Botanicaust

from the dashboard gave off only enough light to see fantastic swirls of dust pummeling the front window, eddying along the clear sides, grasping at the vehicle as if attempting to stop the reckless flight. Every once in a while, the vehicle shuddered and swayed, from the wind or from an unseen obstacle in their path, he couldn ’ t tell. His stomach leapt and twisted. Not used to this kind of speed, he was thrilled and frightened at the same time.
    Earlier, in the single-room cell, after the effect of the stun wore off, he ’ d been ready to accept his death. He ’ d made his peace with God. His mind wavered from so many changes. The will to live, the will to die - how many times had he determined a course of action over the last weeks, only to be derailed at the final moment of proof? He felt like Abraham on the mountain as he prepared to sacrifice his son, relieved to have God stay his hand.
    Only Levi was not so pious. Surely, it never occurred to Abraham that God was toying with him.
    Ashamed of his thoughts, Levi dropped his head in silent prayer and beseeched the Lord to grant them safe passage.
    For hours they headed through the darkness. The storm howled louder, and small stones and other debris cracked against the sides of the vehicle. His stomach dropped out from under him as they tilted precariously, slid sideways, and righted again. He clutched the edge of his seat. “ Tula? ”
    “ It ’ s okay. ” She didn ’ t take her eyes off the front window.
    He struggled with words. Dare he break her concentration? Could she see anything? “ Eye? ” He pointed out the front.
    A slight shake of her head.
    She couldn ’ t see. He ’ d hoped the Blattvolk had some kind of enhanced night vision, in addition to their green skin. Could the other Blattvolk pursue them in this weather?
    Again the car lurched, and the hum of the engine rose to a whine. Tula let out a string of words Levi didn ’ t understand, but interpreted as frustration.
    “ Should we stop? ” He knew she wouldn ’ t understand, but the silence pressed around him until it was hard to breathe.
    “ Levi free. ” More words, and again, “ free. ”
    Then the car entered free fall.

    The Haldanian Protectorate
    Vitus planned on being up at dawn to oversee the euthanization, but he still had two hours on his clock when the com shattered the silence in his apartment.
    “ Dr. Vitus Dedecus, there ’ s an emergency in Confinement. Please respond immediately. ”
    Groggy, he heaved a few breaths and flung back the blanket. Damn that prisoner. What had the mongrel done now? He used the lavatory and settled a few beads around his neck and at his ears. He ’ d wanted to look his best for the euthanization, but there was no time for primping.
    Muttering, he stepped out of the apartment. The wind ripped at his necklaces and blown sand scoured his exposed skin. “ They couldn ’ t warn me there was a blowout? ” He spit sand from his stinging lips and ducked back into his apartment to dig for a mask and wind-wrap in his equipment box. Once he had the breather secured and the stiff microfiber suit cinched at the neck and cuffs, he slipped outside, making sure to close the door tightly against the invading wind.
    Any remnant of pleasure about the upcoming euthanization was shredded to nothing by the scouring sand as he made his way to the Liebert Building. Another figure coming from the opposite direction stumbled toward the front door, but Vitus didn ’ t wait to see who . He lurched inside, flung off his mask, and tramped down the hallway to the stairs.
    Already in Confinement, Faran and the head of Burn Ops were in a heated argument. “ … nothing , Faran. ”
    Brows creased, Faran cowered at Vitus ’ s glare. “ Sir. I don ’ t know how, but the prisoner is gone. ”
    Vitus ’ s eyes narrowed. “ How long ago. ”
    The tech dropped his chin. “ I got a call about twenty minutes ago. ”
    “ What do you mean, a call? ”
    Behind him, a voice spoke. “ I called. ”
    Vitus turned to see a man holding full Burn gear. Councilwoman Arnica stood at the door shaking sand from her hair. Vitus focused on the man. “ Who are you? ”
    “ Mo. Hymo Tryphus. I ’ m Tula ’ s - Dr. Macoby ’ s man. I saw her leave the city in a skimmer. It looked like she had a man with her. ”
    “ That weed! ” Vitus exploded.
    Arnica stepped forward and skewered him with a look. “ We have a hostage situation, here, Vitus. ”
    “ She ’ s no