“Then we rebuild.”
Pope shook his head and looked up at the gray sky as a flurry of snow drove flakes into his close-cropped hair. “But it wouldn’t bring back a single soul, would it?”
“No, but it would save a fair few.”
The special agent got up and began moving along the path again. Buzz got the distinct impression that he was thinking things through. When they’d first met, Buzz had assumed he was the sort of boneheaded member of security he and his fellow scientists had derided back at the institute. But he’d learned that the man had a kind of deeply thought-out intelligence that made him worth listening to.
“Okay,” he said, finally. “I won’t stand in your way. You’re right that you and Max can’t stay here if the kids and the others are to stay safe. I’ll do all I can to help.”
Buzz let out a huge groan of relief. “That’s great, thank you. We’re going to have to prepare, and make sure things are set up here for once we’ve gone. I aim to come back and I want to find this place where I left it.”
“Well, I reckon Tom makes a good leader. Or Anna. Maybe the two together. They could be the Ma and Pa Walton. They’ll have Jo to help them, and as they’ll be living off supplies, they won’t need to be out plowing the field for a while.”
Buzz nodded. “I thought you’d run the place.”
“No. Not after…what happened. People aren’t quite so friendly as they were.”
“What will you do? I was counting on you to stay here and help protect the place. Or are you planning to go back to the president?”
“Neither. I’m coming with you.”
“What?”
Ted Pope chuckled and began walking more freely, as if a load had been taken from his shoulders. “It’s like you said; who wouldn’t want to help out if we’ve got a shot at healing this world? Besides, you’re going to need me to help keep an eye on Yen. Once we’re out of here, I’ll make sure Helmut knows—though I won’t tell him where we’re going. The folks here will be as safe as possible while we’re away.”
Buzz felt as though he should be arguing that Pope should stay here and help protect the community. But in truth, he felt a sudden relief at the prospect of having him along.
“And I’ll tell you where we should head.”
“Where?”
“Toward my home town. The Windy City.”
DELUGE Book 5
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Deluge | Book 4 | Ice Page 20
