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IDAHO:
As Christa and Judy watch from behind a fallen tree, the soldiers pull Marcia from the plane and lay her on the ground, then one of the men climbs inside. “She’s the only one in here, Major,” Luke shouts from the doorway.
“Get out of the way!” a different voice shouts.
The soldiers step away from Marcia, and a short, gray-haired man with a white armband kneels beside her. “She’ll be all right,” Doctor Philip Griffin says to Luke. “Looks like a mild concussion. You two carry her to the infirmary. And be careful with her!”
Major Everex looks down at the woman. “You’d better add two more men, Doc. She’s a big bitch.” He looks at his other men. “Search the area. There’s too much luggage here for one person.”
Christa and Judy exchange looks. “Can you walk okay?” Christa asks.
“Yeah, let’s get out of here.”
They crawl for a few yards until the trees hide them, then they stand and head in the opposite direction of the soldiers. One-hundred yards further, Christa grabs Judy’s arm and stops. “Wait a minute. This is crazy. We don’t even know where we’re going.”
Judy stares at her. “You’re saying we should go with the soldiers?”
Christa shrugs. “Why not? The worst that can happen is they give us food and water, and a place to sleep.”
Judy shakes her head no. “That man said he wants prisoners. It doesn’t sound very inviting.”
“What else are we going to do? Face it. We’re lost.”
Judy looks around and sighs. “I suppose you’re right.”
Christa starts walking back the way they came, and Judy follows. When they reach the clearing and the wrecked plane, the soldiers are gone.
Christa climbs into the plane and looks around. Their luggage is gone, but she remembers losing her grip on her purse with the computer disks inside when they crashed. She frantically searches the cabin and sighs with relief when she finds it wedged between the wall and another seat. She wiggles it loose and sees her coat with the crystal and ampule shoved under the pilot’s chair. She drags it out, then hurries back to the door and jumps out of the plane. “I’ve got what we need.”
They find the trail made by the soldiers and follow them to what they assume is a camp. Christa just hopes they’re hospitable.
***
Marcia opens her eyes and stares up at a log ceiling. She turns her head to the right and sees three empty beds, and when she turns to the left, she sees a young boy sitting in a chair against the wall, engrossed in a paperback book. “Who are you?” she asks.
The boy looks up at her. “She’s come too, Doc,” he hollers. “I’m private Mark Woolly.”
Marcia sits up, looks around, and realizes she’s in a log cabin. She sees some medical equipment on a shelf above the boy as the door next to him open. A gray-haired man walks in, wearing a military uniform and a stethoscope hanging from his neck.
“Hello, Ms. Story. I’m Philip Griffin. How are you feeling?”
“Fine, I think. Where am I?”
“At the moment, you’re in my infirmary. Do you remember what happened?”
It takes a moment, but everything comes back to her. “The plane wreck.”
Griffin smiles. “That’s right. You were unconscious when we got there. You have a mild concussion.”
Marcia’s eyes dart around the room for Christa and Judy. “What about?”
“Private Woolly,” Griffin interrupts. “Go get Ms. Story some cold water.”
When Mark leaves the room, Griffin sits on the edge of the bed. “Major Everex searched the area, but luckily, didn’t find your friend. She must be all right.”
“There were two women with me. And what do you mean by luckily?”
Griffin frowns. “Things have changed around here since Major Everex was promoted. It’s not a good place for you or your friends.”
Marcia looks at the patch on his uniform. “What does AOS stand for?”
“Army of Survival. Listen, Ms. Story. The Major thinks you only have one friend, and he’s sending out another search party to find her. Make up some story to say she wasn’t with you, or something.”
“What about me?”
“Colonel Blackwood and the Major will question you in a little while. After that, I don’t know.”
Mark returns with a pitcher of water and a glass and pours some for Marcia. “The Colonel stopped me, Doc. He said to bring her to his cabin as soon as possible.”
“I can delay this for a little while, if you want?” says Griffin.
“No. I don’t want to lay here and worry about it. I’d rather get it over with.”
“Your bags are under the bed, and there’s a bathroom in the next room if you’d like to freshen up first.”
Marcia looks down, realizes she’s wearing a white hospital gown, and smiles. “Thanks.” She swings her legs over the edge and stands, and Mark drags her suitcase out and sets it on the bed. “How did you know my name?” She asks.
Griffin steps through the doorway and returns with her purse. “I looked at your driver’s license and faculty ID,” he says as he hands it to her.
Marcia digs through her suitcase and grabs what she needs, picks up her purse, and walks into the bathroom. In the mirror, she sees her hair is a mess and her mascara is smeared. She dresses and does what she can to her hair, and once satisfied with her makeup, leaves the bathroom and finds the doctor sitting at his desk in the office. “Guess I’m as ready as I can be.”
Griffin looks up and smiles. “Much better.” His smile slips away. “Mark? Take Ms. Story to see the Colonel.”
Marcia sees the sad look in the doctor’s eyes and wonders what can be so terrible. Whatever it is, she has no choice. She straightens her shoulders and smiles at the doctor. “Thanks for the help. Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
Griffin forces a smile and watches her follow Mark through the doorway. His smile vanishes. “I hope so.”
“Where are you from, Mark?” Marcia asks in her friendliest manner. She figures the more friends she makes in this place, the more she might learn about where she is and what it’s all about.
“Seattle, Washington, ma’am.”
“That’s a long way from here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What made you come all the way out here?”
“I’ve always wanted to be in the army, and when things got crazy, my family and I came here with Mr. Monroe.”
“You came with your parents?”
“Yes ma’am, and my sister.”
“So what do they do here?”
“Train, mostly. You see, if there’s a war or something, we can fight the enemy. Major Everex has stolen enough supplies.”
“That’s enough, Private!” someone yells harshly.
Marcia looks up at the porch and sees a tall man with a black patch over his left eye staring down at her.
“Yes, sir,” Mark replies. “This is the woman from the plane wreck, Colonel.”
“That will be all, Private,” says Blackwood. Mark leaves without looking at Marcia, who continues to look up at the man on the porch.
Blackwood studies Marcia and thinks she’s attractive, even with the small bandage visible under her hair. He has seldom met a woman who is as tall as he is and finds it stimulating. His demeanor changes and he smiles graciously. “Please come up on the porch and have a seat, Ms. Story.”
Marcia thinks Blackwood is ruggedly handsome, standing tall and confident in his uniform. Even the black patch over the eye seems to add to his rugged good looks. She suddenly feels embarrassed, thinking she must look awful with a bandage stuck to her head, and unconsciously reaches up and pats her hair.
She walks up the steps and grabs the handrail as if she might pass out, hoping to evoke some sympathy. It works better than she hopes, and Blackwood quickly descends the steps and takes her arm to help.
“Thank you, Colonel,” she says and smiles. “I’m very sorry about the inconvenience. Your medical staff is very proficient, and I’m immensely in your debt.”
Blackwood helps Marcia into a wicker chair. “Think nothing of it. I’m just glad you weren’t seriously injured. You could have been killed.” He suddenly laughs jovially. “And I could have been killed, too. Your plane nearly took the roof off my cabin.”
Marcia brings her hand up to her mouth in mock astonishment. “Oh, my goodness! I’m so sorry. I had no idea!”
“Yes, well, let’s just thank our lucky stars. Don’t think anything more about it. You must be thirsty. Can I get you something to drink?”
“Oh, that would be most kind of you.”
“Is beer okay?”
“That would be lovely.”
“Wonderful. Just make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
When Blackwood steps inside the cabin, Marcia smiles to herself. At least he’s a gentleman.
Blackwood returns with two beers and glasses, and hands her one. “Now then. Tell me what happened and how you came to be flying over my camp.”
“Oh, it’s this oil problem. I simply had to find somewhere else to live. I’m a college instructor, you see, and when supplies ran short in town, the school was closed. I had no means of support, and no one to teach. What good is a teacher without students? I thought somewhere there must be a community who would be in need of educating their children.”
“Yes,” says Blackwood. “Education is a valuable thing.”
“Oh, I agree. Anyway, I heard of a community in Alaska looking for teachers, and they would supply living accommodations and meals in exchange for my services. My plane was fine when I left Bozeman, but then the engines began acting up. Thank goodness you were here to assist me, Colonel. I’m sure I would have perished if it wasn’t for you and your people.”
Blackwood smiles proudly. “Think nothing of it.” He looks thoughtful for a moment then grins at Marcia. “We could use a teacher here in the AOS. You can stay right here and teach the children.”
“Well thank you, Colonel, but I’ve already promised the people in Alaska.” Marcia notices Blackwood’s solemn look. “I’m sorry, Colonel.”
Blackwood looks into her eyes with a sad expression. “I’m sorry, too. You see, we can’t allow you to leave.”
Marcia is stunned for a moment. “I don’t understand, Colonel. Why can’t I leave?”
Another voice answers her question. “Because nobody leaves this camp. You either join us or die.”
Marcia looks toward the bottom of the steps at John Everex, then turns to Blackwood with an imploring expression. “Is that true, Colonel?”
“I’m afraid so. No one on the outside can learn where we are.”
“Oh, but I assure you, Colonel. I won’t tell a soul. Besides, I don’t even know where this place is. Couldn’t you blindfold me and take me somewhere?”
Blackwood thinks it’s a good idea, but before he can reply, Everex answers.
“Not a chance, lady. Now, you have three choices. You can train to be a soldier, become part of the special services, or you can die.”
Blackwood can’t stand the thought of this tall, beautiful woman being a camp prostitute, and shoots a menacing look at Everex. “No, John. She’s a teacher. She can set up a school for the children.”
Everex laughs. “We don’t need a damn school here. Hell, I only made it through the tenth grade and look at me. I’m a damn major.”
Blackwood slowly stands and stares at Everex. Yes, and look at what an ignorant, sadistic bastard you are, too.
Having this intelligent, attractive woman with him seems to spark his sense of honor, and Blackwood slowly walks down the steps until he’s toe to toe with Everex, and looks him squarely in the eyes. “I mean it, Major! The world is changing, and we’re like a city here. I want educated soldiers, not a bunch of bumbling morons.”
It’s been a long time since Everex saw such a defiant attitude in the Colonel. Something has changed in him because of this woman, and he doesn’t like it. The Colonel has a point, though. They already have more than enough prostitutes, and the amazon woman is too old to be a soldier. The camp has grown to over two-hundred and sixty people, at least thirty of them are children, too young to do much of anything in the camp. In addition, five babies have been born since he took over as Major. He admits the camp is turning into a small city, of sorts, and it will be good to get the little rug rats out of the way. “All right, Colonel. We’ll give it a try.” He looks at Marcia. “There were two of you in the plane. We found smaller size clothing in two of the bags. What happened to the other girl?”
Marcia knew this moment would come and had tried to think of what she’ll say. She realizes this Major Everex thinks Christa’s clothes are for a small girl, and an idea comes to her almost instantly. “Those clothes belong to my niece. She was going to come with me.” Marcia tries to look as sad as possible. “Oh, it was terrible!” she moans. “Everyone went crazy on campus, and somebody shot her!” Marcia buries her face in her hands and presses her fingers against her eyes to make them red while she pretends to cry.
“I think that’s enough questions for now, Major,” says Blackwood in a stern tone.
“For now, Colonel,” Everex replies, spins on his heels, and walks across the parade ground.
Blackwood turns and goes up the steps to Marcia. “I’m sorry about your niece.”
Marcia looks up. “Thank you, Colonel.”
“Well, I guess now you’re our teacher. Is that all right with you?”
“I would much rather leave.”
“I’m sorry. I know Major Everex won’t hesitate to shoot you if you attempt to leave. Please, just try to make the most of it here with us. We have plenty of food and shelter. Probably more than those people in Alaska. What do you say?”
Marcia knows better than to push the issue and smiles graciously. “All right, Colonel. You have yourself a teacher.”
Blackwood’s smile spreads from ear to ear. “Wonderful.”
“What are special services?” she asks.
Blackwood feels his face flush. “It’s, ah. It’s the ah, personnel entertainment tents.”
“You mean prostitutes?” Marcia asks and watches Blackwood lower his head sheepishly. “Then I’m glad I’m a teacher,” she says and smiles. “Well, Colonel. Show me where I’ll be staying and where I can set up our school.”
Blackwood’s joy returns. “I’ll have one of my men set you up in a private tent and make arrangements for the use of the main building as a classroom.”