“Not sure yet. Let’s see what they come back with. Then we’ll know more.”
Two minutes later, the signal broke free from its static. “Blackstone. Eagle Base. We can do fifteen rolls. Over.”
Shotgun peered up at Destiny. “What should I say?”
“Tell them we have a deal.”
Shotgun opened transmission again. “Eagle Base. We have a deal. Over.”
“Excellent. Just need coordinates. Over.”
Destiny studied Shotgun’s hand to make sure his fingers weren’t depressing the transmit button, then she took out a folded slip of paper from her pocket and gave it to Shotgun. “Use these coordinates. But don’t mention anything about us not having all the items they want. I’ll deal with that when we meet, assuming they actually show up.”
“Hey, isn’t this—”
“Yes, Orderville. I’m a creature of habit. Just do it. Now.”
“Got it,” Shotgun said, the tilt of his head and the tentative look on his face suggesting he didn’t agree with her tactics. “What about setting a time?”
“Let them choose. It’ll give us an idea about how far away they are, assuming they’re ready to depart now and plan to use the most direct route. We already know they are south and west of us, so it will help us narrow it down.”
“Okay, I like that idea,” Shotgun responded, his tentative look now gone and replaced with one of confidence.
Whether his newfound optimism was with her, or the plan, or both, she wasn’t sure but she appreciated his support. “Hopefully, it works.”
CHAPTER 25
“Are you sure?” Summer asked Krista as they loaded supplies in the back of one of the trucks, packing items in and around the boiler apparatus that made up the central portion of the gasifier.
“There’s no other choice. We’re spread thin after the losses at the Trading Post.”
“I get that, but you need to stay behind and stand guard. We have families to keep safe.”
“No, my job is to protect you. That’s paramount.”
“So what you’re saying is that the families are expendable and I’m not. Even their kids?”
“I never said that.”
“That’s what you meant,” Summer said before stepping to the left, needing to shift away from the sunlight beaming into her eyes through a crack in the wall of the barn. “What about Liz and your men? They need you, too. They’re not expendable.”
“My guys will cover things until Wicks gets back. That’s their job. They’ve been trained for this,” Krista said, pointing at the double doors protecting the entrance. “The biggest threat we face is out there. And where you go, I go. End of story. It’s not up for debate.”
“Well, just so you know, Liz and I don’t agree. I talked to her a few minutes ago.”
“I appreciate that, but this is about security and operational readiness, both of which are my responsibility.”
“Wow, you don’t trust me out there, do you?”
“It’s not that—”
“Look, I can handle myself. Been doing it a long time. All without anyone’s help. Least of all yours.”
“I know you can, but this meet with Blackstone is something entirely different. It could be an ambush. You need me.”
“Yeah, I get that. But maybe we need to rethink the plan.”
“Which part?”
“All of it.”
“No, we need to get this done. We need those supplies. And we need to black out the windows on these trucks. Makes it harder for a sniper to lock on.”
Summer didn’t respond right away, showing a smirk instead. “I guess it doesn’t hurt that this is the perfect chance for you to get rid of Lipton.”
“That’s just a bonus, Summer. You and I both know he needs to go. It’s more than time. We have to start thinking long term and that means tightening up our exposure. Beginning with him.”
“Geez, I know you hate the guy—”
“And you don’t?”
“Yeah, well, no, I guess he’s a problem.”
“Of course he is. A major one. I don’t trust him for a second and you shouldn’t either.”
“I don’t. But I can handle him.”
“Maybe.”
“What do you mean, maybe? You think I’m weak, don’t you? That I can’t do this?”
“I never said that. It’s just that he could be in on it, like I said before. He’s more than just smart and if he planned this whole thing, then he’s been manipulating us the entire time.”
“Okay, I get that. And yes, sometimes I trust a little too quickly.”
“Yes, that’s true,” Krista said. “And I sometimes don’t trust quickly enough.”
“Okay, fair enough. We all have our weaknesses.”
“Me more than most.”
Summer nodded. “But I do have some requests. Things I need.”
“Like what?”
“First, I think we need to bring Sergeant Barkley along.”
“Jesus, what is it with you and that stupid dog?”
“He’s not stupid. He’s actually really smart, if you’d just get to know him a little.”
“Okay, well, maybe stupid wasn’t the right word. But still—”
“He’s my protector. And I think he’s earned it.”
“Earned it? What about the attack on Zimmer?”
“That was self-defense.”
“According to Simms it was. But I talked to Zimmer. He denies it ever happened.”
“Of course he does. What else is he going to do? Admit it?”
“But what if it wasn’t self-defense? What if that mutt turns on you out there? Then what?”
“He won’t.”
“You can’t know that. He’s an animal and animals are unpredictable.”
“But I do know him.”
Krista shook her head. “It’s just like with those Scabs down in the brig. We’ll have to deal with those animals, too. Eventually.”
“Look, you’ve gotten your way on all this other stuff. I need this, Krista. It’s only fair. Plus, there is the whole ‘I’m the boss’ thing. Or have you forgotten?”
“The dog? That’s what you want? A frickin’ dog?”
“Yes, or else I’m cancelling this little excursion.”
Krista’s head dropped, her eyes focusing on the dirt floor beneath her feet. She huffed, then brought her focus back up. “Okay. The dog. He can come with us.”
“And I want Horton and the Scab girl, too.”
“No chance, Summer. Not on my watch.”
“But they can help us detect a Scab attack. Blackstone isn’t the only threat out there.”
Krista turned and walked a few steps away, then spun and returned using the same path. “Let’s think about that for a moment. Let’s say they detect a Scab attack and it happens. Then what?”
Summer threw her hands up. “We fight them off, of course. They can help. That’s why they should be there. It’s not rocket science.”
“Helena and Horton? Seriously? Do you really think they’re going to matter one bit at that point?”
Summer shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt.”
“No. Not the Scab girl. I’ve already chased her ugly ass down once and I’m not doing that again. It would be operational suicide.”
“I guess we’re back to that not trusting thing again, Krista.”
“And you’re back to trusting too quickly, Summer,” Krista said, using the same snarky tone Summer had just used. “Next thing I know, you’ll be telling me Lipton is mission critical, too.”
“Wow, really? You’re going there now? With Lipton?”
Krista looked stunned, her mouth clamped shut and silent.
Summer continued after taking in a deep breath. “How about we compromise? Just the Scab girl? Or Horton?”
“That’s not much of a choice. I thought you were smarter than that.”
Summer put her hands on her hips, holding back the swell of emotions building inside her chest. “I’m the b
oss, remember? So pick one already and let’s get moving. We have shit to do.”
“Why are you doing this, Summer?”
Summer could feel her face flushing with blood. It was almost as intense as the beat in her chest. “I don’t know, because I can? Maybe I’m just tired of always having to bend over backwards to get you to agree with me. On anything. It’s exhausting, Krista. It really is.”
“I get that. I’m sorry. I know I can be difficult at times.”
“That’s an understatement.”
“Hey, so can you.”
“Yeah, so what’s your point? We’re both stubborn.”
“Actually, we’re both assholes.”
Summer put her hands on her hips, unable to stop the volume in her voice from escalating. “Which doesn’t change anything, now does it?”
“Damn, it’s like a light switch just went off. Forget to take your meds today?”
Summer threw her hands up when the anger came at her with the force of a tidal wave. “God, you’re a bitch. And here I thought we were making progress just like Stuart wanted. I guess I was wrong. What the hell was I thinking?”
Krista put her hands out in a stop maneuver. “Hold on a second. Let’s just stay calm and take a minute. Talk it through, like civilized human beings. I know you’re upset—”
“Upset? Me? Trust me, this isn’t me upset. You have no idea.”
“Whoa, back up a step. We’re obviously getting way off track here.”
Summer leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, I’m waiting. Pick one.”
Krista stood there blinking. She didn’t respond.
Summer leaned on one leg and tapped her other foot, wondering if she could stop her fists once they started beating on Krista’s face.
Before Summer could decide, Krista spoke. “You know there’s only one choice and it doesn’t provide much of a tactical advantage. You really need to stop here and think.”
Summer released her arms from her chest and stood more erect. “I don’t have to explain every one of my decisions to you. Not anymore. I’m tired of it. I’m in charge, not you.”
“What about our three-way leadership deal with Liz?”
“I guess I’ve changed my mind. Edison picked me and it’s time I step up and take the lead, because this other shit,” Summer said, aiming an index finger at Krista, then at herself, “ain’t working. So I’m gonna make an executive decision.”
“What does that mean? Because I’m not sure I like that tone at all.”
“It means we’re going to take both of them. And that Simms guy, too. Plus whatever security team you want.”
Krista dropped her head and shook it, looking as though all the energy in her shoulders had disappeared in a flash.
Summer, on the other hand, felt energized, maybe for the first time since Edison died. “There, the decision has been made. Let’s get this show on the road already.”
CHAPTER 26
Destiny waited at the end of the access tunnel for Adam Hunt, AKA Asher, to make his appearance. He’d been working down in the central dispersion shaft, trying to solve a critical heat-related issue they’d been dealing with for weeks.
Another minute ticked by until the 71-year-old came into view, his headlamp dancing in a bobbing up-and-down pattern, his feet plowing ahead in a methodical lock-kneed manner.
“Hold on, I’m working on it,” he said after a flash of his hand.
“Did you get the service line fixed?” she asked while he made his way up the incline, wondering how this man kept his motivation, especially after what had happened to the original Blackstone staff.
“Wasn’t working on that,” Asher said, his chest pumping harder than normal.
“Oh, I thought that was on the schedule today.”
“Yours maybe, not mine.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Always. But regardless, I don’t think the water circulation problem is our main concern anymore.”
“Don’t we need to extract the heat?”
“Yes, but things have changed. And not for the better, I’m afraid,” Asher said in a forceful tone when he arrived.
He took off his hardhat, setting his mop of curly hair free in what seemed like all directions at once. He ran his fingers through his locks, then held his hand in front of her eyes, showing her a knot of gray hanging loose.
“Oh my God, Asher,” she said, latching onto his arm and leading him toward the service bench along the wall.
It was hard to focus her thoughts when a series of flashes bombarded her brain, each one showing her a different possible cause for his hair falling out.
She managed to regain control of her mind just as she angled his rear end onto the seat, choosing not to ask any more questions about his obvious sickness. It was up to him to tell her, if he wanted her to know. “Sit down and take a few.”
He put his head back, letting it rest against the rock wall. “It’s got to be a hundred and fifty degrees down there.”
She snatched a bottle of water from the worktable next to the bench and twisted its cap off, then gave it to him. “Here, drink some.”
“Thanks.”
That’s when her curiosity took over, and she decided to prod him along. “You look like hell, my friend.”
“Been through hell.”
“Still rising, I take it.”
“Sure feels like it.”
“Why?”
“Don’t know yet. Really need that equipment to be sure.”
“Working on it.”
“Well, work faster. Time is something we don’t have. Especially me.”
She gulped, knowing what those words meant. “That’s what the meeting was all about, Ash. I wish you had been there.”
“I’m sure you do, but I had more important things to attend to.”
“Like killing yourself down here in some old dispersion shaft.”
“Hey, I built it. I have to deal with it. We all know the deal.”
“I appreciate your dedication, but maybe it’s time for someone else to take over.”
“Who? You? You don’t have the training. Nobody does. Except me.”
“I know you feel responsible for what happened, but that was a long time ago.”
He flared his eyes before offering up a smirk. “You think this is about my former colleagues, don’t you?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t your fault.”
“No, that was all on them. But I’m not innocent either. I was part of the project, too.”
“Except you didn’t know.”
“But I should’ve.”
“Look, they got what was coming to them, those bastards,” she said, remembering the story he’d told her.
“I don’t disagree with you, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t slow down. Not for a minute. Not if we want to keep everyone alive. And I mean everyone. Because if this thing goes, we’re all going to die anyway. Either way, my wellbeing matters not.”
“I get that, but—”
“It’s the biggest threat of all, Destiny.”
“You’re assuming there’s anything left worth saving.”
“You mean like you and your friends.”
“They know the score. Trust me. We all do.”
“Which is precisely why we have to stop this one.”
“Because you couldn’t stop the others?”
“Exactly.”
“Under normal circumstances, I’d probably agree with you. Maybe even say the same thing. But in the end, we’re going to need you around no matter how this plays out. So I think it’s time for you to take a break.”
“Wow, you just don’t listen, do you? Not a single word I’ve said.”
“Of course I listen, but you don’t understand. I’ve made contact with a new group out there. Someone who has the equipment and personnel we need.”
“Oh boy, here we go again.”
“You really need to trust me for a change.”
“And you believe these people?”
She nodded but didn’t respond.
“Really? After what happened the last time, I would’ve thought you learned a lesson. A big one at that.”
“Don’t really have a choice, now do we?”
“Actually we do. Let me continue. I can figure this out. I really can. We don’t need outsiders. Too big a risk.”
“I wasn’t talking about that exactly. I meant your hair.”
“What’s happening to me has already happened. It’s time to think about the rest, while I still have some energy left.”
She took a few beats to absorb his latest statement, not wanting to ask the next question. But he left her no choice. “I guess I’m going to have to ask. How long do you have?”
“Hard to say for sure,” he said, working his body up and onto his feet. “That’s why I need to get back down there.”
“No. Not without the equipment you need and some help. Real help, as in another scientist. One that has the expertise you need.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you? Despite what I’m telling you?”
She nodded, holding back a squall of tears as she nudged him back to the seat. “I’m the boss now, so what I say goes. Got it?”
“Okay, I’ll take a minute. But now I have to ask—who’s this scientist?”
“I don’t know his name, but he is supposed to be a nuclear physicist.”
“Great, another know-it-all.”
“I know it’s the last thing you want.”
“Yeah, because once was more than enough. You have no idea what I went through before. You weren’t there. None of you were. I damn near killed that man with my bare hands. Not that he didn’t have it coming, but still—”
“I remember the story. But at this point, Ash, I don’t think we have a choice.”
“We always have choices, Destiny.”
“Just not good ones. But I need you to trust me here. We have to do this. We really do. And I need you to back me up. Can you do that? For the sake of everyone?”
Asher paused for a moment, then nodded. “I sure hope he has the ability to listen and keep his trap shut.”
“We’ll find out. We’ve got a meet scheduled.”
“At a neutral site, I hope?”
“Of course. I know the rules. Not until they are vetted, qualified, and approved for entry.”
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