Dozens of RVs crowded the parking lots. Red coals smoldering from a few campfires illuminated the darkness like scattered stars in a galaxy of night.
While the civilian sector was quiet and still, dozens of soldiers were moving about. Dressed in full tactical gear, they carried crates of supplies and canvas duffle bags between several transport vehicles.
Like they were preparing for a mission. Or to ship out.
Their escorts led them into an industrial building, down a long dark hallway, and into a room illuminated by a single electric lamp.
Charlie Hamilton sat before a desk surrounded by crates of weapons and ammo. Several bullet-proof vests were slung over the back of a nearby chair.
He looked up as they entered, his face breaking into a wide smile. Built like a fire hydrant, he was short but brawny. His features were strong—thick brows, large nose, dark eyes. “Hannah. This is a bit of a surprise.”
“I’m sorry to intrude so late—or rather, so early.”
“How’s my favorite Delta? Where is that ugly mug? I’ve missed him.”
She struggled to rein in the sudden surge of emotion. “He’s not here.”
His face fell a little, but he maintained that warm, gregarious smile. “Can’t say I’m not disappointed. Don’t tell him that, though.”
He had an open, honest face. Hannah had liked the former Army Ranger the moment she met him. “Well, what can I do for you?”
She eyed the magazines spread across the desk. He was loading them from several boxes of 5.56 mm ammunition. “I thought you’d be sleeping.”
“Can’t tell you how much I wish I was.” He scrubbed at his face with the back of his arm. His eyes were bloodshot. “No rest for the weary. We just received marching orders. We’re to link up with General Sinclair to take out a dug-in group of domestic terrorists.”
Hannah’s heart seized. Terrorists. Anger vibrated through her. She could feel Perez shaking at her side.
She placed a restraining hand on the other woman’s arm. They needed to do this very, very carefully. “I thought you weren’t supposed to involve yourselves with local disputes.”
His eyes narrowed. “We’re not. These orders came straight from the top. Brass says to jump, we say how high.”
“Do you know the specific target?” she asked.
He shot her a funny look. “We’ll be debriefed upon arrival. Why do you ask?”
She took a breath, steeling herself. “Major Hamilton, may I speak plainly? It’s important.”
He set down the half-loaded magazine and looked up at her. The jovial tilt to his mouth faded as he sensed the seriousness of their visit. “Of course.”
“If Liam were here, he’d be having this conversation with you. But he’s not. He surrendered himself to General Sinclair’s custody last night.”
Hamilton stared at her. “What?”
“We are those ‘domestic terrorists.’ The entire town of Fall Creek. Women, children, elderly—everyone. And Liam Coleman is General Sinclair’s number one target. An enemy of the state.”
Hamilton pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “I find that difficult to believe.”
“That’s because it’s a lie. All of it. A cover up to justify one man’s twisted desire for vengeance.”
Hamilton turned and glanced at the map of Michigan hung on the opposite wall. Small colored pins were stuck in various towns and cities, most of them clustered in Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids.
Hamilton ran a hand through his scruffy, too-long hair. Gray stubble bristled along his jaw. He looked like a man in desperate need of a shower.
Perez started to say something, but Hannah shook her head. Perez shut her mouth and frowned.
“Coleman’s no terrorist,” Hamilton said. “I’ve known him for a decade. He’s a good man. A patriot. He served and sacrificed for this country same as I did.”
“He hasn’t changed. I can promise you that.”
“Have you spoken to the General yourself?” Perez asked, unable to help herself. “Did he give you the orders?”
“No, I haven’t. But they came through the proper channels. I can’t just defy orders from my superiors. It came straight from Lansing.”
“They’re relying on faulty information. The General is unhinged. According to our intelligence, he’s not even a real general. Not anymore. Years ago, he was dishonorably discharged. After the Collapse, Governor Duffield appointed him as his security advisor.”