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By afternoon on the third day after the attack, Charlize Montgomery was walking again. She had ditched the wheelchair for a cane as soon as she could. It was painful, but she was sick of sitting down all the time.
Ahead, Albert stopped at the bottom of a ladder and put his arm out like a wing. “Lean on me,” he said. When she hesitated, he added, “It’s okay, no one is watching.”
Charlize grabbed on with one hand. Each step was agonizing, her skin pulling and tightening. Albert helped her up the ladder and down the next narrow corridor. Sailors working below decks moved out of the way as she passed.
“Is that Senator Montgomery?” one of them asked.
Not for long, she thought.
Her next meeting was possibly the most important of her life. It would determine the fate of her son and her future with the new government. Albert helped her up a second ladder leading to the top deck. From there, they walked past the mess and the galleys. When they finally reached the Combat Direction Center, Charlize was out of breath and nearly doubled over with pain.
“You okay, ma’am?” Albert asked.
She stopped to catch her breath, palming a bulkhead with her bandaged hands.
“Yes. I’m fine,” she said. “Why don’t you go get something to eat?”
Albert hesitated, glancing over at the two lance corporals standing sentry outside the CDC.
“It’s okay, we’re safe here,” Charlize said. “No one’s going to try to assassinate me on this ship.”
Albert stepped forward, his massive frame making her feel very small. She looked down and chuckled. He followed her gaze to his shoes. The sneakers were filthy, smeared with ash and something that looked like blood, and the shoelaces on the right one were nearly burned off.
“I loved these shoes. Don’t suppose I’ll be able to ever find a new pair of Jordans again,” he said in a soft voice.
“You never know, Big Al.”
She walked into the CDC, where Captain Dietz was waiting with his executive officer. Janet Marco’s light blue eyes seemed to take everything in at once as Dietz gestured for Charlize to come inside. Behind them, the room was swarming with activity. Sailors worked at stations throughout the space, their faces basked in blue and red light.
“Follow me, Senator,” Dietz said.
He led her into a small room where Diego was already seated. He looked up from a laptop and raised a hand in greeting. His left arm was covered in a bandage.
“Ah, Charlize, welcome,” Diego said.
Captain Dietz closed the hatch behind her, sealing her inside with the new President of the United States.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Somehow, Diego’s pleasant small talk was more unsettling than if he’d yelled at her. Charlize shrugged in answer to his question and then regretted it. That hurt.
Diego smiled. “Probably about the same as I am, then.” He scooted closer to the table and folded his hands on the table. The smiled vanished as he furrowed his eyebrows.
“Look, I’m going to be frank. I know you don’t like me. I’m not the easiest man to like. We’ve had our differences in Congress. But those times are behind us. We have to work together now.”
Charlize nodded cautiously. They were at war, and sometimes war required enemies to work together for the greater good.
“I appreciate what you did for me in that bunker. I won’t forget that. You’re a warrior, Charlize, and I need someone like you on my side—and in my cabinet.”
“Sir,” she began.
He held up a hand. “Please, let me finish.”
She nodded and relaxed in her chair.
“I can’t think of a better person to take on the role of Secretary of Defense. You understand the world. The war we’re fighting now requires a person with your experience.”
“The war—”
“Is not over, as you know,” Diego said, interrupting her again. “Our anti-submarine warfare officers have caught more of the passive sonar hits that could be enemy subs.”
“Yes,” Charlize said. “And I’m sure there is someone very capable to serve as your Secretary of Defense to combat this threat. I’m honored, sir. Really. But I have to be honest. I’ve put my country first for my entire career. As you know, I have a son. He’s stranded in Colorado, at a camp for kids with special needs.”
Diego grabbed a glass of water from the table and took a sip, nodding while she spoke.
“I know we’re short on resources, but I have to go get him. I need my boy here with me.”
“Okay, done,” Diego said. He put the glass down and offered his hand across the table.
Charlize didn’t trust anyone that made deals so quickly, but this was especially suspicious. Diego rarely made deals at all.
“I don’t think you understand,” Charlize said.
Diego withdrew his hand and frowned.
“I want to find my son myself. All I need is a Black Hawk, extra fuel, and a few good Marines.”
Diego rubbed his nose. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Senator. I do understand. I knew you would ask that after I spoke with Captain Dietz. Thing is, I can’t risk losing you out there. That’s why I’ve already deployed a fire team of Marines to find your son. They left an hour ago.”
Charlize slowly uncrossed her arms, unable to hide her shock. Her burned cheeks warmed, but she wasn’t sure if she felt angry at Diego for routing her plan or embarrassed that she’d been so easy to outmaneuver.
“Don’t worry,” Diego said. “I sent one of our best teams.”
She shook his hand with her good hand. What else could she do?
“Thank you, sir. I’m more than grateful for what you have done and I would be honored to serve as Secretary of Defense.”
A knock on the hatch sounded, and Lieutenant Marco stepped inside.
“You really like to interrupt meetings, don’t you?” Diego asked.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I have an urgent message for Senator Montgomery.”
Charlize felt her heart stutter. Did she have news about Ty?
“Go ahead,” Charlize said, bracing herself for the worst.
“Senator, we just received a transmission over the shortwave from Cheyenne Mountain. A senior airman named Jeff Main has been trying to reach you. It’s about your brother.”
Charlize was shaking now, but she didn’t care anymore if President Diego thought she was weak. “For the love of God, just tell me,” she said.
“Major Sardetti is alive, ma’am,” Marco said with a smile. “He’s on the comms right now, asking to speak to you.”
“I can’t believe it!” cracked a voice from the speakers of the shortwave radio. Colton turned away from Jake’s body to listen.
Nathan smiled and pushed the receiver to his lips. “It’s so good to hear your voice, Charlize! I feared the worst when I heard about D.C.”
A cross between a whimper and a laugh flowed from the speakers. “Me too. I’m glad we were both wrong.”
“Sardettis are hard to kill,” Nathan said.
Colton left Nathan to his joyful reunion and tucked his jacket over Jake’s body. He couldn’t bear the thought of telling Jake’s wife and daughters about this. They would be devastated.
“I’m sorry, brother. I’ll look after your family.”
Colton pushed himself up and joined Sandra, Allie, and Raven against the fence on the lookout. They were huddled together, wrapped in Raven’s coat and listening to Nathan’s conversation with amused looks on their faces. Creek was sitting beside them, tail wagging like nothing had happened.
Colton patted the dog on the head. “Everybody okay?”
Raven nodded. “Thank you for helping me find them.”
Colton felt like he should say something in return, but he couldn’t find the right words. His heart was all torn up. Estes Park had lost a legend and one of the kindest souls Colton had ever known. He turned back to Nathan. He and his sister had turned serious over the
radio.
“Empire is right in the fallout zone,” Charlize was saying. “President Diego has deployed a team of Marines to find Ty.”
Nathan held the receiver for a moment before responding. “I was going to head out there in a few hours. I’ve got a CBRN suit and a VW van.”
“No,” Charlize said firmly. “Stay put for now. I’ll send someone to get you. Things are bad out there. The radiation isn’t the only threat. There are reports of gangs forming on the highways all over the country.”
“When should I expect evac?” Nathan asked.
“I’ll have the Marines pick you up after they find Ty. Check this frequency again this time tomorrow.”
Nathan lowered the receiver and looked at Colton before bringing it back to his lips.
“Can you tell me where you are right now?”
“I can’t say, but it’s a safe place. The entire grid wasn’t knocked out by the EMP attack after all. The military is going to start setting up survival centers across the country for refugees.”
The news was reassuring. Maybe Estes Park would get help eventually, but Colton knew it was a long way off. Florida might as well have been the moon without a way to get there safely.
“Okay, I’ll check back with you this time tomorrow, Nathan.”
“Roger that, Senator.”
“Madam Secretary, actually.”
Nathan spluttered in shock. “Come again? I didn’t catch your last.”
“I’ve been promoted to Secretary of Defense.”
Nathan smiled. “I’m proud of you. Our country has never needed you more.”
“The country needs you, too, Major.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I love you, Charlize.”
“I love you, too, Nathan.”
He turned off the shortwave and walked over to Colton and Raven’s family.
“Well there’s some good news, but sounds like things are bad out there,” Nathan said.
Colton nodded grimly. “Don’t know what I’m going to do without Jake.”
“He was a good man,” Raven said. “A better man than me.”
“Better than me, too,” Colton said. He jerked his chin at Raven and Nathan, signaling them to meet him at the guardrail away from Sandra and Allie. All three men walked over and stood at the barrier. Creek limped over and sat next to Raven’s feet, looking out over the valley.
It was the first time Colton really had a chance to see the beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park that day. An armada of clouds drifted across the horizon, coasting just above a fortress of rocks and an ocean of pine trees. Fall River snaked through the lush landscape.
He gazed out at the vista, wishing for a moment that he could just stay here and never move again. It seemed so peaceful, but below, in his town, he knew things were going to get much worse. The acts of violence they had witnessed over the past several days were just the beginning.
“I wish you were staying, Nathan,” Colton said. “Your sister was right; the country needs good men like you, but so do we. I just lost one of the best.”
“I’m sorry, Chief, but I have to go.”
“I know,” Colton said. “I don’t blame you for wanting to be with your family. That’s the most important thing at the end of the day.”
Raven nodded. “I don’t know how to thank you for saving mine,” he said.
“Just stay out of trouble for a while,” Colton said. “I’m going to have my hands full just keeping this town from boiling over.”
“Hey, Chief,” Raven said, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. “I could maybe lend a hand. I owe you one.”
Colton studied his face for any sign of a joke, but Raven looked more serious than he had ever seen him. “Why would you want to work with me again? I arrested you.”
“Twice,” Sandra said.
Colton almost smiled. He looked back at Sandra and Allie. They were watching the three men, looking to them for reassurance and guidance. Just like Kelly and Risa and everyone else would be when Colton returned to town.
Raven squared his shoulders. “There’s something I want to tell you all. Then maybe you can decide if you want my help or if you’d rather put a bullet in my skull.”
Sandra gave him a sharp look. “That’s not funny, Raven.”
“I’m not joking. I never told anyone this because technically it’s treason to talk about the mission, but I guess that all doesn’t matter much anymore,” he said, looking out over the valley.
For a moment he seemed lost in the view, then he turned and said, “Eighteen months ago I was sent on a mission with my recon team into North Korean territory to rescue two American girls. One of them was the granddaughter of Senator Mack Sarcone. We got them out, but at a cost. I lost my best friend in the Corps, and the Gunny shot the defector who’d been our guide—executed him right in front of me. What I saw happen there had me questioning a lot of things.”
Raven took a deep breath, his eyes glistening, “I think maybe this—all of this—is because of me. If we hadn’t gone on that raid, maybe the North Koreans wouldn’t have bombed us to hell. I’m so, so sorry.”
Sandra wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “It wasn’t your fault,” she said.
“Your sister is right,” Nathan added. “What happened has nothing to do with what you did over there, Raven.”
Colton had never asked Raven about his service abroad, but now his actions back at home made more sense. The man wasn’t a troublemaker; he was just very troubled from things he had seen and done. War could break men, even the best.
Everyone had their own demons, even Colton.
“I’ve always made my own path,” Raven continued, finding Colton’s gaze again. His eyes were bright but steady. “But that hasn’t really worked out so well for me. It made me a damn fine hunter and tracker—hell, it made me a good Marine in some ways—but I screwed everything else up along the way. I think that I might have a chance to do some good now.”
Colton had spent eighteen months learning to distrust Raven, but maybe he should have spent that time getting to know him instead. Maybe he should have simply asked him why he did the things he did. It was time to work together and bury the past.
“Brown Feather and his brother may be dead, but we’ve got a lot to do to protect our town from other threats in the coming months and years, Raven.”
“I know,” Raven replied, shaking Colton’s hand. “Something tells me the battle to save Estes Park has just begun.”
End of Book I
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Nicholas Sansbury Smith is the USA Today bestselling author of the Hell Divers trilogy, the Orbs trilogy, and the Extinction Cycle series. He worked for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management in disaster mitigation before switching careers to focus on his one true passion—writing. When he isn't writing or daydreaming about the apocalypse, he enjoys running, biking, spending time with his family, and traveling the world. He is an Ironman triathlete and lives in Iowa with his fiancée, their dogs, and a house full of books.
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Trackers (Book 1) Page 26