You’re going to have to break down the door. She’ll die if you don’t.
Fuck, I’d be as bald as T-Bone if I kept tearing my hair out over this shit. The easiest solution was to keep Mari home and guarded at all times, but she’d never go for that. I could only do it for so long too, before even my paranoid ass started to feel uneasy about keeping her prisoner. And that was if the warning was even about her in the first place. But why would my brother come to me in a dream to tell me about anyone else?
Damn it, Daren. Would it kill you to give one premonition that made sense?
“Ah, sorry to keep you gentlemen waiting.”
Governor Vance headed our way from his office wing with Josh in tow. While suited up and sharp as usual, the governor looked slightly disheveled from a few small details that were easy to miss. His voice was a bit hoarse and his tie was slightly askew. His face was flushed, skin dewy. But the most telling sign was the young woman storming away from his office, her blonde braid swinging angrily against her back.
“Daughter troubles, sir?” I inquired casually, although I wasn’t just making conversation. I wanted him to know that small details wouldn’t slip past me. As long as this politician knew he couldn’t cut any deals behind my back, we could have a very productive working relationship.
“Don’t get me started,” he sighed, wiping his brow with a handkerchief delicately. “Sometimes I wonder if a boy would’ve been easier.”
“We’re living proof that they’re not,” Gunner chuckled.
“Fair enough. Right this way, gentleman.” Vance and Josh turned, leading us down a corridor. “I’m eager to show you what I couldn’t after dark last night.”
We went out another set of doors in the back of the building. Hades waited patiently for us at the back door, seemingly unperturbed about not being allowed inside. To our left, I spotted the patio where we had cigars after dinner. The small lake just off the patio stretched out in front of us, appearing to wrap around the back of the building. The water lapped softly at the shore, choppy and gray with the new winter-like weather.
Governor Vance led us over a quaint wooden bridge that crossed over the narrowest part of the lake. On the other side was a large expanse of land in various stages of development, from the completed house on the water he showed us last night, to work crews still pouring foundations and sawing lumber.
He led us down the freshly-paved perimeter roads first, waving to crews setting up the frames of houses. We stopped to talk to one of the master builders who showed us floor plans of the structures going up. Most of the homes were spacious, big enough for families. Another set of floor plans showed a condo project, smaller spaces for single people and couples without children.
If nothing else, the governor was making sure to cover all his bases. We ventured inward, toward the center of the development where the roads were still dirt and gravel. He pointed out areas where he planned for businesses and schools to go up, and a central square for gatherings and celebrations. According to his vision, this whole area across the lake would become its own city. The territory of Four Corners stretched out far beyond the main city, but was mostly uninhabited desert and ruins. With so many people flocking here, it was a constant race to rebuild fast enough.
“This is going to be a playground for children.” Vance swept his arm over a crew of men welding metal pieces together for some climbing structure. “And here, a community garden. Something for the women to do, eh?” He chuckled to himself, the only one to laugh.
“Or the stay-at-home dads,” Gunner returned. “That’s the life path I’m ready for.”
“Mari might let you do that,” I mused. “If you get any better at cooking than Jandro.”
“Shit, I’m fucked. I can barely use a toaster.”
“Rich bitch.”
“Whatever, broke bitch.”
We laughed together while Shadow kept silent. I wondered how he felt about the whole child-rearing thing, or if he gave it any thought at all. The guy probably had zero positive association with childhood or parental figures. All the better that there would be four of us, should Mari decide to bring him into the fold. And if we could all learn to be as patient as she was, maybe we could show him how good raising a family could be.
“You see?” Vance beamed at us ribbing each other. “Your whole club can find home in this community. Your officers could be a neighborhood watch, of sorts, working with the army to keep the territory safe.”
“It’s got a lot of potential,” I admitted, looking around at the half-constructed buildings. “And it’s a beautiful dream to have.”
“I’m sensing hesitation,” the governor pressed gently. “What are your concerns, president?”
“The fact that you’re bordered from the north, south, and east by enemies,” Gunner answered for me. “At least one of which has a personal interest in attacking you.”
“That,” I agreed. “It’s wonderful what you’re doing here, Governor, but we can’t help but feel like you’re building a future on a very shaky present. Blake and Tash’s territories need to be dealt with first, before we make any plans of putting down roots.”
“Oh, I don’t disagree at all, Reaper. General Bray will be here any moment to discuss plans for securing the borders—”
“Secure borders aren’t enough.” I shook my head. “We had secure borders at Sheol. They got in anyway with drones and bombs. We need to go on the offensive, governor.”
Gunner nodded through everything I said. Shadow stood by with his own silent support while Vance and Josh exchanged nervous glances.
“While I certainly understand your feelings, Reaper, Four Corners is a territory of refuge. Our army is built on principles of protection, of defense first and foremost. I’m hesitant to send soldiers to almost-certain deaths when the vast majority of them came here to ensure safety for their families.”
“We want the exact same thing, sir.” Gunner clasped his hands in front of him. “I wasn’t kidding about the stay-at-home dad thing. I want to live in a world where my wife can do work she loves and I spend my retirement doting on my kids. But none of that is possible if we just sit and wait while Tash and Blake wreak destruction all around us. We have to fight, bleed, and sacrifice for that peaceful life.”
“General Bray would agree with you,” Vance sighed. “He can tell you himself when he gets here how frustrated he is at my inaction. The army is sharp and well-trained under him, he’s just waiting for my command. I know I’ve had a privileged life compared to you men, but I don’t take the responsibility of my citizens’ lives lightly. If Bray says we must go to war and you do as well, I am prepared to make that call, but only if there’s no other way.”
“Is he supposed to get here soon?” Gunner tilted his face up, making note of the sun directly overhead as it peaked through the clouds. “Mari wanted me to pick her up for lunch soon.”
“Yes, yes. Anytime now.” Josh looked at his watch.
“He has some new recruits he might be spending some extra time with,” Vance mused. “A father figure to all the runaways, that one. He demands a lot from his soldiers, but has a soft heart underneath.”