Northpoint Lodge

The next morning

Nigel couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so well. The room was bright from the rising sun. Blanka lay next to him. He watched her slow, methodical breathing for a very long time. She smiled when she opened her eyes. He returned it with a kiss.

An hour later, Nigel and his companions ate breakfast in the common area. The kitchen brimmed with supplies, and he estimated they had enough food to last the winter.

“We’re you able to get on the internet?” Vedrana asked.

“I checked the entire lodge for any kind of signal. There isn’t anything here.”

“I found a communications device,” Eva said.

“A phone?”

“Sort of. You will need to look after breakfast.”

“How are you feeling, Eva?”

The assassin seemed to consider for a long moment. It was if she were taking inventory.

“Because of you, I’m well, Nigel.”

Eva whispered something in Vedrana’s ear and the two chuckled like two schoolgirls. He smiled as they enjoyed the moment.

“What are you two going on about?” Blanka asked.

“Nothing,” Vedrana said, composing herself.

Blanka smiled, then took Nigel’s hand.

Two hours later, Nigel tried to remember how to use a ham radio. He knew a little about such devices. His friend Milo was an expert on many radio devices. When they were in high school, Milo tried to teach Nigel a handle on “Milford Rogue.” Milo had come up with the name to tease Nigel since he played a rogue class in the Colossal Machine. Nigel pulled up his notes app on his phone to find Milo’s information and was greeted with a “No Service” message.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I may not have a working phone, but I can reach out to a friend.

Nigel switched the radio’s frequency to match the information in his notes app.

“Milford Rogue trying to reach Charming Rat—over!”

Nigel tried the radio for several hours, only taking minimal breaks in between. He was about to give up when the radio came to life.

“Nige, is that you?”

“Yes, Milo. I can hear you,” Nigel said with some excitement in his voice.

“Switching to private freq C, over,” Milo said.

What the hell is that?

Nigel searched his notes app, but found nothing. Then, on a whim, checked his encrypted notes. It drew his eyes to an entry labeled “P.F.C.”

That must be it!

He opened the note and followed the instructions on tuning the radio to Milo’s private channel.

“Milford Rogue to—”

“Nige, it’s so nice to hear your voice.”

It was good to hear his friend talk. Even if it was over a radio.

“How goes it in Milford?”

“I won’t lie: not good. We have this crazy politician who has convinced three cities and counties to secede from the state. I didn’t know he could even do that. How have you been?”

“That’s crazy, Milo. I’ve been trying to get my shit together and set thing right after my mistake.”

“Oh, it’s been such a long time since we talked, I thought you were gone.”

A pang of regret stabbed him in the heart. He had left Milo hanging all those months ago.

“It’s a long story. I will tell you sometime.”

“Well, you must have called me for a reason. What do you need?”

“I’m sort of cut off where I am. Do you have an internet connection?”

“Oh, it hasn’t worked in a long time. The phone company has been by, but it still doesn’t work. I get my news from my radio buddies who operate stations throughout the world. If you need something, I can get it for you,” Milo said.

No internet. That must mean that the backbone is damaged. The cabal must cover their tracks.

“I need any information you can find on Mr. Tage. I need to contact him.”

“Nige, I’m not sure where you’ve been. But everything is down. We’re lucky that the power is still on. Dad has a generator, and I’ve been volunteering to put people in touch with each other now that phone and the internet are dead.”

“Just see if you can get a message to him. I will call again tomorrow.”

“If I can reach him! Dammit, Nige, you’re not the easiest person to be friends with sometimes,” Milo admonished.

“Does that mean you will help?”

“Yes, I will help,” Milo said in a low voice.

“Good luck, and thanks, Milo.”

His friend disconnected the line. He had shelter at the lodge, but if what Milo said was true, he was more screwed than he cared to admit.