Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Amanda told me you’re a colonel and used to train Special Forces.”

“Snuff talks too much, Cody.”

“Mister Connor Mac, please tell me. How’d you know my fear’d go away?”

Connor stared at the boy for a moment. Cody had survived much in his short life, even by today’s standards. He deserved nothing but the truth. “Well, I recognized that you were capable of the task at hand—you simply needed someone to point it out to you.”

“But… how’d you know that I wasn’t just some scared little kid?”

“You know, Cody,” answered Connor with exasperation, “you could learn a lot from your daddy.”

“Huh?”

“He don’t ask so many damn questions.”

“Sorry, Mister Connor Mac,” said Cody, momentarily abashed.

“Right. Let’s get moving.”

“Wait, Mister Connor Mac,” persisted Cody. “Can’t you answer me that one question? I promise I won’t ask any more.”

“Sure, this is your last question. I believe that ,” he said, rolling his eyes. Connor considered the boy’s inquisitive nature. Cody had a depth of character that would be fun to watch grow. He realized he owed the boy the courtesy of a proper response to his question. Connor recalled an eight-man assault team at a Pakistani cave. One of the eight was a promising young lieutenant named John Kocur. Cody reminded him of John.

He returned his attention to the boy. “It’s in your eyes, Cody. It’s in the pain and intensity I heard in your voice when I was sneaking up on you. It’s in the reserve you held back. You were evaluating the hostage situation, despite your fear for your parents and yourself. It’s how your father taught you—he was trying to build a man out of a boy in a world that made it necessary to do that too soon.” Connor quieted after his words, thinking of the young men he had trained over the years. Amanda recognized Connor’s pensiveness.

“Cody,” she said, “go on to the house with your wood and talk to Marty. He’ll tell you what needs to be done.”

“Sure. Okay.” The boy pulled the wagon slowly so as not to lose anything from the heaped pile.

Amanda edged close to Connor and slowly embraced him, watching his eyes and waiting for his return. After a few moments, he nuzzled her hair and softly inhaled her scent.

“You’re a good man, Connor Mac. I’m so glad you found me.”

Connor gently kissed her neck and his hands slipped to her hips to pull her closer. His need was obvious and her need quickly matched his. Connor gently set her at arms length and smiled.

“C’mon, let’s kill us some geese—there’s nothing worse than eating deer jerky and weeds for dinner. Remind me to find some eggs for breakfast tomorrow. Tonight, you and me can finish this discussion.”

“Do we have to talk?”

“No.”

“Am I allowed to make noise?”

“Not under the present circumstances.”

“What if I’m quiet?”

“You mean, like a very quiet moan?”

“Yeah.”

“That might work.”

“You think Connor MacMillen will find one of the leaflets, Hannah?”

“I hope so, Nicole.”

“What are your plans now?”

Colonel Starkes was pleased to see Nicole standing next to the major. It was clear they were becoming an item. The major held CJ, comically trying to stay abreast of the conversation while making funny faces at the baby. CJ giggled and reached for the major’s moustache.

“We’re heading to Cleveland at dusk. Major, make sure the men are prepared to leave at that time.”

“Yes, ma’am,” answered the major, handing CJ back to Nicole abruptly. “I’ll do it right now, colonel.” The women watched his exit. Colonel Starkes was happy to see CJ reach for her, joy and anticipation on his chubby face.

Nicole handed her son to the colonel. “I think you need one of your own, Hannah,” she said kindly.

“Oh, Nicole, that’s not an option. Not until we figure this whole thing out.”

“Yeah, well, from what you said, you find Connor Mac and that might all change.”

“Nicole!”

“We’ve finished our air recon and we’re approaching the outskirts of Cleveland, ma’am,” said Major O’Malley.

“Okay, major. Select the best possible LZ. We need a solid defensive structure. Is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame still feasible?”

“Our preliminary data confirms the site is suitable for our needs, colonel. The initial radiation assessment confirms fallout there is negligible. Can you believe Cleveland missed the fallout, ma’am? Those two nuke reactors we saw are only fifty miles away.”

“I’m sure it has something to do with the wind patterns from Lake Erie, major. Or, maybe Cleveland sent someone in to maintain those nukes.”

“Yes, ma’am. Maybe so. Anyway, the infrared scan suggests a population mass centered about four miles south of the landing zone. The primary concentration is near the Hilton on Crestwood Avenue. It’s likely that they are now aware of our presence, colonel. The bulk of the population is involved in a defensive response and, from what I can see; they’re going about it in an extremely efficient way. It’s likely that the Hall of Fame is not the focus of that attention and completely abandoned, ma’am.”

“Good.”

“By the way, colonel, Shamus was at the Hall of Fame in ’01. He remembers the layout of the primary building and the terrain surrounding it. And Captain Daubney knows the roads very well in that area.”

“That’s excellent, major.”

“We need your final authorization to proceed with the roof landing, ma’am.”

“You have it, major.”

Connor finished the last of a greasy goose leg and tossed the bones into the living room fire. He prodded the accumulating embers with the fireplace poker, contentedly watching the dancing flames. He settled deeper into the worn couch cushions and studied Cody who was tucked tightly into a blanket and leaning into Amanda. She noticed his glance and smiled.

“You good?” he asked.

“I’m real good, Mac.”

“Alright, then.” In the firelight, Connor watched Amanda softly bury her face into the boy’s hair and breath in his scent. She closed her eyes and Connor guessed that she was imagining what it would be like to hold her own child this way.

“Mac?” interrupted Marty. His spot on the floor to the left of the fire was quite comfortable and made good use of several blankets and bed pillows.

“Yeah?”

“I’ll take first shift tonight.” Marty finished tying his boots and stood.

“Okay,” answered Connor, rising from the couch.

As the two men walked to the back door, they heard Amanda’s sleepy comment. “Be careful, Surf Boy.”

Marty smiled. “Always, Snuff,” he answered.

“Wake me in four hours, Marty,” said Connor.

“Copy that, Mac.” Marty slipped out the door and Connor returned to the couch and the warmth of the fire.

The three were comfortable. Connor had checked on Roger and Rhonda when dinner was ready, but they were both deeply asleep and he didn’t see the need in waking them. The house was peaceful now with the exception of the fire, which occasionally popped.

“I’m very proud of you, Cody,” said Connor. “You handled yourself like a true soldier today.”

The boy was barely awake, but his eyelids rose slightly at the compliment. Cody took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was extremely tired and leaned further into Amanda. He nearly fell asleep, but forced himself to speak, just above a whisper. “I’m not sorry for killing that man.”