Slayne gestured at the computer on Carpenter’s desk. “How much use do you expect to get out of him, anyhow?”
“You tell me. You oversaw our EMP shielding. Plus we have enough fuel for our generators to last years.”
“All right. Enough about him. Where do we stand with personnel? How many have checked in?”
“The total stands at ninety-seven. We’re missing three singles.
The fifteen couples and their families all arrived safely, thank goodness. They’re the core. The last to show up was Soren Anderson and his family, about nine o’clock this morning.”
“The construction guy?”
Carpenter nodded. “We have a bigger worry. I’ve lost contact with Ben Thomas. The last we heard from him, he was stopping at a place called Smelterville.”
“You should have left that to me instead of sending me after Kapur. Relying on a freelance was asking for trouble.”
“Thomas came highly recommended. I made a judgment call.
Don’t be offended.”
“After all you spent on the SEAL.”
“I know. I know. It’s critically important that we have it. I pray to God Thomas shows up.”
“God?” Slayne said and indulged in a rare grin. “Haven’t you been listening to the news? God is on vacation. The devil is running things.”
“Ironic, isn’t it?”
“What is? The end of the world? That we were smart enough to see it coming but too stupid to stop it?”
“It’s ironic that for all our accomplishments, for all our sophistication and culture, our arts and science and engineering, we shoot ourselves in the head with our hate.”
“What’s so sophisticated about a species that can’t get along?
You don’t see dolphins nuking each other.”
Carpenter chuckled, and rose. “I suppose you want to eat and rest after your long drive.”
“No. I want to take a look around. I can sleep after the war is over.”
“We’ll take that look together. I need to stretch my legs.”
They emerged from C Block into a chill gust of wind. Roiling black clouds darkened the horizon. In the fat distance vivid streaks of lightning lanced the firmament.
“Just what we need,” Kurt Carpenter said.
Various vehicles were parked in rows near the inner moat on the west side of the compound. The drawbridge was down and would stay down until Carpenter gave the order for lockdown.
Scores of people were milling about or clustered in small groups and talking in hushed tones. Many fidgeted and cast anxious glances at the heavens.
“They know it won’t be long.”
Carpenter stared at the gathering storm. “I hope to God I don’t get them killed.”
“It’s a little late to second-guess yourself.”
“I know. But I’m human, aren’t I? I shudder to think what will happen if we haven’t covered every contingency.”
Slayne put a hand on his shoulder. “Relax. You’ve thought of everything. From food stockpiles to weapons and ammo to radiation gear to biohazard suits, we’re as prepared as we can be.”
A small yellow ball rolled toward them and stopped near their feet. A little girl followed it. She scooped it up, then saw Carpenter and froze as if transfixed. Her mother hurried over and rook her by the shoulders.
“Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Carpenter.”
“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Reynolds.” Carpenter noticed with amusement that they kept looking at him as they walked off.
“What on earth was that all about?”
From behind them came a contralto female voice. “You’re the Great Prophet. They hold you in awe.”
Both men turned. “Professor Trevor!” Carpenter smiled warmly and embraced her. “I expected you to sleep until evening.”
“It’s the end of the world as we know it. I don’t want to miss any more than I absolutely have to.” Diana had on a clean green blouse and jeans. She held out her hand. “Patrick.”
Slayne shook it. “Diana.”
“I’m glad to see you made it.”
“I had special incentive.”
“Anyone I know?”
Slayne looked into her eyes. “Looked in a mirror today?” “Come see me tonight. We’ll look in it together.” Kurt Carpenter cleared his throat. “What was that nonsense about my being held in awe?
I trust you were joking.”
“Look around you. Haven’t you noticed the stares? Or how nervous they are around you?” Diana swept an arm toward the drawbridge and the walls. “This is all your doing. You’re the mastermind, the guiding genius. This place wouldn’t exist except for you. They look up to you. They revere you. And yes, some even hold you in awe.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s human nature.”
Carpenter began to reply, but just then Slayne’s cell jingled.
“Excuse me.” He moved to one side and answered it.
“Hello, Arthur. Yes, this might be our last contact for a while.
The atmospheric disturbance will be severe and we can’t predict how long it will last. Stick to the plan. Get to Switzerland, to the shelter under the chateau. Stay there until it’s over, and if you can, take up the reins. Yes, yes, try to contact me then. With any luck at all—” Slayne stopped. “Arthur? Arthur?”
“Who was that?” Diana asked.
“Arthur Banning, Vice President of Tekco. He was in London on a stopover. The line went dead.”
Carpenter said, “It’s amazing he even got through.” A gust of wind struck Carpenter, drawing his gaze to the approaching thunderhead. “Say. Do either of you notice anything strange about that storm front?”
Slayne and Diana looked.
“What are those flashes of light high up in the clouds? See them? The purple and green that comes and goes. That’s not lightning.” Carpenter turned to Slayne. “Would you be so kind as to get everyone into their assigned bunkers and then join me in C
Block?”
“Consider it done.”
Diana watched Slayne hurry off. “Ever notice how he moves?
Just like a leopard or a jaguar.”
Carpenter’s mouth curved. “No, I can’t say as I have.”
“It’s about to hit the fan, isn’t it? The moment you’ve been waiting for.”
“The moment I’ve been dreading, Diana. All I’ve done, all my preparations, are about to be put to the test, and I honestly don’t know if it’s enough.”
A purple streak lit the sky, but there was no boom of thunder.
The wind began to whistle and shriek.
Carpenter watched his followers scurry for
