Survivalist - 15.5 - Mid-Wake by Jerry Ahern Page A

trying to return to his family in Georgia, and the airplane was diverted and the pilot and crew were unable to land the aircraft, and John did it. In New Mexico. The airplane was diverted that far. There were many people killed and many more injured. Paul told me about it all. John set out for Albuquerque, a town. A city. Paul and some other men went with him. To get help. The other men were more interested in saving themselves. Only Paul stayed with John. They found what they could to help and John—he is a doctor of medicine, you know?—worked at a hospital set up in a church—”
    “Whatis a church?”
    Shetold him. “A place that is usually quiet where you go to pray to God.” “God?”
    “TheSupreme Being who is the ultimate cause of the universe, some say. And He watches over us.”
    “Whatdoes one do when one prays?”
    “Youask God for wisdom or strength or courage, you ask Him to help other people.”
    “Ahospital—is this place where you pray?”
    “Therewas a tremendous fire in Albuquerque and there were many burn victims. John and Paul helped however they could. Then they drove a car back to the airplane.” And she started humming.
    “Whatare you doing?”
    “Paultold me they played a song by the Beach Boys, I
    think,in the car.”
    “Whatare Beach Boys?”
    “Asinging group. For entertainment. They drove to the airplane.”
    “Thesinging group—no—”
    “No—Johnand Paul. But Brigands had attacked the airplane and killed most of the people and kidnapped a stewardess.”
    “Awhat?”
    “Aflight attendant. Usually women. John and Paul fired at them and they escaped. John and Paul burned the bodies of the dead and then went after the Brigands. That was how Paul learned how to ride a motorcycle and shoot a gun.John and Paul faced about forty or so of them. But the woman they tried to rescue was killed. But John chased the killer down and killed him. Then they started to cross the country to get back to Georgia. And Paul had a family in Florida.”
    “Andthis is how Rourke and this other man found you?”
    “InTexas. They took care of me, took me with them. I think John knew all the time that I was a Soviet agent.”
    “Hefound incriminating documents?”
    “Hewas in the Central Intelligence Agency before that.”
    “Whatis this?”
    Shetold him. “The CIA was like the KGB, in a way.” “Then he arrested you.”
    Sheshook her head and it made her head swim a little. “He helped me. He treated my wound. He restored my body. He shared everything with me. He and Paul. And then we met the Brigands who were raiding all the towns and, to save some prisoners, John fought some of them man-to-man and we pretended to join them. Then this other group came and there was a big battle and the helicopters came.”
    “Atype of aircraft? Helicopters?”
    “Yes—a typeof aircraft. My husband’s soldiers were in them and Paul had been hurt badly and John surrene
    deredso Paul wouldn’t die.”
    “Thenif he was captured, this Rourke—how is it that—”
    “Ipromised they would be released. Vladmir would not release them. I helped them to escape. Vladmir punished me. My uncle tried to have Vladmir killed by John Rourke. And it almost worked. And then I was sent to Florida and—”
    “What?You get ahead of yourself again.”
    “Myuncle thought I needed a different assignment.”
    “Whathappened to Rourke?”
    “Weseparated. I thought I would never see him again. I had fallen in love with John, you see. And he fell in love with me, but he still loves his wife and he is a very honorable man and so we were never able to …” Natalia started to cry.

Chapter Eleven
    TheChairman, leader of the First City, had asked her to join him for breakfast. He had sent word by a messenger. Annie had told him that she would be honored, by messenger.
    Inher suite of rooms there were closets and they had been empty until she had hung in them the few things she had brought with her—a few extra blouses, an