We landed at an abandoned airport. All forms of communication are down. The small group I am traveling with decided not to part ways. We are taking a break before finding a car and traveling toward Washington, DC.
—The journal of Isaac Ryland
The plane bumped up and down as it landed on the runway. Everyone was holding on to pieces of cargo, but as they started to taxi Andrew loosened his grip. Mia was next to him; she’d spent the flight quieter than normal. Andrew wasn’t much for conversation and didn’t want to answer any more questions. He hoped her silence meant things would go smoothly. Carter came up and tapped him on the shoulder. They walked toward the back of the plane as the door started to lower. One of the towers of boxes held their belongings. Bryan and Jesse joined them as they unloaded the aircraft.
Andrew was starting to resent this lifestyle. He had spent his whole life preparing to fight for America in the armed services, then after he got caught up in Mia’s escape that future had vanished. Everything else he’d worked out was a fake life. First it was forced participation in a militia, then working as a trainer in Affinity, which at one point had seemed like a viable option, but now if anyone asked, he was a shipper. This was not a real life and Andrew was growing weary. He wanted a stable future, and he wanted that future with Mia.
“Do you have your docking papers?”
Andrew’s head sprang up. His mouth hung open. Even in the darkness he recognized the uniform. This was an American soldier, armed with a large weapon. He had known this could happen, but he still felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. If this man figured out Andrew was a deserter, it meant he would be killed immediately.
“Do you speak English?”
Andrew looked at Carter.
“Sorry, they don’t,” Zack said.
He walked up behind Andrew and Carter and handed the man some papers. He glanced at them but then went back to staring at Andrew and Carter.
“You’re traveling from Stahl?”
“Yes, sir,” Zack said.
“Are you American?”
“Yes, sir,” Zack said.
Zack reached in his pocket and handed over his identification, phonies Affinity had created back in Guatemala.
“What brings you across the sea?”
“Money,” Zack said. “I can make more of it here. Then return home and buy the prettiest bride I can afford.”
“What branch did you serve in?”
“Army,” Zack said. “I fought in the Slavic wars.”
“I did too,” he said. “Who did you fight under?”
“I was in the third battalion,” Zack said.
“That’s not very specific,” he said.
“Most of my unit didn’t survive,” Zack said. “It’s not a topic I enjoy discussing.”
The officer raised an eyebrow but didn’t push the issue.
“I’m on my third round of reenlisting. Did you get out after one?”
“Yes, sir,” Zack said.
“Pity,” he said. “Can I board your plane?”
“Absolutely,” Zack said.
Andrew didn’t understand why this man wanted to come aboard. This was not a scenario they had practiced; if he spotted Mia the whole thing could blow up in their faces. The soldier did not attempt to walk inside yet.
“Is your whole crew from Stahl?”
“No, sir,” Zack said. “Jesse and Bryan are American veterans as well.”
Jesse and Bryan stepped forward with their fake papers.
“Are you two expatriates or making money overseas as well?”
“Money,” they both replied.
The man smiled and nodded before turning back. Andrew felt some relief, but it vanished when he stopped in front of Carter.
“The people of Stahl tend to have dark hair and eyes,” he said. “You don’t seem to fit the profile.”
“He doesn’t know what you’re saying,” Zack said.
“Then I’ll say it in Italian,” he said. “The official language of Stahl.”
There was a cruel smile on his face. Andrew doubted the man spoke Italian, but he might know a few phrases from his time in service. Andrew knew Carter didn’t speak any.
“Based on the age and the features, you look an awful lot like an American youth. I think this plane may be sneaking an unserved male out of the country. Which all of you know is treason. If any of you step forward and admit this fact, your life will be spared,” the officer said.
Andrew clenched his fists. This was the time to take the man out. He hadn’t told anyone they were here yet. It would be simple to knock him out and shoot him with his own gun.
“That’s preposterous,” Zack said.
“¿Habla español?” Carter said.
The man’s attention was diverted back to Carter.
“We sailed from Stahl,” Zack said. “But this young man is from Nalley. After the two countries finished their war he was orphaned. If you can speak Spanish I’m sure he’d love to talk your ear off. None of us can understand a word he says.”
The officer’s face seemed to relax. The odds of an unserved American knowing a second language were slim to none. The boys were left uneducated, to fend for themselves. Carter’s being raised by his father came in handy here. The officer turned around to face Zack.
“What is your purpose in France?”
“Restock and relax,” Zack said. “Perhaps show the young men a brothel or two.”
“Don’t spend all your money,” the officer said. “Not if you want a decent bride.”
He stepped back and Andrew felt the breath rush out of his lungs. He hadn’t realized he’d been holding it in for so long.
“Get back to work,” Zack said. He clapped his hands and everyone continued unloading the plane. Andrew went toward the hull, knowing Mia was not going to enjoy the next part of their trip.