbbing. It takes a while to grow accustomed to the sub’s 24/7 noise schedule. Another part of the M.E.R. program’s curriculum was learning to control our heightened senses.

  “Have a seat.” A cold voice echoed through the hallway and forced its way into my brain. Z was our Chief Commander. He wasn’t too tall like Frankie and me were, but he more than made up for it in girth. Commander Z’s bulky frame let us know he was in charge.

  The four of us sat down on a wooden bench in the Commander’s office. Anchovy looked like he was about to hyperventilate. Brian gave his side a quick pinch and Anchovy straightened his hunched back.

  “Welcome aboard the Pugio, son.” Commander Z looked in Anchovy’s direction as he spoke. “You’re an official M.E.R. soldier now. I assume you
’ve been briefed on the soldier you are replacing?” The Commander paused and raised an eyebrow. Anchovy gulped. None of us had spoken a word about Davis since he went missing. Not even to Anchovy.

  “No sir,” Frankie interjected. The Commander’s eyes shifted towards Frankie.

  “Let the boy speak for himself,” he responded firmly. Frankie nodded. “Well?”

  “No sir,” Anchovy answered mimicking Frankie.

  “Have your teammates even given you a civilian name, boy?” Anchovy hesitated. “Answer me!”

  “Uhhh,” Anchovy muttered.

  “Louder, soldier!”

  “Yes, sir! Anchovy, sir!” Anchovy shouted. A bead of sweat dripped over his brow. I could see a slight smile cross the Commander’s face. He paced around our team letting his heavy boots crash against the ground.

  “Bad things happen to those who disobey, soldier. Remember that.” He stepped back and gave all four of us a burning stare. “Your former teammate failed to follow orders – an offense punishable by abandonment. That’s why he was left behind without serum.”

  I tried to show no emotion but my head was buzzing with images of Davis. He’d been part of our team for so long. It was like losing a brother. And now that brother was either wandering around somewhere or dead.

  “If you choose to follow in his footsteps, there will be consequences. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, Commander.” We all recited our replies in unison. The Commander looked pleased and shook his head.

  “Good.” Commander Z waved towards the door and sat down at his desk. This was our cue to leave. “Not you, E.” The sound of my letter made my chest tighten. Rarely would the Commander ever address any of us individually. Frankie raised his eyebrows as he and the others passed by me. Commander Z browsed through papers on his desk keeping his head down. “Shut the door.” I closed the door behind Frankie and waited.

  The only thing on my mind was Davis. He’d been unusually stand-offish his last couple days aboard the submarine.

  “You know why you’re here?” I shook my head and waited for Commander Z to glance up. “You’re here because your continued obedience is about to be rewarded.”

  “How?” My voice shook a little. I knew better then to speak out of turn but ever since Davis disappeared, I had a lot of questions. The Commander looked up and chuckled.

  “You don’t believe in bogus conspiracy theories like some of the others. Asking pointless questions is a sure way to get your team into trouble. You’ve got your feet firmly on the ground soldier and because of that, I’m going to give you a special assignment.” I nodded in agreement and waited for my orders. I expected my ‘special assignment’ to be toilet duty or dish washing but I was dead wrong.

  “You’ve been selected for a solo mission. We’ll be surfacing soon. When we do, you will have only a few hours to complete your task.” I was surprised. There were loads of other soldiers more experienced than me.

  “When do I leave sir?” The Commander chuckled again.

  “Tonight.”

  * * *

  My briefing with the Commander had been short and my objective was simple. All I had to do was steal a file from a home computer. It was my first solo mission and there wasn’t time to get nervous. Actually I didn’t have much time to think at all. As soon as the Pugio surfaced, I’d be headed for the Hamptons.

  “Well? What did the Commander want?” Frankie was still pacing around our bunks giving Anchovy a hard time. I hurried past Frankie and started packing the things I’d need.

  “Have you seen my lucky knife?” My eyes searched through every corner of the room. There weren’t many places to hide things. Our quarters consisted of four metal walls, a hard floor, three sets of bunks, and no windows. There were no splashes of color and our uniforms were gray. Luckily, we didn’t spend much time in our rooms.

  “Come on, man.” Frankie was starting to get impatient. I knew he’d be a little worried that I’d be out on my own without any backup. After what had happened to Davis, all of us have had more reason to watch our backs. There was no explanation as to why Davis disappeared. What if one of us was next? I personally didn’t want to find out how it felt to live minute to minute without serum.

  “There’s not much to say,” I began. Brian and Anchovy directed their attention towards me. “I was given a mission.”

  “Sweet, man! Who’s your partner?”

  “The assignment is for one.”

  “What?” Frankie’s eyes went wide.

  “I leave tonight,” I said. All expression was erased from Frankie’s face. He nodded and let his eyes drift to the empty bunk in the corner. Things weren’t the same without Davis. His bed and belongings were neatly arranged as if he’d never left. “I’ll be fine, alright. I’ll be back by morning. You won’t even know I’m gone.” I tried to act casual as I resumed my search for the missing knife.

  “That’s good right?” Anchovy was looking from bunk to bunk.

  “Yes Anchovy, it’s a very good thing,” I answered. “It means that the Commander thinks I’m capable.”

  “Or dispensable,” Frankie interrupted. My head jerked up and Frankie gave me a hesitant look.

  “You know there’s nothing I can do.”

  “Did you check under your mattress?” Frankie sighed. I lifted up my mattress and moved my hand around the metal bed frame. I had less than an hour left, and I didn’t want to fight with Frankie. He was just worried. I was too, but I was good at hiding it.

  “Nope, not there,” I replied. Frankie sat on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

  “I’ll help!” Anchovy chimed in. He was eager to please, a common newcomer trait that would soon fade. I grinned and Anchovy seemed all too excited to get my approval. He jumped up and started rummaging through everyone’s things.

  “Hands off, little man!” Brian was sitting on his bed, shuffling a deck of cards. Anchovy whispered an apology and kept searching. When he got to Davis’s bunk, the three of us froze. None of us had dared to touch his things since the incident. I think we all secretly hoped that Davis would casually stroll back to his bunk like nothing had happened. Anchovy searched along the mattress of Davis’s bunk. Brain sat up, watching Anchovy like a hawk. Anchovy moved Davis’s mattress away from the wall. His eyes went wide.

  “What’s that?” Anchovy sounded confused.

  “How about you move away from the wall so we can see what you’re talking about.” Brian’s voice sounded annoyed. He was acting angrier than usual. His forehead was sweaty and he kept nervously tapping his foot.

  “Don’t tell me that Davis broke my lucky knife!” I rushed over to his bunk to see what Anchovy had found. What I saw next was unexpected. I stared at the ink on the wall.

  “What does it mean?” Frankie was up too. He was as baffled as me.

  “No clue.” The faded ink had been drawn onto the wall. There was a smeared circle surrounding the outline of a burning flame. I was shocked. Why would Davis draw this? He knew, just like the rest of us, that it was against the rules.

  “How did we not notice this before?” Frankie gasped. I shrugged my shoulders. What went on in Davis’s head was beyond me.

  “Is this going to get us into trouble?” Anchovy asked.

  “No, and you want to know why?” Brian shoved the mattress back against the wall. “Cuz you’re gonna keep your mouth shut!” He pointed a finger at Anchovy.

  “What’s with the shouting, Brian?” I firmly asked. “Do you know what that drawing means?” Brian looked away, avoiding my question. He returned to the deck of cards on his bed.

  “Brian!” Frankie added. “The truth. Did you know about this?” Brian stayed silent. He looked down at his bed sheets like he was trying to formulate the right words. Frankie walked over to Brian’s bunk and knocked his playing cards to the floor.

  “Hey! What the . . . !”

  “I asked you a question!” Frankie interrupted.

  “I didn’t think it was a big deal.
”

  “What wasn’t a big deal?”

  “Davis was a weirdo, alright.” He glanced over at Anchovy who was listening intently. “Before Davis left . . .”

  “Uh, disappeared,” I interrupted.

  “Whatever,” Brian answered “Davis came to me and said he wanted to talk. He had some crazy theory that there was someone following us every time we surfaced.”

  “What?” Frankie commented. “Uh, for people to stalk us, they would have to know we exist.”

  “I know. He was convinced that some guy was stalking us.”

  “I never noticed anything,” I insisted. “Why didn’t he say something?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Brian said quietly. Frankie and I both looked at each other.

  “Yeah, but what does all this have to do with the mess of ink next to his bed?” Frankie asked.

  “Who knows?”

  My heart was racing and I struggled to keep my breathing steady. I was minutes away from leaving the rest of my team and venturing off by myself. If there was any truth to Davis’s theory, I could be some psycho’s next target.

  Frankie scratched his head. He wasn’t convinced. Any more talk of stalkers would throw me off. I needed to keep a clear head. Part of our M.E.R. training included blending in with crowds but those skills wouldn’t be too helpful tonight. I’d be arriving during a party, a formal dinner party.

  “You don’t think that has to do with why he left, do you?” Brian asked.

  “Disappeared,” I mentioned again.

  “Look guys, if I’d have said something to the Commander, we’d all be scrubbing toilets for the rest of our lives. I saved all our necks!”

  “Toilets aren’t so bad,” Anchovy commented. We all turned to look at him. “What?” Anchovy had a lot to learn in a little amount of time. I’m sure he didn’t see the seriousness of the situation. The reality of being a M.E.R. soldier doesn’t really sink in until after your first mission. That’s when you realize how miserable your life can be if you don’t play your cards right.