Tooth & Nail

17

It took a long time to walk down the mountain.

They didn’t take the goat path. Instead they went a back way that was easier but longer. Fifty feet down that road they came to a spot where two soldiers lay. Both were dressed in the uniforms of the American Nation, the new government that had formed after the destruction of the old world. It was clear that these men had been on guard but had been surprised, overwhelmed and murdered by the reapers. It was equally clear that Captain Ledger had quieted them. Both of them had distinctive knife wounds in the backs of their heads, right at the weak point where the spine enters the skull. What Tom had once called the “sweet spot.”

“I didn’t know there were guards up here,” said Benny.

“Of course there are guards up here,” said Ledger. “There are also a crapload of land mines and you’re lucky you didn’t step on one.”

“The reapers didn’t step on any mines.”

“Not this time,” said the ranger, “but over the years? Yeah, a whole bunch of them have gone into the darkness at high velocity.”

“It’s not funny,” said Benny.

“No,” admitted the ranger, “it’s not.”

Benny considered the two soldiers. “What were their names?”

“Private Andy Beale and Private Huck Somerton.”

“Do they have family?”

“Back home. They’re from Asheville, North Carolina.”

“I’m sorry,” Benny said.

“Yeah,” said Ledger. “But at least we know that the reapers have found a way through our back door. I’ll make sure it’s nailed shut again.”

“Is that worth two people’s lives?”

The ranger shook his head. “No. But we take what we can to save more lives down the road.”

“The reapers… they’ll keep trying, won’t they?”

“Yes.”

“Won’t they ever give up?”

“Not as long as Saint John is driving them.”

“They’re afraid of him,” said Benny.

“It’s worse than that,” said Ledger. “They love him. They really do think he has the answer. They think he’s going to solve all their problems.”

The kept walking. Grimm trotted along behind, his armor clanking. Joe carried the dog’s spiked helmet.

After a while Benny asked, “How’d you know I was up here?”

“I didn’t. But I was looking for you and didn’t find you anywhere else. You didn’t take a quad, and you weren’t in one of the hangars. There’s not too many other places you could be.”

They walked and the sun slid red and swollen into the west.

“I’m not going to say I’m sorry,” said Benny.

“I didn’t think you would.”

They looked at each other. Harshly at first, then with small smiles of acknowledgment. Like chess players.

“Thanks, though,” said Benny.

“Jeez, kid, that sounded like it actually hurt to say.”

“It did. My gums are bleeding.”

Ledger laughed, and the sound of it bounced off the stone walls. They walked for another ten minutes without speaking.

“There’s a war coming,” said Benny at last, “and I’m not ready for it.”

The ranger gave a slow nod of approval.

“It takes a…,” Joe began, but stopped.

“What?” demanded Benny, some sharp edges still evident in his tone. “What were you going to say? That it takes a ‘man’ to make a decision like that? Don’t bother, we both know I’m not a man. I’m a kid, and I’m doing the best I can.”

Captain Ledger gave him a small smile. “No, kid, that’s not what I was going to say. What I was trying to say was that it takes a real warrior to make a decision like that. To accept the world for what it is. To ask for help. That’s what your brother would call being ‘warrior smart’… and that has nothing to do with how old you are.”

He held out a big, tough, calloused hand.

After looking at it for a long moment, Benny took it.