Page 4 of Resolution
Jeff extended his flimsy map and pointed at the building Briskinn had indicated. “Married military housing, I gather.”
“It used to be the crafts and baked goods exhibit hall,” Devora said. “With several floors. It’s all been converted into apartments—Les and I live there too, with our daughter Jenny.” In an aside to Tamsyn she added, “Jenny’s the little girl you handed me when we were escaping the Fafield place. She’s such a sweetie.”
“The mother wasn’t on either bus?” Tamsyn asked.
“Sadly no so Les and I adopted her. Anyway, we’ll be neighbors. Welcome to the camp.”
“I’m in something called the women’s dormitory.” Tamsyn made a face.
“I might be able to upgrade you,” Devora said. “I’m an admin here. The military runs the place and issues all the orders but we clerks have the real power.” Her laugh was self deprecating.
“Don’t get yourself in trouble for me,” Tamsyn protested. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Hey, I have to run,” Devora told her. “Follow the map and come visit Les and me tonight. We have a lot to catch up on.” She ran back inside the building.
“I’ll be there.” Calling after her friend as she departed, Tamsyn glanced at Jeff and Melly because the invitation plainly didn’t include them.
It’s fine, Jeff said in her head. You warned us the Rosewater people wouldn’t trust us right away so it’s important you work your contacts. Get a general lay of the land for us. Meeting her so early after we arrived is a lucky break. Out loud he said, “We’ll escort you to your new home and then go find our apartment. We can meet again for dinner.”
“The Frequently Asked Questions sheet says we can all eat in her dining hall but she can’t come into the one for the military and dependents,” Melly announced as they set off to find the correct dormitory., having perused the document while Tamsyn and Devora chatted.
“So we’ll join you tonight,” Jeff told Tamsyn. “Let’s take all of this day by day. Too soon to make any concrete plans.”
After walking with Tamsyn to locate her assigned housing, they went inside with her and viewed the tiny cubby with a bed and a set of drawers with dismay.
“Not like the ranch,” Tamsyn said, obviously making an effort to sound cheerful as she laid her backpack on top of the bureau. “At least they gave me clean sheets and a pillow.”
“All right, I can see your new roommates circling out there.” Jeff indicated the open area which all the private cubicles were built around. “Go make new friends and we’ll head off to our quarters. Meet you at the dining hall at 1800.”
“I hate to leave her by herself,” Melly said as they exited the dormitory and took a left to find the military apartments.
“She’s a big girl and we’re all connected with the subaural com. Nothing’s going to happen to her the first night, I’m sure. I would have preferred having her closer to us but this way we can gather intel from more sources.” Jeff was philosophical although he added via the com, Cody’s relying on me to bring his wife back safe and sound and I intend to keep my word to do exactly that.
And your own wife too, Melly replied, squeezing his arm.
Chapter Two
Their apartment was nothing exciting—a small two room affair with a kitchenette and a bathroom. There was one spacious closet that could be made into a child’s room. The showers were down the hall. Jeff did a sweep for bugs or vids, although since he had to do it manually Melly knew he could be missing things, but he didn’t find anything. At the appointed time they followed the map to the general dining hall and met Tamsyn.
“Our place is tiny,” Melly told their friend as they entered the hall. “You’d be sleeping in a closet if the captain had assigned you to be with us.”
“I’ll get used to my cubicle, I’m sure.” Tamsyn was grimly optimistic. “And the girls are all nice. Mostly they wanted to know what the conditions are like outside and I’m sorry I couldn’t give them better news.”
The food was heavy on starches, with thick brownies for dessert. At this hour the place wasn’t too busy but the three of them took their trays to a far corner and sat. “I don’t have much of an appetite,” Melly said, pushing her mashed potatoes around with her fork. “I hate being here, surrounded by the infected at every turn.”
Jeff covered her hand with his own and squeezed. “I appreciate you signing up for this, doc. I promise we’ll find what we need and get out.”
“The sooner the better,” Tamsyn said, eyeing her green beans with no enthusiasm. “I’ll be curious what Les and Devora have to say tonight.”
“Don’t expect too much at the first contact,” the captain said, slicing his mystery meat which had been labeled as steak in the serving line and pouring sauce on it before even tasting it. “I wonder if the food is any better in the military commissary? This will keep a person alive but it sure is uninspiring.”
“I’m wondering where they got the beef. How much food did they stockpile before everything collapsed? Are they doing foraging runs outside the fences?” Tamsyn speculated.
“You mean how is this place sustaining itself?” Melly asked.
“Exactly.”
“Another thing to find out.” Jeff was determinedly cheerful. “Good point.”
