Chapter 1 #3
“We have a local system, hooked into our own power generation hub.” Briskinn boasted.
“Advantages of being in a well run camp. Of course the use of the system is restricted to official business and only for certain individuals. The databases governing use of the bracelets and other amenities here are a subsystem. Now if that’s all—”
One of you has to get me into that system, Cody said in Melly’s head over the subaural com. Their camp was close enough to be in the com’s range and the cyborg had been monitoring the discussion. Everything we need to know is there, I’m sure.
Agreed but not today, Jeff replied, keeping a poker face even as he rose and shook Briskinn’s hand.
Melly still had a hard time not reacting visibly to the use of the subaural coms and she was afraid to glance at Tamsyn, who was even more of a novice at using the system than she was.
She managed to murmur her thanks to the Glastine captain and left the office with Jeff’s hand on her arm. Tamsyn trailed behind.
“Thank goodness for fresh air,” Melly said as soon as they exited the building and reached the sidewalk. “The building smelled of mold. This fairground is a really old facility all right.”
“Not sure I’d call this air fresh exactly,” Tamsyn said. “When the wind blows you get the stink of the infected. Being here for any length of time at all is going to be an exercise in sheer terror, I gotta tell you.”
“We’ll make it as short a visit as we can,” Jeff said. “I’m happy the power grid is robust. I don’t even want to imagine what would happen if any of the force fences failed.”
Melly punched him in the arm. “Thanks for giving voice to my personal nightmare. I can’t wait to go to work at the clinic tomorrow and start searching for answers. I want out of here.”
There was an excited shout from the building behind them and a woman ran down the steps. “Tamsyn Wendover, is that really you?”
The rancher turned and the two women embraced. “Devora Sims! I hoped to find you here. Is everyone else from the buses okay?”
“I don’t see people I know all the time, it’s a big camp,” the newcomer said with a bit of reserve in her voice. “But Les is here—you remember him, the bus driver?” She extended her hand to show off her rings. “We’re married.”
“Wow, great news.” Tamsyn’s voice was warm and excited for her friend.
Melly was sure the rancher wished she could share her own marital news but of course the whole subject was off limits while they were inside Glastine.
“Congratulations.” She looked at Jeff and Melly, waiting patiently and said, “This is my friend from Rosewater. We’ve known each other, gosh all our lives basically.
She was the town’s police dispatcher before the outbreak and then we were at Jonny Fafield’s compound together briefly. ”
“Yes, before she saved our lives by sending us off in two rickety school buses right before the swarm overran the place,” Devora said. She eyed Melly and Jeff curiously. “New friends?”
“This is Dr. Melly Jericho and her husband Captain Jeff Pearson.” Tamsyn made the introductions. “I met them on the road out of Rosewater and they stayed at the ranch with me for a short time before we decided to head for Glastine.”
Devora’s forehead was wrinkled in a frown but before she could ask any questions, Tamsyn added, “They saved my life a couple of times. We’ve gotten close. I trust them as if I’d known them all my life.”
“A ringing endorsement from Tamsyn indeed,” Devora said with a smile for Melly and Jeff. “What residence did they assign you?”
Jeff extended his flimsy map and pointed at the building Briskinn had indicated. “Married military housing, I gather.”
“It used to be the crafts and baked goods exhibit hall,” Devora said.
“With several floors. It’s all been converted into apartments—Les and I live there too, with our daughter Jenny.
” In an aside to Tamsyn she added, “Jenny’s the little girl you handed me when we were escaping the Fafield place. She’s such a sweetie.”
“The mother wasn’t on either bus?” Tamsyn asked.
“Sadly no so Les and I adopted her. Anyway, we’ll be neighbors. Welcome to the camp.”
“I’m in something called the women’s dormitory.” Tamsyn made a face.
“I might be able to upgrade you,” Devora said. “I’m an admin here. The military runs the place and issues all the orders but we clerks have the real power.” Her laugh was self deprecating.
“Don’t get yourself in trouble for me,” Tamsyn protested. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Hey, I have to run,” Devora told her. “Follow the map and come visit Les and me tonight. We have a lot to catch up on.” She ran back inside the building.
“I’ll be there.” Calling after her friend as she departed, Tamsyn glanced at Jeff and Melly because the invitation plainly didn’t include them.
It’s fine, Jeff said in her head. You warned us the Rosewater people wouldn’t trust us right away so it’s important you work your contacts.
Get a general lay of the land for us. Meeting her so early after we arrived is a lucky break.
Out loud he said, “We’ll escort you to your new home and then go find our apartment. We can meet again for dinner.”
“The Frequently Asked Questions sheet says we can all eat in her dining hall but she can’t come into the one for the military and dependents,” Melly announced as they set off to find the correct dormitory., having perused the document while Tamsyn and Devora chatted.
“So we’ll join you tonight,” Jeff told Tamsyn. “Let’s take all of this day by day. Too soon to make any concrete plans.”
After walking with Tamsyn to locate her assigned housing, they went inside with her and viewed the tiny cubby with a bed and a set of drawers with dismay.
“Not like the ranch,” Tamsyn said, obviously making an effort to sound cheerful as she laid her backpack on top of the bureau. “At least they gave me clean sheets and a pillow.”
“All right, I can see your new roommates circling out there.” Jeff indicated the open area which all the private cubicles were built around. “Go make new friends and we’ll head off to our quarters. Meet you at the dining hall at 1800.”
“I hate to leave her by herself,” Melly said as they exited the dormitory and took a left to find the military apartments.
“She’s a big girl and we’re all connected with the subaural com.
Nothing’s going to happen to her the first night, I’m sure.
I would have preferred having her closer to us but this way we can gather intel from more sources.
” Jeff was philosophical although he added via the com, Cody’s relying on me to bring his wife back safe and sound and I intend to keep my word to do exactly that.
And your own wife too, Melly replied, squeezing his arm.