“Did he get that from you, too?” Cochise asked with a smirk.
“No,” Hickok said. “Blade got that from Geronimo.”
“Hey!” Cochise said.
Hickok laughed for the first time that day.
CHAPTER 17
The ceremony was short. Sherry asked Socrates to say a few words but their new Leader bowed out.
“I’ve already expressed my sentiments and everyone knows them,” Socrates told her. “Perhaps it’s best if you do the honors. This gathering was your idea, after all. And your husband is one of those willing to boldly venture where few have gone before.”
Sherry cast Hickok a loving glance, then strode to the middle of the circle. The combined glow from the many candles lent her blond hair a golden sheen. “I want to thank all of you for coming to show your support. It does our hearts good to know that despite all that has happened, despite the invasion of our Home and the loss of our beloved former Leader and a number of our Warriors, we are still a Family. We are there for one another when we need to be.” No one said anything when she paused. Sherry held her candle out in front of her, the flame flickering in the evening breeze. “Do you see this flame? It represents our devotion to the ideals of our Founder. Kurt Carpenter believed in the paramount importance of the Family and the Home. To him, they were the cornerstones of human culture, as he wrote in his diary. Without them, civilization crumbles.”
“Extremely well put,” Socrates said.
“I read a lot,” Sherry said, and continued. “But we’re not here to talk about us, per se. We’re here to open our hearts to the fighters among us. To our Warriors. To those who care for us so much, they’re willing to put their lives at risk, day after day, year in and year out, to safeguard us from the dangers of our devastated world.”
The distant roar of a mutate punctuated her remark.
“I know what it takes because I’m a Warrior, too. I wasn’t born here, like most of you. I’m a Canadian, or from what was left of Canada after the war. And I happened to fall in love with the most remarkable man I’d ever met, who just happened to be one of your protectors. As an outsider looking in, I was astounded by the dedication the Warriors showed. I still am to this day. A dedication they are about to demonstrate, yet again, by leaping head-first into the unknown with no guarantee we will see any of them alive ever again.”
Sherry looked over at Hickok and her eyes moistened. “In about an hour from now, my husband and Blade and Yama depart. I ask you to open your hearts to them. Let them know how you feel. Give them something to carry in their own hearts during the dark days ahead.” Her voice broke, and she coughed and stepped back.
Almost immediately several Family members moved toward Hickok, offering their hands or an embrace. Others did the same with Blade. Still other began looking all about, and only then did anyone realize that Yama wasn’t among them. Shouts were raised, but no one had seen him, or knew where he was to be found.
The next forty-five minutes passed quickly. Socrates brought the well-wishing to an end by announcing it was time for those who were leaving, and their families, to assemble in the Time Chamber with the Scientists and others involved.
Hickok held Sherry’s hand all the way there. Ringo walked at their side, trying to be brave but not entirely succeeding. They were the first to enter the Chamber. The lights were on, and A.l.v.i.s hovered by the cage.
One other was there, standing with his arms clasped behind his back in a Parade-Rest posture.
“So here you are, Death Boy,” Hickok said. “Why didn’t you join us like everyone else?”
“We each prepare in our own way,” Yama answered. “And don’t call me Death Boy.”
“How about Death Head? Or Death On The Brain?”
“Don’t call me Death anything.”
Hickok chuckled. “You’re not as much fun to tease as Geronimo, but I’ll make do.”
It was then that Blade stepped up and motioned at the time machine. “Enough bickering, you two. Let’s get this show on the road.”
PART TWO
BANGKOK
PERILOUS
CHAPTER 18
Bangkok, Thailand. Before the Big Blast it had a population of over ten million, with another fifteen to twenty million in the surrounding area. The city proper covered over two million square kilometers, making Bangkok one of the largest cities in the world.
Blade chose it as their insertion point for several reasons.
From his previous dealings with the reptilians who served the Lords of Kismet, Blade knew their masters controlled much of Southeast Asia. The mainland, definitely. Possibly Japan, as well, plus other island nations. It stood to reason, therefore, that the Lords of Kismet had set up some sort of administrative system, and if so, their control centers, logically, would be where population densities were greatest.
An almanac revealed that the largest cities were Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as it used to be called, and Yangoon, or Rangoon.
Blade picked Bangkok in part because it was centrally located. If they needed to penetrate deeper into the Lords’ domain, it was a good jumping-off point. Another factor was that a lot of Westerners had lived and traveled there prior to the war. Close to four hundred thousand, according to the intel. So it should be easier for three Caucasians to blend in than if they were inserted into, say, Ho Chi Minh City, where they would stand out like the proverbial sore thumbs.
All this went through Blade’s head as he entered the metal cage and stood in the center. Hickok and Yama came in and took up positions on either side.
Hickok chuckled and winked. “All set for some fun, gents?"
“Is that what you call a life-or-death crisis?” Yama said. “Fun?”
“It’s what I call kickin’ butt, Death Guy. And there’s nothin’ I like more.”
“I told you not to call me
