CHAPTER FOUR
The Humvee rolled into the parking lot of the remains of the John Hancock Center about fifteen minutes later. Sergeant Kniss hopped out and helped Tobias and Tris out of the Humvee and escorted them into the headquarters. As the group made their way through the maze of desks and computers, Tris looked around and made note of the multiple women that were providing logistical and other support at the headquarters.
"This way Tris," Tobias murmured, pulling her down a long hallway while following the soldiers.
Five minutes later, Sergeant Kniss knocked on a door marked with a handmade sign that read "Col. Jim Ayers, 308th Civil Affairs Brigade. Commanding Officer, Operation: Restore Hope II."
I heard a knock on the door and looked up from the battle plan I was reviewing.
"Enter," I said, and Sergeant Kniss, Corporal Keyes, Tris, and Tobias walked into the room.
I looked at my two soldiers and said, "Thank you boys, there's a break room down the hall on your left. Help yourself to some coffee." The two nodded and exited the room, closing the door behind them.
"Please, have a seat," I told Tris and Tobias, gesturing to the two chairs in front of my desk.
"I've heard a lot about you two," I said, pulling the files we put together on them from the drawer under my desk.
Tris seemed slightly uncomfortable by that remark, and Tobias said, "Why are we here, Colonel Ayers? What made you feel the need to put together this whole...whatever you call it."
I smiled, "Please, call me Jim. I came from the past because I knew what the future had to hold. I want to let you in on a little secret. I'm Divergent too. I knew exactly what would happen after the assault on Jeanine, and I intend on rebuilding this city. And you two are going to help me."
Both looked at each other confused. "What do you mean 'We're going to help you'?" Tris asked suspiciously.
I looked both of them in the eye and said, "Listen, you guys know this city better than any of my men. I lived in this city long ago, but I don't know how much the city has been changed since then. I need you two to help us, along with the rest of the Divergent, to eradicate the rest of any resistance. We will stay here as long as needed to rebuild some sort of government system, and then we will leave. Does that make sense?"
Tris fell silent, and looked like she was thinking. After a long period of silence, Tobias spoke up and said, "We're going to need a couple days to think about it."
"Okay. That's fine by me. Now about the housing situation..."
