The Passage

Protected by who?

Colonel Cage has been watching the conversation, his eyes flicking from one to

the other, growing calmer as something momentous is about to emerge, his

military background coming to the fore. Jonah says,

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We're not alone, haven't been, but now they can come

forward more.

Ian has a blank, uncomprehending, look on his face. Jonah says,

You know, the space people, they're here, and they

helped us build this. Oh, you won't see much of them

if at all, but they're always around, and we've got

some special children to prove it.

Ian's eyes widen, staring at Jonah's face. What next?

Come on, I'll show you.

_______________________________

Jonah has taken Ian and Colonel Cage to the gardens in the center of the dome

city, where the children play. Jonah is sitting on one of the benches there,

speaking warmly and quietly to some children standing in front of him, as

though he frequently does this, is familiar to them, and has a good rapport

with them. They have large frontal lobes and delicate chins, larger than

normal eyes, and listen more than they speak. They seem to anticipate each

other's movements, stepping back in sync with a step forward by another and

the like. The din of children's voices can be heard in the background. Jonah

says,

.. planning to have an art fair, a craft fair, on the

concourse soon, right?

The hybrid child in the center responds to something other than what Jonah has

been saying, responding to his thoughts, not his words.

They'll adjust quickly because they've been living

like us already. You'll see, there won't be any

adjustment at all.

Colonel Cage leans forward to ask a question.

How do you know?

The child looks calmly at him.

You're right to be worried, they need you. They don't

know how to find you, don't know where you are.

There is a silence, but finally Colonel Cage responds, an obvious knot in his

throat.

They're in trouble? The Army had facilities! They

said . . they told us that . . that ..

_______________________________

Outside the dome city entrance, Colonel Cage is taking his leave, saying good-

by to Jonah. They stand in front of the dome entry, at the end of the long

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igloo style tunnel that acts as a weather shield before the sliding doors at

the edge of the dome itself.

I've got to try, even if I die trying. I have no idea

if these maps are any good anymore, it's 200 miles

away as the crow flies, and God knows if I'll make it

or what I'll find.

Colonel Cage is traveling light, holding a black cloth satchel that he slings

over his shoulder as he turns and walks into the woods.

A tall gray Zeta comes forward into view, moving up to be shoulder to shoulder

with Jonah. Jonah is still watching the Colonel disappear into the woods.

He's going to need help.

The Zeta puts his hand momentarily on Jonah's shoulder, then heads off after

Colonel Cage.

_______________________________

Colonel Cage is walking along the outskirts of what used to be a mid-sized

city. He is traveling at night, for safety, his body standing out briefly in

profile against a flaming pile of trash that someone has pulled together and

lit. Broken boards stick up now and then, hazards, and tumbled down cement

blocks litter the streets as he picks his way though the rubble. There are

shouts in the distance, and what sound like hysterical laughter now and then.

_______________________________

Past the city now, and traveling by day, Colonel Cage is standing at the edge

of a rip in the earth. Foot hills leading down into a river valley have been

torn apart, bare earth exposed in stark contrast to the trees or fields on

either side. He stands gazing over the scene, a slight frown on this face,

and then reaches into his back pocket for a map, which he flips through,

looking increasingly puzzled. He finally shakes his head and mutters under

his breath.

If that's the river, then I made 150 miles in one day!

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He returns the map to his back pocket, leans down for his satchel, and strides

off down along the edge of the rip toward the river.

_______________________________