Chapter 48 The Tenth Man

John walked down to the Pass for the first time in nearly a week. He felt bad for leaving it so long, but couldn’t tear himself away from Rosie.

With the constructor frame up and running, John used its raw power and torque to start moving the empty containers. He drove the first three half way into the space carved from the rock face. Then pushed from the side to get them flush.

This took most of the morning, so John stopped for what Robco called elevenses. He sat on a log, looking out over the view.

A moment of fright passed quickly as a black clad figure appeared from nowhere and sat next to him. “Fucking Recon.” John saw the funny side as Matt took half his sandwich.

“I wanted help out with this place.” Matt swung his legs over, facing inwards. “Those two going on top?”

“Yeah, need to sink an anchor into the rock and winch them up. Four bedrooms on top, three downstairs, and a living room.” John glanced over. “Then the same on the other side.”

“I know what I can do.” Matt took himself off to a pile of rocks, separating the flat ones.

John used the constructor frame to pull the metal cable, lifting the containers into place in turn. Inside, he marked the walls with spray paint. Cutting away the metal with a circular saw.

“John?” Matt called out. “Rosie says it’s quitting time.”

“Alright.” John knew better than to argue.

Matt joined them for dinner and spent the night on the couch. John saw how happy it made Rosie to have him there. The next morning, Matt beat him to the Pass. “I could use a hand today.” Matt asked.

“Sure.” John didn’t like doing the same thing two days in a row.

Matt had him cut an arch in the side of the newly built structure. Between them, they laid down large stone slabs. Then added increasingly smaller ones to form a curve. John broke down bigger rocks into flat pieces. Matt laid them in place, building layer on layer. Anytime a stone didn’t quite fit, he placed it aside. Soon picking it back up when he’d found the right space.

The instinctive technique soon built the stones into a fireplace and tapering chimney.

“Alright, cross your fingers.” Matt held a lighter to a split branch and lit the wood in the fireplace. The kindling caught, taking the branches with it. Matt and John scoured the fireplace for any wisps of smoke. Nothing escaped. “Check outside.” Matt headed out and John followed, seeing a steady plume of smoke escaping the chimney.

“I can fly you back if you want.” John offered as they sat by the fire, Matt geared up and ready. Already the containers began to feel warm and more welcoming.

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“No, I’m fine. Need to get out, know what I mean.” Matt warmed his hands by the fire then pulled on his gloves. “Besides, I’m not going that far.”

“Thanks for the help.” John fought the urge to gear up and head out.

“It’s a good thing you’re doing, glad to help.” Matt extended his and John shook it. “I’d like to come and see it when it’s full.”

“Sure.” John looked through the hole cut for a window. “Six weeks."

The next morning, John decided to change things up. Rather than working on each unit at the same time, he would finish one first. This gave a chance to see what worked and what didn’t. And it meant getting out into the field. Even if it was only an hour from the Rest.

John spent the day finding cars with intact windows. Once found, he cut the dirty glass free and put it in the truck. He also managed to pull a few of the seats that could be repaired. Then Robco would drive a little further down the eight lane blacktop, stopping at the next car husk.

“Get them mirrors too.” Robco called down. “Lou’ll find a use for them.”

“Must be quiet without them.” John yanked the wing mirrors free and tossed them in the cab.

“Yeah, but it’s what’s best for the boy.” Robco forced a smile.

“You should come over for dinner.” John didn’t like the thought of his friend alone.

“No, you two need your time together. Can’t see you having much free time when your place is up and running.” Robco pointed out something John hadn’t fully considered. “Still needs a name.”

“Names should never be given or taken lightly.” John had been taught the power a name could hold. “I have no idea.”

“The Pass has a certain ring to it. Keep it simple.” Robco started the truck and they headed for home.

The next day, John helped Robco set up the band saw at the Pass. A four foot, jagged tooth, vertical blade. Runners with clamps for the logs. Powered by a generator. John sank the hook side of his fire axe into a log and dragged it a few feet to the saw.

He clamped the log in place, fired up the saw, and fed the log through. The loud whir shifted into a scraping, and the log came out the other side. Split right down the middle. Instantly the shade reminded him of his own home.

“Not much to it. I’m sure one of the girls could handle it.” Robco suggested getting some help. John thought about calling Rosie, then realised it didn’t feel right somehow. So he asked directly.

“Janey, can you help me with something?” He asked over the comm, having seen Janey at breakfast.

“Certainly. I will join you in nine minutes.” She answered with robotic precision.

Eight minutes and fifty nine seconds later, Janey arrived. John fed one of the half logs through again, producing a plank. Janey repeated the simple procedure. “This piece has a variance.” Janey had a hint of disapproval in her voice.

“That’s ok.” John couldn’t see the difference.

“It will take seven point four hours to complete. I cannot guarantee a consistency beyond four millimetres.” Janey set about her task.

John started on the simple electrics, helped by Robco. They ran wires through plastic conduit glued to the wall. Testing each light fitting with a single bulb.

“Alright, let's hear the damage.” Robco had been telling John to add things to a list throughout the day.

“Four sinks and taps. Two toilets. Ten beds. Fourteen light bulbs. Two tables and chairs. Plus cooking equipment.” John sighed.

“Don’t look so glum, that’s not too bad.” Robco wrote on his own notepad. “Couple of radio’s, add it to the list.”

“I have completed my task.” Janey entered, her head turning nearly all the way round. “This is an efficient use of space.” She walked back outside. “I have arranged them by degrees of variances, starting with the highest.” Janey pointed at the neat stacks of planks.

“Thanks Janey.” John still couldn’t see a difference.