Free Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny by Jim Laughter Page B

one day?” asked the boy, referring to the bundle.
    “I didn’t,” said Robert. “Agnes set out that bundle while I stayed home. That way we can cover for each other if anyone comes to the house.”
    “Okay. So what’s going on?” Delmar asked.
    “Well, after the first two or three weeks things got pretty quiet,” Robert began. “A social agency worker came once but didn’t do more than ask if we’d seen you, which we hadn’t that day. We never saw your brother again after Agnes scared him off but figured something was up.”
    “So what’s happening now?” Delmar asked, obviously puzzled.
    Robert picked his tale back up. “Early this week we heard through Dorn’s neighbors that the agency visited your brother. We think they finally figured out you were gone and came to investigate.”
    “Oh no!” the boy said. “If Dorn loses that financial support from the agency, he’ll kill me for sure.”
    “That’s what we thought too, so I came to warn you and bring extra supplies,” Robert said. “We expect both the authorities and your brother will start hunting for you in earnest. He wants to find you for the money. If they find you, they’ll either send you home or put you in jail.”
    “But I didn’t break any laws!” Delmar cried.
    “No, you didn’t,” Robert agreed. “But you did break some of their policy guidelines, which is probably worse.”
    They both grew silent while they contemplated the situation. Robert finally broke the silence. “Listen, Delmar. I want to tell you something and then I’d better go. Remember the pocket watch?”
    “Of course I do,” answered the boy.
    “As you know, I got that from my fellow troopers in the old 653rd after I was wounded. You remember meeting them when we went on our field trip to Jasper Station, don’t you?”
    Delmar nodded.
    “They’re a great bunch of guys, and if you ever need help, you can count on them. Just show them the watch and explain that I sent you. They’ll take care of everything.”
    “But how will I find them?”
    “Just go to Jasper Station. The 653rd patrols this star cluster and you’ll recognize their building.”
    “How will I get to them if they’re not there?”
    “In that case, appeal to any trooper unit,” Robert answered. “We’re a brotherhood. We watch out for each other like one big extended family.”
    The cave grew quiet again and Robert rose up to go. “I better go now,” he said. “If I stay out too late, it might look suspicious.”
    The boy stood and they embraced. Robert picked up his empty pack and walked slowly toward the entrance. Before he slipped through, they wordlessly shook hands and Robert disappeared into the night.
    ∞∞∞
    The police ground car stopped in front of the social agency office at the appointed time. Looking out of her window, Prudence Hornbeck, the director of the social agency noted the arrival. A glance at her expensive wall clock confirmed their punctuality. Efficiency pleased her, so it was with a satisfied smile that she greeted the officers.
    After seating everyone involved in today’s plans in the conference room, Director Hornbeck entered the room and strode to the front.
    “I want to thank everybody for coming today,” she began. “We have a serious situation on our hands and our combined efforts today will bring an end to a dangerous set of circumstances.”
    She paused for a moment and peered over her glasses at their faces while she pretended to check her notes. She made mental notes of which of her workers were behaving positively to this meeting, and also saw that the police officers looked bored.
    “I want to thank the officers for their cooperation in our effort today to apprehend this criminal. For those not familiar with our subject, here is his picture.” She turned and pinned a large photograph of Delmar on the board behind her.
    Returning to the front, she noticed that the police officers looked confused. “Is there a question,