Occupation by Dave Lacey

Author:Dave Lacey [Lacey, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lazey Ink Publishing
Published: 2013-12-15T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Time passed. Four weeks later, both Jack and Smithy were able to move about unaided. As they built up their strength, the looming deadline for the mission grew nearer. Tom Bradley insisted they would not be going. But that had never stopped either of them before.

They worked hard, spending many hours in the gym and many more walking the miles of tunnels that made up their home. It was a joint mission, so Tom was wary of community letting the others down. But he watched from the sidelines as the two men attempted to make his life difficult.

With a week to go, he had rigged a fitness test of sorts – an assault course, which took thirty minutes to complete. It was a tough assignment, and therefore Tom couldn’t argue when they both scraped through. The two men stood before him, leaning forward, hands on knees just about staying upright.

“So. What-do-you-have-…” Jack paused in an attempt to draw breath... “to-say...now?” he asked. He managed to look up at Tom with what was meant to be a smile, but looked more like a grimace. Tom raised an eyebrow before speaking.

“Well, it looks like you may be back to close to three-quarter fitness.”

Jack stood upright, hands on hips, gasping for air but managing to look indignant. “But, and this is a big but–” Tom continued, one meaty hand on his hip, the other waggling an extended finger “– I’m not convinced this is a good idea. You two were damn close to the great void a few weeks ago. This mission is important.”

“We know it’s important, Tom, that’s why we want to go. We’re not treating this as a jolly.” It was Smithy who had regained his breath quickest, and he was deadly serious as he made their case. “We’ve never had this kind of cooperation before, and it’s vital we get it right.”

Tom glowered at them, his arm, hand and finger still extended, but the finger no longer waggling. They could see his thoughts echoed in his features, shifting as though something small lived under the surface. His gaze switched, moving between the two men before him.

He nodded, then spoke. “Okay. You can go.” Both men fell back against the wall of the tunnel, relieved and elated that they had made it. “But–” he continued, “–Millie goes with you. And, you need to continue working on your fitness until you leave.”

“Can we go now?” Jack asked. Tom nodded and turned to leave. Jack and Smithy looked at each other, both managing a smile through the pain. “I never thought we were gonna get the nod on this. Tom’s a great guy, but he can be a real dick sometimes.”

“I’m not deaf, and I’m not that far away either,” they heard from round the tunnel bend. Laughing through their pain, the two men looked at each other and slumped down the wall until they were seated on the compacted floor of the tunnel.

“Yeah, it was pretty intense,” said Smithy. “I’m not sure I’m keen on the idea of Millie going though.

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