Crashland by Sean Williams

out,” said Forest, red-faced. “Official policy is we need the exercise.”
    â€œYeah, yeah,” Devin panted. “The same as everyone else.”

[11]
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    CLAIR GLANCED AT the drone interface as she ran. Water was foaming along the path of the Potomac, bursting its banks and spreading through the suburbs of Washington with frightening speed, demolishing everything in its path. Already it was halfway to the barracks. She didn’t want to think about the possibility that once again she had brought death to people simply by existing.
    She switched off the feed from outside the barracks. That was cowardly, she knew, but she was more afraid of being paralyzed than of what she would see. She would face that reality later, if there was a later.
    â€œTwo minutes,” said Devin as they reached the end of that particular stairwell. “Left here.”
    â€œBut the roof is this way,” said Forest, pointing to the right.
    â€œWe’re not going to the roof. Along here, right to the end.”
    Clair checked the map. There was nothing on the top floor in that wing but executive offices, and above them only an air-conditioning unit. They would have magnificent views of the flood as it rose up to engulf them, but what good would that do anyone?
    From the next level came a clattering of footsteps. Forest and Sargent produced pistols from inside their armored uniforms and pointed them up the stairwell.
    â€œIdentify yourself!” called Forest. Clair tugged Jesse behind her and took cover farther along the corridor.
    The PKs suddenly relaxed their stances. PK Drader stepped into view, closely followed by a young woman in an orange prison jumpsuit: Tilly Kozlova.
    No, Xia , Clair told herself firmly. There was no Tilly Kozlova left.
    â€œHail, fellows, well met,” said PK Drader, looking surprised to see them. There was fresh blood on his armor. “Going up?”
    â€œNo!” said Devin, fairly bouncing from foot to foot in his desire to keep moving.
    â€œGood. Too dangerous. Lost two prisoners to snipers before we could get back down the stairs.”
    â€œThey’re shooting their own?” asked Sargent.
    â€œGetting rid of the evidence, I guess. I would in their shoes.”
    Xia burst into tears and backed away from Drader. He gripped her tightly by the arm and pulled her back in, which only made her wail all the louder.
    Clair bit back a reprimand. Being scared was natural, but panicking wasn’t going to save anyone.
    â€œCome on ,” said Devin. “We’re running out of time.”
    â€œWe are right behind you,” said Forest. To PK Drader he added, “Come with us.”
    â€œHere’s hoping we’ll all fit,” Clair heard Devin mutter as they ran up the hallway.
    Then she knew. She didn’t know how it was possible, but she understood what he was hoping to do.
    â€œI need to open this door,” Devin said to Forest when they reached the last executive office on the right. “Now, please.”
    It slid smoothly open, revealing a corner suite. The view was one of autumn treescapes and devastation. The flood had reached Crystal City, carrying with it a foam of mangled debris. Clair could feel its passage as a vibration through her feet. She imagined water smashing through windows and pouring into the lower floors of the buildings around her, including the one she was in. To the south loomed a much higher surge, one that looked like it would sweep the entire barracks away.
    In a matter of minutes, Crystal City would be an island in the middle of a much wider river, if it survived.
    Within the office was a desk and two couches, a fabber, and a second door.
    The door led to a d-mat booth.
    â€œOkay,” Devin said, leaning on the corner of the desk to catch his breath. “Here’s what’s going to happen . . .”
    â€œYour friends in RADICAL are going to take over that booth somehow and get us out of