Parallels

– Trevor read the title of the Sesame Street book JB selected for his bed time read: 'The Monster at the end of this book…starring lovable furry old Grover!'

Of course Jorge could easily read the book himself, but Trevor knew JB enjoyed hearing his father do the reading and, as usual, adding dramatic flare to the words. So Trevor lay on the small bed with his son-dressed in fire engine pajamas-curled close.

As for the book, it depicted the friendly monster Grover attempting to stop the reader from turning the pages in order to avoid the monster at the end of the book, as per the title.

Trevor read to his boy but his mind raced in other directions. His bags were packed and he had ordered his personal Eagle pilot-Rick Hauser-to prepare for a morning trip. Most important, he formulated a plausible lie for Ashley about a surprise visit to Ohio to boost morale.

In truth, he planned to recruit a handful of Hoth's men and duplicate Nina's path. If she lived, he aimed to find her. If not, he would bring her body home. She deserved as much.

He did his best to concentrate on the plan instead of his doubt. No, not doubt, guilt.

For more than six years now, Trevor served only one mission. He played the role of a link on the Old Man's 'chain' without straying. He had fought, sacrificed, and even murdered in the name of the cause. Now he risked everything to find a memory that existed only for him.

Trevor matched the guilt with anger and determination: I don't give a damn.

The conclusion of the book neared and Grover feared the looming confrontation with whatever creature waited at the end; the cartoon character begged the reader not to turn the page.

Suddenly, Jorgie's hand slapped down on the book, achieving what Grover could not: stopping Trevor from turning to the final page.

'No father! Don’t turn the page! Don’t turn the page!'

Trevor, surprised, asked, 'What’s wrong buddy? We've read this a dozen times.'

JB visibly trembled and cried, 'There’s a monster, father! There’s a monster!'

'Hey, easy does it, look, it’s not really a monster…'

Trevor turned to the last page where Grover stood alone and realizes-to his embarrassment-that the 'monster' at the end of the book is lovable, furry Grover himself.

'See, it's only Grover. He was the only monster in the book all along.'

Unconvinced, JB snorted, 'Grover turned out to be a monster. I don't like that book. I don't ever want to read it again.'

Trevor decided not to fight the battle. 'Well, next time we’ll read Green Eggs and Ham. But I have to go out to see the troops for a couple of days. Maybe mommy can read it to you.'

Trevor scooted off the bed and pulled the covers to his son’s chin. Then, as per their ritual, he took JB's stuffed bunny and wrapped it in a tiny blanket.

'Snug as a bug in a rug,' dad handed the wrapped bunny to his boy and then planted a kiss on JB’s forehead.

'Father, could you promise me that while you’re gone you’ll think of me every day.'

'Oh, Jorge, I think of you every day anyway. You know that. But yes, I promise.'

'Good,' JB sounded satisfied but did not look it. 'That way I know you won’t forget me.'

– Trevor gave his map with the push pins one last look over. He wondered if the Old Man possessed a similar map. Maybe Trevor played the role of a red or blue push pin. How many other pins did the Old Man have on his map?

He shook away those thoughts, slung a heavy duffle bag over his shoulder, and left his office for downstairs.

First light struggled to rise over the mountain wall surrounding the lake, meaning that most of the support staff working at the mansion had not yet begun their day. Nonetheless, he heard Lori Brewer typing away on her computer. That did not surprise him. Between raising a daughter, keeping her husband in line, and serving as 'Chief Administrator' Lori always had something to do.

He decided not to disturb her; she had a tendency to see through his words so even a simple 'goodbye' might open the door for more questions than he wished to answer. Yet while he managed to slip quietly by her office, he found the front door blocked by her husband-Jon Brewer-waiting in ambush.

'Where are you going?'

'Just running an errand,' Trevor answered.

'Bull shit. I know where you’re going.'

'Well then why are you asking stupid questions?'

Jon shot back, 'You’re the one acting stupid.'

'I’m in charge; I’m allowed to be stupid. A fringe benefit of the job.'

Trevor stepped around his tall friend and exited the front door. Snowflakes drifting in frigid morning air greeted him as he crossed the yard to the shuttle idling on the landing pad.

'You are an important symbol, Trev. If something happens to you, it could all fall apart.'

'Right. You’d have to find someone else to push those pins around.'

'What?'

'Never mind.'

Jon implored, 'You can’t go running off like this. You need to be in that office.'

Trevor stopped and turned to face his friend. Something bubbled in his expression; some contorted combination of anger and fear.

'I never asked to be a symbol. I don’t want to be some god damn statue sitting behind a desk giving orders to people a thousand miles away. I need to be out there. I need to see the smoke from the guns again and the suffering and the courage.'

'Why?'

'Because it doesn’t mean anything anymore! It’s just numbers and charts and reports! But when I found out Nina was missing… I mean, I can’t just let her be another number; another name. I have to do this Jon. I’m going to do this.'

Trevor walked quickly toward the landing pad as if trying to escape his friend but slowed when he saw two familiar faces waiting for him there: Jerry Shepherd and Reverend Johnny. They carried duffel bags as well.

A drone came from the Eagle airship's idling engines as Trevor met his surprise visitors at the boarding ramp. Shepherd spoke before Trevor could say a word.

'Don’t you go telling me that I can’t go along on this. You damn well know you can’t stop me. So if you’re going to do something stupid like chasing after her then I’m all in.'

Trevor knew he could not debate Jerry Shepherd. Certainly not when it came to this. Moreover, Army Group Center had stopped its advance to focus on Hunter-Killer operations, nothing Stonewall could not handle on his own for a while.

He nodded his head and then turned to Reverend Johnny who said, 'Praise the Lord, I love an adventure. Besides, it has been suggested to me that you could use another pair of eyes with which to see.'

Neither man waited for Stone's answer. Instead, they grabbed their gear and boarded.

Trevor turned to Jon and told him, 'You’re not going on this trip.'

'I know. Guess it’s your turn to fly off into the unknown.'

'I won't be gone long but I may be out of contact for short periods of time. So you’re in charge around her for a bit. I trust you, but Knox is a smart guy. Lean on him if you need to.'

'See you when you get back.'

Brewer retreated across the lawn toward the mansion. Trevor hoisted his bag and turned toward the open side door but something caught his eye. Standing on the far side of the north perimeter fence watched a white wolf. The white wolf. The Old Man’s familiar.

Trevor locked his eyes on the animal and shot a stern middle finger in its direction.

Yeah, I got a path to walk, but I think I’ll take a little detour.

Trevor boarded the craft and the passenger module door slid shut behind. A moment later, the shuttle gracefully rose vertically from the landing pad. When it cleared the surrounding treetops, the hydrogen engines pushed the craft toward the horizon.

Internal Security officer Ray Roos stood on the mansion grounds and, with a curious eye, watched the