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Chapter 38

The next dayBeckett had another visit from Dan.

“I found her. She’s at the camps.”

“Oh, thank god.” Beckett dropped his head to his hands. “Jeez, man, okay what do we—”

“There’s a problem though. Sarah and I can’t get past the nimrod at the front desk. He’s a total tool — shuffled through paperwork, finally admitted she was there — she was logged in this morning. But then informed me that the camp is off limits to visitors. Can you believe it? I was thinking I could sneak through, but Sarah is worried I’d get Luna in trouble, you know?”

Beckett pressed his thumb to his lips, “Yes, Sarah is probably right. Thank you though. I appreciate it.”

“We have to come up with a plan, she can’t stay there. We need an endgame.”

“Yeah, you’re — what was it like? What was the vibe? It’s like she’s been arrested, but for what? I don’t get it.”

“I don’t know. I’ve seen photos of the camps and they seem awful, but I think they’re just a way station. . .”

Beckett nodded. “Just temporary, that’s what I think too.” He ran his hand up and down on his scalp. “We have to check every day until they’re ready to move her. Where do they move them?”

Dan said, “I’ve been asking about that. It’s supposed to be a settlement of some kind, but no one knows where or when. The idea sounded so planned when I heard about it on the news, but now that I’m investigating, no one seems to understand the actual plan.”

Beckett whistled. “This sucks — did you get our things off the ship?”

“Yes, they’re at our place.”

“Then you’ve got my keys, mind getting my motorcycle? You can park it in long term parking, I have money. It looks like I’ll be here for a while.”

Dan grinned, “Awesome! Sarah won’t let me ride motorcycles, but as a favor, how can she refuse?”

Beckett jokingly groaned, “You know how to drive her, right? Promise you won’t hurt her?”

“Promise.”

“Look man, I appreciate all of this. I don’t know what I would do without your help.”

“’Course you do, and of course I am, because you’re dating my favorite little sister. So I have to. Even though you’re an Army guy and she’s dating you against my years and years of brotherly advice.”

Beckett chuckled, “You could tell her, but Luna just wouldn’t listen.”

Dan shook his head slowly, “I kept saying, ‘Sis, Army battles against the water, Navy floats on top of the water, which one you want to spend your life with?’ But would she listen?”

“She did not. I’m glad she didn’t.” Beckett sighed. “Navy has its own battles though.”

“True, but I prefer those to battling man any day.”

“I’ve been lucky so far, sandbags.”

Dan nodded sadly. “Yes, you’ve had an epic lucky streak so far, the Outpost didn’t collapse, you found Luna twice, maybe it will get you out of heading East to the front.”

“Maybe—but I can’t see how. How’s Jeffrey doing?”

“He’s booking out tomorrow. Three years. We have a going away dinner tonight but it won’t be very festive. Not like on the ship. Man, I want to go back out.”

They sat quiet for a second and Dan added, “Dr Mags said she would try to get in to see her tomorrow. Maybe as a doctor she can—”

“Yeah, that would be really good. And tell Jeffrey bye from me, I look forward to seeing him again.”

“I will man. Not in the East though, here in Heighton Port or onboard the H2OPE.”

“Yeah.” Beckett stared off into space for a second. “Do you think she’ll hate me for this? I made her come to shore. I told her it would be okay.”

“She forgave you for the dart in her ass, so probably.”

Beckett nodded and stood to go back to his cell. This sucked. He was asking too much of people, but he still needed more. It had been days. He had involved all these people and still, all he knew was Luna was alive. Nothing more.

It was so frustrating that he needed to go sit in his cell on a cold hard bench and press his hands to his eyes.

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