A Mound Over Hell by Gary Morgenstein

Author:Gary Morgenstein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: baseball, sci-fi, dystopian, world war, alternate reality, sports stories, epic
Publisher: BHC Press
Published: 2017-12-23T05:00:00+00:00

28

Every so often, Tomas would omit an unpleasantry from his daily security report: a small protest over the quality of SC foods, an altercation between ‘bots and siblings at a bus stop, or a song whose lyrics were a mite mocking about the HG parks. He couldn’t stand not seeing Grandma smiling, optimistic. This morning reminded him why he did it.

“So no children were injured?” Grandma asked dully, her makeup not quite so careful.

Cheng shrugged. “Unless we consider the five BT plants.”

“They were orphans once, too.”

“Yes, they were. Then five deaths. The sixth…” his voice trailed off.

“Is where?” she demanded.

“We have extensive medical facilities on site.”

“I want him brought to Lebanon Hospital immediately.”

“It’s a her, originally from Norway, and that isn’t wise.”

Grandma ignored Cheng and turned to Tomas. “Do it.”

Cheng shook his head imperceptibly. “Grandma, it’d get out. The weapon was very much a Miners specialty. Someone will talk.”

“We can cover,” Tomas said.

“I don’t want any lies,” Grandma snapped.

“Then you want the truth?” Cheng exchanged an uneasy look with Stilton.

“I want nothing said. This, this,” she sputtered, squinting at the report on her lap, “Ase Pedersen had an accident during firearms training. Do it. Now.”

Grandma waited until Tomas arranged for a medcopter to bring the teenager to Lebanon Hospital; given the girl’s extensive head wounds, he doubted she’d survive. Lenora nodded grimly when Stilton finished.

“What do the prisoners say?” she asked hoarsely.

Cheng sighed. “The BTs didn’t take any survivors.”

“Why not?”

“There was a fight, ma’am. The traitors were firing SAMs.”

Her voice grew small. “The BTs made no attempt to rescue the children?”

Albert squirmed, giving Tomas pleasure. “Apparently that wasn’t an option. Policy was followed.”

Grandma turned to Tomas. “Is that so?”

Cheng reddened at the insult, but kept quiet. Stilton nodded. “Since there was no indication that the orphans were taken against their will, there was the assumption that they cooperated.”

Grandma stared so hard Tomas felt his brain dance. “The children wanted to leave?”

He hated lying to her. “Of course not. Obviously they were coerced. But the BTs, in the heat of a firefight, weren’t sure.”

“And the search for the children?”

Tomas gestured at the folder. “It’s in the…”

“I know it’s in the goddamn report, Major,” Grandma shouted. Both men flinched at the unusual rage.

“I’m sure there’ll be some ransom demands,” Cheng jumped in soothingly; Tomas tossed him a grateful look. “Let’s wait.”

“Let’s wait means you have no idea where they went.”

Cheng stiffened. “No, Lenora. We have no idea other than this was a sleeper Miners cell.”

“Because of the orange wigs they left?”

“And the rifles…”

“Which they’ve just been hiding for thirty years?”

“It’s possible.”

“Waiting for?”

Cheng stared. “Your Story must have triggered this.”

“Miners don’t march peacefully, Grandma,” Tomas said.

“But you’re not sure it was the traitors. Or even who they are.”

Albert shifted slightly. “Who else would they be?”

Grandma exhaled slowly to indicate this subject was concluded. “Let’s discuss the Son.”

Tomas glanced up, surprised.

“Of course I know,” Cheng snapped. “Since your first contact with the Paris Collector a year ago. It’s my job. As it was your job to keep it secret.

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