From the Ashes Chapter 9
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Author's Note: Thanks for the review Vertov, nice to know you're enjoying. It's always nice when readers take the time to pass on their opinions.
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No-one in the camp slept well that night, except for Uly and Alonzo. Those two appeared to have complete faith in the Terrians. Everybody else was worried. Throughout the day they had maintained a positive façade, talking and joking about what they would do when Devon came back, but inside they all shared the concern that they'd made a mistake. Just because everyone had voted in favour of the plan didn't mean it was the right thing to do. Democracy was not infallible. And everybody could remember all too well the time they'd voted to leave Julia behind. They certainly hadn't been right then – leaving their only doctor behind had been foolish in the extreme, given their situation – and that situation had proved the danger of emotion-led decisions.
With the fall of night these doubts floated to the surface and chased sleep away. For this reason dawn saw the entire group – even Morgan, the morning hater – congregated around the campfire. Bess prepared breakfast while Danziger laid out the plan for the next few days.
"Alonzo and Julia will take the 'rail back for Devon. Uly will go with them. And Yale. It should take three days to reach the ship and three days back. We don't know how long they'll have to stay there but we'll be here for at least a week. Probably longer. And we'll use every minute of that time. The vehicles could use a thorough overhaul. And, like Yale said yesterday, we could use some meat so we'll try and find more of whatever it was Alonzo shot down the other day. We can even set up a hut to smoke some in so it will last. I think Bess said she's seen that done before, so she can supervise." When he finished speaking Danziger moved away from the group, intending to re-inventory the supplies Julia and the other three were taking with them. He didn't want them to be caught short, especially if it took a while for Devon to recover.
He had barely reached the 'rail when Bess caught up with him.
"John, do you really think it's wise to let Uly go? What if it doesn't work?"
"Then Uly should have the chance to say good-bye. And so should Devon." Bess looked at him, eyes full of tears. She nodded, slowly.
"I just don't want him to get hurt."
"None of us do. But some things are out of our control." Bess nodded again and walked slowly away, wiping at her eyes and resuming her optimistic mask. Danziger returned his attention to the supplies only to be interrupted almost immediately by Yale.
"John, may I have a moment?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"I think you should go back to the ship with the others instead of me."
"What? Why?"
"Because of Uly. If anything goes wrong he'll want you there."
"That's nonsense – he'll have you. And Julia and Alonzo. I chose you for a reason, Yale. You're closer to Uly than anyone else. And to Devon. You and her son are the first people she'll want to see when she wakes up." Yale wasn't entirely sure about that but mentioning that Devon might be just as happy to see Danziger was not the way to win this argument. Instead, he used duty.
"Uly has become very attached to you, John. And to True. He sees you as family and he knows that you're the one Devon chose to look after him. You should be there." Yale's none-to-subtle reminder of Danziger's promise struck home. The younger man sighed and ran his hand through his hair.
"I don't know, Yale. I feel bad about the idea of leaving everybody. I'm supposed to be leading them. I promised that, too."
"I can keep an eye on things here, John. Everybody knows what they have to do. Bringing Devon back is the best thing you can do for this group." Danziger nodded his reluctant agreement, reflecting again that he wasn't cut out for this sort of responsibility.
"Okay, I'll go." Yale nodded in satisfaction.