Free ASCENSION: THE SYSTEMIC SERIES by K.W. CALLAHAN Page A

here, punkass,” said Ray, giving me his trademark goofy grin.  “Don’t think of it as goodbye though.  I have a feeling our paths will cross again one of these days.”
    “I hope so,” I said, a tear running down my own cheek.  “I sure hope so.”
    “Alright,” Ray said.  “Now get the hell out of here before I start to lose it too,” he began choking up.
    I could see the tears beginning to build as he turned and walked a short distance away, rubbing his eyes with a hand.
    Even the tough ex-FBI army veteran was beginning to crack.  That’s when I knew it was time to go.
    Gordon came in for a hug and handshake of his own once Ray and Pam were through with me.
    “Thanks again for your help,” he said.  “Sorry I couldn’t get you them diabetic supplies you were lookin’ for.  Probably find that Miami’s the best place to look for those types of things.  Same with the boat and diesel fuel.  Lot more options down there.  And more options means better barterin’.”
    “That’s alright.  You’ve done more than enough,” I said.  “Thank you for everything.  You be careful up here and take good care of Ray and Pam.”
    “I think Ray and Pam can take care of themselves, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye on them,” Gordon nodded.  “You just worry about you.  I’ve had people come up from down south sayin’ there’s all sorts of roadblocks set up by highwaymen along I-95 and the Florida Turnpike startin’ outside Jupiter and running all the way down to Miami.  Don’t go tryin’ anything crazy.  That crowd down there can get dangerous pretty quick.”
    “Duly noted,” I said.  “We’ll take it easy.  We see anything like that and we’ll just try another route.”
    “Good idea,” he nodded.  “Oh and by the way…” he said as I turned to climb behind the wheel of one of the SUVs, “…you see a convoy of SUVs with two big armored vehicles and you stay away.  Stay far away.  But you do me one favor.”
    “Yeah?” I said as I slid in behind the wheel.
    “You see ‘em, and you track me down up here and let me know where they are.  Don’t get involved or do somethin’ stupid, you just find me and let me know…I’ll take care of the rest.”
    “Will do,” I gave him a salute, pulling the front door of the SUV closed behind me and starting the engine.
     
    CHAPTER 7
     
    Ava poured herself a glass of wine and slid open the patio door, stepping out into Miami’s late-afternoon heat.  A gentle breeze blew across her face, tugging softly at thin strands of her silky black hair.  She closed the patio door, locking in the air-conditioned chill behind her.
    After Jake and Ava were sure they controlled the majority of the city, they hosted several days of wild partying in celebration of their achievement.  The Miami beachfront was the scene of excess and debauchery the likes of which Ava – and even Jake – had never before seen.  Truckloads of women were hauled in.  Huge coolers full of every sort of booze imaginable were made available.  Drugs were distributed like candy being tossed from parade floats.  And the sound of celebratory – and sometimes not so celebratory – gunfire was heard round the clock, interspersed by an occasional explosion as the rowdy conquerors blew up a car with a grenade or shot a tank full of propane.
    Jake and Ava themselves participated in the madness for the first day, but then they turned their attention to the duties involved in organizing and running an entire city, albeit a vastly different one from its pre-flu glory days.
    The first item on their to-do list was to find a base from which they could operate.
    Ava would have preferred a plush, gated, estate-like mansion nestled in a quiet neighborhood, but Jake wanted to be in the heart of the city so that he could feel its “pulse” and then act to regulate it as needed.  Ava understood that Jake was a true urban dweller, and therefore didn’t argue.  He wanted to be in