—
For some, living underground for such a longtime, and the loss they suffered from the catastrophe, was more than they could handle mentally. It was a sad fact among those who were their friends, and even sadder still for those who were their close companions. There was hope among them that they would return to normal once they too made it back outside. It was believed that they had been kept in a special ward in the dispensary. And in fact, they had been for a period of time. During this time, visitation was allowed, although it was controlled. Once it was determined to be no longer expedient to their goals and resources, the board of directors ordered their expulsion, simply informing their family and friends that visitation was no longer possible. Many protested, but the complaints were ignored. Others were somewhat relieved at being released from the burden of seeing their loved ones reduced to madness.
The only other person, who knew this had taken place, was the one who carried it out, Trent Gibbs. While he worked for Keith Bishop in the manner of routine, he also was tasked by Keith’s father for duties he knew could only be entrusted to one such as him.
While Frank Bishop and Dr. Maddow were building a society based on idealism, they knew it was still necessary to have the services of the ruthless and cunning; services they controlled to further their vision of the future. Trent Gibbs was true to his word in not trying to circumvent Keith’s authority, and did what he was asked without question. He was also true to himself. He would carve out his own position in this new world, and he would write the script. While he followed his orders willingly now, in time, he knew there would be opportunities that he could take advantage of to further his own interests.
They met in their apartment shortly after the announcement by his father. When he walked through the door, Terri was waiting for him standing with an unreadable expression on her face. “It was you,” she said accusingly.
“It was me what?” he replied not understanding what she was talking about.
“You were the one who went outside,” she said.
He looked at her for a moment before speaking, “Yes it was.”
“Those trips in search of another underground base?”
“No. I mean yes. That was the cover,” he said meekly. He knew she would be hurt, but she was still standing there without any expression. For the first time in their marriage, he did not know what she was thinking.
“I’m sorry honey. I told Dad that I didn’t want to hide this from you. He said he couldn’t take the risk of any information leaking before its time. He also assured me it wouldn’t be kept secret for long. If it wasn’t me, it would have been someone else.”
“But it was you, and something could have happened to you, and I wouldn’t have known what or why,” she challenged.
He was not thinking about it the same way she was. She was more hurt with concern, rather than by any deception.
“I’m sorry,” was all he could say.
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. She leaned back and looked him in the eyes, then moved forward and kissed him tenderly on the lips. “I know how it is with your secret military ‘hush, hush’ stuff. But this… it’s just different.”
“I know,” Keith said.
She pulled away from their embrace, “What is it like?”
He looked at her realizing his fears could now be put to rest. She was not going to hold a grudge. “It’s desolate. It doesn’t look like it did before. There is no city, no buildings, few trees nearby, and no animal life that I saw. The sky is gray and cloudy, but the air was fresh. I had forgotten what it was like to breath air like that.”
She listened and filed the information away as he spoke. “What kind of protection did they give you for the radiation,” she asked with concern in her voice.
This was another area of conversation he had to sidestep with her. He was not going to lie, but he could not tell her what he had gone through either; not yet.
“They have Demron suits to protect against the radiation. They also have a decontamination facility between here and the outside. When I came back, all my readings were clean,” he said hoping that further explanations could be avoided.
They were as she moved on to another subject, “What did you do when you were out there?”
“They gave me instruments to take readings and collect samples. I guess that’s why they determined it was time to get started with their staging area project.”
“They―as in your father and my boss?”
“Yes.”
“Are you involved with this project?”
“No.”
She stood and stared at him until a slow smile began to take shape on her face. She went once again into his arms and stayed there with her head against his chest, “I love you,” she said.
“I love you too, honey,” he replied as he stroked the back of her head with one hand while holding onto her with the other.
SEVEN
The weeks following that historic announcement were filled with excitement and conversations of what was in store for the future. The call had gone out for volunteers, and while hundreds of people applied, only forty would be chosen. Jim Forrest was given the final say on who went, as he was leading the mission. Aside from one physician, and a three-man security team, all others were to be unmarried and proficient in their respective fields. Before they made their departure, two weeks of classes were given to prepare them for life on the outside. They learned how to monitor their radiation levels, to operate the portable decontamination unit, and identified other dangers they would need to be prepared to handle. They were trained in basic first aid and taught how to maintain their general health with the special rations set aside for them. In addition, fundamental training in the use of construction tools and materials was provided. They would all need to wear more than just one ‘hat.’
The design resembled a large hangar with multiple offices lining the walls. Each had their respective purpose. The exterior of the hangar itself was constructed out of radiation absorbent panels. These and many of the other construction materials were being transported from deep storage holds around the clock. This would all take place at the original main entrance of the facility where those same supplies had been trucked in many years prior. A few vehicles, pallets of foodstuffs, and every necessary piece of equipment and raw materials on hand were stacked in the corridor just inside the mountain door. Once they were ready to begin, this area would be sealed with all future access limited to the work detail. They would move what was necessary outside, while setting up temporary shelter in the mountain itself. It was to be a temporary staging area until the outside construction was complete. Those who remained inside would be restricted from entering this area until the call came for their services.
It was estimated that the exterior frame would be finished within two months, adding another two for completing the more permanent living quarters. When the facility was capable of accommodating a full staff, other specialists would arrive. A radio and weather station was to be setup as soon as possible. Word had circulated that other people may have survived in underground bunkers around the world, so an external radio station was deemed appropriate. Scientists of varying specialties were necessary to study their new environment.