Deep Freeze: Protocol One, Book 2 (Protocol One Saga) (8 page)

“There’s a joke about Pittsburgh,” Spencer said. “They have two seasons, summer and winter. Things can change on a dime.”

How right he was. We went from the day they arrived, over two feet of snow, to just a couple days later, the sun was shining so brightly, the plowed path just outside the casino began to melt. Weather wasn’t the hold up going home. It was Craig and Tony. Craig wouldn’t let Tony leave. Not yet.

A part of me agreed. I think Joie needed to see her father somewhat healed instead of arriving on his back headed to bed rest.

Physical he wasn’t a hundred percent, but personality wise, Tony was back to normal. Once he started lecturing me about trusting people, I knew his road to recovery was in progress.

The previous night I asked him. “Do you remember what happened?”

It was a question none of us broached. Especially since Craig told us head injury victims often don’t recall the event and hours prior. It could take days, weeks, even years.

“I remember thinking the girl was going through the casino, the guy driving around,” Tony said, “I didn’t think it through. I just didn’t want us stranded.”

Duke chuckled. “Well that failed.”

“No,” Spencer said. “He got the Humvee back. Painfully, but he did.”

“Guys,” I scolded, silencing the two men in their ribbing of him. “Go on, Tony.”

“I’m sorry, Anna, I am. I didn’t think, I really didn’t. I just knew I could catch them. I was right.”

“So you remember?”

Tony nodded. “I do. Well not the accident. I remember coming around the corner and seeing her. She ran as soon as she saw me, but I caught her and when I did, I saw she was a kid. No older than eighteen. I told her I didn’t want to hurt them, I just wanted my truck back and to take me where she was meeting him. I saw the Humvee and that was it.”

“They were young,” I said. “The driver accidently hit you. The girl was killed. He took you to a nearby shelter they tried to help you, and when you woke up you came here.”

“Really?” Tony squinted. “I only remember waking up here. Are you sure?”

“Um I am very sure. You were not here for an entire day.”

There was a level of disbelief in Tony as if I was the one misled. But I knew and let it go.

Pittsburgh was slated for four scouting trips. Spencer, Duke and I did a lot of canvassing with the help of Larry.

We never crossed the river though and Larry was certain there were a few that remained in the center city, plus he believed a couple on the outskirts.

He told us, “If you would have seen the southern exodus when the sun came out and the temperatures rose, you wouldn’t believe how many survived.”

I liked that thought; it gave me hope for the future.

All in all, on the north side of town, we counted one hundred and eighty survivors in total from nine camps that we found. That was far too many to take, but we made sure we spoke with each of them about the plan to build and expand.

They would be needed at the new camps.

So many had skills that could be put to use.

I did however extend the invite to Larry, Gail and the kids to come along. He declined. I even offered again as he helped get us ready to leave.

“I’ll pass,” Larry replied. “We even discussed it again last night. No, we’ll wait until you are ready to build those communities. Weather will break, we’ll feel useful.”

“I appreciate all that you have done for me,” I said.

“Gail said to give you this.” He handed me a small sack. “It’s that fruit tea you like.”

I don’t know why but that made me well up. It was a sweet gesture. They knew where we were going, what we had, and they still offered and gave some of what they had.

It was touching and more than he knew, I would savor each sip.

“Thank you again,” I embraced him. “I look forward to seeing you and Gail in a couple months. If not sooner.”

“Us, too. Be safe.”

Just to be sure, I reiterated what channel I would use to give him updates and trusted him with the location of Protocol One should he run into any problems.

Tony, however, began his rant about that the second he got in the Humvee. “He’s gonna tell his friends and all of them are gonna pull an invasion on us.”

“Tony stop. He will not,” I said. “He will keep that location secret unless needed.”

The taillights of the truck blinked brightly, then after a short honk, Spencer, Craig and Duke pulled forward. I placed the Humvee in gear.

“You don’t know, Anna,” He argued.

“Neither do you. You were passed out.” I replied.

“What about the stuff you found in Gwen’s phone.”

“And another thing we can discuss later. For now. Rest up. You want to be strong when we pull into Protocol One. Because we’re on our way.”

And we were.

It was a balmy forty-two degrees but it could have felt like eighty. I took off my coat for the drive. The sun was hopeful and bright, and a clear cut indication that the seasons just may be switching. We were away longer than we anticipated, but we were on track and finally heading back to Protocol One.

One phase of drama was over, and I was certain, another was not far behind.

I knew the moment I returned from the restroom and saw the look on Tom’s face, that the news was good. He set down the radio and turned to me with a look of relief.

“They’re on the highway,” Tom said. “That section they plowed on the way down is starting to melt and they should be here in less than two hours.”

“That’s awesome news. How’s Tony?”  I asked.

“Better. Not a hundred percent, but well on his way.”

“Are they bringing anyone?”

Tom laughed. “I asked that same question.”

“Well, we all know Anna.”

“And the answer to that was ‘no’.”

“No? Wow.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.” Tom turned around again and faced the console.

“Is there anything they need us to do?”

“Actually, yes. Anna asked if I could get Melissa to make sure things were in order in Tony’s room.”

“Like a housekeeper?” That made me laugh. “Don’t let Gwen hear that.”

“I guess with him being under the weather, and stuck in his room, Anna wants it to be a relaxing environment.”

“You know what?” I placed down my drink. “I’ll go do it. In fact, I’m gonna find Joie, tell her the good news and her and I can work on that room together.”

“She likes you. She’ll appreciate you telling her. Plus, Tony’s kind of Obsessive Compulsive, I really don’t think his room will be that bad. I bunked with him once, and he made the bed perfectly so the maid wouldn’t come into a messy room.”

“Doesn’t … Doesn’t everyone?”

“No.” Tom answered, laughing out the word.

“I’ll be back.”

I probably was as excited as I knew Joie would be about the return of Anna and Tony, along with Craig his dad and Spencer. It wasn’t the same without them. After all we were the first settlers in the bunker, and in their absence, things got weird.

They were quiet, not happy, and Gwen developed a new friendship with that Elwood woman Clarisse. The one that was part of the takeover but we didn’t kick her out because of her son. Although, I was pretty convinced Gwen just made her the chamber maid or something.

I thought, because it was the middle of the day, Joie would be in the living and recreation area. I went there first and she wasn’t there, nor was she in the kitchen.

Melissa was. I told her of the news and she told me that Nelly and Joie were upstairs cleaning up. At least the last she heard. If they weren’t there then she suggested the medical room that was next on their tidy up play.

Even though Nelly was psychically one step ahead of me, I still wanted to be the one to tell Joie. I took her under my wing the previous few days especially when I found out how intrigued Joie was about the images we received from the International Space Station. After seeing her enthusiasm, I was bound and determined that I would make her into the next scientist.

I hit the second floor of the hive and the main living area. Anna’s door was locked, but Tony and Joie’s door was open. I knocked once, received no answer and went inside.

The room was impeccably clean. It smelled fresh so I knew the duo had been there.

Tuning to leave, I pulled the door closed and decided I would just check Nelly’s room. I made it a few doors down the hall when I stopped.

Gwen and Gil’s voices carried into the hall.

They weren’t arguing, they were talking. It was calm and collected, unlike most of the time I heard them speak.

Being the king of eavesdropping, I slowed down.

“Next week,” Gwen said. “More than likely.”

“That works. Have you come up with an explanation?” he asked.

“Not yet. Are you sure  you want to do this?” she asked

“Positive,” Gil said.

“Don’t you worry about that they’ll think?”

“Doesn’t matter. I make the choices.”

Whoa,
I thought.
What did I stumble upon hearing?
Was I wrong for listening? Just when I decided to walk away, I opted against it. It was my duty as main gossiper to listen further.

“Choice and decision is made. Now are you sure about Mason?” Gil asked.

“I’m positive. They have more than enough doctors to spare.  They’ll send him up here without question. Especially since we won’t have one after you enforce...” Her voice grew louder, telling me they were heading out of the door. “Just...”

The door opened and despite my quick attempt to move back, I didn’t make it far enough.

“Peter?” Gil said my name with question. “Can I help you?”

“Yes. Have you seen Nelly or Joie? I’m looking for them.”

“Not recently,” Gil replied.

Gwen folded her arms. “He was listening. I can tell. He’s worse than two old women at a funeral home.”

“What?” I laughed. “What kind of statement is that? God.”

“Peter.” Gil tilted his head. “We all know your reputation. Were you listening?”

“Not on purpose.” I started to walk away, then stopped. “You do know that Craig is on his way back?”

“Yes,” Gil replied. “We do.”

“Ok, just checking.”

“Pete,” Gil called. “Again, I’ll ask. What did you hear?”

I simply replied, “Enough” and continued to walk away. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing what I overheard. That information I would save for Anna.

By the number of people outside the bunker when we returned, I would have thought it was summer. Skyler, Craig’s partner was wearing a tee shirt and jeans. The only winter wear he had on were his boots and a pair of gloves to form snowballs.

It was warmer, but far from … warm.

They were a welcome sight.

When we stepped from our vehicles, Craig was greeted with a snowball and then greeted with a warm embrace from Skyler.

Joie was with Peter. That surprised me because Peter wasn’t an outdoor person. Joie squealed loudly and ran to her father.

I had to stop him from lifting her. “Honey, Daddy is still sick. When he gets back to the room you can hang out with him there.”

Joie agreed and grabbed hold of my legs, upon that I crouched down and embraced her. “I missed you,” I told her and planted my lips to her head. “We aren’t leaving again.” I peered up to Peter. “Where is Melissa?”

“Working. We’re over-egg-loaded again,” Peter said.

Skyler hurried over. “Need some help, Tony?”

“No,” Tony answered.

“Yes,” I said. “He does. Please. If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” Skyler replied.

“I do,” Tony argued. “Anyone care?”

“Daddy, be a good patient.” Joie held his hand, as Skyler gripped one of Tony’s arms.

I knew by the way Tony moved he wasn’t well. He staggered some, moved slowly. If it had been pre-comet, Tony would have had a wheelchair waiting. He wasn’t in top shape, yet he had a long way to go to get to his room.

Peter gave a nervous twitch to his head and rubbed his chin. “We uh, need to talk.”

“About?”

He looked over his shoulder and Gil had stepped out. Somehow I expected him to approach me, greet me, I knew that wasn’t going to happen when I saw Gwen behind him.

However, his lack of focus on me wasn’t what shocked me. It was him, simply stating to Craig, Spencer and Duke, “I need to speak to you three. Inside. Now!”

After blinking in shock, I finally stood up. “Peter, is that what you want to talk to me about?”

“Yep.”

“What’s it about?”

“Oh, boy.”

I didn’t need any further information. Immediately, I followed Gil and the others into the bunker. Gil hadn’t a clue I was behind them, and that I heard what he said as soon as he pulled them into Peter’s little computer lab.

“I’m not gonna beat around the bush. You three broke rules, disobeyed the regulations. You have three days to leave this compound. We will provide you with enough...”

He didn’t get to finish, I walked right in. “Over my dead body. Oh, wait. It could have been over mine
and
Tony’s dead body had they not come after us. I assume that is the rule they broke?”

“Anna,” Gil stated. “This is my domain.”

“Yeah, but it’s my bunker. Didn’t you say that? Didn’t you build it for me?”

“I did. But didn’t you give leadership to me.”

“I did.” Folding my arms, I stepped to him. “But being a leader isn’t being a dick. What the hell, Gil? Do what I say and you’re fine. Disregard me you’re gone.”

“They took valuable supplies and resources, Anna.”

“To help us. Seriously? You want to throw them out?”

“Seriously? Yes. If they don’t leave, I will have them removed.”

“Fine. You can bet Skyler goes, too. They go. I go. If I go, Tony and Joie go. We leave, Nelly will go as well as Melissa. I’d add Peter to that pack, but I doubt he’d go.”

“No,” Peter’s voice interjected. “I would go.”

“There you have it.” I tossed out my hands. “How dare you throw out my friends? This is their home. They kept this place running. They risked their lives for me and Tony. The resources they used belong to the bunker. Our bunker, all of us.”

“But someone needs to be in control. In a leadership position.”

“Gil!” I held up my hand silencing him. “You’re pissing me off. Guys, can we have a minute please.”

“Absolutely,” Craig said.

“I’m gonna check on Tony,” said Spencer as he left.

Duke walked out as well.

I waited. “Pete, that means you, too.”

“Oh. Okay. Sorry.” Peter finally walked out.

“Anna.” Gil stated firm. “I understand your compassion. Please don’t undermine my authority.”

I laughed in ridicule. “And you don’t think, kicking out a good team is going overboard?”

“They broke the rules.”

“No, Gil, they enforced the rules of what this bunker was about. To make sure I lived. When I gave you running power, I did so because you had a save the world vision. Tossing them out isn’t saving the world, it’s a dictatorship, and I won’t have it.”

“Anna, I know it sounds like a dick move. But when one group disregards the rules set forth, how can I execute strength as a leader if I let them go.”

“Kicking them out doesn’t show weakness in leadership it shows how much of a tyrant you can be. I don’t know what your motivation was for not wanting them to help, I don’t care.” I stepped to him. “But let me tell you something, Gil. I don’t like this man before me. I don’t like what you have become. What you showed me and what you do are two different things. I want the old Gil back. If he even exists or was that a smoke screen and act to hide your true colors?”

“Anna, stop this.”

“No, I’m pissed. I really am. You wanted to kick them out. You told them to leave. That’s bullshit. If you ever …” I moved even closer. “Ever fucking pull a stunt like that again, call it a mutiny, Mr. Leader and I will give
you
three days to get out.” I spun on heels and moved to the door.

“You can’t do that.”

“Watch me.” I stopped. “And if you don’t go when I tell you, I’ll remove you myself.” On those words, I finally left.

I don’t know if Gil took me seriously or not. Hearing him ‘kick out’ Craig, Spencer and Duke infuriated me. Was Gil implying that their taking of the truck, medical supplies and fuel was stealing? They weren’t doing anything bad, they were doing good. I really needed to sit down and talk to Peter because obviously he knew things. Gil’s sudden turnabout sickened me. It was not the kind man I knew. Not the selfless man I loved. What happened? Was it power? Gwen? Or maybe he had changed over the years and I never saw it. If something like an impromptu rescue set off what Tony called the Giltatorship, I didn’t want to know what would happen if and when something truly bad occurred.