Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

Entering the Allegheny College cafeteria after checking in with Shamus and the helicopter crew, Mike settled next to Amanda, Starkes, Daubney, Scott and Cassie. All watched Amanda eat; their own meals long completed. Slurping the last remnants of her squirrel stew, Amanda was disappointed that her third large bowl was empty. With some regret, she sat the bowl on the table, wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

“No offense, but let’s hope you don’t bust your gut after that performance, Amanda,” said Captain Daubney.

“Gross… c’mon, Mark.”

“What? Tell me you weren’t thinkin’ the same thing, Scott.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Sure.”

“Sorry guys… I couldn’t help it.”

“No problem, Amanda,” said Colonel Starkes, “You want another bowl?”

“Ahh, we better hold off right now, Hannah,” said Cassie.

Scott nodded in firm agreement.

“See, Scott! Admit it… you’re thinkin’ she might puke.”

“I most certainly was not.”

“Put a sock in it, captain. You too, Scott. Major, where are we?”

“Flight plan’s laid in, ma’am. We’re set to track Phoenix at first light before we approach into Youngstown.”

“The water?”

“Good to go.”

“Any difficulties?”

“Not at all, ma’am. Secured twenty-eight portable plastic three-gallons. You know, it still pisses me off we had to leave so much of our supplies back in Cleveland. I shoulda figured—”

“The economics professor, what’s his name? He gave up that many?”

“Yes, ma’am. Dr. Schwartz. Most are good quality. Not flimsy. We already filled ’em up.”

“Excellent.”

“I did hafta trade a rifle and 300 rounds for ’em.”

“Oh, I see… why?”

“Well, ma’am, didn’t think it was right to simply take the stuff, you know? Don’t want to tarnish the image of you being president and all.”

“A good move, major. I see your point.” Colonel Starkes smiled at the thought and watched Amanda begin to sway slightly.

The pull of sleep after such a large meal was taking hold. Amanda took center stage at the table, leaning hard into Scott’s shoulder for support. The colonel smiled at the shock this physical contact had when Scott stiffened to support her gentle weight. Recovering after a few seconds, Scott slipped his arm around Amanda’s shoulder, ignoring the amused expressions of those around him. He was content for the moment. Amanda closed her eyes, almost out of it, spent by her effort. Several minutes of conversation went by finalizing the logistics of leaving Allegheny College. Amanda was definitely out.

“Damn, I hate to wake her. Amanda,” whispered Colonel Starkes.

There was no response from Amanda.

“Ma’am?” Scott was loathed to interrupt Amanda’s nap on his shoulder.

“She would appreciate a full bath, Scott.”

“Right.”

“Amanda?”

“Hunnh?”

“Would you like to take a hot bath? Tonight, before we head out tomorrow?”

“Umm…”

“It’d be a good idea.” The colonel turned to Cassie.

“Can you set it up Cassie?”

“Sure, ma’am.”

‘Okay, thanks. Amanda?” The colonel persisted, her hand touching Amanda’s sleeve.

“Umm…”

“C’mon. Let’s draw you a nice warm bath? Huh?”

“Umm.”

“Then we’ll set you right up back to bed. Okay?” suggested Cassie.

All at the table noticed that Amanda’s hands had slipped to her belly, softly rubbing across the small bump in the fabric. She began to come around.

“Oh, uh, umm…”

“We need you rested and ready for the trip to Youngstown. Tomorrow at dawn, you understand?” The colonel’s tone took on more energy and it was obvious she was becoming slightly inpatient.

Scott released his gentle hold and with both hands straightened her upright, whispering into her ear.

“You’ll feel better if you do. Okay? A hot bath’s not likely to come around again anytime soon.”

At the repositioning, Amanda snapped awake into an incredible wash of anxiety and fear. Panicked, she glanced around at the faces surrounding her, momentarily confused.

“What day… is it?”

Colonel Starkes recognized the confusion and answered immediately. “Umm, it’s September sixteenth.”

“Where am… oh… yeah… never mind, sorry.”

“You okay?” asked Colonel Starkes.

“Um, yeah… let’s leave now. Can we go right now?”

“C’mon, Amanda, remember, you’re weak as a newborn kitten…”

“Umm…”

“We’re leaving at first light. End of story. Now work with us here. Let’s have you take a nice, hot bath and off to bed. One more night of rest is definitely what the doctor ordered.” Colonel Starkes stood next to Scott. They both helped Amanda to her feet.

’’Yeah, okay.”

Cassie took over for the colonel and whispered soft, consoling words to Amanda as they slowly walked to the door. Amanda, to her credit, moved fairly steady on her feet, though she drifted from side to side. Stopping abruptly, she turned back to Major O’Malley, Captain Daubney and Scott.

“Umm… Scott? Can you bring my rifle to my room? Please.”

“Sure, Amanda.”

Scott chose to ignore the soft snickers of both men as well as Captain Daubney’s poorly done imitation of her request.

“They went east yesterday. About mid-morning.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“Sir?”

“Never mind. Go on,” said Phoenix. Resting in a hammock inside the command tent, he was in a rare good mood, content to listen to Luke Killington without rising. The naked pre teen was sprawled on the blankets nearby and was unaware that Luke had entered the command tent. A loud moan prompted both to glance in her direction before continuing. The bruised and bloodied face of the young blonde girl moaned once more in a disjointed effort to find some solace behind closed and swollen eyelids. Phoenix smiled at Luke and nodded. “Thanks again for seeing to my needs last night, Luke. It’s duly noted.”

“No problem, sir.”

“Where the hell you find her, anyway?”

“Small house ’bout a mile back. I found her hidin’ there.”

“Alone?”

“She is now, sir.”

“I see.” Impeccably dressed in freshly creased fatigues and a tailored brown shirt, Phoenix lounged eating a spicy deer kabob sent in for breakfast. Always close by, his Taurus Judge .45 rested on his stomach, ready for immediate use. Luke stood, somewhat stiff and mildly awkward, intent on delivering his search assessment of Connor MacMillen and the events near this Youngstown mill.

“They have four or five horses with ’em, easy to track. There’s probably ten of ’em total from what I can figure.”

“We’re tracking ten men, then?

“No sir, nine men and a woman. And one’s young, maybe a boy in his early teens.”

“And you can tell all of this how?”

“Sir?” Luke Killington stared directly into the air to the left of Phoenix, waiting.

“Right… never mind. You just know. Where’s my uncle?”

“Working with the cavalry command.”

“Doing what?”

“Sir?”

Phoenix smiled at the inquiry, realizing Luke did not like to repeat himself or track the behavior of others. In some ways, Phoenix respected that and wondered what impact this had on the men Luke commanded. He waved his deer kabob as if to dismiss his last thought. “Yeah, okay, right… not your concern. I guess we’ll let that one slide for now, being as I’m in a particularly good mood. You’re a unique one, Luke. Carry on. Excellent work.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Tell Larry to come talk to me when he’s done.”