Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Yes, ma’am,” answered the major, studying the paper. Nicole had made this one, her artistic skills obvious with the neatness and symmetry of the letters.

“I want you to put about ten guys on this for as long as it takes to make 10,000 of these.” This was about half of the paper that they had taken from the FedEx and, in the colonel’s estimation, would give them a very good opportunity of succeeding at their task.

The leaflet read:

By order of the President of the United States, Colonel Connor MacMillen (serial #1985638) is requested at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio no later than September 8th. Your country requires your help. Colonel Hannah Starkes, President of the United States of America.

“I’ll begin right away, ma’am.”

“Nicole is already through with about a hundred sheets. Have your men join her and if they have any questions, she can answer them.”

“Yes, ma’am.” It would be a lot of work, probably in excess of 300 man-hours. It would take ten to twelve people three eight-hour shifts to complete this task. The major began to plan how to tackle the logistics of the deployment of his men.

Two days later, 10,000 were ready for distribution. The only question left was where to drop them so that Connor might find one.

“Mac?”

“Yeah, Snuff?”

“Mind tellin’ me what’s so important in the mountains south of Pittsburgh that you’re determined to travel all the way back from Australia and across the entire damn continent to find it?”

Connor closed the book he was reading in the living room and stared at Amanda. Swallowing twice before responding, his thoughtfulness turned serious.

“Why now, Amanda? Why you want to know after all our time together?”

“Mind tellin’ me?”

Connor rose from his chair near the farmhouse window, standing before her.

“No, I don’t mind, not now, not after our time together.”

“So, what is it?”

“Answer me first,” said Connor, “Why now, and then I’ll fill you in.”

Amanda touched the kitchen countertop with her fingertips, nervous. Asking the question had taken intense preparation. Almost more than she had. Her hair was neatly combed and held by a shiny blue barrette she’d found in the small bedroom; she had tastefully applied new make-up to her eyes and cheeks. She wanted to look especially pretty today when asking what she had always considered ‘The Big Question.’ But, now her cheeks blushed under Connor’s intense stare. Without meeting his gaze, she felt him examining her face for clues.

“Amanda?”

Taking time to regroup, Amanda turned toward Marty, lounging on a brown recliner ten feet away. She saw he was reading a battered, semi-waterlogged novel entitled Armor and that his ears had perked up when she put forth her question. She’d guessed the same question had weighed on his mind for the last ten days since joining them at the farmhouse. Connor walked to his backpack, carrying it into the sunlight near the window. Amanda tracked his path. Gently, he sat it on the chair nearby.

“Mac? Amanda? You want me to leave you two alone for awhile?”

Marty dragged himself out of the recliner and stood, ready to leave.

“Amanda?” asked Connor.

Amanda considered the question.

“No, we’re a team now. We’re too small to hide anything from each other that might affect the future.”

“Okay, so, go on then. What’s this about?” asked Connor.

“Well, for starters, I notice you’re not calling me Snuff.”

“C’mon, Amanda, give me some damn credit. You know I can tell when I should be serious.” He approached, gently holding her shoulders. “And, this is definitely one of those moments from what I can tell. So c’mon, what’s going on?”

Amanda reached up to take both his hands in her own. Connor felt the slight tremble in her grip and immediately his knees became weak. It was as before, in another time, but he forced himself to stay in the present with this beautiful young woman. She had something important to tell him. Surprisingly, this time, he found he was better able to speak.

“C’mon, Amanda. Please tell me.”

Amanda attempted a big smile, but Connor sensed the fear and hesitation. And, he knew what was coming. He remembered the look and experience came into play, as he focused on showing the deep care and joy he had for the young woman. It was all that was needed to assist in her revelation. It did not take long.

“I’m pregnant—at least I think I am.”

“You are?” asked Connor. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. I missed two periods. Never have before. And I dunno, I’m feeling different.”

“Listen,” said Marty, “I’ll be outside gathering some wood, okay?”

Marty left without another word. Neither Amanda nor Connor noticed.

“But that’s wonderful, Amanda!”

“Yeah?”

“Sure it is.”

“You’re not mad?”

“No, why the hell would I be mad?”

“I dunno, I thought, maybe… you’re going back to the mountains… to find someone.”

Briefly, the smile on Connor’s face evaporated and his eyes took on a distant stare, as if recalling the past. Amanda noticed.

“I’m sorry, Mac!” She leaned into his arms and held him tightly. She began to cry. “I’ve ruined everything!”

Connor gripped her tightly, kissing her hair. “Nah, you did nothing of the kind. Nothing of the kind.”

The embraced continued with Connor softly stroking her hair. Eventually, Amanda stopped trembling and Connor pulled her into position to face him, smiling.

“Well, I’m thinking we’ll need to add a few more new team members to keep you outta the sniping position in a few months. Can’t see you dragging your tiny little ass into those woods with a big belly sticking out.”

Amanda softly punched his chest.

“You’re not mad at me?”

“C’mon, Amanda, I’m not mad. Please believe me. And I’ll take good care of you… and the baby.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Mac.”

“You won’t.”

“But… tell me. Please. The mountains?”

After a moment, Connor released her and walked to the backpack resting near the window. Amanda waited by the chair, not yet invited. Carefully, Connor opened the front section of the backpack before glancing at her.

“Come here. I guess I want you to be the first to see some of the stuff I have in this pack. I think it’ll help explain why I have at least try to get back to my place in the mountains.”

Amanda took a few tentative steps in his direction, hesitating. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but her curiosity propelled her the final few steps. They stood together near the window in the streaming sunlight. With care, Connor pulled a few items from the pack. Amanda waited, watching him caress a Sony PSP and two games, each still in their wrappers.

“I bought these in Sydney when I was visiting a friend. He’s dead… I buried him and his wife in their backyard. These are for my boy… Liam. I got two kids.”

“Oh.”

“Liam would be twelve come December.”

“Really?”

“I promised I’d bring him a PSP when I came home. No matter what else I did… he made me promise on the phone… you know, before the Sickness. No matter what else.”

“Umm…”

“He was seven when I left for Australia… it was so easy to promise.”

Connor caressed the box, lost in memories. His hands shook as he reverently stroked the plastic wrapper. Amanda stood next to him. Abruptly, Connor shoved the box into her hands, pulling out a colorful package about the size of a Kleenex box.

“This is Shannon’s. She’d be nine come November. Biggest blue eyes you ever saw; as pretty as yours. Though, I’m not sure she’d remember me—she was so young. But I promised I’d buy her some Polly Pockets , and that’s what those are.”