The Parallel Gateway

CHAPTER THREE

FEBURARY 10, 2034

RUINS OF NEW YORK CITY

XANDER KANE

"What do you mean an hour early?!!" Tim slams his fists into the large office table of our make shift war room. Boomer and Jesse appear to also be deeply annoyed. "What the hell's going on Xander?!!"

He's understandably upset. I mean I'm not too thrilled by my decision either. But there is a leak and I need to catch them off guard. "Something has come to my attention and we need to act now."

Jesse rolls his eyes turning away. "What the hell does that even mean?"

"Enough with this cryptic bullshit just tell us what the fuck is going on. What happened during that meeting?" Tim demands.

Why can't my word be good enough? Why can't they do as they are told? Because that wouldn't be them, questioning me is actually good. Though very annoying. At least Collins is 100% behind my judgment call, not thrilled but in agreement with me. I've got to throw the traitor off his/her game. Sigh, "I suppose you guys deserve to know."

"Damn right we do." Tim gives an angry grunt, "Out with it then."

Sigh, here we go. "I'm sure you've all heard the rumors, we have a traitor in our midst."

"We all know that is bullshit." Jesse spins around with his arms up in the air. "No one would be dumb enough to work with the Serpents."

"Actually," Boomer cuts Jesse off with a cold stare. "It makes perfect sense, if you stop to think about it."

Tim studies my face, "Do you have proof?"

"Yes. Nothing pinpointing who it is but one thing is for certain, it's someone here." It could even be someone in this room. But I'll just have to wait and see.

"You can't be serious." Jesse shakes his head in disbelief. Boomer looks unfazed and calm, like normal.

Tim moves closer to me, "Can I see it?"

"Here," I hand Tim my Hack pad with all the information on it. "You can see why I moved everything ahead an hour. I can't risk this traitor, whoever they are, ruining everything. Too much is at stake."

Tim instantly starts going through the information. Without looking up he mutters, "I see. What do you suggest we do?"

"We have to go through with the plan. Hopefully this sudden change in plans flushes this traitor out." I study their faces as I lean against the wall. Jesse looks upset and antsy, like he wants to make a run for the door. Interesting.

"That's your brilliant plan?" Tim hands the pad to Boomer.

"Hmm, seems like another one for the books." Boomer humors as he looks at the pad.

I eye Jesse, "Yep, keep your eyes open for anyone acting strange. Now, I would love to stay and chat but we have shit to do."

"I have a bad feeling about this." Tim grumbles as he moves to the door. "But we're already behind schedule." Jesse keeps his head down as he follows Tim.

Boomer leans in close to me, handing the pad back to me. "Does Jesse seem a little too upset to you?"

"Yeah," I give him a nod. But it can't be Jesse, "Well that was upsetting news." Can it?

Boomer grunts, "I hope you know what you're doing."

I manage a fake smile, "So do I."

Without warning he grabs my right hand and does a chest salute slash hug, almost breaking my ribs in the process. "You better be careful out there. I don't want to have to tell Molly you died doing something stupid."