Free Genesis (The Exodus Trilogy) by Andreas Christensen Page B

Stronghold leaders intended to send a number of specialists north as soon as possible to assist with setting up appropriate systems and facilities for farmers and fisherman.
    She saw Havelar, whom she had once referred to fondly as Uncle George. Once one of her parents’ best friends, he had bounced her on his knee back when she was a child. He eyed her for a moment. A wan smile appeared, then disappeared as quickly as it had come. Then she saw a middle-aged man, wearing a ripped and stained lab coat, half carrying a colleague, with a girl on the other side supporting the injured man. She looked closer at the man helping his friend. Not even the dirt and exhaustion apparent on his face could hide the wide grin as he looked over and recognized her.
    “Jeremiah!” she exclaimed.
    Then she realized it was Sophie Breckinbridge who was helping Jeremiah with the other man. She looked up, but didn’t say anything. Maria wondered if they would be friends again, or if it was too late.
    “Maria! I was hoping I’d see you here,” Jeremiah said, as she ran to him. He hugged her with his free hand, holding the man he was helping steady with the other. Then he helped the man sit down.
    “Sophie, why don’t you go get Doc Bowers?” Jeremiah said, motioning toward the man. “He needs to rest, and Doc should have another look at him, I think.” Sophie nodded and turned without a word. Maria looked at her as she walked away.
    “Hmm, I wish you two would make up,” Jeremiah said, shaking his head.
    “We’ve got far bigger things to think about. Besides, you guys are friends, right?” Maria shrugged.
    “I don’t know. We’ll see. But I’m sure glad to see you again.” She smiled and gave him a good hug.
    “I guess I must stink pretty bad by now,” he said, and Maria grinned. Yes he did.
    “How are you?” she asked instead.
    “I’m okay, don’t you worry.”
    “Did you see who did it? Who took Fort Andrews?” she asked. Jeremiah shook his head.
    “No, and I don’t think many here did. Everything happened so fast. Havelar and your mother and others just gathered whomever they could scramble, and then we got the hell out of there. Most of the soldiers were already past the Trickler. I think most got away, actually.” Maria looked back at the column as she listened.
    “So, have you seen my mother?” she asked. Jeremiah smiled, and she let out a breath of relief at his reaction.
    “Yes, you’ll see her soon. She’s been working with Havelar ever since your father was captured. I heard he died.” He trailed off. Maria nodded.
    “No one knows what happened…” she shrugged it off. Right now all she wanted was to see her mother again.
    “I’m truly sorry,” he said. As always, Jeremiah understood, and didn’t inquire any more. There would be time for that later.
    “Last I saw, your mother was with Havelar and Major Hammer, helping the final stragglers down from the pass. She’s probably anxious to see you, as well.”
    “I’ll go see if I can find her then. I guess you don’t need me here.” Maria turned to leave just as Sophie returned with a young man, Dr. Bowers. Jeremiah ushered her on.
    “Go see her then. We’ll talk more later.” She smiled again and skipped a few steps, eager to find her mother.
    The line of refugees seemed endless. Hundreds of people driven from their homes just as they were settling in, now placing their fate in the hands of those who had taken the same journey just a few months earlier. Maria pitied them. A few days ago, the soldiers from Fort Andrews would have crushed their little settlement, just as they had burned Port Hammer, and now they turned to them for refuge, fleeing an even greater enemy. It was too early to speculate as to who or what had attacked Fort Andrews, but whatever it was, it would be coming north, as well. So whatever their differences, they would all have to work together from now on.
    As she finally reached what seemed to be the last of the