Fireteam Delta J. Halpin (top 10 books of all time TXT) 📖

Summers looked at Nowak and the others.

“Guys . . . how do we know they haven’t already left?”

Chapter 38: Reserves

Summers took a breath. Then another. His hand lay on Asle’s head, trying to sense if her condition had gotten any worse.

“She good?” Cortez watched them with a look of concern.

“I think so . . . it doesn’t look anything like my head did, anyway.”

“That’s because she’s smarter than you.” Cortez tussled Asle’s hair, giving her a small smile.

Thankfully, Asle had returned to normal after a few days, just as Summers had. They’d been careful to watch her diet. If her condition was anything like Summers’ own, it meant that she too would have to deal with the hamr absorbing anything she ate. The last thing anyone wanted was for her to sprout some sort of wings or horns. Though that was the least of their worries.

Nowak had led them to a river he insisted would get them past the Nevada border. However, from the moment they’d left the coastal village, they’d seen no signs of any life. No people, no animals. Summers hadn’t even managed to see a fish in the large river that flowed beside them. Considering they were heading upstream, that suggested something ahead was the cause.

“How are we on food?” Summers asked, looking to Synel.

She’d been handling their traveling supplies, something that was woefully limited at the moment. Their quick escape from the village meant they’d left without really restocking.

Synel shook her head in response.

“Not well.” She moved to one of the horses that held a few packs at its side. “Two weeks, if we don’t ration. Assuming the water is safe.”

Summers nodded, thinking.

“Do you know of any cities nearby?”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Nowak interjected. “Think about it. If the army’s pulling out, what do you think that means for everyone else?”

“You really think marching into a fight with these two is a good plan?” Summers gestured to Asle and Synel.

“And we still have the food issue,” Cortez added.

“I know . . .” Nowak pinched the bridge of his nose. He had a map of the region sprawled out in front of him.

Synel moved to the map, looking it over.

“I agree with Mr. Nowak. Any cities nearby will likely have suffered some kind of opposition.” Synel gestured to the river they were using as a landmark. “This is a major trade route between the coastal and eastern cities. I would have expected to see someone. That we haven’t, suggests . . .”

“Something bad,” Asle finished.

Summers noticed the tension in both her and Synel’s shoulders as they spoke.

“We could turn back.”

“No.” Synel’s response took Summers off guard. “Don’t misunderstand me. If I had a choice, I would have gladly stayed with the ship. But I’m not confident any of the nearby settlements would be safe for long. If not because of what we saw, then because of the factions that would take advantage of their weakness. That could prove just as dangerous if not more.”

“And the people in town hadn’t seen anyone from the east for a long time,” Asle elaborated.

“Great.”

“I suggest we continue on.” Synel gestured to the map. “If we stretch what we have, I believe we could make it to this base of yours, if just barely.”

“That’s assuming the army’s still there,” Cortez pointed out.

“They are,” Nowak interjected. “That message was automated, but if something big enough to take out the army hit the base, I don’t think there would be anything left standing. They’re transmitting. They have power. That at least implies the infrastructure’s still standing.”

“And what if we get there and no one’s waiting for us?” Summers questioned. “I don’t know if that’s a fight we can win.”

“I’m not seeing any better options here.” Nowak glanced at Summers. “You said there are more of those things on their way. Where can we leave them that going to be safe?”

“Any city has to be safer than this.” Summers gestured at the open forest around them.

“But if I’m like you . . .” Asle rubbed at her neck. “If I’m . . . different now, I could hurt them . . .”

Summers paused at that.

It was a valid point. Summers wasn’t even sure if his “problem” was under control. If Asle was left alone, who knew what could happen, given enough time?

“What about the rest of you?” Summers turned to Pat, Orvar, and the twins. They stood a few feet away, watching for anything coming their way.

Pat blinked.

“We’ll do as you command, Commander.”

The others nodded, as if that settled the matter.

“Of course, you will.” Summers turned to Synel, speaking in Nos. “You really think the base is our best chance?”

Synel put a finger to her chin in thought.

“Yours? No. You could run back to the city and live long, prosperous lives. With your weapons and power, it would be likely you’d make it. It’s the best course of action for both Asle and I.”

“I appreciate the honesty?”

“You should. It’s a rarity.”

Summers sighed.

Asle still looked at him, clearly trying to put on a brave face. He didn’t disagree with Synel, but they had a long road ahead of them. Hopefully, a lot could still change.

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After another few days on the road, nothing had changed.

“Saw a couple birds earlier, but not much else.” Cortez hefted her gun, looking off into the distance.

“Figures.” Summers watched the horizon, pushing down a pang of hunger. “Well, there could still be something out there.”

Considering that they were near what was probably the largest body of fresh water around, they’d expected to have run into something by now.

It was eerily similar to the canyon they’d found the fog in. Only on a much,