Epilogue
"Father? What's going on?" I asked sleepily.
"Conny's taking you on a survival trip as we planed for a while." There was a hint of uncertainty in father's voice. Something totally out of character for him.
"And where is mom?" I asked. There was no way for mom to let me leave as this. No goodbye.
"Mama loves you sweaty. She will join you when you arrive."
There was a hint of a tone he used to lye to his friend Bass. I knew it! "Why are you abandoning me?! What bad had I done?!" I couldn't help it. After all I was just a kid back than.
"Shh, love. They'll definitely join us both. They just have to do something. Uncle Bass become evil. They wont to make him good again. But for that you have to be safe so that they can do it without varying about you all the time." Aunt Conny sad.
But why was she in? She loved uncle Bass. They had Chris. So why was she leaving both of her boys? That was how Conny called them. "So you and mom will eventually come for me?"
"Definitively sweet-heart." Father reassured me. This time he was uncertain but not lying.
It took years till I finally saw them again. I was just outside the guarded perimeter of the village near the border of Georgia when I spotted them. They didn't see me. Both used to teach me when we were in Philly and than Conny took over. She wasn't the best scout in the Militia back then just for nothing.
At first I didn't recognize the voices. I heard two. Female and male. "You may not know or care but the reason why I joined is because they took our second child from us, Miles. Our son." It took me double the usual amount of time to proceed. First thought was, that this woman has a big reason to hate Militia. But what has she joined? Than I finally saw them. The recognition was immediate.
I moved out from behind the bushes. "Hold it right there!" Old Gatling pointed at my father's chest. I had a balaclava over my face. A standard equipment.
Mom reacted immediately. Her Colt pointing at me. Father a bit later. He was still proceeding what she just told him as I stepped in. I pushed the idea that another person was taken from me to the back of my mind. It can wait till later.
"Jeez. They even use kids as soldiers hear. When did we cross the borders of Georgia?" Father asked. It actually took them some time to pacify me witch surprised them. I saw it on their expressions. I made my best to visibly go for catch not a kill so they did the same.
Than I started laughing. Mom took my balaclava off. I grinned. "Lorraine?" I could see the shock written all over both of their faces.
"Earth to mom and dad. Who else in my age can hold off Miles and Nora Matheson for five minutes straight before they restrain him?" Yeah, I was cocky and what? I was well trained and I hadn't see them in four years.
Mom didn't waste even a second and hugged me and father copied her action. "We are so sorry it took this long." Father sad. Family was all for him. As it seemed they weren't together all of that time I spend with aunt.
"Well you could have send a letter. Auntie told me everything last year." There was a lot of sarcasm. It's my second name and I won't pretend to be happy about our long parting. Oh, how I missed them. Finally my family was back. I still missed Chris and uncle Bass. After all they were the ones who were pissed on him so much to go through those lengths to get on him. Not me. Them and Auntie. For that I was still pissed and when we are done with the welcome party I am going to give them a piece of my mind.
"Can you take us to Conny?" Mom asked. I could tell how hard it was for her. She missed me immensely but something must have gone terribly wrong for them to come if it was this urgent.
I nodded. "Fallow me." I strolled back to Moonspring. It didn't take a long.
"You look beautiful." I heard father. Yeah, I was told so. I resembled mom a lot. Bit paler then her and my hair had the Matheson's curls to it as Conny likes to say and I got father's eyes.
"I'm just mom's image." I grinned.
"Any boy?" Boys. Mom's question would be considered wired fifteen years ago and even now in other than the border-village. But life was hard and adulthood came sooner hear.
"No wearies. I'm off limits. Auntie made sure of it." I turned my eyes up. As if there was anyone who would like a tomboy such as me.
We slowly made it to the village in a hour and a half. We could see the walls and fields. This village wasn't like the inlands. We were a border village within the no-one's-zone. Outlaws. I took out a green handkerchief and waved it in a signal pattern. No danger. Back from patrol. Bringing friends. There had to be something in it that both my parents recognized. "Good to see that Conny hadn't lost her touch." Father commented and I gave him a smile.
"Come. Auntie will wanna see you." I sad. We crossed the fields in fifteen minutes and Jack let us in. We so a pigeon flying from the gate to the center of the village.
"Who do you have there?" Jack gave me a wink. There was no way he'd mistaken mom for someone else than my mom even if he newer meat her before. I was her little copy.
"Can't you guess?" I asked and began to walk faster threw the walls. There were two outer walls. Each had a gate on the other side than the previous one. There were obstacles for people who didn't know the place. "Fallow right after me. Go in my exact steps." I sad as I jumped over a part of nice grass. Auntie once told me that she had inspired by some old Japanese castles. We went in silence by some other guards and than we reached the second gate. Behind it were more fields and animal-farms. In the center stood the village circled by two more walls. The same pattern used as with the outer walls. In the center of the village were placed our houses, water-well and storages. Some even underground. On the fields as well as in the center were mostly civilians. It was a nice day and the outposts didn't give a message about intruders. Most of our "military" was sleeping at this time of a day. They work mostly during the night.
We made in front of the central house of the village. I saw Auntie as she exited the house. The message from the front gate flow in few minutes before us. "Look what I got." I sad proudly.
"Miles! Nora!" Auntie ran right to us. She was the head of the Moonspring. The guardian angel. That's what the villagers called her.
Mom hugged Auntie while father looked around. Than they switched. I saw them visibly relax. There behind the gates you had to be on a high alert nonstop. After some first welcoming in a years we went in the house. We kept it nice and clean. My room was on the second floor next to aunt's room and her working-place but now Auntie decided that the living-room will suit our needs better.
We set down. There was some refreshment on the conference-table. Auntie was prepared for visit any time of a day. "So what happened? I heard that you are collecting your men again Miles." Straight to the point.
"Bass went after Benn and his children." I could already hear the grief in his voice. Someone was probably death. I had newer seen uncle Ben and my cousins. I just had a little glimpse of aunt Rachel in Philly. I closed my eyes for a sec. "It seems he was right. They can turn the power on again. Captain Nevile found Ben and kids in a small village on the opposite side of the Republic. There was a gun-fight. Ben was killed and Danny was taken to Philly. Rachel's still alive. Bass wanted something to gain power over her. He had chosen Danny. Than Charlotte and two other companions came to Chicago to get me to help free Danny. I needed some help so we went to find Nora. When we finally made it to the train-station they escaped us so we had to go to rescue him in Philly. It was a hard one but we managed. Some close calls and we found Rachel as well. Bass got his hands on a power-amplifier. He blackmailed Rachel with Danny's life to create it so he had two choppers out in the sky. He went after rebel-bases. We got to the main one and helped them out for a bit and than Danny was shut as he shut down the choppers and I decided we have to end this once and for all."
As he ended the story I knew I was angry and showing it. I lost a chance to ever meet my uncle and cousin. Both died at the hands of a family friend. Auntie placed a hand on my shoulder. I saw anger on all the faces in the room. "Pleas get teams Alpha and Gama ready and send for Pitt." I stood up and ran for the people she wonted. They probably discussed more details about what happened but I did not protest as I needed some alone-time.
I quickly made my way to the houses of people I was to collect. First was Thomas Moor, the heavy-armed of the Gama. Than their scout Marry Summers and their shutter Clark Summers. Next came my own team. Robert Thole, the heavy-armed of Alpha and Lee Chang, our shutter. I just cough both practicing. We made it to the House. I decided that it was best for Auntie to tell them what was happening and what we are up to.
When we entered I saw father counting heads and he became suspicious. "Where is the sixth one Lori?"
"That would be me." I sad. I knew there'd be protests. They always wonted me to stay away from danger despite the fact they tough me both. Just in case.
"No way Conny. We send her hear so that she is as fare away from Bass as possible. I won't let her waltz in Philly calling come and get me!" Oh, how melodramatic father can be. I smiled.
"Sorry for disturbing sir but she is the most capable soldier in this village right beside Mrs. Monroe." Lee just dug a grave for Auntie.
"I won't wait hear this time. You left me hear for a far too long. I need to be with the two of you and you'll need all the hands you can get. I made my mind." No discussions today. I wasn't eleven anymore.
"Miles." Mom put a hand on father's shoulder. "She is older now and it's better to have her prepared and knowing the plan that if she came after us." It seemed mom got my personality correctly. I nodded at her. It took a next half an hour to get father to agree. Auntie send the teams to prepare and I've spend the afternoon with my parents.
Next morning Alfa, Gama, Auntie and my parents; we all left the Moonspring. It was a long walk to where the others waited for my parents. The ride took sixteen hours but we decided to make it in one day. We luckily hadn't any ran in with Militia and I was happy to say I finally got a chance to see aunt Rachel and cousin Charley. I found my self a bit jealous of her. It seemed that she and father had a close relationship. That much I got from the way he spoke highly of her. We finally reached the base and marched in the entrance where some people awaited us. "Now listen hear. Find yourself some place to rest. The meeting is in an hour and a half." Auntie sent us off.
I looked at some woman around father's age. She had curly blond hair and blue eyes. She was vaguely familiar. "Where can I take a nap ma'am?" I asked politely.
"The third room on a left. You look so much as Nora. Are you related?" The woman asked. I could see she had a thought life. There was so much sorrow, sadness and anger in her face.
"She's my mom." Than I remembered. This was aunt Rachel. I saw her just briefly in Philly. "You are aunt Rachel. Aren't you? I heard about uncle Ban and cousin Danny. I am so sorry."
Aunt was shocked for a moment and than she turned to father. "Miles! Is she..." She sounded... Hurt? Betrayed?
"Charley come hear. We have someone to introduce to you." Father came to stand by me and mom as well. The girl I presumed was Charley quickly joined us. "This is Lorraine, our daughter. Lori, this is your aunt Rachel and her daughter Charley."
"Hi there. Just call me Lori. Everyone does." I gave both somehow uneasy smile. There was something off between dad and aunt Rachel. And Charlotte... I can't say I like her.
Rachel took me in a hug and quickly released me. "You two have a daughter?" Charley asked my parents.
Auntie looked me up and down. "Aren't you the child that used to play with little Chris?" Seams she saw me too in Philly?
"Yes, she is." Auntie Conny came over to us. I saw Rachel tensed. What had happen to her in Philly?
"Don't wary Rachel. Conny was with us back than when we went after Bass." Mom lay a reassuring hand on Rachel's shoulder.
"But he is your husband!" Rachel sad huskily.
"And hi was Miles' best friend since childhood. People change Rachel. And he changed for the worst. I am just sorry I couldn't take Chris with me and that we thought he killed you already. I miss my boy. Sometimes I miss even Bass. But than I remember and I heard what he has done this time. Someone has to stop him." I knew it must have hurt my aunt. She once loved uncle Bass. I couldn't imagine to be on her place.
There were foot-steps and another boy or young man joined us. It took me few seconds to place him. He was captain Nevile's son Jason. Father tensed and turned to Jason. "Hey! What's Nipples doing hear?" What was with that nick-name?
"It's OK. He was the one who told us that the choppers were coming. He deserted Militia just to warn us." Charley sad shutting. Perhaps it was my imagination or those two were together.
"Well hi JJ. Long time not seen. We've played together sometimes with Chris." I gave him a small nod. I remembered him well. His father tried to shape him into a perfect soldier but the boy was to caring for others to become second Captain Nevile or Mr. Strausser. "How is Chris?"
As it seemed I touched the topic no one wonted to touch. JJ tensed. "Well... Hi was fine when I left. Captain of the Militia, single and the heir to the Republic." It was evident how sour thous words were for Jason.
"He created his second self out of my boy?" Anger was evident in Auntie's voice and she piled.
"We'll bring him back Auntie. I promise." I sad softly. I knew besides Auntie mom heard it. Auntie relaxed slightly.
"We should get some rest now. The meeting will be soon." Mom braked the discussion so we could have some rest. I appreciated it and left for the room Rachel pointed out before.
Next day was the day the second mission to assassinate uncle Bass started. We woke up early and soon were on the road. We; Alfa and Gama alongside of Charley and Jason; looked somehow out of place in the companion of father's officers. It went well till the forest near an old mill.
There were some shouts. Father stopped us all and sent Marry ahead to see what's all that shouting about. She came back in a minute. By then it was evident there was some real troubles ahead of us. We heard someone scream.
"There's a Militia regiment and some farmers. They wonted to live hear. It seems that Militia doesn't like it." Marry reported in.
"We'll go back for a bit and than cross the bridge and fallow the other side of the river." Father decided.
"We can blow up the bridge after we cross." I rolled my eyes. Leave it to my mom to blow something up.
In the end she did it and than thinks started to get messy. We ware separated. The plan was to meet at Jacksonville. The problem was the number of the Militia in this area. There were too many of them and it seemed they knew we were coming.
That left me just with Rob and Lee. No problem there. We were used to it. Finally we decided to use the river. Bad idea really. We saw an old boat so we grabbed it and set out on a river. It was than that those twelve militia soldiers approaching. We were in a deep shit.
They shut at us and Rob got hit in his shoulder but we couldn't stop. We had to proceed on the small boat. After some time we were out of their range but if they had horses nearby... We crossed the river a mile down the flow on the side where was the mill but there wasn't the time for first aid. "Hold on Rob." I sad as we got to the shore. Lee helped Rob out of the boat and I pushed it off the shore. It went down the river. I took some branches and as we left the shore made sure no one will find any traces. Than we made our way as far form the river as possible. Anyone could expect us to go up or down the river-bank but we didn't. After two hours we changed direction and in an half an our we decided that it was finally time for the first aid. Lee took watch and I took care of Rob's shoulder. It took twenty minutes witch was far too much.
"We have to hurry." I sad as we joined Lee. He nodded and pointed a finger to our left. We slithered in the shown direction and hide by the bushes right outside a Militia camp. "There are some horses. Can you ride?" I asked Rob and he nodded. Lee went to the right side to create some distraction, Rob waited and I proceeded in the direction of the improvised stables. After a while there were shouts on the other side of the camp. I quickly ran the last ten meters in the direction of the stables and started to untie horses. It seemed no one saw me. Everyone ran to the other side. As I had tree horses I let the other horses flee and made my way back to Rob. We just got on the horses when Lee came running back. We didn't wait and ride away.
We haven't made even twenty meters when the first soldier shut. I was the unlucky one this time as his bullet went right threw my horses' leg and the poor animal felt to the ground. I felt right of it and on a nearby rock hitting my head hard. Everything went black. Last think I heard was Rob shouting for me and some more gun-shut.
AN R+R. I don't own Revolution. I own all the characters you don't recognize. This chapter was corrected.