'Going? I guess,' she answered. 'But I think we're out of places to go.'
Jim Brock caught the end of the conversation as he approached the hidden transport with a brown bag in hand and a frown on his face.
He said, 'You've got to get going. And soon, too.'
Nina sighed and apologized for the one-hundredth time, 'Listen, I'm sorry we just dropped in on you like this.'
'I know. I'll bet it was just about the last thing you wanted to do,' he handed the bag to Hauser and explained, 'Breakfast.'
'Hey, thanks man.'
While Hauser accepted the gift, Brock and Nina walked around the nose cone of the silent ship. A large frog hopped off while a song bird of some type crooned in celebration of the new day. Nina started, 'Your wife probably isn't too thrilled about us being here, I'll bet.' 'She's not. But you've got to get moving for more than that. Your friend is in bad shape.' Nina ran a hand over her forehead to wipe away moisture forming there.
As a favor to Jim, one of the local doctors made house calls to treat Gordon and actually engaged in what might qualify as low-level surgery.
She asked, 'What's the doc say today?'
'He said there's nothing more he can do. The bullet is lodged in his spine. There might be some internal bleeding and there's probably an infection because he's been running a fever and drifting in and out of consciousness since he's been here. Mrs. Stone says he's barely spoken more than a few words and most of them haven't made sense. Point is he needs real medical attention. You should get him to the hospital in Raleigh or he is going to die.'
Nina snapped, 'And if I take him to the hospital in Raleigh Internal Security will pick him up and he'll die anyway. Damn it.'
'You have to do something.'
'I know. I thought maybe you could have helped me get in touch with Shep.'
Jim said, 'But he got arrested,' referring to the headline 'TOP RANKING GENERAL ARRESTED IN COUP PLOT’ from yesterday’s paper.
'So I don't know where else to turn.'
Brock leaned against a tree and said, 'But you came to me. You trusted me, even though you know I’d support the new President and what he stands for. Why?'
Nina scratched the back of her neck and answered, 'Listen, we don't agree on a lot of things. I know most of the people around here never liked Trevor or what he did. But I also know you people aren't traitors. I mean, I guess I just figured you wouldn't turn us in.'
'I'm flattered. It's also good to see you again, regardless of why. You really haven't kept in touch much these last few years.'
Nina said, 'What do you mean? Denise has been down here to visit you a bunch of times and the two of you are always talking on the phone. Well, when the connection holds up.'
'Denise, sure, but you and I don’t talk much. Whenever I’d catch you at home you’d hand the phone to her like it was a hot potato.'
Nina furled her brow and confessed, 'Well look, every time we talked it always seemed to get down to how Trevor was doing this wrong or the war should be over or whatever. I kind of got sick of being preached to.'
He chuckled and mocked, 'Me? Preach? I guess so. That's the teacher in me always trying to lecture. Sorry about that. But you still trusted me.'
'Like I said, I knew you'd do the right thing. I know that no matter what you think about Trevor or Godfrey, you want what's best for us. I guess I think you're just about wrong about everything but you've still got a good heart.'
'Thanks. I think. But don't trust me too much. Or rather, sooner or later the doc is going to talk or someone else is going to figure out what's going on and who my strange house guests are. Sooner or later Internal Security is going to get a tip. I'm saying-'
'You're saying we can't stay here forever, even if it weren't for Gordon. Look, I get it. I'm just not sure where to turn. I don't know who else to trust.' 'Like I told you when we first met, everybody needs someone. Even the strong.' 'Problem is my people are either locked up or on the run.' 'Even Denise? Are you worried about her?' 'Yes I am,' Nina nodded.
'Wait a second,' Brock hit upon an idea. 'Denise. That's it. I know someone else who thinks pretty highly of you. Someone well connected. I bet you can trust her.'
'Who's that?'
'I helped you adopt Denise, but so did someone else. Someone who made the final decision. And if I remember right, she might be in a position to help. It's worth a chance.'
'Listen, I don't like to take chances.'
'Nina, sometimes in life you have to take chances on people. You took one by coming here. You trusted me. Now you have to trust someone else, or Knox is going to die and sooner or later the people chasing you are going to catch you.'
'And what about that, Jim? If everything I've found out is true, it could mean the end of President Godfrey and maybe even the return of Trevor Stone. Would you like that? Are you willing to be an accomplice to that?'
'Well I might not get invited to the good parties down here anymore.'
Her stare would not allow him to blow off the question.
He answered honestly, 'If what you told me is true, then Godfrey has gone against everything he's stood for since I started listening to him. If it's true, then he's worse than Trevor Stone ever was. So yeah, I'll help. As much as I can. Besides, I don't think I could say no to you.
'So then,' she asked. 'Who is this person I'm supposed to trust?'
– The sound of the phone ringing startled Lori Brewer from the trance-like state she had fallen into while reviewing file after file of adoption records. What had once been a small part of her job as Administrator had become the focus of her entire existence since the change in governments morphed her position into Regional Director of Adoption and Child Placement. The phone rang again. She eyed it suspiciously, worried her mind played tricks. She cautiously lifted the receiver. 'Hi, um, hello, this is Lori Brewer.' 'Mrs. Brewer, you have to listen to me. There isn't much time and I'm sure your phone is bugged.' Much to the caller's surprise, Lori recognized the voice immediately. 'Nina?' The familiar use of her first name by Mrs. Brewer caught Captain Forest off-guard, but she had no time to get side tracked.
'Yes. There isn't much time. Ashley Stone asked me to get involved. Listen, I need your help. That is, I need your husband's help, especially. Do you remember that you helped me adopt my daughter?'
'Yes. Yes I do.'
'Do you remember who I adopted her from?'
Mrs. Brewer stumbled then answered, 'I might. Either way I've got the records here…somewhere.' She thought of the archives piled in the garage.
The caller warned, 'You have to know what's going on. I mean, things aren't the way the news is covering them. I've got nowhere left to turn.'
'Alrighty then. Tell me what you need.'
'First, there are a few things you have to know; that your husband has to know, about Trevor, about his son, about who is really behind all this. But they'll be coming for you soon. There isn't much time.'
'Then talk fast,' Lori said. 'I’m a good listener.'
– Jon glanced over the report again. The two divisions President Godfrey had ordered de-mobilized had been broken into smaller units and sent to their home bases. Their heavy weapons were secured in armories while most small arms went home with the individuals.
Having been a soldier for much of his life both before and after Armageddon, Jon Brewer empathized with the boys and girls leaving the fight. They were with their families again, would find real jobs, and get to watch their children grow.
Yet overshadowing his joy for the retiring warriors came a feeling of unease. Despite how strong the nation remained he could not help but worry that those two divisions made the difference between a quick response capability and forces spread too thin.
