Jay J. Falconer
M.L. Banner
SILO: HOPE’S RETURN
Suggested Reading Order for the Series
This series is a serial and part of the Frozen World collection of stories.
Each book is an immediate continuation of the earlier story and involves many characters, which are introduced and explored in each successive work. We strongly suggest reading the books in order, starting with the first book.
Here are the books in the series:
Silo: Summer’s End (Book 1)
Silo: Hope’s Return (Book 2)
Silo: Nomad’s Revenge (Book 3)
Foreword
We are happy to see you here at Silo: Hope’s Return, Book 2 in the Frozen World Series. The story continues right where it left off at the end of Book 1, so fasten your seat belts folks. The ride gets intense.
Be sure to check out the Cool Free Silo Stuff section at the back of this book for some amazing insider Air Force information, plus a few other surprises.
Also, please join us in supporting our military veterans by joining the MCP Brigade. It’s free to sign up and 100% of all profits from the purchase of official MCP Brigade gear will be donated to veterans charities such as the Oscar Mike Foundation for Disabled Veterans.
Our fallen heroes need our assistance, so please join us and show your support at MCPBrigade.com.
CHAPTER 1
Summer Lane put her arm out in a jab, slamming it against the side of the transport to keep herself upright as the tires found another wicked rut in the road. She spun her shoulders before leaning toward the access window separating the driver’s seat and the bed of the truck. “Are you trying to hit every pothole?”
Krista laughed, never taking her eyes from the road. “You said to hurry.”
“Yeah, but let’s get there in one piece.”
“We will, trust me.”
Summer ran her hand across the mangled fur of the dog in her lap. “It’s okay, boy. Just hang in there. We’ll be home soon.”
“How’s he doing?” Krista asked, though her words sounded less than genuine.
“I think the bleeding has finally stopped. He’s weak, though.”
“He’ll be okay. He’s a tough mutt.”
“I hope you’re right. We’ve lost enough today,” Summer said.
Sergeant Barkley brought his head up from its limp position across her thigh. He let out a whimper, his eyes looking withdrawn and weary.
The animal’s pain was obvious. Waves of it, courtesy of Frost and the wound inflicted during the all-out melee at the Trading Post. The bloodstain that had soaked into the temporary wrap on his hindquarters was now a dark red color—a reminder of how fleeting life really is when your insides want to find their way to the outside.
At least the canine was still alive, unlike the other passenger in the back of the truck. They’d covered Professor Edison’s body before the trek back to the silo, but the rough nature of the road had vibrated the camo-colored tarp loose, leaving it draped across his body at an angle.
Summer couldn’t help but stare at the lifeless face she’d come to rely on ever since The Event.
Her eyes were drawn to his, wishing she was somewhere else. Somewhere where all the blood, death, and misery never existed. Somewhere where a dead mentor and friend hadn’t just put her in charge of the families hunkered down in the old missile silo known as Nirvana.
She’d held strong over the years to maintain her status as being a heartless little bitch, something she was sure she needed to continue now that she was in charge of the underground facility.
There are times when an undeserved reputation comes in handy. This was one of those times.
Summer wasn’t sure how she was going to pull off being the person in command, but she figured she could fake until she made it, or something along those lines.
In truth, she was good at pretending, but that had always been for her own benefit and only when it suited her. Now she had to become someone she wasn’t, for the greater good.
She couldn’t stop her hands from shaking, all the while thinking about the men, women and children who would now rely on her to make the right choices. So many hearts and minds, all of them focused on her every move.
The worst part of what was to come was dealing with Krista, her main adversary and the driver of the vehicle. The woman was sure to be riding her ass every step of the way.
In truth, the Security Chief was damn good at her job, commanding her men with the confidence of a dictator. She was also adept at being Summer’s chief nemesis, a role they both seemed to embrace.
Summer expected her new position as boss to be an even bumpier road than the one they were on at the moment, especially without Edison to run interference.
“Have you figured out what you’re going to tell the troops when we get back?” Summer asked Krista, wondering how the woman planned to explain all the deaths at the Trading Post.
Krista brought her eyes up to the rearview mirror. “That’s your job now.”
“What do you mean? They were your men.”
“True. But like the rest of us, they all work for you. Or worked, I should say. That’s part of the deal, Summer. It’s what Edison would’ve done—called a community meeting to relay the news and field questions.”
“Maybe this one time you could handle it? I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”
“Just tell them what happened. Step by step.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, but you can leave out some of the gory details,” Krista said, turning the steering wheel to the right, taking a sweeping curve in the road. “Keep in mind there will be kids listening. Young ears and all.”
“Great. Just what I need. More pressure to deal with. Saying the right thing has never been my strength. Usually it’s just the opposite.”
“You can do it. Just be yourself. I’ve got your back.”
“Really? You’d do that for me? I mean, with our past and all?”
“That’s my job. Just like it’s your job to take over for Edison, per his wishes.”
“I appreciate it, Krista. I know I’m not your favorite.”
“None of that matters now. We both have responsibilities. There are a lot of people counting on us and we’re going to need to work together.”
“Despite our differences.”
“Roger that. It’s the honorable thing to do.”
Before another beat passed, the truck’s momentum came to a skidding stop, the tires screeching atop the pavement.
Summer lost her balance and shot forward with the dog in her lap, her back crashing into the front wall of the truck. The impact sent a thump into her spine, taking her breath away.
She gasped a few times to recharge her lungs, then slid the dog off her lap before getting to her knees. She peered through the access window. “What’s going on?”
“Roadblock.”
Summer looked beyond Krista. She expected to see vehicles sitting at odd angles with armed bandits standing guard. But that’s not what her eyes reported.