Breaking Through by Josh Hayes

Author:Josh Hayes [Hayes, Josh]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Published: 2014-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

“War, man,” Michael said, “and this is the good part of Old Town.” He motioned for John to follow.

“You’re kidding?” John said matching Michael’s pace.

“Over in Sector Three, you can barely tell there was ever a city there.” He shrugged. “Kind of sad, when you think about it. They were the first to stand up against the Regency and they were decimated because of it.”

They stepped around a large blast hole in the pavement, the light from the streetlamp above refracting in the water puddled within. “The Regency?”

Michael spread his arms wide in reverence. “The change for the people.” He declared in a mocking tone, then continued levelly, “Such bullshit. I never understood why so many believed that crap. Hell, they still do.” He motioned to a large blown out section of building as they passed. “This is the change we got: years of civil war and death.”

John considered the jagged opening. “I know the feeling.”

“Is this what it’s like on the other side, too?” The disappointment in his voice was almost depressing.

“No,” John answered, shaking his head. “It’s not this bad—well, not where I’m from anyway. But there are places.”

“I think I’d like to see that side someday.”

“I hope—whoa!” John yanked his pulser from its holster on his right thigh and had it leveled without thinking. “What the fuck?”

Michael started and pulled his own pistol, spinning around to where John was pointing his. Two haggard looking people were standing in the entryway to what could have been a luxury hotel at one time. Even though they were partially hidden in the shadow of a twisted awning, protruding awkwardly over the sidewalk, John could see their clothes were dirty and torn. Dark smudges on their faces were a good indication that they hadn’t showered in weeks. Maybe even months. The shadows cast by the streetlight above gave them an eerie, ghost-like appearance.

Almost as soon as the two men noticed them, they vanished, silently retreating into the interior of the building.

“Damn it,” Michael cursed and jammed his weapon back into its holster on his waist.

John held his pulser steady, eyes focused on the doorway. “What?”

“Dusters,” he said, “Come on, we need to get off the street.”

John lowered his pulser slightly, but hesitated. He glanced at Michael, then back to the entrance. It remained empty. He was still trying to come to terms with being in another world, and not understanding what was going on around him was unsettling. The fact that he didn’t know this man added to his frustration. Could he really believe what he was saying? He didn’t have any reason not to. After all, on the face of everything he had saved his life. Saved him from what, was the question.

“You coming?” Michael asked.

He checked the empty doorway for a third time, lowered his pulser, and then started after Michael. They continued up the street for another block, then turned onto a wide alley that ran the length of two six-story brick buildings. The alley was in worse

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