Lost Contact (The Bridge Sequence Book One), Nathan Hystad [primary phonics books .TXT] 📗

and I opened my jacket to find my wound had bled through the hospital gown. Bev was awake, and she gasped at the sight. “Tripp, Rex needs help.”

The officer opened the gate with the press of a button and climbed into a Jeep, waving Tripp forward. We followed him through the base, which was quiet at the moment. A lot of people would be at home with their families if they weren’t overseas. A large spruce tree was decorated for the holidays, and we drove toward the main structure, a boxy building with bland paint colors.

The Jeep stopped, and the man hopped out, indicating we take a parking stall. Tripp parked there and stepped out first, talking to the young officer. He nodded and took off as an older, broad-shouldered black man targeted Tripp. For a second, it seemed like the man was about to punch Tripp; then his face broke into a huge smile, and they hugged. Colonel Jerkins wore his uniform and looked imposing in it.

Five minutes later, we were inside the building, Edith and Carson staying with their mom and dad in the foyer.

I started down the hall with the others, but Tripp slowed, coming to my side. He grabbed for my arm. “They have a doctor on site. He’s going to patch you up again, and then you can join us.”

I slapped his hand away. “Damn it, Tripp. I’m not missing this meeting.”

Tripp lowered his voice. “Rex, you were shot. You need attention. We won’t do anything until you join us, okay?”

I relented as his tone softened. “Fine. Can you find me something to wear?” My feet were still bare, my legs only shielded to my lower thighs by the trench.

“No problem.” Tripp waved the young officer closer and barked a command at him. The guy looked ready to salute him but stopped short, saying he’d locate some things in my size and bring them to medical.

“Tripp, I thought you were a Navy SEAL. Why does an army colonel owe you?” I asked.

“Maybe when this is done with, I’ll answer that,” he said with a laugh.

____________

The sun was high in the sky, reflecting off the snow-draped field. My wound had been cleaned and disinfected, and the doctor ensured I left with enough antibiotics and painkillers to fend off a zombie apocalypse. The airplane was huge, with vast space to carry an assortment of military personnel inside; only today, it was transporting a handful of civilians across the Atlantic Ocean.

The seats were combined into benches along the outer walls, facing a middle row. Carson raced past us, running through the airplane with a huge smile on his face.

“I have to ask why I’m lending you this, Tripp,” Colonel Jerkins said before stepping foot on the plane.

“No you don’t, sir,” Tripp said resolutely.

“Do you have any idea the paperwork this’ll take?” Jerkins frowned, looking at me, then at Veronica and Marcus. “Tell me there’s nothing dangerous on board.” His gaze drifted to the bags Marcus lowered to the floor. Inside was the Case, but I’d reclaimed the Tokens. They were in my borrowed jacket’s pockets, three in each front fold. My hands were wrapped around them tightly as the colonel stared at me.

“We’re in some trouble, Colonel. Serious business involving the Objects,” Tripp said.

Jerkins’ eyes blinked wider as he pointed to the ceiling. “Those? How is this group tangled in anything involving the asteroids? Better yet, don’t tell me. Consider our affiliation concluded, Tripp. I owed you, and this is my repayment. I’ll have the pilot return through Britain like you asked, but I have no idea who’d be able to track you through this undocumented trip. You’ll land at Lajes Field in the islands, and I’ve arranged for a civilian plane to be at your disposal from there.”

“These guys are tricky. They always seem to be one step ahead.” Tripp glanced toward the cockpit. “You trust the pilot?”

“He’s coming in for this mission on my personal request. We’re skeleton at the moment,” Jerkins said.

“I take it I’ll be flying from the island to Porto?” Veronica seemed pleased with the idea. I’d never seen someone so delighted to be in control of a winged vehicle.

“We have an Air Force veteran?”

She saluted and smiled. “First Lieutenant Jones, sir. I could take …”

“Not this time, I’m afraid. Captain Berkowitz will arrive shortly.” Jerkins turned for the exit, and stopped near Tripp. “Son, would you like to keep the kids and their parents at the base?”

I thought about it and glanced at Beverly. It would be safer with them, but I couldn’t trust that the Believers weren’t integrated into the Army. I was taking a flier on the fact that Jerkins wasn’t involved in the slightest.

“Thanks for the offer, but we’re traveling together,” Fred told him. “We’re not letting Rex go into this alone, and if things are as dangerous as he thinks, I don’t want to put the kids in jeopardy. Or Beverly.”

And it was settled.

“Have it your way.” Colonel Jerkins appeared on the verge of saying one last comment but disembarked instead.

A half hour later, the captain arrived with a carafe of coffee and some paper cups. He wore street clothes and apologized for the delay. We strapped in, and a handful of minutes later were taking off. I peered out the window, seeing Boston to the south, and soon, there was nothing but ocean below us.

I was beat, and my stomach ached, but the drugs dulled the pain. Marcus sipped a coffee and pulled out his laptop, and Tripp unclasped his belt, reaching into his pack. I glanced over the middle row to see Fred, Bev, and the kids sleeping. I hated having to bring them with us but didn’t feel like we had much of a choice. If I left them, they might share Richard Klein’s fate, and I couldn’t let that happen.

“How you feeling, Rex?” Marcus asked.

“Like someone shot me in the gut,” I said. I tugged the sweater up and peered at the