by Nikki Lewen
“Good morning Luna, you’re up early,” Sadie says softly.
“I had ta go potty.”
Sadie smiles and asks the child if she wants company walking back home. Luna giggles, points, and Sadie smiles at the proximity. It’s literally next-door and the nearest place. It’s a structure Sadie hasn’t failed to notice, and wondering about it, she asks the little girl how many people stay there.
“All us kids, wit’ no mommies and daddies…we stay here. Com’on,” Luna’s volume increases, “I’ll show ya!”
“That’s okay. We don’t want to wake everyone…how ’bout another time?” Sadie suggests, trying to lower the volume of their conversation.
Luna nods, doesn’t move and stands staring at Sadie. The girl glances back to the ramshackle orphanage, then quickly turns back to Sadie. It doesn’t take but a second before the tiny girl explodes with information.
“I finish wit my job…Eber’ buddy’s got ah toot brush…’cept sum of da patrollers...cuz thur not here…same wit da wader workers, by the ocean, they don’t got one either, but…when dey cum visit…I’ll give ’em one. I got ’em…still in da box!”
The child beams with pride at accomplishing her task, making Sadie’s heart swell. She’s so cute and incredibly young that Sadie can’t help but encourage her.
“Good work, Luna! I knew you were perfect for the job.” Sadie squats to be at eye level before continuing, “You keep that box, and when all those people get their toothbrush…” Luna hangs on Sadie’s every word, “you pick another…and keep it…for when you’re older.”
Luna’s eyes open wide as her smile grows.
“How old are you?” Sadie asks.
The girl holds up one hand. “I’m tis many…five sumners, but…I’m a’most six sumners.”
“Almost six summers,” Sadie echoes, “well, then…I think you’re old enough for an even a bigger job.”
Luna, fidgety with anticipation of an added responsibility, can barely control herself.
“Every time someone new comes to the colony…” Sadie smiles watching Luna, “you make sure they get one, too. Okay?”
“OKAY!” Luna answers so loudly that others sleeping nearby had to have heard.
Confirming her thoughts, a woman steps outside the makeshift housing. Luna hears the door open and turns.
“Auntie T!” the child exclaims.
The woman, who teaches the children, walks over, quietly reminds Luna that others are still sleeping, and makes her introduction. She’s very aware of Sadie’s arrival, has heard non-stop chatter from Luna, and finds it nice to finally meet her. Auntie T sends Luna back so she can talk privately with Sadie. Their conversation, although brief, gives Sadie an insight into Luna’s story, along with some of the difficulties the orphanage faces. Sadie makes a few inquiries about the others working with the children and the educational curriculum they provide.
Before leaving, Sadie agrees to visit soon to meet the rest of the kids and learn more. Parting ways, Sadie can’t help but think about the things she has back home that could benefit the children, but her thoughts are interrupted as the Delta Team exits a nearby site. Seeing Sadie, they excitedly walk over, dressed in their new gear, and she can’t help but smile.
“Good morning,” the three men say, almost in unison.
Sadie returns the pleasantry.
“Perfect timing, Sadie,” says one of them.
“Yeah…we’re on our way to meet Gus…and hoped to see you,” says another.
“Our rec time’s over and we’re headin’ back to duty,” the third in the trio chimes in. “We thought, maybe…you’d like to join us. We’re going towards the ocean and…we know you want…to meet…the pro-fess-sor. And see the de-sal…oper-ation.”
His words and teasing tone force Sadie’s head sideways in a quizzical expression. The Delta’s let out a soft chuckle.
“We’ve heard ’bout your visits…the med clinic...the animals. The whole colony’s buzzin’ about the seeds and everything else you’ve given away. Talk is...there’s gonna be some new food.” He stops as his buddy chimes in.
“Yeah, word around here travels fast…and…everyone’s talkin’ ’bout you.”
“We know you wanna go out there…so join us,” the last one adds, almost pleading.
Sadie’s cheeks flush. She’s slightly embarrassed, slightly honored, and keeps her reply simple. “Thanks, I think…I will.”
“Good…hopefully we can escort you all the way. We’re asking permission to change protocol. Patrol units always start at the Mid Valley checkpoint. Then, on arrival, the crew there rotates to Oceanside, whose crew then sends their patrollers ahead…and so on, until each unit moves to the next assignment and the last group returns to the colony.”
“Only one rest cycle, cuz the added patrol…right?” Sadie says, recollecting a past conversation with them.
“Yep,” the same Delta answers, “since the Splitter attack we’ve added an additional patrol…used to be two teams at a time here, but…to ensure better coverage and…ultimately the colony’s safety…we changed it.”
“Makes sense,” Sadie says, endorsing the decision.
All the Delta men nod in agreement. The further they walk, the deeper into discussion they become as Sadie probes for more details concerning their work. She gets them to share their concerns, talk additional measures, and explain the limitations they’re faced with. The conversation abruptly stops as they near Gus’s place and the sound of approaching footsteps gains their attention. Turning around, they see Caleb catching up.
A couple of nods are all that’s shared with Caleb before the group hastily returns to chatting, in order to finish talking before entering the station. Inside, the Delta patrollers meet with Gus who’s already in the company of two senior advisors while Sadie offers Caleb a quick breakfast. She tosses him an energy bar while talking about needing to pack for the coast. Realizing immediately, Caleb wants to join her, Sadie thinks it’s a great idea, and invites him.
When Caleb returns, packed for the journey, Sadie’s standing among the men and looking over a map of the area. Gus is explaining the patrol routes and providing Sadie with detailed information. The colony leader answers what she asks, and occasionally, one of the other councilmen chimes in with more. Caleb can’t believe how quickly she’s become a trusted member of leadership. She’s standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the colony’s top leaders and the best patrol unit they’ve got.
“I think…reinforcements for Mid Valley...and at Oceanside would help.” Sadie says, before excusing herself briefly and returning from her small room with a crate and two ammunition boxes.
Two of the Deltas rush to help and each grabs a box.
Offering a brief explanation, Sadie talks while using a small pry tool to open the crate, “My dad’s friend ran a military surplus store and…collected more than…the usually inventory. When the floods hit…all his goods were already moved to higher ground.”
As she lifts the lid, all the men simultaneously lean forward to peer in, while letting out a collective gasp. Sadie, lifting one of the semi-automatic weapons, hands it over to Gus, while fighting back the images she starts seeing of burning bodies falling to the ground amongst a storm of bullets from the very assault rifles she’s gifting. Holding the gun, Gus is astonished by her generosity and even more so with the amount of ammunition accompanying it. The men are speechless and amazed even further as Sadie opens the ammo boxes.
“Each of these…contains six grenades.” Sadie sets one of the explosives on the table.
Gus nods while replying, “These will definitely beef up security.”
As he carefully puts the grenade back, one of the other council members—who has yet to speak—finally says something. “Exactly…how big…of an arsenal do you have back on Three Sisters?” he asks.
“That, sir,” Sadie begins, keeping her response vague and lighthearted, “I’m afraid, is classified.”
Caleb and the Deltas la
ugh, Gus shakes his head, and the other two men aren’t exactly sure what to think, but obviously, Sadie isn’t going to divulge any further details. The conversation shifts to the best way to implement these new defenses and it’s decided that Delta Force will transport the new equipment. Delta’s instructed to ensure the new defense strategies are put into place and they’re also given permission to escort Sadie for the entire route. Each of the Delta men, in his own unique way, nonverbally communicates his delight. Their reactions amuse Sadie, which, in part, was their intent.
Since getting to the coast takes two full days of hiking, Sadie realizes she’ll have to put off talking with those interested in relocating. Before leaving, Sadie asks Gus to announce the meetings with potential candidates will start when she returns. With everything settled, the group heads out to begin the long, hot journey. Along the way, Sadie sips from her canteen, but by the time they stop to break she’s completely drenched in sweat and can’t seem to drink enough. Taking off her pack and wiping her brow, Sadie’s thankful for the bit of shade they’ve stopped under.
Upon reaching the Mid Valley checkpoint, Delta Force inquires about the absence of the water transport. The goat cart pulling the colony’s water supply should have already passed. They’re informed of the problems at the de-sal operation, the repairs that are under way, and since the delivery’s been late the past couple of days, the assumption is nothing’s wrong. But, according to protocol, if nothing arrives by nightfall, then at first light, a security check is mandated.
The Mid Valley patrol group had been discussing which one of them would make the hike to check, but with Delta Force’s arrival, now their entire unit can remain together, rotate stations, and check into the failed arrival. Exchanging questionable glances and silently determining who will be the bearer of the news, it’s quickly decided as one of the Deltas speaks up.
“Actually…orders changed. We’re going straight to Oceanside, introducing and training on new procedures and…equipment.” The Delta leader says.
One of his teammates holds up the semi-automatic while the other lifts the ammo boxes. Before any of the Deltas gets in another word, a Mid Valley patroller pipes up.
“Wha d’yah mean you guys get to skip ahead! What the hell!” he says, pissed.
Quickly avoiding any turbulence between the two work teams, the Delta crew explains the upgraded security measures and their role of getting them implemented at each station. As they talk weapons, implications for use, and training with the new equipment Sadie approaches. She’s been scouting a campsite with Caleb and after finding a suitable location, has come to check in.
All the men stop talking as introductions begin, “Guys, this is Sadie. Sadie this is…”
“Alpha pack,” Sadie finishes, interrupting the Delta lead and reaching to shake each of their hands.
The men, already a little edgy with their change of work detail, are taken aback by her knowledge.
Seeing their reactions and reading their body language, Sadie addresses them. “Sorry, guys…I’ve been brought to speed on patrol units, the rotations you normally keep, and most of the procedures you adhere to. I know it’s a bummer…learnin’ you’ve been assigned an extra duty, but…” she pauses long enough to remove the sack slung over her shoulder, “I thought maybe this…would make up for it.” Sadie says, pulling out a six-pack of beer.
“No way! I thought those were extinct!” one of the patrollers exclaims.
Alpha pack—finding themselves in a totally different state of mind—lean closer to Sadie as she speaks.
“They’re old, and obviously not cold, but…I thought your unit deserved a little somethin’. There’s two for each of you.” As one of them begins to reach for the beer, Sadie casually sets them back in the sack, while talking, “But, first…weapons training.”
Even more shocked by this mysterious new girl, the men look to Delta crew, who nod and follow her. She’s the only one amongst them with any experience firing the weapon. Tactfully and with authority, Sadie teaches its safety, operation, and maintenance. As she moves to the grenades, the lessons are quick and simple, and—by the end—Sadie feels confident in their progress and abilities. After wrapping up, Sadie tells the Alpha guys they’ve been given the evening off and hands over the beer. She and Delta Force will cover the evening’s patrol duties. As a sign of understanding and appreciation, the sound of three cans opening greets their ears.
“Would you care to share a beer?” One of the men says, pausing before his first drink to offer it to Sadie.
Sadie, appreciating the offer, declines, stating she’s on duty. He quickly offers to wait till she’s off, as the other two Alpha guys wish they’d thought of it first. Still, she politely declines.
FORTY-SEVEN
While hiking, Delta Force continues answering Sadie’s questions, filling her in on all aspects of the Oceanside camp and the desalination efforts that currently sustain the colony’s water needs. Particularly interested in the Professor, she listens intently as the men provide what information they know, making the passing hours of the long trek more enjoyable. It’s another hot day and the sun wilts Sadie, even though she keeps covered from head to toe, making sure to protect her unaccustomed skin to the burning rays.
The Professor, who once taught at Berkeley, survived the Tri-nami and the Global Flood that followed because he happened to be on his annual Yosemite camping trip with his grad assistants. He, along with most of his students, stayed in the park and played key roles in the colony’s success. As the valley’s lakes and streams dried up, the Professor devised a solution and set up camp along the coast in an effort to remove salt from the ocean and provide clean drinking water to Yosemite’s population. He rarely returns to the colony, his work ethic and knowledge are unsurpassable, and Sadie’s warned about his unsocial manners.
Coming out of a bend in the trail, Sadie halts, causing the Deltas to do the same. They smell it too and after the next bend, they see smoke that appears to be coming from the camp. Sensing wrongdoings, Sadie confirms with the patrol unit that this isn’t normal and the group picks up the pace, alert for what could lie ahead. When Sadie halts again, it’s to give quick instructions and split them into three groups. One of the Delta crew stays with her, one accompanies Caleb in the opposite direction, and the third stays near the trail.
As a noise becomes clearly audible, everyone settles into position. When the water cart from camp approaches, it’s evident there’s a problem. The two women accompanying it keep looking back over their shoulders and forcing the goats to move quicker than they want to. Two of the animals pull a partially filled water container, while several other goats are tied behind the cart. When they see the lone Delta patroller, the woman rush ahead, frantically speaking and gesturing.
Sadie holds her position, signals to Caleb to do the same, and sends one of the Deltas to check. He returns quickly, reports the terrible news, and returns to his position just as two trailing men come into view. A pair of Splitters, seeing the cart ahead, stop to take aim, failing to realize, they’ve walked right into an ambush. Before the militants can fire, both their bodies fall to the ground with arrows piercing their hearts. Verifying both men are dead and retrieving her arrows, Sadie collects the Splitter’s weapons as the group reunites to talk strategy and get further details from the fleeing women.
Impressed with the success of her strategy and shooting skills, the men continue to defer to Sadie. First, she sends the water cart and escapees ahead to report to Mid Valley and then to the colony. Knowing they can reach camp undetected, Sadie gets the rest of them moving quickly in hopes of saving any other survivors and preventing the invading Splitters from continuing into the colony.
By late afternoon, her group reaches the outskirts of camp, feeling encouraged that their presence is still unknown. This time, Sadie divides them into two recon units. They’ll use last light to gather what information they can on the invaders, and then, devise an attack under the cover of darkness
. They hide most of their belongings and packs before splitting into different directions and cautiously proceeding. As each group moves around the terrain, finding cover, things don’t look too promising. Two yachts are anchored offshore and two zodiacs are beached on the short stretch of sand that serves as a water collection site. The few outbuildings used to house the workers and goats have been reduced to nothing but smoking embers. Scattered around are the bodies of several Oceanside members that have been left where they fell.
Sadie’s group finds a location to safely observe from, and they take turns sharing her binoculars. As the sun sets, the plan is to regroup and figure out whether—and how—to best strike. Preparing to leave, a commotion draws Sadie’s attention. Screams fill the air as they witness, from a distance, a woman being dragged by her hair and forced upon one of the zodiacs. She kicks and fights valiantly until one of the men strikes her with the butt of his rifle. Her body crumbles and falls motionless as the zodiac speeds off toward one of the anchored vessels.
While watching, Sadie battles the urge to use Caleb’s rifle to stop them. The only thing preventing her response is the knowledge that firing would expose them and eliminate their only advantage. Still, Sadie has trouble stomaching what will more than likely be the poor woman’s fate. As they continue watching the zodiac, the men aboard unload their unconscious victim, exchange words with two other men aboard, and then they return to shore.
In the last hints of light, Sadie, Caleb, and the Delta men observe where the two Splitters return, making sure to take notice of the intruders’ accommodations for the evening. In darkness, all but one of Sadie’s two groups rendezvous to share intel. A lone Delta remains behind, continuing to keep watch so Splitters don’t happen upon the rest of the team. Sadie, remaining in lead, estimates the number they’re up against and the men nod in confirmation. From what they’ve been able to gather, there are five men ashore and at least two aboard the boat where the woman was taken. As for the second yacht, they haven’t seen any signs of movement, but being cautious they assume its crew is aboard.