Chapter 15

A month later General Styles called us all to the briefing room and asked if we were up for a new mission?

Sonny's collarbone is still healing he has to be careful lifting things and not rough house with anyone. O'Kei, Randle, Ken-Gi, Nathan, and I have nice scars from our wounds but for the most part we are back to what could be called healthy. Zeke only lost the last digit of his ring finger, but both his pink and ring finger are sort of stuck in a semi-closed grip. He cannot extend or flex either finger, which affects his grip sometimes but he still has them. Tia's back and groin area has healed from the whipping. The wounds from the rods through her arms and legs are still healing; they were left open to allow them to heal from the inside out. She has lost some strength but should get it back once she is totally healed and can begin to exercise, for now she is just doing physical therapy. The psychological wounds are a different story; she seems scared and submissive most of the time. She is constantly at my side, only feeling safe if she is within a step or two of me. It does not bother me to have her this close all of the time. I enjoy that she is only able to sleep if she can reach out and touch me.

Linda Styles had CSM Kenny Russell and MAJ Wade Olsen with her as she began the briefing.

The plan was to attempt to contact as many survivors as possible covering as much of America as possible. This would aid in reestablishing the government and begin to put the country back together.

It was proposed that a team made up of military and our group joins together. We would work our way outward looking for and contacting any survivors. We would have a mixture of helicopters supporting a ground convoy which would provide supplies, equipment and a base of operation throughout the search. She ended the briefing and said we would have and early lunch, our group gathered together to discuss the possibilities.

Ken-Gi spoke first saying, 'I for one feel that this mission will give me something productive to do that will be a way to help rebuild what has been lost.' Sue Ann and Kammie smiling the whole time just nodded in agreement with Ken-Gi.

Nathan continued, 'I don't care what I'm doing as long as you all are with me watching my back.' Amanda and Roberta both hugged him telling him they would be watching more than his back. Everyone laughed at their comment.

Randle broke the sudden silence that followed by saying, 'He and the other AFA cadets had been offered commissions and made the quotation gesture as he said, "Straight to Captain" adding, I think they are trying to bribe us into the military.' Karen and Zeke both said they would do whatever Randle did.

Nathan said he didn't think he would accept the offer because as it stood right now he could do the same job without the commission and have the freedom to walk away from anything he did not agree with. Everyone nodded their agreement to that smart way of thinking.