Chapter 489 (2/2)

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“Catherine is how I was named,” The redheaded woman introduced herself. “But call me Katie Holmes. I guess I’m being conscripted to go with you.”

Hank was surprised by how firm her grip was. And her eyes were a clear, direct blue.

After their short scuffle, guards had come out from the Containment Center to carry away Heath and the remnants of his power suit. Hank had known the whole time the guards were watching behind their thick walls and high fences but didn’t care. Ghost loved to play games to get more data, and Hank wouldn’t be surprised if this was all arranged by the AI in order to test the hybrid exosuit. Hank wondered whether this was considered a success, in the machine’s eyes.

The guards also told the group to wait, and someone else would be found to accompany them as a representative from West Providence. So they waited. Both Affina and Ezekiel seemed to be stoic types, satisfied with their own thoughts, which suited Hank just fine. What he didn’t like is that they both seemed to mill around him, as if he were a particularly smelly cheese and they were ‘coons out scrounging for food.

A migraine was brewing behind Hank’s brow; he didn’t like to have an entourage.

The pretty, direct speaking redhead was almost a relief, after these two mysterious additions to his team even if her forward manner reminded Hank of Laurel. But Hank had accomplished the first of his mission, and now was free to do anything he wanted for two days. Hank wanted to go home.

After the new areas opened, they were tasked with scouting out dangerous areas, until another Zone connected, and then he would need to chart a path between the two places. It would likely be some time before another Zone connected, and Hank didn’t plan on scouting with much focus prior to that.

“So I’m going home,” Hank announced to the group. “We can meet up in two days.”

Ezekiel was the first to speak, with a shrug. “Honestly, I have nowhere to stay. I’ll just hang around your place for two days.”

“I, as well, will be partaking of your hospitality,” Affina announced.

Katie scratched her head awkwardly. “I’m from one of the D.C. suburbs that ended up a little north of that, so I’ll be staying with family there. But it will be good to stay close. You live in Mottles, right?”

Nodding, to Katie, Hank spoke to the other two. “It might be more comfortable to stay in a hotel or something. My place isn’t very big.”

“I brought a sleeping roll,” Affina said seriously, her blind eyes staring upwards. Hank opened his mouth but wasn’t even sure how to respond to that.

“I’ve been in a jail for most of this year,” Ezekiel said with an amused smile. “Your hospitality, no matter how pitiable, is likely an upgrade.”

So the group traveled together. A few drinks in the train car was enough to mellow Hank’s mood to accept his new charges, improving his mood considerably. Not enough that he might be affected by it in all but the highest level of battles, but enough to calm down a bit. Relaxation came only unwillingly to Hank these days.

They waved goodbye to Katie as they all got off the East/West line, and she went towards the outer circle train, heading one stop North. As the three remaining left the station, they were stopped by someone yelling Hank’s name.

“Hank Howard!”

Hank turned, and the other two did so too after a pause. An old woman, likely 70 or so, one of the oldest people Hank had seen since the System arrived, stalked up to him. She was sprier now, but Hank wondered how difficult it had been to get through those first weeks before she had accumulated enough Stats to ameliorate age’s effect on her body.

She spat on his shoe. “My son worked in Tomhold.”

Then she turned and walked away. Hank said nothing, looking down at the spittle trailing a line down his boots. People around whispered as they recognized him, and the people who didn’t know the story were told it by those who did. Instantly their eyes changed, looking at him with shock and judgment.

The hot beginnings of rage were born in Hank’s chest, but he said nothing, just starting to walk again. He moved quickly, but Ezekiel and Affina followed closely, like persistent ghosts of the past.

To Hank’s surprise, there weren’t any smart comments from Ezekiel, but rather, the words came from the stoic Affina. “Rhoda Khan’s squad would have done nothing to save that town. That woman would not order her forces into such danger.”

Hank grunted, saying nothing. He agreed with her assessment, but there was always that chance. Maybe that sociopathic woman had a family member in the town and would have fought to save its inhabitants.

The world would never know, because Hank had stopped that squad, and put that woman down, for unrelated crimes. The world was a better place without Rhonda Khan, but that is not what the world saw. They simply saw Hank with his own private vendetta, interfering with the army’s work. His pride and selfishness had meant 99% of the population of Tomhold had died that day.

The whole situation left Hank bitter. He might have just stayed home and become the sort of drunk his father Rick would have been proud of raising, had not the army secretly sent a representative to visit him, expressing their, understandably private, thanks for handling the Khan problem. That representative was Laurel.

Hank pressed his forehead to the glass of the manatech train’s windows. At least he would be home soon, albeit with some new borders. Even with a little extra company, home meant a break.