“We understand, Mr. Godfrey. We wish you a safe journey home and we hope that we do not see one another again, unless you desire to come live with us.”
“Make no mistake,” Elizabeth Doss warned. “We will defend our borders. Tell that to your Emperor. If he decides to force the issue, human blood will be shed. Blood that will be on his hands.”
Dante glanced at Billy Ray Phelps who stood to the side of the chamber. The man enthusiastically nodded in agreement with Doss. Dante realized the man did not understand what he faced. On some level, Phelps must be entertaining a fantasy that determination and shotgun shells could hold off attack helicopters and tanks.
Of course, that assumed General Jerry Shepherd and his men would follow the order to fight their way through this town. Would Shep do that? Could his men shoot fellow human beings, or run people over with tanks?
Dante closed his eyes and shook his head. He saw no good outcome no matter which direction this went. And why? Because the leaders of New Winnabow were as stubborn and self-righteous as Trevor Stone.
Parsons dismissed the council and ended the discussion.
Dante turned to Evan. “We have to get back and tell Trevor we failed. These poor people put us in an awful position.”
“He is supposed to be a great leader,” Evan said as they stood in the emptying chambers. “He must find another way. He must.”
Dante insisted, “You heard what he said. He has no other choice. We had to convince these people of that. We failed.”
Evan noticed a man walked toward him, but doing so in very tentative steps. He recognized him as Gunther Faust, the older, German-accented councilman they met at dinner the night before.
“Please, may I have a word with you?” Gunther looked over his shoulder as if afraid someone might hear.
However, Doss and Parsons stood in the far corner discussing something with Phelps. Case, the other member of the council, had left the building.
Evan told Dante, “Why don’t I meet you back at the transport?”
Dante put a hand on Evan’s shoulder, “Remember what we just talked about, Evan. Remember.”
“I will.”
Dante left.
Gunther led Evan out a side exit. They found a quiet courtyard surrounded by flowers under a blue sky.
“Mr. Godfrey, do you know what I’ve been doing the last few years?”
“What is that?”
“I have been building this town. Brick by brick, layers of mortar upon layers of mortar. Concrete and stone…that’s what I have been doing.”
“You’re a mason,” Evan surmised. “Your work here is outstanding.”
Gunther appeared both angry and frightened.
“I do not want to see it smashed down! We have built more than buildings, this I know. But are our convictions so weak that they will not withstand the passing of your army? I find this something hard to believe.”
This confused Evan. He said, “I’m not following you, Mr. Faust. Your council spoke. It was a unanimous vote against allowing us to pass.”
“You are a political student, yes?”
Evan nodded. Certainly, Gunther understood that after the conversation of the night before.
“What we did…what would you call it? We presented a ‘united front,’ so to speak.”
“Ahhh, I get it. You agreed to vote with the others for the sake of appearance. But why? If you’re so afraid of what The Empire will do, why didn’t you vote to allow us through?”
Faust explained, “It was for Robert’s sake. He is a man of great convictions. This place…it means so much to him. And he is so certain…”
“So certain of what?” Evan leaned close.
“He met with this Trevor. Robert-forgive him-actually likes that young man. He thinks this Trevor is a person of honor. He thinks that if we show a united front that Trevor will not attack this city. Robert thinks that as long as we stick to our principles, Trevor will back down and go a different way. That is why he convinced us to vote with him.”
“I see,” Trevor gnawed on that information.
“But Mr. Godfrey, you are a member of the council of Trevor’s, no?”
“I am.”
“You have been with this Trevor since the very beginning, that is so?”
Evan nodded, “Yes, yes it is.”
“Then you know Trevor Stone. He is a friend of yours. A close friend, is this not true?”
Evan considered for a moment then answered with a smile, “Trevor and I are very good friends. We have been very close over the years. What is it you want to know?”
Gunther, nearly pleading, said, “Tell me now. Will he attack this city? If he will do so, please tell me. I will change my vote. I know Brad Case will change his vote, too. I think then we would be able to force Robert to let you pass.”
“I see,” Evan considered.
“It would be a small concession of our values, but it is much better than fighting with your people. I do not wish that.”
“But you are willing to risk everything by voting with Robert. For what? To save his pride? You are willing to stick to your principles as long as there is no risk?”
Gunther stumbled backwards and held his hands upward.
“No, no, Mr. Godfrey. Please. I am an old man who has worked hard. Robert has done well for us over the years. However, I fear he is blinded in this matter because of his daughter. Please do not be mad with me. I want to support Robert, but if it is possible your forces will attack, I will wound his pride and change my vote. If for no other reason than to save him from himself.”
“I understand,” Evan smiled and placed a reassuring hand on the older man’s shoulder. “I would do the same for Trevor in similar circumstances. Please excuse my outburst. I do understand. I do.”
“Should I change my vote, Mr. Godfrey? Please, you must tell me. Even if you think it a little possible that your Emperor would attack. Maybe I go change my vote anyway,” Gunther made as if to leave.
Evan stopped him.
“You don’t have to do that, Mr. Faust. I know Trevor well. I can tell you with absolute certainty that he will not attack New Winnabow. Not as long as you show your united front. He will respect your wishes. Oh, he will scream and he will threaten, but he would not kill fellow human beings.”
Gunther relaxed to the point that Evan thought the man might actually shed tears of relief.
“Trust me, Mr. Faust. Stick to your principles. I know exactly what Trevor will do.”
16. Blood on the Snow
Jon found the scenery astounding, and big. Everything felt huge.
Jagged islands of ice floated in the cold waters, some hundreds of feet high with glorious peaks, others flat and wide. Some looked twisted and tormented; others seemingly carved with an artist’s eye.
From the conning tower, he saw frosted, charcoal mountains on the inland horizon smothered in misty-white clouds while the sub cruised through breathtaking fjords welcoming-and daring-travelers.
Off the port bow, a gigantic Blue Whale waved its tale to the sub as the Earthly creature pushed through the sea with a natural elegance that separated it from the clumsy machine.
On the shoreline, a walrus watched the boat pass with a befuddled gaze as if amused by the folly of man.
The air-perhaps the freshest air on Earth-tasted crisp but thin. Gentle breezes caressed the scenery, casting powdered snow aloft where it fluttered like old confetti from an ancient parade.
After a long journey under the ocean waves, the Newport News reached its destination. The majestic and unforgiving landscape of northern Greenland served as backdrop to the last leg of Jon Brewer’s journey. The stage on which a dance of horrors would play.
Qaanaaq, Greenland earned the title ‘the northernmost human settlement on Earth,’ prior to Armageddon. A child of the Cold War, Qaanaaq appeared in the 1950s when the U.S. airbase at Thule expanded.
To the east and north waited glaciers that once drew hordes of well-funded climatologists. Sharply rising black rock mountains coated with a hint of snow loomed on the far side of the long, desert-like ice cap.