Higher Ground Page 9

  Adam almost expected one of the professors to shout, “not anymore,” but they didn’t—yet.

  “I’ve discovered from seismic scans that the magma chamber under the sea floor directly below this island is about to empty rapidly. When this happens, the sea floor will sink and the island along with it. This will cause the interior basin to flood and perhaps even the mountains to sink beneath the surface of the sea. This event will occur within days. We have to leave the colony immediately.”

  The place erupted, questions, shouts that Zach was crazy, general abuse, all hurled at the stage. Zach waited a moment, then raised his hand. Adam, watching him from behind, thought he should have been checking out Zach’s rather nice ass. But his attention was as riveted as everyone else’s on Zach’s words. He’d already heard it once, but here, in this atmosphere, to hear him say it to all these people, gave it a weight, a terror Adam hadn’t felt before.

  “I have a short presentation about my evidence, if you’ll bear with me.” Zach poked a couple of buttons on his Link, and the screen behind him lit up. He began to go through the data as Adam had seen him do at Korrie’s home. He’d made it less technical this time, but nothing about it gave Adam any reason to doubt Zach. When Korrie stood up and gave her endorsement, Adam began to compose in his head a list of what he’d take with him from his place. He wouldn’t sit around and wait for rescue. If the island began to sink, he wanted to be somewhere high. They needed to get out of the basin and up a mountain.

  Zach and Korrie took questions from the crowd, and from the academics at the front. The fact Phillips and Morrison were disagreeing with Zach caused ripples of doubt to spread through the crowd.

  “Tell me why he’s wrong,” Korrie demanded of them after one such ripple. “Stop saying he ‘can’t’ be right and point to where his evidence is in error. Because I’ve tried to find an error, and I can’t. Not in the data, not in his interpretation. He’s right, and we have to act.”

  “What are we supposed to do?” someone called from the crowd.

  “A colony distress call is already being sent,” Zach said.

  “You can’t do that,” Colleen Johnson shouted. “You’re not authorized.”

  “It’s currently sending,” Zach said. “Authorized or not. Rescue ships will come from the outposts and from off-world, but we can’t simply sit here and wait for rescue.”

  Johnson started to shove her way through the crowd. She’s going to find out about the distress signal, Adam thought. Or she’s going to get the sheriff. He hoped Zach and the Franes had anticipated this and found a way to keep the signal on.

  “We have to get out of the basin and move to higher ground,” Zach went on. “The basin will flood when sea water comes in through the old lava vents. As the basin floor is below sea level, the island sinking only two meters will leave the basin under five meters of water. Our best chance to buy time for rescue to arrive is to climb out of the basin.”

  “This is madness,” a councilor called. “You expect over one thousand people to abandon their farms, their homes, their work, and climb a mountain?”

  “And what about our experiments?” a professor called. “You should know we can’t just leave them. And the quarterly reports—”

  “We can’t leave crops and livestock unattended!” a farmer shouted.

  “If you want to survive, then you have to.” Zach raised his voice over the objections. “We have to set off as soon as possible, I suggest tomorrow morning at eight, to allow everyone time to gather what they need. I’ve drawn up a list of items people should bring. I’m sending it to everyone now.” He tapped on his Link, and a chorus of beeps instantly burst from the crowd. At the same time, the list came up on screen.

  “Essentials only,” Zach said. “But everyone should bring the largest backpack they have, even if they don’t fill it.”

  “Why?” a couple of people shouted.

  “Because eventually we’ll have to carry the children.”

  A papoose, Adam thought. You could use a backpack like a papoose for a toddler. Those with babies probably already had carrying slings or papooses for them, and older children should be able to keep up. It was the toddlers who wouldn’t be able to manage alone.

  The crowd were debating more among themselves, and many people were reading the list on their Links. Some still shouted questions out to Zach. The council and the academics were arguing, with people near them and with each other—something Adam was glad to see.

  He wasn’t so glad to see the sheriff heading this way, Colleen Johnson in his wake.

  “Zach!” Adam called, bringing him over to the side of the platform. “Trouble’s coming.”

  “Yes, I see. They’ll want to talk to me about the distress call. Take Professor Korrie and get out of here.”

  “You come too.”

  “No. Running away would not convince people I believe in what I’m saying. Take her and go, quickly. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Good luck.” He grabbed Zach’s collar and pulled him down for a kiss, not caring how many people might be watching them. It could only last a second, felt even shorter, and he broke away and ran around the back of the stage to the other side.

  “Ann.” She turned to him from where she crouched at the front of the stage, arguing with the academics, and he gestured frantically, bringing her over to him. “Come down, we’re leaving. The sheriff is coming.”

  “What about Zach?”

  “He’ll be fine. You and I are going.” He hated to go and leave Zach behind. Wanted to stand at his side, face whatever came, but he’d be more useful to Zach on the loose than locked up beside him. He reached up and lifted Korrie down as the sheriff climbed the steps to the stage, Johnson following.

  Zach held up the microphone to make sure the crowd heard the sheriff arresting him for unauthorized use of the colony distress signal. Damn, but Zach was good, Adam thought. Maybe his intensity and charisma came from being a frustrated actor, because he’d beautifully set up a dramatic moment. The sheriff, a great bear of a guy, the big authority bully confronting the more slender Zach, arresting the underdog trying to save them all. As Adam made a break for the fire exit, Korrie at his side, he knew that whatever happened, everyone who watched that moment would never forget it.

  Part of him hoped they’d remember it as the night the sheriff arrested that crazy guy Benesh over his crackpot theory about the island sinking.

  Chapter Nine

  Adam drove away from Korrie’s place. He’d arrived an hour ago, intending to drop her off and leave, but she’d insisted he come in to eat. He hadn’t objected, especially not when she’d taken out a couple of steaks, saying there wasn’t much point in saving them. They’d finished off with ice cream.

  “I can’t take it with me,” she’d said. “We might as well enjoy it now.”

  He’d left her packing her backpack and readying for the morning.

  She’d be there for the rendezvous. But who else would be? Adam turned off the road when he spotted the glow of light on a gate ahead of him. He drove up the track to Eva’s farm and parked right by the door to her house. The windows were dark, but a light came on upstairs when he banged on the door. Behind the door, the dog began barking. Eva leaned out of the window.

  “Who’s there? What do you want?”

  “Eva!” He stepped back from the door and into the light so she could see him. “It’s Adam Gray. I’m sorry to call so late, but I have to talk to you.” Not so late, barely 21:30, but farmers retired early.

  “Adam? Wait there, I’ll be right down.”

  Adam paced by the door until a light came on behind it, and it opened to reveal Eva in a red dressing gown and bedroom slippers.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Adam, for heaven’s sake. I’m in my nightdress.”

  He grinned, despite his agitation. “You know you’re perfectly safe from me, despite the obvious temptation.”

  “Oh, come in, you terrible boy. What’s
all this about?” She closed the door behind him as he walked into the still-warm kitchen. The dog, realizing he was a friend, went back to its basket in the corner of the room.

  “Did you go to Dr. Benesh’s meeting at the dome earlier?”

  “Yes. I saw you there, helping him out. You should be careful about hitching your wagon to his star. It won’t do you any favors at the Institute. Do you want some coffee?”

  “No coffee, thank you.” Adam laughed, feeling as if he wanted to let go and laugh hysterically for an hour or so. “Eva, the Institute, that’s all over. This whole island is over. Didn’t you believe what Zach said?”

  “Dr. Morrison and Dr. Phillips got up afterward and explained how it wasn’t confirmed yet and they had to do more tests. They said nothing could happen as quickly as Dr. Benesh claimed.”

  “And you believe them?”

  “Well, they’re so much more senior.”

  “What about Professor Korrie? Isn’t she senior?”

  “Ann Korrie’s always been a maverick who likes a bit of trouble.”

  Adam groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. She couldn’t just stay here. She couldn’t.

  “Eva, please, for me, come with us tomorrow.”

  “You know I don’t have time for that nonsense. I have work to do. The crop—”

  “The crop will be gone!” He bit his lip and flushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. Please, think it through. If he’s right, you’ll die if you stay here. If he’s wrong, well, so what? So you’re away for a few days? The crop will be fine for a few days. You can’t get into any trouble with anyone for leaving.” Unlike himself.

  “What about the livestock? And Jess?” She nodded at the dog in its basket.

  “You can bring Jess.”

  “And the livestock? I can’t climb a mountain with a flock of chickens, Adam.”

  Adam grimaced. No. How did he tell her she’d have to leave them to die? “Just promise me you’ll think about it. Please.”

  She sighed and tucked her hands into the opposite sleeves. “All right, I’ll think about it. That’s all I can promise.”

  “That’s all I’m asking. I’m sorry to get you out of bed. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave her his most charming smile. Surely no woman could resist.

  “No promises.”

  He wanted to stay and argue for longer, to hustle her into packing tonight, but he didn’t have time. Adam had a lot of friends. He had to get around to all of them before morning.

  * * * *

  “Coffee?” Deputy Torres handed Zach a mug through the bars of the holding cell. She’d been guarding him all night and had been consistently polite, not even telling him to shut the hell up as he kept on trying to convince her about the threat and that she needed to come with them into the mountains.

  “Thank you.” He sipped the coffee.

  “I’ll get you some breakfast soon.” She glanced at the windows. “It’s almost dawn.”

  Sheriff Statham had come in ten minutes ago after being away a couple of hours, and had taken a mug of coffee outside. He came back in again, still carrying his mug, with Adam hard on his heels. Zach’s heart leaped at the sight. Adam wore the same clothes he’d had on yesterday, rumpled and creased. He looked tired, his hair had gone limp, and he had bristles showing on his chin. But he was beautiful, more beautiful than Zach had ever known a man could be. He wanted to rip aside the bars and run to him. Pull him close. Kiss him. Touch him.

  He’d barely thought about their nascent romance the previous day, with so much else to do, all of it urgent. But his need to be with Adam, perhaps the only chance he’d have to do so, suddenly became the most urgent thing in the world. Adam smiled tiredly at him as Zach gripped the bars tight.

  “Let him out, Barbara,” Statham said. “Mr. Gray here is posting bail.” As Torres unlocked the cell, Statham turned to Adam. “Be glad to get him out of here. He hasn’t shut up all night. Take him so we can get some peace.”

  It wouldn’t be peaceful for long, Zach thought, stepping out of the cell. He wanted to run to Adam and kiss him but decided he should wait until they had some privacy.

  “I’ll be glad to take him.” Adam winked, and Zach’s resolution to wait became much harder, but he had no choice as they went through the paperwork.

  “Here,” the sheriff said, handing Zach his Link back. “Your bail conditions are on there.”

  They included not leaving town without permission. Zach sighed. He’d have to pay Adam back for the bail money he’d put up, because Zach couldn’t keep that particular condition. He signed for the Link and his other possessions and handed the forms back to Statham.

  “Thank you. I hope I’ll…” He stopped. No, he’d better not say he hoped they’d join him in a few hours for the evacuation. Probably best not to announce he intended to break his bail conditions. Anyway, he had the feeling they’d be at the rendezvous all right. “Thank you,” he repeated and left with Adam.

  “What’s the situation?” Zach asked, putting his watch back on as they walked.

  Adam grinned. “Well, the island hasn’t sunk yet.”

  “Adam!”

  “Okay. According to what I’m told, a lot of arguing went on after the meeting. Morrison got up to argue against your data and to tell people there’s no danger.”

  “Dammit!”

  “I know. But on the plus side, the distress signal is still sending. The sheriff broke into the comms center a couple of hours ago, but nobody can figure out how to stop the signal. They even cut the power. It didn’t help.”

  “The Franes clearly know their job.”

  “They know how to lie low too. Nobody can find them.” He took Zach into an alley, where the Biological Sciences department truck stood. Zach didn’t know how Adam still had the vehicle, but he didn’t question the good fortune. A large backpack lay in the bed. Adam’s gear. He gulped down a lump in his throat, full of relief. Adam was coming.

  “If Morrison’s persuaded everyone not to come,” Zach said as they climbed into the truck and Adam pulled away, “then…then…”

  “Then you and I will be taking a nice stroll through the mountains with Professor Korrie and her cat.”

  “Her cat?”

  “Of course. You don’t think people are going to leave their pets behind, do you?”

  “I hadn’t thought of it.”

  “Anyway, it won’t only be Korrie and us. There’s the Franes and plenty of others I’ve spoken to overnight. You had any breakfast?”

  “No.”

  “Right. We’re heading to your place for your stuff, so we’ll eat there, and I’d say we could both use a shower, shave, and a change of clothes.”

  “Oh yes,” Zach said. His voice cracked hoarsely, and he cleared his throat.

  “Right,” Adam said, glancing at him, a smile on his face. Heat flushed Zach’s cheeks, and he cleared his throat again.

  “It’s barely five,” Adam said. “We’ve got plenty of time to get organized for eight.”

  Plenty of time. Oh good.

  * * * *

  Time Zach wasted none of. They were barely inside the door of his apartment in the accommodation dome when he pulled Adam into his arms and kissed him. Adam responded at once, his mouth welcoming Zach’s. Not a moment of perfect romance—they both needed to bathe, shave, and brush their teeth. But it was glorious all the same.

  “Adam,” Zach whispered, pulling back after a moment. “We have time to…” If Adam had forgiven him for his crazy behavior the last few days.

  “Yes,” Adam said. “Breakfast can wait.”

  He wouldn’t let go of Zach, made him steer them both to the bedroom locked together and laughing at their clumsy progress. But he stopped laughing when Zach pushed him on the bed, face going serious, eyes burning with desire. He sat on the edge, legs apart, Zach standing between his knees, then lay back on his elbows and slowly undid a couple of shirt buttons, his gaze locked with Zach’s.
<
br />   Too slow for Zach, much too slow. He climbed on the bed, grabbed hold of Adam’s shirt, and tore it open. Buttons pinged off. Buttonholes tore through.

  “Whoa, Zach!” Adam protested but then stopped. Did he understand? He’d never wear this shirt again. Never have to wash or mend it. He pounced on Zach and began to tear his clothes off. Hell yes, he understood. Seams ripped. Buttons and garments flew across the room.

  The wild undressing started Adam laughing again. Until he was naked. Then he silenced and lay back on the bed, looking at Zach with a smile of invitation.

  Seeing the body he’d been fantasizing about since first noticing Adam laid out and open to him, Zach could barely contain himself. He wanted to plunge into Adam in that instant but made himself stay in control. He lay beside Adam and took him in his arms, entwining their legs.

  “We might never have another chance,” he said softly.

  “Shh,” Adam said. “We’ll have more chances. I know it. But never mind. We’re here. Now.”

  Yes they were. Zach hadn’t felt so completely here for a long time, so utterly present. All the fear and worry of the last few days fell away. All the terror of what might happen later faded. Here. Now. Kissing Adam, his lips, his neck, his ears, shoulders, the skin as warm as summer sun, scattered with freckles by that same sun. No, another sun, Earth’s sun. A home they might never see again. A home that, in this moment, his senses drowning in Adam, he could barely even bring to mind. He flicked his tongue over Adam’s left nipple and produced a gasp.

  “Keep going,” Adam said in a hoarse voice. One of his hands touched Zach’s shoulder, not pushing but suggesting a direction.

  Zach had no need of suggestions or directions. He knew where he was going and followed Adam’s urging on downward, over the flat, taut planes of Adam’s chest and belly. His hand reached the destination before his lips did, steadying Adam’s erection, stroking it as it grew and pulsed in his hand and Adam squirmed under him.

  “Zach, please.”

  Zach lifted his head as he reached the end of the trail of coarse hair on Adam’s belly. The cock rose from a circle of hair the same shade of golden red spreading on the pillow as Adam’s head went back.