There were no actual roads through the camp, but people had worn paths between the campfires and tents, creating a crude system of trails. As Malin turned a corner, looking for familiar places, he saw an intersection ahead where many paths converged at a large campfire. Despite the very early hour, something was bubbling in a giant pot over the flames. Two militiamen were standing beside the fire, chatting, and one of them glanced in Malin’s direction. Malin would have diverted course, but he feared it would draw suspicion. Instead, he led Archer and Spence to the edge of the path and kept going.
The guards returned to their conversation, and Malin picked up on some of it
“I volunteered to go,” one of them was saying. “I want to go.”
“You’re crazy, man,” the other guard replied. “The National Guard is protecting that place. There’s bound to be a firefight.”
“No, we’re sneaking in at night. The commander doesn’t want to draw too much attention to the camp with an open battle.”
“If there’s a fight, we just can’t leave any survivors,” the first guard said. “That’s the trick. No survivors, no reports, right? I hope we go in guns blazing. I’m sick of standing around all the time. They probably have a lot of good stuff in that warehouse. Maybe the commander will share the wealth.”
“A newbie like you isn’t going to get much,” the second guard said.
Malin was just passing then, keeping his head down, trying not to draw their attention again. Suddenly, the second guard, an older gentleman with a scraggly gray beard, turned and addressed Spence.
“Are you a newbie, too?” he asked.
Spence seemed caught off guard, and he sputtered for a second. “Sorry, guys, just keeping an eye on these two losers,” he said, finally, gesturing at Malin and Archer with his rifle. “Yeah, I’m pretty new around here. Joined up last week.”
“So you’re not going on the raid either,” the first guard said. He was a much younger guy, with a patchy black beard and chubby cheeks. “We’re hitting another warehouse next week.”
Spence signaled for Malin and Archer to stop. Apparently, he intended to speak to these guards. It seemed like a dangerous game to play. If he said the wrong thing, he would expose them. At the same time, it was a great opportunity to gain some information. But Malin knew he didn’t dare say anything. As a civilian, his job was to huddle in brokenness and misery.
“No, I’m not going on the raid,” Spence said. “Not to that warehouse. Actually, Rod…I mean, the commander…might put me on the team that’s going to deal with the island. Unless that’s changed.” The guy was doing a great job playing the part, as he gave the guards a sudden, confused look. “Hey, you haven’t heard anything about a change in plans, have you? I’ll be pissed if the island raid is off.”
The young guard shrugged, but the old guy said, “The commander definitely wants payback from everything I’ve heard. He lost two guys on the bridge. I don’t know if they’re dead or what. But I’m not sure when the raid is happening.”
“Oh man, if it happens, I want to go,” Spence said. And then, to Malin’s alarm, he reached into a pocket and pulled out his Mentos, as if by instinct. He unwrapped it from its plastic baggie, dug out a mint with his thumb, and popped it in his mouth. “Is it going to be a full-scale raid? That’s what I heard.”
“Hey, where did you get that?” the young guard said, pointing at the pack of mints.
Only then did Spence realize he was holding the mints, and he looked down at them sheepishly. “Found them,” he said. “You want one?” He dug out a mint and gave it to the young guard.
“Dang, can’t remember the last time I had one of these,” the young guard said, receiving the mint in his open hand like he was being given a communion wafer.
When Spence tried to give a mint to the old man, he shook his head. “I don’t know much about the island raid. No one does. Rumor has it they were talking about using a dive team to lower the drawbridges, but nobody wants to be shark bait.”
Spence laughed at this, but Malin thought it sounded forced. The Mentos incident had rattled him, apparently. “No way am I volunteering for that,” he said. “I’ll stay on the bridge and shoot.”
“You’ll do whatever the commander says, actually,” the old guard said. “Just tell him you can’t swim real good. Then again, he’s got a sense of humor. You tell him that, you might be the first one he sends into the water.”
Spence forced another laugh. “Well, I guess I’ll follow orders. I’d rather go than not go. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I heard some fellas talking about using shark repellant,” the young guard said. “They said one of the Army men used it, and he got all the way across the bay.”
“There’s no such thing as shark repellant, far as I know,” the old guard said. “You shouldn’t believe every dumb thing the fellas tell you.”
“Didn’t say I believed it,” the young guard grumbled, kicking dirt.
Malin managed to make eye contact with Spence and gave him the slightest shake of the head. It’s time to go, buddy. Spence got the message.
“Well, thanks, fellas, but I’d better get going,” he said. “We’ve got a delivery to make here. Don’t want to keep the commander waiting.” He gestured at Malin and Archer again.
“Fine,” the old guard said, turning to gaze into the fire. “Just don’t get too uppity about what you’ll do and not do. If you’re a newbie, it’s better to do as you’re told. Don’t be like my stupid friend here.” He nodded at the young guard. “Bit of advice.”
The young guard finally popped the mint in his
