by Brian Cotton
***
Harvey found Buck sitting by himself in one of the barracks. His arms were folded across his chest, his frowned face pointed straight at the floor. Sudden doubts crept inside of the old man as he considered letting the boy go after all. If all he was going to do was mope around, then maybe a little dose of reality would help him out. However, Harvey knew deep down that keeping him away was the absolute right thing to do. He would not waiver.
“Son?” Harvey said as he inched closer.
“What?” Buck demanded.
“I’m sorry that you can’t go out there tonight.”
“No, you’re not.”
“You have to understand…”
Buck’s head shot up and his eyes met square with his father’s. “No, you need to understand. I’m grown up. I’m old enough to decide what I can and can’t do.”
“You’re not. You only think that you are. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this someday.”
“Father, please…”
“My decision is final, Buck. I’ll see you later tonight after the battle.”
“Fine. I hope you make it out alive.”
His son’s comment hit him like a sucker punch to the heart. He “hoped” his own father made it out alive? Did the fact that he was trying to keep him out of danger really bother him to that point? No matter, the decision was final, and no amount of sulking or hurtful comments would change that.
“Son…”
Buck turned at his father’s voice. Once again, Harvey couldn’t get out what he truly wanted to say.
.61
Kaspar’s nose started to ache again as the assault vehicle pulled out from the power plant towards the Capitol. As he rubbed on it, he noticed Clarke across from him rubbing his sweat covered hands together in swift motions. Seated next to Clarke was one of the volunteers from another squad. He already had his mask on and he seemed nervous as well. The rebel kept moving his right leg up and down while he gripped the Kriss in his hands. The back of the vehicle was filled with such volunteers. The feeling of going to battle with complete strangers didn’t make him feel any better about this mission. He missed the others, especially Krys, who had all passed on.
He refocused his attention on Clarke. The perspiration from his forehead ran down his face. The wizard took off his glasses and wiped at the sweat with a white handkerchief. On top of the nervous breakdown, Kaspar could tell that the old man was about to hyperventilate.
“You need a paper bag?” Kaspar wondered out loud, hoping to lighten the man’s spirits.
“Go to hell.” Clarke replied.
“Look, I’m no expert in this combat stuff, but you’ve got to relax. You’ll do nobody any good in there if you have a complete meltdown.”
“This was a horrible idea. I shouldn’t be here.”
Kaspar could feel the others nervous tension, but since they were strangers, they didn’t say anything. It didn’t really matter to them, anyway, as Harvey made it clear that Clarke would be Kaspar’s sole responsibility. If things got hairy in there, the others would continue on the mission, abandoning the two if need be. Kaspar knew that if they were all comrades that type of action would not be considered. But, since this would be their first battle together, the other rebels obviously didn’t trust Clarke to get the job done. Kaspar couldn’t blame them. He was having his own nervous breakdown on the inside thinking about being attached to a man who never swatted a fly. The key for Kaspar, though, was that he kept in on the inside.
“You want us to pull over and let you out? So you can walk back to the base in shame?”
“The thought crossed my mind.” Clarke said.
Kaspar shook his head in disgust. “No, you know that you need this. You’ve been waiting for your chance, now you’ve got it.”
“I know, but…”
“No buts, Mr. Wizard. You know if you put your head down and walk your ass back home that you’ll regret it forever. Put your big boy pants on. You’ll have me in there watching your back.” Kaspar gave the old man a wink.
“I guess so…”
“Good luck to you,” a rebel with a thick Jersey accent said.
Kaspar turned to him. “Mind your business.”
“I’m about to go into battle with you. It is my business.”
Kaspar was about to stand and then realized that it wasn’t worth it. He could feel something pulling him back, but he couldn’t tell what it was. The feeling was strong enough to stop him in his tracks. He leaned back and heard the order through his ear piece for everyone to put their masks on.
They had begun their approach to the Capitol.
