Deadland Rising (Deadland Saga) (S) by Rachel Aukes Page A

party.”
    Charlie waved a hand. “Oh, I’m fine. Just a little tender.”
    “You were shot ,” I said.
    “And, the bullet missed everything that needs to keep working,” he countered.
    “Still,” Sarah added. “You have to be careful. There’s only so much medicine lying around.”
    “I know, I know,” Charlie said in a rush. “Enough about me. Have you picked your new roles? Today’s your last as free agents.”
    Clutch chuckled next to me. “By picking new roles, you mean signing up for jobs?”
    Charlie shrugged. “Roles, jobs, whatever you want to call them. But, seriously. Have you picked your role yet? It’s important to select the one that’s the best fit for you. It won’t feel as much like a job if you enjoy it.”
    “So you say,” I said with a smirk.
    “Well, whatever you picked, I hope you enjoy it,” Sarah said before placing a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “We need to grab on to any joy we can find nowadays.”
    Charlie held her hand, and they gazed into each other’s eyes. She then backed up the wheelchair, and the pair departed without another word.
    The crowd had thinned. People had returned to work or home.
    “I suppose it’s time for us to head to work,” I said.
    “See you after dinner,” Vicki said, and I waved to her and Deb as they walked away.
    Last night, we’d each settled on our roles, which we’d start today. We were all assigned the first shift since we were newcomers, though I suspected we’d each be assigned different shifts as we earned their trust.
    Once a school dietary aide, Vicki volunteered to help with rations. Deb volunteered to serve as a medical aide after she went for a prenatal checkup with New Eden’s only doctor and saw he had no help, but a waiting room full of patients with jammed fingers, splinters, and minor cuts. Dr. Edmund likely had agreed so he could keep a close eye on her health.
    “Be careful,” Hali said, eying Jase.
    “I always am,” Jase replied with a grin.
    She jogged to catch up with Vicki and Deb, since their workplaces were all in a close vicinity to one another. Hali signed up as soon as she found out New Eden had no one to manage the distribution of clothing and non-perishable supplies.
    Frost and Benji had long since disappeared. Frost, with his general contractor experience, had signed up for silo renovations, while Benji had full school days.
    The rest of us had signed up for security. When we arrived at the security building, Justin, along with another man, was already waiting for us.
    “Already report us to the capital?” Clutch asked, and I noticed a hint of something hard in his question.
    “All done,” Justin said, sounding pleased. Then he looked to each of us: Clutch, Griz, Jase, and me. “I was hoping a couple of you would choose the squadron. With you, we have a full team again.”
    He pointed to a SUV parked near the gate, where Marco leaned against the side of the vehicle and waved in our direction. “The squadron is meeting in about ten minutes from now. Clutch and Griz, they’re expecting you. Clutch, since you’re the senior-ranking military vet here, Marco proposed that you command the squadron.”
    Clutch pursed his lips. “A sergeant isn’t exactly senior ranking. There’s a reason sergeants aren’t commanders.”
    Griz chuckled. “Yeah, they’re too cranky to be one.”
    Clutch flipped him the bird. “It’s yours. You’re the only other soldier in this place.”
    “Oh, hell no,” Griz said. “I might have more of a personality, but the last thing I want to do is babysit amateurs. That’s up your alley.”
    I scowled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Griz smirked.
    “This is important,” Justin said, not giving Griz time for a witty comeback. “After losing Marco’s squadron to the Black Sheep and the capital claiming our other squadrons to locate survivors in the south, it’s crucial we keep our only squadron running in tip-top shape. This is our only crew equipped to