A Shepherd's Calling (What Comes After Book 2) (14 page)

“
Alright,” Chris relented. “I didn't see how it would affect what we do tomorrow, but I'll give you the rundown. Bear in mind, most of this is second hand knowledge. Before the people that settled the campground moved into it, they were a much larger group. There was a divide in how they should proceed or how they should be governed, so one group broke off and went north. The other stayed and settled what would eventually become Respite. Periodically, people would leave due to differences in opinion, shortage of resources, the usual. Most of them went north, to where the original group splintered off. In my time with these people, I've only seen one person actually leave and near as I could tell, he left
because
of me.”

Hearing this, Tom made a face. The older man shook his head and continued before his former pupil could inquire. “I don't know exactly what it was. He was clearly agitated that I was a veteran, regardless of how I was using my military training and experience to directly benefit the community. Personally, I think it was my being a veteran coupled with the council granting me citizenship that upset him enough to go. If he is any indicator of the beliefs or sympathies of the others to the north, they are a strict, intolerant, distrustful lot.”

When Chris paused, Tom was quick with his question. “Do you think they'd attack?”

The old teacher blinked. “I don't know. There hasn't been an attack since I joined, nor had I heard of any problems before I came in. Those that had dealings with the other group described them as 'opportunistic', not 'expansionist'. You know me: I don't much care for politics.”

It was Tom's turn to blink.
Oh, I think you have a great care for politics
. “So you think it's unlikely?”

“
Yeah. Not impossible, but highly improbable.”

“
And Respite trying to get its people back through violence?”

“
Equally unlikely. I could see the council letting the defectors back in, if those that had gone truly changed their minds. Depending on how many left, though... the community would be pretty short-handed. They're probably scrambling to get things figured out before the snow flies.”

“
All the more reason to check in on them. I appreciate your urgency, Master Hunter.” The young man inclined his head.
He was right
, Tom thought.
This changes nothing: tomorrow proceeds as planned, albeit with far more caution. But why can't I shake the feeling he's holding something back?

“
My thanks, Shepherd. I am grateful for our shared purpose.”

They left the small room in which they'd had the conversation. Half a dozen steps brought them into the room where their companions awaited. Each offered their own greeting; a quiet murmur from Janessa and a nod from Toby, while Ben watched them with raptor-like focus.

Tom addressed the others. “Looks like we'll be checking in on the town after all. Even if they're in no danger from violent neighbors or rogue military groups, they could probably use a hand just the same. Even so, Chris agrees we should keep our eyes open-”

“
Why do you call him that?” The accusation in Ben's voice mirrored his expression.

“
Call who what?” Tom asked.

“
His name is 'Caleb.' Why do you call him 'Chris'?” The boy still sat on a pile of blankets, his small fists trembling in his lap.

Tom bit his lips to hold back an acerbic and altogether unhelpful response. Instead, he turned to Chris and fixed that man with a look. “Do you want to answer that, or should I?”

The old teacher was pensive when he replied. “Guess we should clear that up, huh?” He turned to Ben. “He calls me 'Chris' 'cause that's my name. Well, Christopher, really, but my parents were the only ones who called me that. In spite of,” he smiled, “or perhaps because of that, I preferred 'Chris'.”

Ben thumped his fists against his knees. “But why-”

“
Why did I say my name was Caleb? Because that was who I thought I needed to be. Or wanted to be.” He shrugged. “Maybe neither. Maybe both. It was my grandfather's name, and he was the one who pretty much raised me. I saw you and thought I might help bring you up, so I thought about who had done that for me. Since I'd be starting over, I figured new beginning, new name. I wanted to protect everyone in the new place from what I thought could be following me and I still had to protect everyone...” He trailed off, clearly thinking about how to phrase it. “Everyone back where Tom had grown up.”

Ben was quiet for a moment. “But that means you lied.”

Tom saw Chris blink like he'd been struck. “From a certain point of view, you're right. I did what I thought was necessary for the best interests of a lot of people. If my honor bears a stain for that choice, it's a price I pay willingly. Gladly, even, knowing I've done all I can to keep you and many others safe. Does my name being different change that I showed you to fish or mend clothes or cook? Does it mean I split less firewood or dug a smaller garden or didn't fix the roof?” The older man gazed at the boy, part reproach, part love, all lesson. “Does it change how we met?”

“
I still don't understand how having a different name protected you or me. Or him. Or anyone.” While still anxious and pouting, the boy seemed much less agitated.

“
But he did it for you. You see that, right?” Toby's voice was smooth and cool. When Ben nodded, Toby added something else. “And you know he still is? Him and him and sis and me. We all watchin' out for you. Ain't that what matters?”

Tom was stunned.
I thought Vargas was smooth. I need to be careful with that one.

Though they left just after dawn, it was still not early enough to beat the rain. The nearly four mile trek was made with more than a few dissatisfied grunts and sighs. An occasional curse was made at the overcast sky, as well as the heavy, misting drizzle that obscured their vision and clung to their faces. Their trip across the back side of the ridge was tedious but not treacherous, and for this they were glad. A little more than two hours after leaving the cabin, the group stopped above a rock formation and Blue team moved ahead.

The remaining marines spread out, covering the area and providing over watch for the civilians. Every one of them was wet, muddy and weary, so the break, however temporary, was a welcome relief.

The Major approached Tom, before the younger man could join his companions. “Blue team is checking the observation area. When they've cleared it, we'll join them and take a look at where we left the trucks. Provided nothing's amiss, we can proceed from there.”

“
We could leave you to do that while we check the town,” the Shepherd offered. “Likely the most efficient use of our time.”

Vargas agreed. “Provided everything checks out, one group will remain with the vehicles and the other will set up outside the community. That way, we can keep watch on you while you're there, be ready to intercede in case things go wrong and provide you an escort on your way back. That fair?”

“
Fair as can be, all things considered. You know how to get there?”

“
No, but it sounds like your man does. You'll be following him and we'll be following you.”

Though the Major sounded amiable enough, Tom heard that statement with an ominous note. Something in the officer's voice...
Of course he has a tracker or two
, he thought. Another thought occurred to him then, one far more sinister. It so disturbed him that, even when he sat with others, he felt all eyes on him. Their attention did nothing to dismiss the tension that suddenly filled his body.

“
Are you all right, Shepherd?” The Hunter's concern was evident.

Tom stared at Chris, mind racing and guts clenching.
No
, he thought, the denial impulse was strong.
That can't be it. It all fits, yes... but that can't be how it happened
. The young man held his old teachers gaze for several long breaths, neither of them blinking.

Janessa touched Tom's arm. “Really, are you okay? You look... off.”

Tom felt something that bordered on physical discomfort when he wrenched his gaze from Chris. He felt his face becoming long, as it did when he was angry and his jaw began to work, as it did when he was frustrated. He blinked, swallowed the rage rising like bile in his throat. Janessa's hand tightened on his bicep.

“
I'll be fine. Just had an... unsettling thought. Thank you.” He reached over and squeezed the hand upon his arm.

The mood suddenly heavy, they sat in silence for the next few minutes. Then, their reprieve was broken when the Major crouched beside Tom. “The guys found something. We're moving up to meet them.”

Two hundred yards brought the group to a brush-covered mound that sloped up gently before dropping off sharply. Beneath it was a trail with signs of recent activity. The mound had only space enough for Nadeau, Dettweiler and Vargas, so Tom and Chris crouched near the base. They listened to the hushed conversation of the marines and watched the brown line of a dirt road mark an east/west divide for the immediate area.

“
Where am I looking, Dett?”

“
Rightmost vehicle, driver door. Window, handle, front wheel well. You see it?” The Staff Sergeant directed the Major while maintaining security for Nadeau, who lay prone beside him.

Vargas chimed in only a few seconds later. “Yeah, I've got it. Some scratches around the hood, too.” A pause. “No movement since you arrived?”

Nadeau answered. “Nothing we've seen, sir.”

“
Alright, Dett: have the men affix suppressors, break into two-man teams. We'll split up once we've crossed the road. Maximize discretion to ten yards, then two by two cover to the vehicles. Once we're there, the rest of us will cover you and Davis while you check the trucks. Full use of force permitted on Infected, standard rules apply for civilians. Check targets: we know there's a community nearby and we don't need to complicate things. We'll move in ten minutes.”

The Staff Sergeant and the Major both moved to the bottom of the slope, where the large man moved off to carry out his orders. The officer sat beside the Shepherd and the Hunter. “Slight change of plan,” he said to the other two men.

Chris arched an eyebrow. “Forgive me for saying so, Major. That sounds like more than a 'slight' change of plan.”

Vargas made a face. “We're making a hard approach instead of a soft one. Most likely a pack of ghouls found the trucks and dug around for a bit. Didn't find anything to eat, lost interest and moved on. So, we'll swing in, double-check and move along as planned. At least the vehicles are still there,” the officer said with a smile. “If they were gone or the pack was still around... well, then I'd agree that it was more than a 'slight' change.”

Tom looked at the Major. “Voice of experience?”

The marine nodded. “Oh, yes. A couple of years after it all Ended, some of us were on patrol near Medway. We were looking for a community that we thought was close to the highway. We parked, concealed the vehicles and moved out. Found the remains of a long-term camp, but no sign of people. Place looked like it had been deserted for a while, so we figured they'd moved on and we do the same. We were probably fifteen or so minutes from where we'd stashed the vehicles when we heard the trucks. Even had enough time to watch them head north on the highway for a few miles.” Vargas shook his head, chagrined. He reached into his fatigue pants, withdrew an oddly shaped key and held it up. “That was the last time they sent us into the field with improperly equipped vehicles. Locks, armored glass and a P.A. set-up now come standard. We're using the variant model of the HMVV. Modified, of course.”

“
Of course.” Chris grinned. “Took the end of the world as we knew it, but Uncle Sam finally learned a lesson.”

“
If only it had been the one that mattered.” Vargas's smile waned.

Tom brought the older men back to the present. “Should we follow you in, or should we wait for you to establish your perimeter?”

The marine considered it. “Your people can be quiet, right?”

Tom nodded.

“
Then come in with us.”

The Shepherd spoke briefly with his companions, filling them in on the plan and what their roles would be. He left the Hunter with the Major, so the old teacher could signal when the marines were moving out. Some part of him wondered what else the men might be talking about, one a retired army sergeant and the other an active duty officer. More of Father Jacob's words came to him, then:
Don't dwell on what could be. Consider and prepare for all possible options, but once you've done that... Don't think about what might happen. Watch, wait, and see what does happen. Then act, if and as necessary
.

Minutes passed, Tom and his companions waiting, crouched and ready to move. To his right, Janessa looked at him several times. It seemed the young woman wanted to say something, but each time she turned to him or opened her mouth, she stopped short. Chris waved them forward before Tom could bring himself to ask her what was on her mind.

“
Time to go.” Then he followed Chris and the marines, the rest of the small group doing the same.

Tom felt a moment of nostalgia. Watching the marines advance to the vehicles, he took note of their careful movement and use of the terrain. How they went from rocks to trees, followed brush-lines and shrubs wherever possible, how they covered the small patches of open or exposed ground as quickly as possible. Facing forward, one pair would move to another position while the other covered. Then that team would stop and wait for the next. It was an exercise Chris and Sam had drilled into New Mont's own wardens and as such, he was familiar with it. Having seen people practice it was one thing, but watching a group with professional training and experience perform it was quite another.