Free Conquest ~ Indian Hill 3 ~ A Michael Talbot Adventure by Mark Tufo

televisions that were stationed throughout the complex. Everyone had seen what had transpired , but no one knew what had happened. Paul had kept the raid very tight to the vest in case there was a spy among st them or at least a sympathizer, pretty much the same thing Paul figured , one definition let that person sleep easier at night. Paul had yet to hear from the Marine raiders and he was apprehensive as hell. H e didn’t know how anyone could have survived the barrage the transport laid down, but if anyone could , Paul was confident it would be Mike . T he guy was just about unstoppable. Whatever doubts Mike might harbor about his skills, Paul knew he would be the key to any type of successful resistance. The price had been high to save him but the payout would most assuredly be higher. Paul heard from the Marines almost ten hours later. The message was sent over a ham radio with a taped message. There was no doubt in his mind the aliens would be scanning the globe for any and all transmissions, so it would be a lot safer for the sender s to put the message on tape and have it go off at a safe time when t he y could put as much distance between t h e msel ves and the radio. Four minutes after Paul received the message the bunker that had contained the sending radio had been destroyed.
    ‘The packages are in hand — will deliver on schedule.’
    “Packages?” Paul muttered. “That has got to be an enunciation error.” But Paul knew better, the Marines wouldn’t have said the plural if they hadn’t meant it. W hat it meant he would find out soon enough he figured .
    “Hey , Paul , at least you won’t have to stop any riots tonight ,” Frank said leaning against the door frame leading into Paul’s office , a drink in each hand.
    “Double fisting it tonight ? ” Paul asked specu la tively.
    “No, not at the moment ,” Frank answered . “ I thought you might want to join me in a celebratory toast. ”
    Paul had to ponder for a moment, but the feeling of utter relief was flooding through him, “Actually, that sounds pretty good ,” Paul said as he stood up to receive the proffered drink.
     

    CHAPTER S E VENTEEN
     
    “ So when is the next Worcester run?” Beth asked as she finished off her supper of canned apple pie and something that resembled meat, of which variety she didn’t dare ask.
    Max looked at her a little curiously, “Why ?” he asked cautiously.
    “I would like a ride ,” Beth answered .
    “Lady , it’s not exactly a trip to the mall , ” Max said, doing his best to impress the seriousness of the situation.
    “It’s not that at all , Max . I’m trying to get somewhere . I’ve been here for three days. There’s someone I’m trying to get back to.”
    In more ways than one , she thought.
    “Lady , there is no ‘home’ anymore ,” he said . “There’s just here.”
    “Max , I know you won’t understand , but I need to. There’s some wrongs I need to right ,” she said , having a hard time believing that she had to explain herself to an eleven year old. “There’s a place I know that might be safe.”
    “You’re gonna leave this place for some other place that ‘might’ be safe?” h e stressed.
    She could see his logic but her determination remained “Max can I get a ride or not?”
    Max understood the tables were turned . H ere was an adult asking for his permission, even at his tender age he could understand the irony of it.
    “What about the little ones?”
    Beth stared at him , not understanding.
    “They need a mother ,” he said trying his best to put on a brave front, but Beth could’ve sworn that he turned his head to wipe an eye that wasn’t quite as dry as it previously was.
    “Mother? Me? Max , I barely know them and I’m far from a mother.”
    “But … but you’re the closest thing we… they have here.”
    Beth’s stomach turned, she had not even really thought about what the children needed. Could she really leave them t here all alone? But