That evening, Eldon tried to put on a good face and for the second time that summer as he called the campers, candidates, and staff together for a postdinner meeting. But this time as he spoke, instead of Avi or Cass standing next to him, there was a tall, mustached man hovering over his shoulder with a snarky grin.
“It was a good job today, guys,” Eldon said. “I want to thank each of you for your contribution. I’ve been informed that, in spite of our great work, or perhaps because of it—our formal review is going to continue. In the meantime, we’re going to cease all military training and focus on survival and outdoor exercises. The same rules apply—you may quit at any time—the training and testing, however, will be purely physical and mental in nature.”
Instant groans spread through those in attendance.
“Okay,” Eldon said. “Before we’re dismissed, Ken here will be sticking around for the duration of the summer. I think he has a few things to say.” Eldon stepped aside, motioning the mustached man forward.
“Okay…” Ken consulted his yellow legal pad. “Some new rules are going to be implemented. No knives, no guns, no intense physical contact—wrestling, boxing—no swearing…” The list droned on, but no one was listening.
“Maybe I’ll blow the horn,” Samy said, taking his Buck knife and throwing it into the wall on the other side of the cabin.
“You wouldn’t,” Wyatt said from across the room. He sat on the bottom bunk, facing the window. In his clutched palm, the picture of Dolly. “We’ll get there,” he said, looking at her face. “We just have to be patient.”
“Samy may have a point for once,” Pierce chimed in. “It’s already almost midsummer. You know how these Washington things go—it could take weeks to get reinstated, and then what? How many promises does the U.S. government make that they renege on? If we’re going to be neutered this summer, might as well try to get out of it … I’ll go crazy if I have to sit here.”
“It’s just temporary,” Rory said, as ever trying to be the voice of reason. “Eldon is going to be on it, trying to fix this. Let’s just see what happens.” She looked out the cabin window as Ken Carl and the SecDef went whizzing by in the Gator, the large Samoan sitting on the back eating jerky. “Where they going now?”
“Avi’s lair. They’re going to take his toys, I’m sure,” Wyatt said, knowing what everyone was thinking.
“Oh my god,” Rory said. “Avi is going to lose his shit.”
“Okay, enough. It’s lights out,” Samy said. “See you in the morning.” Rory got up and left, headed for the girls cabins. Samy flipped the light switch.
Early the next morning Wyatt slipped from his bunk and walked down to the water. During the day, with the shifts in wind and weather, it was about the only time he could anticipate calm. Sometimes he would take a canoe out, his paddle cutting the mist that hung like breath above the surface. Other days he’d swim laps in the frigid water. But this morning, he couldn’t bring himself to do anything but stare across the placid gray lake and watch the sun heave itself into the sky.
“Good morning,” Avi said behind him.
“Avi.” Wyatt nodded. “Morning. Up early.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was the lack of radiation.”
“How’s that?”
“They confiscated everything with a wireless signal. Even the drones … that was a joke, Wyatt.”
“Jeez. And I thought I wasn’t funny.” Wyatt sighed. “Avi, there’s something—”
“Here.” Avi forced a small, tightly coiled scroll in Wyatt’s palm. “This came for you after the last Encyte attack. I wasn’t sure if I should give it to you, but with the SecDef and that vile little man, and the islander the size of an elephant poking around, I thought it best you have it now.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a message.” Avi turned to go. “I didn’t read what it said, but it’s from you-know-who. I know you saw him. He told me … I’m in the circle now.”
Wyatt unwrapped the note. It was the same paper, dissolving almost as soon as it had been unscrolled.
Las Vegas. Two weeks. You’ll be playing her in the EVO gaming championship. The time to act is now. 3,000 people have died since we last met. Hope you don’t feel that blood on your hands.—J.D.
“Gaming?” Wyatt said out loud. “Darsie wants me at a gaming conference?” Wyatt knew immediately what he had to do. “Avi, can you send a message back?”
“Yes.”
“Tell Darsie I’ll need to bring someone with me. If that’s okay, I’m in.”
“I don’t even want to know what you’re thinking,” Avi said.
“No, you don’t.”