“So Mr. Slayne has told me. But I must be honest. I’m not pleased at how he dragged me from my office and forced me to accompany him whether I wanted to or not.”
“We talked this all out when I came to New York to meet you. I made everything plain.”
“Please, Mr. Carpenter. Don’t be condescending. You came to New York for the specific purpose of recruiting me. You persuaded me to become part of your Endworld Protocol, as you call it. But my heart was never in it and you knew that.” Deepak indicated Slayne. “That’s why you sent your pit bull.” Slayne arched an eyebrow. “You’re alive, aren’t you? A lot aren’t. Count your blessings.”
“Yes, yes, I appreciate that fact,” Deepak assured him. “But this is still hard for me. I wasn’t given time to say good-bye to my parents. I wasn’t permitted to go home and get some things I would dearly love to have brought. I was shanghaied, for lack of a better word. And I resent that.” Carpenter leaned back and made a tent of his fingers. “I’m sorry to hear it. I truly am. If you feel that strongly, you can leave.”
“Just like that?” Deepak snapped his fingers.
“No one is forced to stay against his or her will. But I warn you, the initial stages of the war have been mild compared to what is to come. So far the superpowers have been content with launching a few select strikes. But all-out war will soon begin, and when it does, few outside the walls of this compound will be safe.”
“You exaggerate. Not every city in America will be nuked. Many rural areas will get little if any fallout. There’s the military with Cheyenne Mountain and the like, and those who have their own shelters. Plus all those who live in remote regions.” Deepak shook his head. “Many millions will be perfectly safe.”
“You’re forgetting the biological and chemical weapons.” Carpenter sought to set him straight. “Don’t think they won’t be used, treaties or no treaties. Once they are, life beyond these walls will become a hell we can’t imagine.”
“I have a good imagination,” Deepak said dryly.
“It sounds to me as if you could use some rest. Or would you like a hot meal first?” Alf Richardson rubbed his belly. “Did I hear food? Mister, lead me to the trough. All we’ve had the whole trip were candy bars and beef jerky. I am so hungry for real food I’d eat a cow raw.” He stood and poked Deepak. “Come on, buddy. Let’s go.”
Deepak rose and turned to go. “Don’t misunderstand. I appreciate the extra effort you went to on my behalf. But we have important matters to discuss later.”
“As you wish.”
The moment the door closed behind them, Patrick Slayne sighed. “What’s up with him? He’s been like that the whole way.”
Carpenter held up a finger, pressed a button, and said into an intercom, “Becca, would you kindly show Mr. Kapur and his friend around? Whatever they need, see that they get it.”
“Of course, sir.”
Carpenter sat back. “Do you remember when we first met, Patrick? I made an appointment to meet with you and explained my plans for the compound? I wanted to hire the best there were to do the designs and oversee the construction, and you went one step further. You wanted to be part of the Endworld Protocol, and I made you Chief of Home Security.”
“I knew war was inevitable.”
“I felt the same. Which is why this compound exists. But as Mr. Kapur just pointed out, he never fully believed. Oh, I convinced him to sign on, but I could tell he might prove to be a bother later on.”
“Then why waste your energy? Why didn’t you recruit someone else to do what he does?”
“For the same reason I went to your firm. I wanted the best, and what that man doesn’t know about computers and their operating systems isn’t worth knowing.”
“Still,” Slayne said, “I saw his file, remember? Diana says he could cause disharmony in the group.” Slayne paused. “Where is she, by the way? Did she make it?”
“As a matter of fact, Dr. Trevor arrived late last night. She was suffering from exhaustion, but otherwise she’s fine. As for Mr. Kapur, I admit his psych profile is borderline. But in time I expect him to come around to our way of thinking.”
Slayne gestured at the computer on Carpenter’s desk. “How much use do you expect to get out of him, anyhow?”
“You tell me. You oversaw our EMP shielding. Plus we have enough fuel for our generators to last years.”
“All right. Enough about him. Where do we stand with personnel? How many have checked in?”
“The total stands at ninety-seven. We’re missing three singles. The fifteen couples and their families all arrived safely, thank goodness. They’re the core. The last to show up was Soren Anderson and his family, about nine o’clock this morning.”
“The construction guy?”
Carpenter nodded. “We have a bigger worry. I’ve lost contact with Ben Thomas. The last we heard from him, he was stopping at a place called Smelterville.”
“You should have left that to me instead of sending me after Kapur. Relying on a freelance was asking for trouble.”
“Thomas came highly recommended. I made a judgment call. Don’t be offended.”
“After all you spent on the SEAL.”
“I know. I know. It’s critically important that we have it. I pray to God Thomas shows up.”
“God?” Slayne said and indulged in a rare grin. “Haven’t you been listening to the news? God is on vacation. The devil is running things.”
“Ironic, isn’t it?”
“What is? The end of the world? That we were smart enough to see it coming but too stupid to stop it?”
“It’s ironic that for all our accomplishments, for all our sophistication and culture, our arts and science and engineering, we shoot ourselves in the head with our hate.”
“What’s so sophisticated about a species that can’t get along? You don’t see dolphins nuking each other.” Carpenter chuckled, and rose. “I suppose you want to eat and rest after your long drive.”
“No. I want to take a look around. I can sleep after the war is over.”
“We’ll take that look together. I need to stretch my legs.”
They emerged from C Block into a chill gust of wind. Roiling black clouds darkened the horizon. In the fat distance vivid streaks of lightning lanced the firmament.
“Just what we need,” Kurt Carpenter said.
Various vehicles were parked in rows near the inner moat on the west side of the compound. The drawbridge was down and would stay down until Carpenter gave the order for lockdown. Scores of people were milling about or clustered in small groups and talking in hushed tones. Many fidgeted and cast anxious glances at the heavens.
“They know it won’t be long.”
Carpenter stared at the gathering storm. “I hope to God I don’t get them killed.”
“It’s a little late to second-guess yourself.”
“I know. But I’m human, aren’t I? I shudder to think what will happen if we haven’t covered every contingency.”
Slayne put a hand on his shoulder. “Relax. You’ve thought of everything. From food stockpiles to weapons and ammo to radiation gear to biohazard suits, we’re as prepared as we can be.” A small yellow ball rolled toward them and stopped near their feet. A little girl followed it. She scooped it up, then saw Carpenter and froze as if transfixed. Her mother hurried over and rook her by the shoulders.
“Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Carpenter.”
“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Reynolds.” Carpenter noticed with amusement that they kept looking at him as they walked off. “What on earth was that all about?”
From behind them came a contralto female voice. “You’re the Great Prophet. They hold you in awe.” Both men turned. “Professor Trevor!” Carpenter smiled warmly and embraced her. “I expected you to sleep until evening.”