by LC Champlin
“I watched the video of your debriefing—”
“Yes, a shame my brain injury prevented me from remembering more.” The MRI scans made his lie unassailable.
She snorted like a disgruntled boar. “The tribunal has approved dropping the charges against you. As for immunity for you and your people, our attorneys are investigating it. That’s largely a formality before it too is approved.”
“Excellent.” Though externally he reclined in bed, internally he leapt in triumph. “And what of Victor Birk?”
Her nose wrinkled as if she had encountered week-old road kill. “He is cooperating and will likely not serve any time.”
“I knew he would be useful.” When the government finished with him, he could onboard with Arete. “And his sister?”
“Her fate won’t be so pleasant.” Washington’s lip curled in the disgust she usually displayed when condemning Nathan.
“Fitting.”
“If you had been convicted, you no doubt would have received a presidential pardon. Which brings me to another topic: Senator Frick put in a good word for you; the president would like to speak with you when you are medically released.”
“Would he now?” The president he had not voted for in either election, and whose party candidates he would certainly not vote for in November? The crooked Secretary of State and crazy Socialist would need to dig up votes elsewhere. However, taking a place on the national stage would certainly prove a boon for Arete’s business.
“Is that acceptable?” The sarcasm saturated her words.
“I’ll have my people call his people. Please contact my public relations director.” Janine, in other words.
“Serebus, I really am shocked you kept your word. I expected you to either fail or flee.”
“You pushed me, hoping I would achieve as much as possible. I did your job for you. Yet I’m still paying your salary with my tax dollars.” She had no power over him now. Unless, of course, she ginned something up. Hopefully she had the sense not to do so, given his new heroic standing. “Was there anything else you required of me, Director?”
“No. And I sincerely hope our communications from now on will be handled through liaisons.”
Nathan shrugged. “Have it your way. I shall miss our frank discussions.”
“Try not to start any more trouble.”
“If I do, I’ll be the one to end it. Goodbye, Director.”
As the screen went dark, Nathan reclaimed his pudding. The authorities had yet to return his phone or allow outside communication. He could communicate with Albin and the others in the adjoining rooms via intercom, at least. The government did not want information leaking yet. As for why they did not corral everyone together, or allow them to see one another in person, the reason came down to the facility: it lacked the capability of quartering multiple people in a single sealed environment. The group’s status earned them this royal treatment rather than ending . . . wherever the government housed the recovering infection victims.
The TV allowed news viewing, but as usual, the networks provided little useful information. The government kept a tight rein on intel for now, which left the talking heads to regurgitate and masticate the same clips and rumors until the monotony put Nathan back to sleep. Overall, the country’s situation appeared bleak but improving. While the contagion had swept through populated areas, workers had managed to take preventive measures at refineries, nuclear reactors, and other critical but potentially dangerous facilities.
Outside the windows that separated Nathan’s land of deadly contagion from the hallway—or rather the land of even more deadly contagion—a tall figure in Army fatigues approached. Couldn’t a man eat his pudding in peace?
The door opened to admit a broad shouldered, ginger-haired man. Lieutenant Colonel James Wozniak. Nathan grinned and set his cup of chemical cream aside. “Jim!” He swung out of bed, sock feet hitting the floor. “It’s wonderful to see you. I can’t thank you enough for the stellar work you’ve done.”
Jim returned the wide grin as he shook hands with his patient. “I knew you had potential, Nathan. I’m glad you lived up to it. I vouched for you, so it would have looked bad if you fucked things up too much.” He winked.
Nathan chuckled. “You’re not the only one.”
“I’ve brought some people to see you.” Jim turned to the door, which opened to reveal Albin, along with the Musters, Marvin, and Josephine.
Chapter 104
Fury Has Ended
Feeling Good – Nina Simone
Nathan shook Albin’s hand, then gave a nod to the others. “Does this mean we’re out of quarantine?”
Jim patted him on the back. “Out of quarantine and about to be out of here. The latest imaging and lab work came back negative.”
“Thankfully,” Nathan responded. “I’m glad I didn’t come down with meningitis or, possibly worse, require a spinal tap or brain surgery.”
Jim wore a half smile of incredulity. “I’m still amazed there’s only slight but healing damage in your frontal lobe. As a courtesy from some of my colleagues, I was asked to consult on your cases. I was allowed to see the preliminary data on what happens in the brain tissue of most subjects. The contagion and network have an amazingly elegant and complex design.”
“Speaking of the contagion,” Behrmann put in as Nathan opened his mouth to ask further, “how are all the people outside? We’ve seen a little on the news, but we all know how reliable that is.” She grunted a laugh.
“They’ve been contained, by and large. In the four days you people have been in here, we’ve been working hard. The victims didn’t offer any resistance. As time went on, their level of consciousness improved and they started to wander around. I believe that with enough therapy, the damage will heal. In fact, many of the MRIs show they’re already regenerating. Amazing. Of course, some may be too far gone or didn’t respond as they should have. And townspeople, well, murdered some when the poor bastards stopped moving.” He winced. “But for the most part, I believe you guys saved countless lives. The world owes you its gratitude, but I wouldn’t count on being able to say too much about it yet. That is, without the government’s consent. They will probably want you to keep things quiet while they clean up.” His tone demonstrated his distaste for the tactic.
“They haven’t said anything about it to me,” Nathan replied. That he remembered. “And I just finished conversing with the great Director Washington herself. But I agree; it may be wise to play this close to the vest.” As he spoke, he met Jo’s eyes. “But, Josephine, I think you still have an excellent chance at landing a spot on Fox News.” He gave a sly smile.
“It depends how much they offer me.” A defiant smirk met him.
“The travel arrangements have been made for you,” Jim resumed. “And if you need anything from me, this is my phone number and email.” He handed Nathan and Albin each a sticky note. “Now I’ve got to be looking in on other patients. I requested specially to be transferred here while you were in the facility.”
He turned to Nathan and locked gazes with him, but the officer looked at his patient’s eyes rather than into them. Unsurprisingly, the penlight appeared for a closer examination. “The iron and copper flecks don’t seem to have faded. They may go away with time, or they may not.”
Nathan shrugged. “Only time will tell if this is a red letter or a red badge of courage. I might have to take to wearing sunglasses at night.” He grinned to break the tension.
Perhaps it would become the Mark of Cain, depending on how society reacted to the contagion survivors. With its love of segregating groups either to bless or curse them, who could tell how belonging to the former-Dalit minority would end? Even though the Dalits’ illness had resolved, the problem of mankind would remain.
++++++++++++
As Mr. Serebus began talking with the others, Jim motioned for Albin to step aside for a private exchange. “Albin, tell me, have the wolves stopped howl
ing?” Gentle concern filled his expression as he placed his hand on the attorney’s shoulder.
A smile came to Albin’s lips. “I have slept these last few nights in my usual dreamless peace. No nightmares haunt me and no howls are in my ears.”
Jim grinned. “Excellent. I never doubted you would find Nathan. You weren’t wrong when you called yourself a hunter.”
“Thank you for your advice. I am quite glad I followed the doctor’s orders.”
Jim threw back his head and laughed.
++++++++++++
The next few hours turned into a waiting game, with the hospital eventually relinquishing the group’s phones and providing clothing other than scrubs. Had Nathan and the others not put up a fight, they would have spent the last four days in hospital gowns.
After a final set of vital signs and a delivery of discharge papers, the medical staff handed them over to their keepers: DHS officers. Nathan led the pack, Albin at his left, to the drop-off zone in the facility’s sheltered driveway.
A Suburban waited. From the passenger seat stepped a Hispanic female in black DHS fatigues. She gave them a lopsided smile as she looked them over. “You might not believe it, but I’m actually glad to see you troublemakers. At least you’re all in one place now. Easier to keep an eye on you this way. We’re going to the airport, but first I think there’s someone you want to see.” She opened the passenger door. Out jumped Judge.
“Hey!” Marvin pushed to the fore. “Judge!” He dropped to one knee to greet the dog. “Look what I got for you.” He pulled half a turkey sandwich from his belongings bag. The animal bolted it down in classic dog fashion—as if she had never tasted food and would never taste it again.
Giving a laugh, Nathan ruffled her neck’s fur.
Albin drew near to pet her as well. “Hello, girl. We missed you.”
“All right,” Rodriguez interrupted the reunion, “everybody in. The jet wants to take off ASAP.”
“We’re going on a private jet?” Denver asked with growing excitement.
“It’s a private government jet,” Rodriguez clarified, giving her a smile, the first Nathan had seen.
“Cool!”
Roddy addressed the adults: “We’re not going into JFK or Newark. They’re too crowded. You’ll be going in to one upstate. We’ve alerted your family, Serebus.”
His family. The grin that spread ear to ear didn’t require concealing. “Thank you. Thank you for everything; we couldn’t have done this without your help.”
She waved the gratitude away. “It’s my job. Now get in. And don’t tell me you have issues with claustrophobia.”
“Not a bit,” he responded as he entered.
After the group belted in, Rodriguez ordered the driver to proceed.
Marvin gave Judge a sad smile as he stroked her head. “I’m gonna miss you, girl, but you’ll be happier back on the force. You can bite bad guys and track down drugs with your new partner.”
She cocked her head and whined.
Jo ruffled the dog’s ears. “It’s okay, Judge. I’ll keep an eye on him for you.”
“Hey!” the economist laughed.
Nathan and the others joined him. How good it felt.
As the group fell into an easy silence, Rodriguez turned to look at them over her shoulder. “Serebus, I have something for you.” She held out a book-sized rectangular object wrapped in a plastic shopping bag.
He accepted it. Removing the bag revealed . . . his Bible. “How—”
“It’s yours, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Thank you, Officer.”
A piece of paper poked from the bottom. He opened the Book to it. The page marked Psalm 23. A scrawled message read, Open in the event of my death. —Sophia
Throat tightening, he shoved his thumb through the tape securing the folded page’s edges. One, two three—
Nathan, if you’re reading this, you either didn’t read the front, or the mission ended how I feared.
I was trying to get away from the Devil Goats’ lifestyle. I worked with Lexa not only because she paid me, but because she said she wanted to take over LOGOS and stop it.
She had a hand in routing the convoy through San Luis. I really am from there. The people were my friends and relatives. They were supposed to delay / stop the convoy.
Lexa has probably already explained about Mercury, how we did that to get your trust. She never spoke to Cheel about you. And she wanted you to stop the stadium broadcast so she could implement her own control protocol.
If you’re reading this, it also means you beat her. I’m glad. Have a good life ruling the world, or whatever you plan to do. —Sophia
Staring into the distance, Nathan closed the paper and the Bible.
Chapter 105
Take You to Me For a People
Come On Get Higher – Matt Nathanson
The aircraft’s wheels left the earth, bringing the sense of freedom that always came with flight. The scenery below shrank like a satellite image zoomed out. Nathan leaned back, eyes on the clouds. The craft broke through them with vapor whisking from its wings.
He smiled. Soon he would hold his wife and son in his arms again.
Ahead, Marvin and Josephine sat across from each other, watching the wonderland pass. On the other side of the aisle, Denver and Taylor also peered out the window.
In the set of seats to Nathan’s left, Albin occupied the window side. Amanda sat beside him. She’d fallen asleep before the plane took off. Her head rested on Albin’s upper chest, while his arm draped over her shoulders. The attorney regarded her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to meet his employer’s. Nathan grinned. Albin responded with an easy smile. As Amanda burrowed closer to him, he settled his head back against the rest, attention returning to the clouds outside.
Nathan leaned around the seat ahead. “Marvin, what are you going to do when we return to the East Coast?”
He twisted in his seat to face Nathan. “After things settle down, I’m going to finish my economics PhD. I haven’t really decided if I want to stay with the Fed, though.” His eyes went compulsively to Josephine, who smiled. “Jo, are you really going to stay in D.C.?”
“For now. I want to see how it’s recovering. Besides, that’s where all the action is, right? San Francisco was fine, but it’s going to take too long to rebuild. I think the East Coast will be more exciting. And who knows, maybe I’ll be able to land a book deal and that gig on Fox.” She winked at Nathan.
“Remember,” Nathan advised, grinning, “make us look good.”
“Of course! I’m a reporter; I can make anybody look good when I want to.”
Chuckling, Nathan settled back. Next, the siblings: “Taylor, Denver. Have you ever been to the East Coast?”
They shook their heads. “Can we go to the Statue of Liberty?” asked Taylor.
“I want to go the Times Square,” Denver gushed, bouncing in her seat.
“We’ll go on a family tour, yours and mine, as soon as the authorities get things cleaned up.”
“Promise?” Denver sat forward.
“Trust me.”
“I can’t wait!”
Ah, the exuberance of youth. “You’ll enjoy my side of the country.”
Taylor caught his eye and gave him an encouraging smile. “Thank you, Nathan.”
“Certainly.”
He let them return to their diversion.
Outside, the fairyland of clouds passed at a seeming snail’s pace. Nathan began humming Blame It on Me.
Albin turned, eyes narrowed. Then he grinned.
++++++++++++
The plane set down with hardly a bump. At last, the mysterious and glorious East. A smile fastened itself to Nathan’s face and would not relent.
After the aircraft taxied to its gate, the door opened and the pilots ushered the civilians out.
Nathan shielded his eyes as he took point. Ahead, silhouetted against the sun, waited three
adults and a toddler: Janine, Badal, Mikhail, and Davie. Three monstrous dogs guarded them.
Fenrir, Hati, and Skoll—Caucasian Shepherd, Rottweiler, and Doberman—watched the cadre of newcomers with suspicion. Then they recognized their alpha. They began barking, whining, jumping.
The passengers strode toward the welcoming committee. Both broke into a trot.
Janine fairly radiated joy—her face and hair shining in the sun, her green eyes flashing as she laughed. “Nathan!”
The dogs met him first, with Davie a close second. Nathan dropped to a knee amid the canines to embrace his son. “Daddy!” The boy wrapped his arms around his father’s neck and hung off him. Nathan lifted him and held him tight, tears blurring his vision. “Davie, my little wolverine. I love you.”
“I love you too, Dad!”
Janine reached them. The dogs cavorted beside her. She kneed them aside and embraced husband and son.
Her touch sent a wave of relief through Nathan. He set Davie on the ground. “Go say hi to Uncle Conrad.”
“Yeah!” The bundle of energy bolted toward Albin.
As Janine wrapped her arms around Nathan’s neck, he pulled her in. Together. One flesh. What an exquisite feeling! Nothing compared. The stress, frustration, and anger of the past weeks slid away like the skin of a snake. He laughed, tears coming as she did the same.
Their lips met. He leaned into her. She held him close, working her fingers through his hair. Would that they could stay this way forever.
When they came up for air, she surveyed his face with a troubled expression. “Your eyes.” She ran a thumb along his cheekbone. Then she smiled. “I think I like them even better this way.”
“Thank you. Thank you for forgiving me.”
“Of course. I love you.”
++++++++++++
As Mr. Serebus and Janine reunited, Albin knelt. If he didn’t, Davie would climb up him. “Come here, David.”
