They walked in silence. Fitz found Rico’s hand as they walked, squeezing it gently. Her touch brought him a swell of reassurance, even at this dark hour.
“We’ve lost so many,” she said. “Mendez, Lincoln, and now Ace. It’s never going to be the same, no matter what happens next.”
Of course there were also all of their comrades who had died in the first war, people like Tanaka, Jensen, Riley, Meg, Garcia… Fitz used to find strength in remembering them, but now it just made his heart ache.
Beckham looked out at the Gulf of Mexico. “I’ve watched too many brothers and sisters give their lives for this country. Every time, it hurt worse than the Variant acid that took my leg and arm.”
“That’s why we must win,” Dohi said. “So their sacrifices weren’t for nothing.”
“You bet your sweet ass we’ll win,” Horn said, clapping the tracker’s shoulder with a big hand.
“We better hurry then,” Fitz said. “We’re running out of time and ammunition.”
“I don’t need bullets,” Dohi said. “My hatchet and knife are sharp enough.”
“Guess we’ll be making some homemade bombs and sharpening some swords,” Horn said. “Just like when I was a teenager, except I can’t get arrested for it.”
They all laughed for a moment.
“Better than bullets and bombs, we have each other,” Beckham said. “We’re back together again. And we’re still breathing, which means we still have a shot.”
Beckham put an arm around Timothy.
“So what’s the plan?” Rico asked. “I mean, the brass has to be planning something together better than pipe bombs made by Horn.”
She gave Horn a side glance like he was nuts.
“Even if the science team is right, that the Prophet is actually in Los Alamos, we don’t have the manpower right now to launch another major offensive,” Beckham said. “Truth is, we’re better off defending this place, where we already have our heels firmly planted.”
“But you know how the old saying goes,” Fitz said. “The best defense…”
“Another mission like Vegas will mean there isn’t anything left for our defense. I’m working with Commander Jacobs to coordinate a strong defense strategy, though.”
“Have you consulted with Corrin?” Dohi said.
“The Chimera?” Horn asked.
“Yeah,” Dohi said. “He might be one of our best advantages. He knows the New Gods intimately, and has the predatory senses of the enemy. He can tell you how to conceal our men or find blind spots in our defenses we might not have realized.”
“Corrin has proven to be extremely reliable, and he really does want to do whatever he can to help,” Fitz said.
“So you really trust him?” Horn said.
“Yes,” Fitz and Dohi said simultaneously.
“He didn’t screw us in Vegas,” Rico said.
“Yeah, but morale matters,” Beckham said. “What will people think if we drag out a Chimera to consult on our defenses?”
“It doesn’t matter what they think,” Fitz said. “Corrin could be a godsend. Take advantage of him while we’ve got time.”
“Fitzie’s right,” Rico said. “The guy helped save my life, and I think he had a soft spot for Ace. He’s just as pissed as we are. Give him a chance to help. You won’t regret it.”
“I’ll consider it,” Beckham said.
“When people see Corrin walking around with a hero like you, they’ll have to trust him,” Fitz said. He knew Beckham didn’t like being called a hero, but that was the truth. His name had spread quickly through the country after the Great War, and he had become somewhat of a living legend.
Now that they were in the face of imminent destruction, Fitz wanted Beckham to know it was no time to be humble.
“I’ll see what I can do,” Beckham said. “I don’t want people any more scared than they already are. We can’t look desperate by bringing Corrin out to help us.”
Rico let out a sad laugh. “Truth is, we are desperate.”
“Amen, sister,” Horn said. “For now, I’m going to check on my girls, then to the hospital to see Ruckley. Want to make sure the docs are treating her right.”
“I’m supposed to grab some food with Tasha,” Timothy said. Then he looked up at Horn sheepishly. “If that’s okay with you.”
“Long as you keep your paws to yourself,” Horn said with a raised red eyebrow.
“Big Horn, I’ve got a meeting with Jacobs in the afternoon,” Beckham said. “He’s organizing all the new defenses and troops that we recalled from Houston. But I’ll meet you in the hospital after I check in on Javier.”
The group split up, with Dohi heading to check on Corrin who they had left under guard. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Rico and Fitz were alone.
It felt strange, but good at the same time.
They continued walking along a sidewalk neighboring the port. Men and women were moving precious crates of ammunition to resupply points along the walls. Watchtowers and machine gun nests were bolstered with camouflaged netting that not only concealed their positions but helped protect somewhat against any possible bat attacks.
In only a few hours, Fitz and Rico would be back in meetings, trying to come up with a game plan on how Team Ghost could best help defend the last true strongholds of the Allied States.
Unlike Beckham and Horn, they didn’t have any family to see in the meantime.
All they had were each other.
“I missed you, Jeni,” Fitz said. “I was worried sick about you when I was stuck in Canada.”
“Me too, but we’re together now.”
“And it’s going to stay that way.” Fitz stopped, took her hands in his own, and faced her. “No matter what happens, I’m never leaving your side again. We’re in this thing until the end.”
“Until the end,” Rico agreed.
Fitz pulled her into an embrace, kissing her in the middle of the street. He relished the warm touch of her lips on his, memorizing every feeling, every sensation flooding him. He did not know how many more opportunities like this they might have left.
All he
