Dawn of the Mad

Home > Science > Dawn of the Mad > Page 35
Dawn of the Mad Page 35

by Brandon Huckabay


  “I will never forget you two, and I have no doubt you guys will be fine. I think I’ve made my own decision about the future. I want to see what’s out there, you know.” He fished around in the pocket of his overalls and withdrew a small, ovoid metal object. He looked at it thoughtfully, before placing it in Chana’s hand, closing her fingers around it.

  “I don’t really have anything, but I was hoping you guys would give this to your kid, something to remember me by.” Roman turned and walked toward Matthias and Scotts.

  After a silent moment, Petor asked Chana, “What is it?”

  Chana uncurled her hand to reveal Roman’s police badge. It was a little scratched and slightly tarnished but in remarkable shape considering what it had been through with Roman. Petor read the badge’s inscription out loud. “Detective, Metropolitan Police.” He traced the raised lettering and continued, “Badge number 442.” Petor looked up and started to call out to Roman. This memento of Roman’s life was too much to accept. Roman, however, had walked away to join his friends.

  “Geez, you guys aren’t playing round!” Roman said, letting out a long whistle as he watched several U.S. Army soldiers loading large pallets into a solitary drop pod. Every pallet appeared to be loaded with beer.

  “We’re also loading up ice cream and DVD’s,” Scott said. “I like watching the DVD’s made here. Jean Claude Van Damme is my favorite.”

  Scotts produced a can of Natural Light from a cargo pocket and opened it, taking a long swig.

  “So when are you guys out of here?” Roman asked.

  “We need to talk to you about that,” Matthias replied. “We’re leaving tonight as soon as they finish loading. Your government wanted us to take some people with us to study and document our journey. Johann didn’t seem to mind. But obviously, you need to make a decision. Sorry to put pressure—”

  Roman cut him off. “No worries. I want to go. As a matter of fact, I’m ready.”

  Scotts slapped him on the back. “That’s great!”

  Overhead, a formation of three U.S. Air Force F-15’s flew in formation, followed by three of the marshal’s tactical fighters.

  “Maybe could you teach me to fly one of those things?” Roman pointed skyward as the fighters roared overhead.

  Scotts threw back his head and laughed. “Why start small? Have you ever flown drop pod? I’ll show you how to get this hunk of junk off the ground in no time.”

  Matthias and Scotts threw their arms around Roman, and together the trio walked inside the drop pod, the cargo doors closing behind them.

  THE END

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 43

  CHAPTER 44

  CHAPTER 45

  CHAPTER 46

  CHAPTER 47

  TWO MONTHS LATER

 

 

 


‹ Prev