From The Ashes (Life After War) by Angela White Page A

to man's favor.”
    Adrian tried to estimate a number of lost souls and couldn't. “How do I convert them once called?”
    “ The same as you do your living herd–carefully.”
     
    5
    “ The Ambulance and escorts are back.”
    “ Copy.”
    When Adrian got to the QZ, he found Seth waiting for him at the tape. The headache in his temples grew worse as his mind continued to sort through all that Dog had shared.
    “ Rick's dead.”
    Adrian didn't congratulate Seth, sensing the damage was bad.
    “ Samantha has a concussion and a face that looks like she went five rounds with a Heavyweight. She got off easy.”
    They both turned as the ambulance door opened, watching John and Anne help Becky into a wheelchair. Even covered in sheets and the haze of drugs, it was clear what she'd suffered.
    “ She doesn't want to talk to you or her mom yet–said if you make her, you'll both be sorry.”
    “ What did John say?”
    Seth's hands clenched. “John wants her under 24-hour suicide watch in the medical tent.”
    It was still better than what Adrian had expected upon finding out that Rick had also taken Becky.
    “ And Samantha?”
    “ I'll live.”
    Sam came out of the ambulance slowly, grateful to John for insisting on the pain killers. She felt like shit, and not the normal kind–but a pile that had been rubbed across the sidewalk by dozens of feet.
    Adrian immediately went to help her, scowling at her misshapen face and bandaged hands. “I'm sorry.”
    Sam shrugged. “I brought him here. You don't owe me that.”
    “ Rebecca won't accept it, either.” Seth muttered, shattered inside in a way that he had no idea how to heal. “She hates everyone.”
    “ Adrian didn't do this. Neither did Neil or myself–Rick did,” Sam stated firmly. “In time, she'll realize that.”
    Sam's head turned toward the QZ's small parking area, where the guards were preparing for the mission team's triumphant arrival. Extra tents were going up, the mini Mess was being erected, and the smell of food was wafting over them. Very soon now, she would have to face her own mistakes and sacrifice her desires to repair the damage.
    “ You headed for a tent?” Adrian asked, sure John wanted her resting.
    Sam's eyes stayed on the parking area, where camp women were gathering–some waiting to help the new people, some waiting to care for the Eagles. “There's something I need to do first.”
    Adrian recognized the tone and waved an alert-looking rookie over. “Stay with her. She gets out of your sight, you're out of my army.”
    Samantha and the rookie both frowned, but Seth nodded in approval. During the ride, Sam told him how Rick had waited for the rookies to leave her alone during the shift change. He’d grabbed her from the shower during the ten minute lapse. None of the camp's special people would ever be without guards again.
    Engines swelled, and the redhead crossed his arms over his chest, face tightening. He hadn't argued with Samantha about it not being anyone's fault but Rick's. She was beaten and medicated, why bother? However, Neil, who Seth could see as the trucks rolled closer, hadn't suffered anything. He didn't even know what had happened, but Seth was about to make sure that the trooper was aware of the debt he owed to the devastated girl in his tent.
     
    6
    “ You are approaching an American M-Military Refugee Camp. Identify yourselfs!”
    Frowning, Neil keyed the mic, “Amber waves of grain.”
    “ Swelcome back!” Mitch slurred cheerfully.
    “ Thanks, drunk,” Neil lashed out sarcastically. “That means so much coming from you.”
    Laughter floated over the camp.
    Neil didn't give their radio man time to respond. “Your mission is now complete, gentlemen. Well done.”
    Headlights from the rest of the team flashed in his mirror as the radio lit up.
    “ The doctor is waiting, the mini-Mess has cold sandwiches, milk, and hot coffee.”
    Mitch now sounded tense, like he was hurriedly trying to sober up while looking