Perfect World Somewhere

Chapter 10

Delia pointed upriver, toward the west. "We should stay close to the water. The Kaezer will be stationed far from it, due to the contamination. Ben sent me a map. About a mile out, the banks widen into a ravine. It'll lead us straight to the base, but we'll have to be watchful."

They began the trek, as the horizon brightened from rose to blood in the east. Morning light fragmented across the river's surface, blinding, yet hypnotic.

They traveled until sundown. The path became steeper, narrower, more rocky. In some areas, it was a sheer drop to the lethal water below. The river rushed noisily downhill beside them, snaking its way along the tall ridge.

They found a sheltering overhang at the top, and camped for the night.

The following day, they trudged across a sparse, stony flat.

As evening lengthened the shadows, they heard the sound of high-pitched turbines.

"Take cover, quickly," Delia shouted. She dashed toward a copse of trees, pulling Lily and Clarence by the hands. Daddy and Krept followed.

An ominous shadow drifted along the ground, and they saw the gleam of brass against dull gray steel. The red and black of the Kaezer's symbol was bold on the side of the rotorcraft. It flew toward the north, at an altitude low enough to spot them.

Lily sighed in relief as it disappeared into the distance. Nevertheless, it was a reminder that the enemy was near. They waited a while, to be sure it was gone.

On the third day, they woke at dawn.

It was chilly, and Lily pulled her scarf and coat tight.

Their route turned to the north. As the sun climbed high to noon, they spotted the first lookout tower.

"It's just ahead, on the rise," Daddy said, scanning the horizon through his binoculars.

Delia surveyed the map through her display visor. "That's it. We're almost there."

Delia's pace quickened as they drew closer. She watched the sky, her gray eyes hopeful.

They finally reached the perimeter, and found an open spot in the rusty, forgotten wire. Then they picked their way across a field littered with debris and broken machinery.

Not far in, they found a dilapidated storage bunker, and sheltered inside. Delia and Daddy unpacked the supplies from Krept, and sent it to survey the area.

The robot returned about fifteen minutes later, and Delia switched off the engine. She connected her display to its access panel, and spoke her commands.

"According to Krept, the base is empty," she said. "No sign of activity, human or mechanical."

"The children should stay here," said Daddy. "And one of us can go to the airstrip at sunset."

"Agreed. I'll take the watch," Delia said. "You stay with Lily and Clarence. Should trouble arise, I'll return promptly."

They refreshed themselves with their scant water and dried rations, and waited. At sunset, Delia took Krept to the airstrip. The shuttle was due to arrive anytime.

Lily was anxious. She could only imagine the colonies. According to Delia, Celestine was a cylindrical habitat, with five hundred square miles of living space in a rotating enclosure. Supposedly, it resembled a pristine, ideal version of Earth.

Clarence sat beside her. "It'll be fun to go into space," he said. He touched the shiny golden ring, dangling on a cord around Lily's neck. "I miss Mama, and all of our family."