by Jamie Davis
A fresh batch of bacon materialized in the nearly empty warming bin. Steam rising off the freshly cooked meat made his mouth water. He grabbed several slices and a pair of fried eggs. After adding a thick slab of buttered bread and a scoop of grape jelly, Danny returned to join Morgan.
“How are things in logistics?” Danny asked once settled.
“Pretty good now,” Morgan said. “We have plenty of everything we need, even with the influx of new recruits. It’s nothing like it was in the beginning. Of course we don’t have to bring in cases of bottled water every day, so that’s a big help.”
“I know what you mean,” Danny said between bites. “Tris and her team are really outdoing themselves.”
“Same with the chanter elites. Victor told me just the other night that three more chanters can now open small portals, big enough to travel through. That makes fifteen with enough power or ability or whatever it is they have to do it.”
“That changes everything.”
“It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since Fort Brick.”
Danny nodded and took another bite of bread. They’d created permanent portals to bakery ovens owned by collaborators. The Promise Point staff could put their loaves into the ovens from here and bake them in cities across the country. “It is a much better place than when we got here. For sure.”
“Yesterday, I overheard a group from my logistics team arguing over why we had to ever leave. We have everything we need, so why keep fighting?”
“I hope you set them straight,” Danny said.
“I did.” Morgan took a sip of her coffee. “I think for the newest recruits, those who’ve never faced Kane directly, the fight isn’t quite real. Even those with families in the chanter camps don’t seem to have the same sense of urgency that they once did.”
“Well, the first big raid is coming sooner than they think. Tonight’s operation is the final step before we have everything we need to liberate one of the camps. The next step is to make the big raid and reveal that we’re all still alive and ready to take the fight back to Kane.”
“So soon?” Morgan asked. “I thought it would be several more weeks, at least.”
“You said it earlier. We have the logistics and supply lines arranged. With the new elites, we can move supplies and people around easier than ever before. Winnie and Victor agree that it’s time to hit Kane. We’re better prepared than we were at Fort Brick, and we have the dragons on our side. I’ve seen them hunting bison and other large game in the valleys below Promise Point. Kane’s demons won’t stand a chance.”
“Are you going along tonight?”
Danny nodded.
“I wish I could go on more of these missions. I’ve been tired lately with all my work and Victor says it’s best if I stay here. He says I should focus on making sure that all the troops have everything they need to fight rather than worrying about going along into the danger zones.”
“He probably wants to keep you safe, Morgan. I understand that.”
“Yeah, but you’d never tell Winnie to remain home so she could stay safe. She’d tell you exactly what to do with that advice.”
“You’re right there,” Danny laughed. “Still, we all have to do what we’re best at. You have the computer skills to keep us organized back here at Promise Point. Winnie is the most powerful chanter in the whole world, aside from maybe Kane himself. The keeper of Excalibur. She summoned dragons. She has to be out front, leading us all into battle. It doesn’t matter what I want.”
“I know we’re different. I just wish I could be more involved.” Morgan half-smiled.
“You could always ask to be included in more of the operational planning,” Danny suggested. “We could use your insights into supply needs and what we have on hand versus what we’ll have to scrounge once we get where we’re going. That’ll be essential to know once we start direct action against the military and try to reclaim the East Coast’s occupied cities.”
“I suppose that’s true. It would make me feel more useful.” Morgan admitted.
“I’ll tell you what: I’ll suggest it to Winnie and you bring it up with Victor. Between the two of them, I think you’ll get an invite to the planning session tonight, before we go fully operational.”
“I’d like that. Thank you, Danny.”
“No problem. We’ve got to stick together. It’s been a long road, and those of us who’ve been here since the beginning should back each other up.”
Danny mopped bacon grease from his plate with the remainder of his bread and popped it into his mouth.
“I’ve got to get to the firing range down below,” Danny said, standing. “There’s a whole company of Dusters who aren’t shooting as straight as they should be. I need to figure out why before I let Maria loose on them. She’s scary when she’s mad, and she knows it, so she asked me to try and impress the seriousness of this on them first. Wish me luck.”
Morgan laughed. “Good luck, Danny, and thanks for listening to me gripe.”
“No problem. Like I said, the original crew should always stick together.”
CHAPTER 5
Elaine Durham arrived late for the command team meeting that evening. Winnie, Danny, Garraldi, Maria, Victor, Morgan, and Tris were already seated around the conference table in front of the display wall, now showing a myriad of locations around the country, monitored around the clock by Maria and Garraldi’s intelligence staff.
“Mom, we were just getting started. I’m glad you could make it,” Winnie said.
“Sorry I’m a few minutes late. I got tied up helping the twins with an experiment.”
“How’s that coming?” Morgan asked. “I’ve only talked with them a few times, but they seem very bright.”
“Oh they’re more than bright,” Elaine said. “It’s not just that they’re smart kids. It’s how they work together. It’s like they literally put their heads together and come up with a solution to a problem that no one has ever thought of before. I’m trying to find their limits, but imagination seems to be it.”
“Keep it up,” Tris said. “Between them and the chanter elites, we’ve come up with more innovative ways to build and maintain a city with jointly operated magic and technology than anyone else has seemed to manage in the last one hundred years. If we weren’t at war, this would be a new golden age of discovery.”
“I don’t plan on stopping the lessons any time soon,” Elaine said. “It’s too exciting to learn alongside them. I’ve never felt so alive.”
Elaine sat as Maria stood and walked to point at one of the displays on the wall. She tapped and expanded it to show some sort of rail depot, or maybe a trucking yard.
“This is the Atlanta freight terminal. Here, all the containers that arrive by rail are transferred to trucks to be hauled to their final local destinations in the southeast. This is where we’ll make our final raid before we go fully operational again. We’ve been waiting for one of the chanter elites to travel there by ground so they could safely open a portal between here and there.”
“Who is it?” Danny asked.
“Frannie volunteered,” Garraldi said. “Parnell wasn’t happy, but what spouse would be?”
“We sent a security squad with her,” Maria said. “They should be fine.”
“When do we expect to hear from her?” Winnie asked.
“In about an hour,” Maria said, checking her watch. “We’ve got a full team of chanter elites and additional security to go through the portal once she contacts us and opens it on her end. We’ll bring back the marked containers with the supplies. We’ll need the empty containers for the next stage of our plans.”
Maria returned to her seat and gestured to Morgan. “Morgan hacked the terminal database and has the list of container numbers we’re to locate for essential supplies. Morgan?”
“Yes, well, it wasn’t hard to hack into the system there. They only had the most basic security measures in place. My guess is that they don’t consider it an essential
risk. There isn’t even an army unit detached to cover the rail yard.”
Morgan passed around a stack of papers. Elaine took one and passed it on. The top sheet was a list of alpha-numeric serial numbers. Lifting the top paper, she saw a detailed list of items under each separate number from the first page.
“These are the container ID numbers we need to locate and return with if we can,” Morgan continued after the lists were distributed. “I included the detail of what’s inside each container, but you only need the top sheet for the operation. Bring the containers back and my logistics team will take care of unloading and sorting through the interiors.”
“I see you heard my request for more plumbing and electrical fittings,” Tris said. “Thank you. I have more requests for hot and cold running water from people than I’ve got faucets.”
“A lot of what is in these containers is ordinary stuff like that,” Morgan said. “It’s probably why the security is so lax. Who guards a container full of toilets?”
“Only a paranoid plumber,” Danny quipped.
Everyone chuckled.
“I want to go on this one,” Winnie said. “It’s time I helped out a little more.”
“We can’t risk exposing you, Win,” Victor said. “As long as Kane thinks you’re dead, his guard is down.”
“I’ll wear a mask or whatever you want, but I’m going. End of story.”
Winnie had a stubborn streak. She wasn’t going to back down. Luckily, these people would follow her to hell and back.
“I’ll add an extra security detail to stick with you, then,” Victor said. “We can’t afford to have anything happen to you before your grand entrance next week.”
“We’re sure we’re GO for that?” Winnie asked.
“As far as I can tell, all we need are the extra containers,” Garraldi chimed in. “Once they’re emptied and the charms are cast, we’ll be good to go.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all week,” Winnie said. “It’s time to show Kane that he didn’t destroy us.”
“That hinges on tonight’s raid being a success.” Maria checked her watch. “Everyone going on the raid, meet up in the portal room. The rest of you, we’ll meet back here tomorrow for a debriefing and review of how the raid went.”
The group dispersed, and everyone headed off to prepare for the mission. Elaine wanted to wish Winnie luck, but she and Danny left in a hurry. Soon, it was just her and Morgan sitting at the table.
“Well, I’ve got to get back down and get the twins ready for bed,” Elaine said, standing. “I’m the closest thing to a mother they’ve got.”
“Mind if I come along? I’ve always like those kids and I could use a boost of morale.”
“Tough day?” Elaine asked.
“Tough month. I’ve been so exhausted with all the work. Plus, Victor and I keep missing each other. He’s away so often on raids or to do whatever it is he needs to do that we hardly see each other anymore.”
“It’s been tough on everyone. Though Tris is certainly making it better.”
So true,” Morgan agreed. “I still can’t believe we have hot water.”
Elaine stood. “Help me put the kids to bed. They’d like to see you, too.”
“Really?”
“Really. There aren’t too many of us that have been through everything with them over the past year. They hold a special affinity for all of us who were with them through all of that.”
They walked to the twins’ room two levels below. Fiona and Jacob were sitting on the floor reading. Their eyes lit when they saw the logistics officer.
“MORGAN!”
They jumped up and wrapped Morgan in hugs.
“Where have you been?” Fiona asked. “We’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve been sort of busy,” Morgan said, smiling at the twins. “I’m sorry I didn’t come down to see you sooner.”
“That’s alright,” Fiona said. “Elaine said you brought these back from a library for us.” She indicated a shelf full of books between their beds.
“It was the least I could do. I know how much I loved reading stories like these when I was your age.”
Jacob, usually too shy to talk around most people, leaned over and whispered in Fiona’s ear. She looked shocked, but then she smiled, looking up at Morgan with a big grin.
“You’ve been busy for sure,” Fiona said, her grin growing wider.
“What are you talking about?” Morgan looked at Elaine.
Elaine shrugged.
Fiona giggled and pointed to Morgan’s stomach.
“Jacob wants to know what you’re going to name the baby.”
Jacob giggled, joining his sister.
Morgan clapped a hand to her stomach, shaking her head. “I’m not pregnant. I mean … I don’t think I’m pregnant.”
“You are. Jacob’s never wrong about these things. He said he felt the baby inside you trying to grab his magic.”
“Here let me see,” Elaine said, coming forward. “I’m not a mender, but I can do a simple delving to see what’s going on. I should be able to tell if you’re pregnant.”
“I guess that’s fine,” Morgan said.
The girl was confused, possibly in shock. Understandable. Elaine could remember learning that she was pregnant with Winnie, knowing that her father was a monster.
Elaine closed her eyes and laid one hand on Morgan’s head, the other on her abdomen. She studied her energy. And sure enough, there was a separate life inside her. Jacob must have sensed it when they embraced.
She opened her eyes and smiled. “Jacob is right, Morgan. You’re definitely pregnant. Not too far along, maybe six weeks or so. The baby is also showing signs of being a chanter. Powerfully so.”
“But neither Victor nor I were born chanters. Isn’t that impossible?”
“I suspect that the power bestowed on Victor to dispel charms and other magic now lives in his bloodline.”
“This is a bit overwhelming,” Morgan said, moving to sit on one of the beds.
“It’ll be alright, Morgan,” Fiona said, coming over and taking her hand. “I’ll be old enough to babysit soon, then I can teach the baby everything I know.”
“That might be what Morgan’s afraid of, Fiona.” Elaine smiled. “Not every mother is as agreeable as I am about experiments.”
“I don’t know,” Fiona said. “Jacob and I don’t remember our mom much anymore.”
“That’s why I’ll be here to take care of you from now on. Now, Morgan and I came down here to get you both ready for bed and tuck you in. If you hurry and put your things away, then wash up, I’ll read you both a bedtime story.”
“Can Morgan read it to us tonight?” Fiona asked.
“That is up to her,” Elaine said, looking at Morgan.
“I’d love to,” Morgan said, still slightly blushing.
“There you have it.” Elaine clapped. “Chop chop, children.”
The twins squealed in delight and rushed around the room, putting toys away and quickly changing into their pajamas. Both raced into the bathroom alcove and brushed their teeth. Then they practically leapt across the room into their beds, pulling the covers up under their chins.
Story time at night was their favorite activity of the day. Even though they could read for themselves, they still preferred it this way before bed.
“What story would you like?” Morgan crouched to peruse the shelf.
“The dragon book,” Fiona said.
Jacob nodded agreement.
“I’ve been reading them an old story about dragons saving the world,” Elaine told Morgan. “It was in the pile of books you sent up. Fun book. It describes dragons as friendly and good, like the ones Winnie summoned.”
Elaine reached past Morgan and pulled the proper book from the shelf, flipping through until she reached the marked chapter. “Start here.”
Morgan took the book and began to read, sitting on the edge of Fiona’s bed.
Elaine sat on the fo
ot of Jacob’s, listening to her read, thinking about Morgan and her baby. Victor would be surprised. Having a child at a time like this could either be either a curse or a blessing.
She wondered which it would be for Morgan and Victor.
CHAPTER 6
Winnie checked her watch for the tenth time in the last five minutes.
It didn’t help.
Frannie was late. The portal should have opened to Promise Point ten minutes ago.
Parnell, Frannie’s husband, stalked back and forth behind the line on the stone floor marking the cavern’s safe zone. This allowed the portals to open without inadvertently slicing someone in two when the door between locations opened.
Something itched at Winnie’s mind. A feeling between her shoulders that she couldn’t scratch. Waiting for Frannie wasn’t helping.
She was missing something. Something important.
Winnie went over the plans for the night’s mission again in her head. She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling deep in her bones that something had soured.
Danny laid a hand on her arm. “You all right? You’re shaking.”
“It’s nothing,” she said. “I’m just worried for Frannie.”
“Don’t let Parnell hear you. He’ll try to open a portal to Atlanta now.”
“That’s impossible and he knows it. He’ll die if he tries to link somewhere he’s never seen.”
Victor, sitting nearby with the security team assigned to guard Winnie, appeared to be asleep. But he was only resting—Victor would never allow himself to sleep when Winnie was going into harm’s way.
Victor had changed since their trip to the crater, before the fall of Fort Brick. The fighting had been fierce and he’d been hard-pressed to keep Winnie safe.
Her hand fell, expecting to feel the hilt of Excalibur, but it was safe in her room, warded by a series of spells only she could unravel. She didn’t dare bring it along. Anyone who spotted a sword-wielding woman attacking a train depot would report to Kane.
The itch kept burning. She arched her back and tried to ignore it.