“What’s that supposed to mean, Hannah?” asked Amanda.
“Figure it out for yourself. I have work to do.” Colonel Starkes moved to follow Scott in his exit from the area.
“What? C’mon. I wanna know.”
“Yeah? Well, ask somebody else. I can’t be babysitting a princess.”
“What did you just say? Princess? Me? Really?”
“You heard me.” Colonel Starkes had stopped. Amanda approached.
“Ma’am, pardon me for saying so to the President of the United States, but go screw yourself.”
“Amanda you got some nerve—”
“Go. Screw. Your—” Amanda was caught off guard at the precise snatch of her throat and the strong grasp pulling her forward. She felt the fury pulsing from the colonel as she leaned within inches of Amanda’s face. Stunned at the speed and strength, Amanda looked into the blazing eyes, unable to speak.
“I owe you a deep debt of gratitude for helping save my team. I’ve made an effort to repay that debt by getting you back on your feet. But, right now, you’re a distraction and drain on my attention, men, and resources. You got that?”
Shocked, Amanda stared until a second later she was released.
“You get your act together and start pulling some weight or you’re history. Got it, Princess?” Colonel Starkes turned and began walking toward the main camp. Amanda gathered her thoughts, forcing air into her lungs.
“Wait! Ma’am?”
Colonel Starkes spun around, stopping. “What?” she growled.
“I… apologize.”
“Glad to hear it.” Colonel Starkes turned again to leave.
“No, wait! You’re right. I’ve been… a distraction… since you found me.”
Colonel Starkes turned around more slowly the second time, calming. “Duh.”
“I’m with you. We share the same purpose.”
“Which is?”
“Finding Mac. Connor Mac.”
“So?”
“So let me snoop around. I know he left something for me. I know it! I just have to figure out what that is.”
“Good to hear. Don’t let me stop you.”
“Okay.”
“In the meantime, Scott’s got work to do now that you’re up and running.”
Amanda thought for a bit. Nodding, she grew concerned. She realized that Scott had a strong crush on her.
“Oh… I see.”
“Yeah. See that you do.”
Tim McDonald approached them both at a fast walk and addressed the colonel.
“Ma’am?”
“Yeah, lieutenant, what’s up?”
“Found something, ma’am.”
“What? Where?”
“Hidden under a rock near the pond over there. Ren thought it looked outta place and kicked it, not expecting anything—”
“What’d you find?”
“A 9mm round atop a small book covered by a ratty dishtowel.”
“A bullet? A book?”
“Yeah, a 9mm round and Lord of the Flies.”
“Oh! That’s Colonel MacMillen’s,” said Colonel Starkes.
“How’d you know that, Hannah?” asked Amanda, confused.
Colonel Starkes studied Amanda. She looked tired and thin, but tough. Deciding she’d figure it out eventually anyway, the colonel set her straight. “You might want to talk to Nicole when you find the chance. You two might have more in common than you think.”
“The woman with the baby?”
“Ahh… yeah, her name’s Nicole. Being as there are so many other women around.”
“Oh. Oh shit.” Amanda began putting the pieces together, “She’s the one that set this all in motion… I—”
“Sharp as a tack, aren’t ya? You seen that book of his, too?”
“A huh.”
“Well then. At least we know he was here.”
Processing the new information, Amanda smiled, her face lit up with energy.
“Yes! And if that’s the case… well, he probably left something near #1 Furnace letting me know where he’s going.”
“You think?”
“Probably.”
“Let’s start looking then.”
“Yeah.”
CHAPTER 7.18-Bridges and Armies
“There’s movement mid-tunnel. Three men,” said Marty. Peering through the rear window of a Chevy to scope the area, he remained undetected.
“Yep. They’re sittin’ pretty behind that panel truck. Its fortified, too.” said Connor.
“Fully defensible. They’re waiting for easy pickings, Mac. One is alert at all times.”
“Very true. Okay, that’s all we need to know.” Connor crouched closer to Cody. “We’re leaving. Cody, take point on exit. Keep eyes up front and stay real low. Marty, you cover our six.”
“Copy that.”
They traveled in a low crouch in the tunnel using the numerous cars and trucks for cover on their way out. Slinking lower when needed through a sparse area, they exited into the daylight and made their way to the team.
“As I suspected, I guess we’ll be taking that trip up to Mt. Washington to see the sights,” said Connor.
“Want me to send a welcome message into that tunnel?” asked Marty. Confidant, he stroked the barrel of his rifle, eager to take out at least one of the tunnel predators before the others knew what was happening and sought cover.
“Nah. They’re only low-level underlings waiting to trap mice. We have better things to do.”
“Hmm, okay.”
“Besides, why wake up the fat cats that are probably sitting on the other side running this show.”
“True.”
“Mister, um… sir?”
“Yeah, Cody?”
“You knew this would happen, huh?”
“Meaning?”
“Umm, that, umm.”
“Spit it out, Cody.”
Cody gathered his thoughts. “Sir, you knew we were only going to… ah, probe a little into the tunnel then back out.”
“It was a distinct possibility.”
“So that’s why you brought me.”
Connor stared at Cody for a second, before smiling. He noticed Marty’s grin. “Smart kid. Don’t you think so, Surf Boy?”
“He certainly has more on the ball than most, Mac.”
“Yeah. I see that. In the meantime, Cody, I want your skinny ass good and ready for moving up McArdle Roadway.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cody scooted forward to meet the team. Connor and Marty approached John, BB, and Roger. Nearby, Rhonda was digging in her pack for something and Jason, Jude and Jackson were tending to the horses a few yards away.
“It’s loaded. A trap,” said Connor, answering their inquisitive stares.
“How bad?”
“Halfway point. Deceptively fortified. They’ve done this before.”
“Yeah?” asked John.
“Enough that it’s profitable to keep a few men waiting midpoint for no one in particular.”
“Damn,” said Jude.
“Gather up.” The entire team settled near Connor to hear the plan.” We’re heading up McArdle Roadway to Mount Washington.”
“Understood,” said BB. He slipped a gold compass into the pocket of his duster and gathered up his pack and assault rifle. Pulling out the compass at each resting point during their travels was a habit that the team had noticed. The fondness for the compass was obvious, but no one yet had the nerve to ask about it.
“Alright,” said Jackson. He stomped at a rat sniffing near his pack but missed.
“Hey Cody,” said Rhonda. She had come close to her son with a look of some pride.
“Hi mom.”
Their travels up McArdle Roadway provided a spectacular view of the city. Sadly, as they rose in elevation, it was easy to see that many downtown buildings were pretty banged up. The Hilton near the Point was nearly demolished. A huge gaping hole remained where a bomb must have detonated in the front courtyard. Further to the right, PPG Place, was a sprawling, castle-like building complex made mostly of plate glass and steel. Looking less than castle-like, numerous large holes were punched through many mock turrets, rooftops and windows. Catastrophic evidence of a fire gone unchecked ran across the entire complex.