Abby rubs her thumb against her palm. She's frowning, she can feel it. A million years ago, her mom had told her if she frowned too much, she was going to get wrinkles. She tries to relax, letting out a long sigh.
She's pacing along Obstetrics, which is an area that is generally empty. She needed some time to think.
After Ellie came back from that meeting, she was mentally preoccupied. She told them what happened, that they're more or less in talks with the Free Faction, looking for a truce, and it almost sounds like cooperation, maybe. But fighting could break out at any point.
Abby flexes her arm. If there's to be fighting, they'll need her here.
She reaches the end of the hallway, stops, turns, and begins pacing back up it.
The Fireflies are probably better armed, and well manned, especially with the help of the Japanese brigade, but they don't know how big the Free Faction or the Great Staters actually are. She'd heard Grayson talking to Townes about infiltrating them. Sending in people to 'join' their cause. Espionage, essentially. Extremely dangerous. At that point it sounds like you're talking about war. She flexes her arm again.
This treatment is a huge breakthrough. It was supposed to be the ultimate. Victory, for the Fireflies and for mankind. But it's not going to be that simple, is it? Now that they have a formula, they need facilities, namely a medical supply distribution complex. She'd seen the maps. There's one to the East that's too convenient to ignore. One problem, if it's not under immediate Free Faction control, they'd still have to go around them to get to it. They won't be able to ignore them.
She reaches the end of the hall again and turns around.
But fighting… Abby hasn't been in a warzone since Seattle. The term wasn't broadly and officially used there, but that's pretty much what it was. Ambushes, skirmishes. Constant fear. It was the most blood Abby has seen in her life, and she has little interest in returning to it.
And a lot less interest in seeing Lev exposed to it. She rubs her jaw worriedly. She hasn't talked to Grayson. She keeps telling herself she's not scared to, it's just not the right time. But she is. He's not going to see it the same way as her. Lev is not his personal responsibility.
"Will you knock that off?"
Abby stops, tensing up. She looks around. In one of the rooms along the hall, she sees the silhouette of a Firefly looking out the windows to the city below. After a second, she recognizes Hansen. She lets out a breath, walking into the room.
"Were you gonna tell me you were here at any point?" she asks.
"I wasn't hiding. You were making me nervous with all that stomping around."
"I was thinking."
"Must have a lot to think about."
"I do." She pulls up next to him and clasps her hands behind her back.
The windows are dirty, but it's a gorgeous, sunny day outside. It's actually a little too warm by the window. A group of pigeons fly by. A patchwork of one story buildings in a bed of tree foliage spreads out into the distance, interspersed by occasional massive trees that shoot way above the canopy. It's like a forest and a city at the same time. On their way into the city, they had passed a giant old water tower that deemed Sacramento the 'City of Trees.' No wonder.
"Care to share?" Hansen asks.
She looks over. Hansen is one of very few Fireflies she remembers from the old days. Saint Mary's, and before. Unlike her, he never stopped looking for the light, apparently. His moppy brown teenage hair is close cropped these days, and his scraggly brown beard is well kempt. It's not half bad. He's got a solemn look on his face. Eyes just slightly pinched, subtly suggesting the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Such bullshit.
"Mary mad at you again?"
He keeps up the act for another three seconds then lets out a breath.
"She was supposed to meet me here a half hour ago."
"A half hour? And you're still here? That's desperate, man."
"You know, I asked if you wanted to share."
Abby chuckles, but the humor dries up again. She squeezes her wrist behind her back.
"Could be more fighting soon. If things don't go well with the Free Faction."
He glances her way. She's closer with command than most. "Excited?"
"Not at all."
"It's that kid, isn't it?"
"'That kid' is your fellow soldier, you know."
"Funny, you don't seem to think so."
Abby frowns. She doesn't like it when people talk about Lev like that. "Well for your sake, and everyone's, you better hope things go well at this stage."
"Abby," he says in softer tones, "you know Grayson's not just gonna put Lev on the front lines or anything."
She cocks her head. "Not unless he has to."
"And I don't think you're scared of a fight."
"Not scared enough to run, no."
He considers her. "Is there something else bothering you?"
She sees movement below. A pack of dogs is wandering the street, looking for food, probably.
"I'm thinking about leaving the Fireflies," she says suddenly.
Hansen perks up. He hadn't expected that, from the look on his face. "Whoa…" He raises his eyebrows. "That's… not what I expected to hear."
"There's a place back East—"
"But you're like Captain America around here," he says, piecing it out. "Your dad was…"
She looks his way. People know not to talk lightly about her dad.
"I'm just saying, I thought you were a lifer."
"My dad was a doctor. He was never a commander. His mission was always the cure. He—" She twists her mouth. "His chance got taken away, but I was able to see it through. Because after he was gone, that was the best and right thing for me to do."
"So now you're done?" He's not trying to talk her out of it. He legitimately wants to know.
"Don't necessarily need to be," says Abby. She keeps thinking about her dad. She dreamed about him last night. He was in his scrubs, as she often saw him. He was surprised when she walked in, then he broke out in his invincible smile.
He had seemed so happy for her.
"But I can be, because of Lev," she finishes.
"Huh," says Hansen. He adopts an insincere, cavalier certainty. "But he'll never let you go."
Abby's cheek pinches. "Somewhat worried about that."
"I think that's great."
She turns and looks at him. He's smiling. "What?" she replies.
"So you get, like, a happily-ever-after?" He chuckles. "I think that's great."
"You don't think it's unfair?"
He laughs. "I mean, obviously. It's bullshit. And if it were anyone else, I'd smack them upside the head."
"Don't care to try?"
He grins. "But who's worked harder than you around here?" He shifts his weight, thinking. "How's this place out East?"
"Safe, apparently—do you really mean that?" she asks pointedly.
He looks her up and down. "I do."
Abby lets out a breath. She decides to let it out. "I'm worried people are going to see me as a traitor."
"Nah," Hansen replies, "'cause if they start talking like that, I'll kick their ass."
Abby smiles. He just might.
"I want something good, though."
"Huh?" she replies.
"For your parting gift. I wanna look through your stuff."
"Through my stuff? Fat chance!"
"You still have that bottle of brandy?"
She shakes her head, looking forward, reticent. "Keep dreaming, that shit is aged thirty years."
"Beautiful."
"You're not getting it."
"That'll butter Mary right up."
Abby smiles. Hansen can be such a jackass.
And a damn good friend, she decides.
When Abby gets back to the ward, Lev is not at their beds. Predictably, she finds him with Clint and Ellie.
Terrence and the others are nowhere to be seen, but Ellie's sitting on her bed next to Lev, and Clint is with her. Ellie's picking at her fingernails again. She's sharing. She can practically see the support flowing from Lev into Ellie. Clint's listening patiently, too. When Abby gets close, Ellie looks up.
Abby didn't mean to interrupt. She feels awkward, but Ellie seems to expect her to say something. "Any more news?" she asks.
Ellie just shakes her head. Lev looks up at Abby, eyes full of meaning that Abby can't quite parse. She feels out of place, suddenly. Should she go?
Clint pats the bed next to him. God, does he realize how cheesy he is? Ignoring that, Abby sits down, grateful to be invited.
"Where are the others?" she asks.
Ellie sniffs. "Upstairs, I think. I think they have a lot to talk about after the meeting."
"They came for emergency medicine," says Clint, "now they're in for something else."
"Should we get them?" says Abby. The others look up curiously. "I mean, they're still welcome here, maybe we should make them feel like it. Dunford said it was good that we were socializing with them."
"Socializing?" Ellie asks sardonically.
Abby can feel herself blushing. "Whatever, you know what I meant."
"That's a good idea," says Ellie. "You guys should go 'socialize' with them. I need to do something, though. I'll catch up with you." And with that, she gets up and walks in the direction of command.
Abby looks after her curiously.
"Come on," says Lev, hopping off the bed with his usual energy. "I'm sure they're upstairs."
They were. There's a small crowd in the corner of the Japanese ward. When they approach, Abby sees Terrence staring down at a Go board. Kel is playing Aoki. He's frowning in deep concentration.
"Now it's Go?" Abby asks when she gets near Terrence.
He looks up, surprised for a second. Then he rolls his eyes. "Kel is a sucker for this stuff. He'd probably play Chess if you asked him."
"Oh, really?" Clint asks.
Kel looks up at Clint over his glasses. "Careful what you wish for." He picks up a smooth black stone and places it at one of the countless intersections on the board. Aoki thinks for a few seconds, then places a white piece. Kel frowns deeply.
"You said you're a beginner too, right?" he asks Aoki.
Aoki looks surprised for a second. He looks up at Fujita, who chuckles. He speaks to Aoki in Japanese. Aoki smiles and nods many times at Kel.
"Hmm…" says Kel.
"Is this all you guys do around here?" asks Ahna. She's leaning against the bed near Terrence, looking bored.
"Prefer clearing infected?" Abby asks.
"You know, I might."
Abby doesn't know Go, but Fujita starts explaining the rules to her as they play. It starts to become more interesting, actually. Aoki succeeds in securing a whole corner of the board by placing a structure with eyes, making the group uncapturable. She, Clint, and Terrence join in the subgroups talking in low tones about the game, so the players won't overhear.
It's funny, since they're just beginners. They probably wouldn't get half the attention they are if they weren't the talk of the town. Lev chit chats with Ahna while the time goes by.
It helps take Abby's mind of things, but it doesn't stop her from zoning out every few minutes. Wondering when the party that left earlier is gonna get back. If they're gonna get back. She shifts her feet. She doesn't like that Dunford is with them. Ellie said she felt like she could trust Kabir at first.
At first…
Terrence is looking pretty unhappy. He sighs. "And how do I end this thing?" he asks Fujita.
"I'm sorry?" Fujita replies.
"Well, I don't have a king to tip over."
"Ah…" Fujita scratches his head, still confused.
"I'm asking how to concede, fool."
"Oh," he says, laughing. "If you are in a point deficit, and you pass, your opponent will pass as well, and the game will end."
"Well, go on, then," he gestures to Aoki.
Aoki, seeming to understand, offers multiple short bows, then his hand. Clearly reluctant, Kel takes it.
"Let me get in on one," says Terrence.
Kel gives him a look. "Man, what are you talking about? You said this game looks ridiculous."
"That was before."
Aoki, looks between them, stands and offers the seat to Terrence, who takes it. Takeuchi protests in Japanese.
"Go get Nakayama's board, then," says Fujita.
Takeuchi further protests.
"Yes, I'm sure you do want everyone to watch you play."
The fated game never commences, though, because they hear a pair of boots approaching smartly. When Abby sees it's Townes, relief floods through her.
She eyes the Go board and smirks. "Very nice. Terrence, we need you down in the conference room."
Serious again, Terrence just nods and stands up.
"Can we come?" asks Ahna.
"Yes. You too, Andersen."
Abby blinks. Grayson wants her present? She nods.
When they get to the conference room, there's an audible buzz. Abby enters behind Kel to see all the captains present, and a good deal more unfamiliar faces. It's standing room for most of them. Grayson is conferring quietly with Dunford by the window. She keeps her distance for now. She notices Ellie, looking at her, seated at the middle of the conference table. Terrence sits next to her and the others stand behind him. Ellie's expression is unreadable. Abby just nods.
Dunford says something to Grayson and Grayson nods. He turns and walks to his seat at one end of the conference table, opposite a tall, handsome Indian man who must be Kabir, who is already seated.
"Shall we begin?" Grayson asks him over the chatter. Kabir nods. "Alright, everyone. Attention. Attention, folks."
The chatter in the room dies down, until it's very quiet. Grayson sits.
"My men have briefed me on their visit. You gave them quite the tour."
"I figured it was only fair," Kabir replies, "since you shared so much of your holdings with us."
"If it had been at all possible, we were interested in taking the Med Center without a shot being fired."
"Reasonable," says Kabir. "The only problem is that these buildings reside in Free Faction territory, which we have yet to discuss."
"I hear that. However, I also understand that if I were to ask the leader of the Great Staters, I would be told something quite similar."
"Well," says Kabir, "Mable has a… confused understanding of her sphere of influence."
"I like to think my understanding of our influence is clearer, then. We are unwilling to cede any of the facilities in this complex to your control, or Mable's. I would also guess, though, that these buildings haven't held much value to you, prior to us inhabiting them."
"Well, medical supplies and facilities are always valuable."
"True, but there must be hospitals more conveniently located for you."
"None with this strategic value or vantage of a critical area."
Grayson nods. "Perhaps not. Nonetheless, these facilities are ours now." Grayson leans forward, resting his forearms on the table and clasping his hands. "That being said, we have no interest in expanding our holdings at all, unless it is to further our goal of distributing the cure, or to provide sustenance or protection to my people. And we are willing to negotiate."
"Indeed," says Kabir. He taps the table with his fingers. "I believe we had a deal."
"You want to know what we're looking at next?"
"That is correct."
Grayson nods. "We have interest in the Davidson Medical Supply complex, in south Carmichael."
Kabir raises his head. "By the river."
"Near there, yes."
Kabir frowns. "You should know, the river is of particular strategic value in this region. It separates us from the South side."
"I understand there are more factions down there?"
Kabir considers him. "You do seem to possess intelligence on this area, but I would not agree with that. No real factions down there, just chaos. Which is why control points along the river are key."
Grayson nods. He looks over at Watanabe.
Ikeda has been quietly translating. Watanabe says something to her, returning his gaze to Grayson.
"Consider option C," says Ikeda.
Grayson nods, and turns to Kabir. "How would you feel about it if your people shared access to the facility?"
Kabir's brow pinches. "Full access? To come and go?"
Grayson gestures with his palm upward. "Inasmuch as it is reasonable, yes."
"I would be more comfortable with oversight of the facility."
Grayson frowns. "Well, that's asking a bit more."
"The complex you are talking about falls under our purview."
Grayson pinches the corner of his mouth. "Would you prefer to run it entirely, then?"
Now Kabir frowns. "What would we get out of that?"
"Priority access to the cure, namely."
"Indeed, and what would you get out of it?"
"Half of what you produce."
"And what are you providing to deserve that?"
Suddenly, Dr. Watanabe starts speaking directly to Kabir, to the man's surprise. When he finishes, Dr. Ikeda translates.
"Science. We cannot proceed without you, and you cannot proceed without us."
"You are familiar with the Fireflies, right?" Grayson asks Kabir.
"Of course," Kabir responds. "Hard not to be, having lived through the outbreak."
"We never changed. Not really. We fought FEDRA, we won, and lost. Took a lot of losses. But we've always been about the cure. And now it's here. And now, the next step is distribution. In the hopes that one day, this blasted country can reconstruct itself. Hell," he says, gesturing to their Japanese allies on the window side of the conference table, "so the whole world can rebuild.
"What we want from you right now is half. We can start with that. And with your half, I imagine you can accomplish quite a lot. The only other thing we ask, is to avoid all-out war with the Great Staters or any other faction."
"War," says Kabir, "is something we would like to avoid as well."
"Do we have a deal?" Grayson asks.
Kabir thinks for a few moments. He glances at Ellie, who like everyone else in the room, has been listening with rapt attention. Her expression softens in surprise.
Kabir looks back at Grayson. "I have one more question for you. Then I will answer."
Grayson is casual but Abby can tell he's tense. He's inches away from success. "Alright, then."
"Are you going to let Ellie leave?" Kabir asks.
Grayson's brow pinches for an instant. "Come again?"
"If I allow Terrence to remain here with you, are you going to let Ellie return to Wyoming?"
Clearly taken aback, Grayson looks a question at Ellie. Did she cut some kind of deal with Kabir? But she's clearly surprised, too. She shakes her head.
Grayson regards Kabir, but the Free Faction leader doesn't elaborate. He waits for Grayson's response.
Grayson snorts. "Well, so plainly put, under the conditions we've established…" He rests his forearms on the table. "Yes."
"Then we have a deal."
There's a susurrus in the room as this provokes a lot of whispered side conversations.
Abby's gut is tense, but she also feels an excitement welling in her chest. This is good. They have a standing deal. It makes sense now, why Kabir would care. If they let Ellie go, then they'd let Terrence go too, under the right circumstances. It says a lot about Grayson's leadership, and intent.
And he said yes. He just said yes, Ellie could go. That just leaves…
Abby's stomach twists. She shouldn't have waited this long. She needs to talk to Grayson. Shit.
Talk continues between the leaders in spite of the background noise. They start assigning their people to talk about the various aspects of what's to come, as well as trade, border area protocols, and more. In pairs and small groups, people start leaving the room to hammer out a plan elsewhere.
"And with that," says Grayson to Kabir amidst a half dozen other conversations, "I'll invite you to my office."
"Can I bring Mangala?" He gestures to a woman next to him a few years younger looking.
"Certainly. Ellie, Andersen," Grayson addresses them. Surprised, Abby stands up straight. "Come along."
Ellie looks surprised too, but they do so. They leave the remaining chatter of the conference room to follow Grayson back to his office in silence, walking between him and the Free Faction leaders.
Grayson's office is empty when they arrive. He walks over to the window and opens the blinds, letting the late afternoon light in. He turns to Abby and Ellie.
"I'll allow our guests to sit, if you don't mind."
Abby and Ellie move aside and Kabir and Mangala take the two chairs in front of the desk.
"What is the nature of this invitation, exactly?" Kabir asks.
"Celebration, first of all," Grayson says, cracking a little smile. "You might say this is historic. And what's more, there are final details to shore up. Would it be appropriate for me to offer?" Grayson is holding a bottle of whiskey.
"It would," Kabir smiles, "and my sister will certainly not refuse."
"Please," she protests with the ease of lifelong acquaintance. She accepts the mismatched glass of whiskey, though.
Abby and Ellie take theirs as well. Abby's hands are almost shaking. She needs to talk to Grayson alone.
"To a new era," says Grayson. He holds his glass aloft.
It's quite a toast, but Kabir smiles, holding his aloft as well. "To a new era."
Everyone takes a sip. Ellie actually shoots hers. When she realizes no one else did, she freezes up. Grayson doesn't seem to notice but Abby has to resist laughing.
Grayson considers his glass. "Sorry, I've given away my best stuff to the brigade. Ketchison is trying to recreate Jack Daniel's. He's got a ways to go."
Kabir chuckles. "Trust me, I've had worse."
"Well," says Grayson. "First thing's first. Ellie, looks like you're leaving us."
Abby's stomach turns, this is the moment, she's going to have to speak up. It'll be out of nowhere, but—
"Never thought those words would make me so happy," Ellie says, smirking. "Although it was alright around here. Food could use some improvement."
"You're telling me. Although maybe I misspoke, 'cause really you're getting kicked out."
"What?" Ellie asks.
He gestures to Kabir. "We have a deal. And you're part of it. That means you've got to go."
"Um, oh…" Ellie says. "Like when?"
"Like tomorrow, preferably."
Ellie's eyes widen. Abby can't wait any longer. She steels herself. "Sir?"
Grayson regards her. He looks her up and down. "Yes, soldier?"
"I meant to bring this up beforehand." Abby hesitates. What does that matter? "I've spoken with Ellie, and…" Her heart is pounding.
"And?"
"And she agreed to bring Lev and I back to Jackson. If you'll allow it."
The moment hangs. Grayson's face is neutral. He turns to Ellie. "Ellie and I have spoken, as well. Earlier today, in fact. I was curious what she had spoken to our new friend Kabir about. She told me she was interested in going home. Now that she's not the only immune person on the block. I told her I'd give that some thought. Then she had the audacity," he emphasizes with inauthentic gravity, "to suggest that I owed her something."
There's a hint of a smile on Ellie's lips.
"A concession I allowed," Grayson continues. "Her one request?" He turns to Abby. "That I allow you and Lev to join them on the road."
Abby's taken aback. Ellie had done that? She looks over at the slight girl. Her face reveals nothing but that ghost of a smile.
"And I said yes," Grayson says. "So there's no need to keep shaking like a leaf."
Shaking like a leaf? Shit, she's not really that obvious, is she?
The Free Faction leaders chuckle.
"Are you sure you didn't cut a deal with Ellie?" Grayson asks Kabir.
The man shakes his head. "No deal."
"We discussed it back home," says Mangala. "It was our best way of knowing we could trust you with Terrence."
"And more broadly someday, I hope," says Grayson. He raises his glass again, taking a sip. "Andersen, you know that that means, right?"
"Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow."
"I've got some people to talk to."
"I'm sure you do."
"Am I dismissed, sir?"
"You both are. But first," Grayson rises, walking over to Ellie. He evaluates her. He wags a finger at chest level. "You I trust. And you," he walks over to Abby. He squints at her in pretend scrutiny. "You will be careful, won't you?"
Abby's not sure how to respond. "Lev will be with me."
Grayson chuckles. "That's right, that's right, I know you will." He squeezes her arm. "Be sorry to see you go, Andersen. I'll see you off in the morning."
"Thank you, sir." Abby's more moved than she wants to admit. She holds it in.
"Dismissed."
Out in the hallway, suddenly released to the quiet, Abby turns on Ellie as soon as the door is closed. "You couldn't have told me you talked to him?"
Ellie's taken aback. "I didn't think it would be that big a deal."
"Not that big a—" Abby stops herself and turns, hands on hips. "Man, you're no kind of soldier, are you?"
"Damn straight."
Abby scoffs. Ellie can be so aggravating. "Is it gonna be like this all the way to Jackson?"
Ellie smiles big at Abby, for maybe the first time. "If you're lucky."
Fire's up. Clint's off getting wood. We're back in the wide open valley, but there's a little copse of trees by a stream, good for setting up camp. Abby's making some kind of dubious soup. Lev's writing in his journal, like me. Very cute. It's our first night.
Grayson saw us off like he said he would. It was a little crowd down at the ground floor lobby. Kabir was there, as well as Terrence and the others.
Grayson gave us enough of the cure to treat two of us, if needed. He said it wouldn't last the same on the road, to keep it out of direct sunlight. He told me to take the safest route possible. He said he might visit Jackson someday, and he'll be expecting our hospitality. I promised we would be there to receive him.
The doctors were there, too. Watanabe told me that because of me, humanity might have a chance to change course. To stop spiraling into hell, and begin climbing toward heaven again. I didn't know what to say. It was really humbling.
Dr. Ikeda gave me a smile that was kind of motherly, kind of conspiratorial. She said we've always needed more women in history books, which was also humbling. She gave me a hug. I know I was blushing. I think I was starting to crush on her.
I told Terrence he could trust Grayson, Watanabe and Ikeda. Montes is a dick though. He laughed. He told me those cerebrospinal extractions suck, and I said I know. Then he thanked me for putting up with it. For coming to the Fireflies and everything. For his sake, and Ahna's and Kel's. I could see in his eyes, how he meant it. It surprised me. I got in my feelings a little.
I thought he'd go for another fist bump but he pulled me into a hug. He said it's been a while, but he remembers what it's like out there. He said to keep low, and my pistol close. I told him that's one thing he doesn't have to worry about.
Ahna was teary, but she held it together. She says I don't know what it means to her. I told her 'do not make me cry right now.' She laughed. Kel told me I'm clever. 'Make use of it out there.'
Kabir offered to take us through Free Faction territory, to their borders to the East. He went over maps with us, and told us how to get out of the area without trouble. He gave us extra ammo, and his blessing. I was thankful. I think he and Grayson are going to do good things together.
We followed Kabir's directions and we're in open country again. As long as we're careful, it should be smooth sailing to Jackson.
Know what? Clint might have been right. I was determined to go alone, but in hindsight, it was nice having Clint out here. And now, it feels even better having Abby and Lev. I trust each of them to hold their own in a fight. Especially Abby, not that I'll ever admit it to her.
[Sketch of Lev writing in a notebook, frowning in concentration.]
You can't not like this kid. I know Abby feels responsible for him. It makes me think of Clint, a little.
I'm thinking about Bev… I do that sometimes, after what Clint told me.
I think about how she died, too. So awful. Infected mauling her. Clint had a nightmare one time, in Nevada. I was awake, not unusual. I asked him about it. He didn't say a lot, but I could tell he was grateful I was awake.
He told me something he hadn't told me the first time, about when Bev died. He said she was smiling. She was smiling at him, while she was bleeding out. He said he'd always wondered why.
[Drawing of a young woman surveying the horizon, brow furrowed, looking older than her years.]
I think it's because she knew she had done everything she could, to protect him.
I'm not our leader.
So why do I feel so much weight on my shoulders?