6

Chase monitored the communication trails as the transport took the narrow road back to town. Did these people realize what he’d done? Most of them were off to one side now, praying or something. Thanking God.

But that’s why Chase was here—the dreams, the words from his dad. This was God’s idea. Wasn’t it? What did he expect? A pat on the back?

He hated siding with Switchblade, but the guy was right. Molly and others weren’t safe staying in town. They had to disappear.

Amos held out his hand. “We’re grateful to you, Chase. What you did today was tremendous.”

Chase took the man’s hand. A spark rushed through him. “Uh, thank you, Amos. Are you feeling all right?”

“Little tired, but that’s nothing new. Right now I’m more relieved than anything. Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. I’m relieved too.”

Mel interrupted. “The transport just dropped off our group a block from here. The Feds are watching, so we’re sending a messenger. They’ll be directed to go to Kirel’s apartment for a meeting.” She sat at the work station next to Chase. “Can you get the Feds to leave once we’ve got the group inside?”

“I’ll send instructions to pursue a group belonging to the Dissenters of the Republic headed south to bomb a WR base.”

“More stories,” Mel said. “Did somebody at Helgen program all this creativity?”

“It’s not a story. The dissenters are going to bomb a base near the border—what used to be the border—at the north end of New Hampshire.”

“You know what’s going on with that group?”

“I was looking for a bone to dangle and up popped this chatter. I’m intercepting data from all over.” Chase swiped his fingers through his hair. “It’s a little overwhelming.”

“OK, boss, take it easy. I don’t know why, or how, this is working. We’ll figure it out later. Right now, just go with it.”

“Who’s your messenger? Who’s going up?”

“Switchblade. When there’s a need to send someone up, he jumps at it.” She lifted her brow and grinned. “Being in a cave makes him…unruly.”

Cameras in town made easy work of verifying the five were on their way to the meeting place. Switchblade dropped the word and disappeared before the Feds even noticed. Chase instructed the exoself to send the call for federal back-up to move south. The five were inside the old brick building just a few minutes before the deputies got back in their transports and headed out of town.

“It’s done. With any luck, the leak in communication won’t stop that bomb,” Chase said.

“It’ll be a blessing if the bombing is thwarted. Lives will be saved,” Amos responded.

“I don’t get it.” Chase turned his chair to face Amos. “First, you say to die is gain. Whatever that means. And then you want to rescue the bad guys?”

“They’re misguided. They can find the better way. God willing.”

These people really were odd. Chase needed to talk to Mel in private. Besides asking a few questions about the confusing methods and messages of the Underground Church, he had to tell her about Amos. No doubt after that handshake; the man was sick.

But that didn’t explain his blasted contradictions. “Amos, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“The people in the Underground and the ones up top—you talk about them like you’re fine with letting them get killed. Like they’re expendable.” Chase leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees. “But other people, like the Dissenters of the Republic, you want to keep from harm. To save them. I don’t get it.”

“Seems like foolishness, right?”

“Yeah, it does. But I know you’re not a fool.”

“I’m not fine with our people being killed, Chase, but we’re fighting for something greater than ourselves. And they’ve freely given their lives—both physically and spiritually—to Christ. Don’t misunderstand; we all grieve the loss, but we know we’re moving on to be with the Lord when we die. But the lost ones are in danger of…”

“Of what?”

Chase’s mom spoke from behind him as she rested her hands on his shoulders. “Sorry to interrupt. Molly and the others are here.”

Chase leapt from the chair and headed for the stairs. He reached Molly within seconds and put his arms around her. The old woman shook and Chase patted her on the back. “A little too much adventure for you?” he asked.

“Much too much,” Molly whispered.

He pulled back. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“I hear I have you to thank. Switchblade says you worked that exoself and got us out.”

Chase glanced at Switchblade, who wasted no time in looking away.

“It’s wonderful to see those sweet blue eyes of yours again,” Molly said. “I didn’t know for sure that you’d made it to the underground.” She rubbed Chase’s chin. “A couple of days thickened that beard. Looks good.”

“I’m sorry you’re stuck here. You can’t go home, you know.”

“Bound to happen sooner or later. But now we have no one up top to help with supplies.”

Amos approached and offered Molly a hug. “The Lord will provide. He always does.”

“Yes,” she said. “Always.”

Amos greeted the other new residents of the underground. The younger ones—the twins and the girl—would be missed by frantic families up top.

“Molly, did anyone say anything to those deputies about the underground?” Chase asked. “Do you think they have any clue there is a base of operations here in Herouxville?”

“I don’t believe so.” She surveyed the others gathered around her, and they all expressed the same. “We were very careful about what we said, and only answered direct questions. Even then…” She tilted her head and blushed a little. “I mean, we didn’t exactly tell them the truth.”

Chase smiled. He wasn’t the only one who knew how to lie, after all. “But you all told the same story, right? No contradictions?”

“We were never split up, so no discrepancies.”

Amos put his arm around Molly, guided her toward the hallway, and motioned the other four to follow. “I think a debriefing is called for. We’ll find out just what the WR knows about us after today’s close call. Chase, you can join us if you want. Or I can fill you in later.”

“I’ll stay here and monitor activity up top. And I need to go over some things with Mel. We’ll talk later.”

Amos continued down the hall.

Chase spotted Mel in the far corner of the command center. Her hands covered her cheeks.

And Switchblade’s hands circled her waist.