“We need to. I … I saw an opening. The tunnels, Mark, there’s an opening. Unguarded.”

This was interesting. “Are you certain?”

“I saw it. It’s just a little farther back.” She took his hand. “Come on, let’s do it.”

This felt wrong, and he wondered exactly what had just happened in these woods.

“We need to plan first, if we’re going in the tunnels.”

“At least look at them and be sure I’m right. I don’t want to bring the others back here for no reason.”

Tunnels were tempting because of the damage he could do, but because it was too late for any effective surprise, they were a potential death trap.

“We’ll plan it out it with the others.”

“We need to do this now, Mark, while we have a chance.”

He started off toward the road. “Now is not the time.”

She followed, coming close to him. “How do your helmets work?”

“Well.”

“I wish I had one. Are they steel?”

“There’s steel in them.”

“A lot?”

“Five pounds of it. What’s with all the questions? Nobody cares.”

“I want one, Mark. I feel I need it.” She slipped her arm in his. “Can I borrow yours?”

“I’ll see if I can find you one.”

In a few more minutes they reached the road and a double-cab pickup that Linda and Pete had obtained in Willoughby.

He motioned Gina into the back with Linda. He and Pete took the front. Pete would drive, Mark watch for any signs of ambush.

“Get rolling,” he said to Pete.

“What about Kelly?” Pete replied over the static-choked drone of the dashboard radio.

“Just move out, please.”

Nothing more needed to be said, they understood that another casualty had been taken and knew that Mark’s focus would now be on the next battle.

Given that communications with Washington were down due to the storm, Mark’s plan was to head for Vandenberg Air Force Base, which was the nearest intact air force facility likely to have the type of plane they needed. The Fresno Air National Guard base was closer, but it trained in F-16s and might not have transport aircraft available. Trying for Travis involved moving through known hybrid infestation. Not wise.

Mark did not expect them to survive the attempt to leave Big Basin, but he was obligated to try. If even one of them lived, they could provide Washington with crucial intelligence.

Gina sat stiffly beside Linda and directly behind Mark. He had placed her there quite intentionally. She had tried to lure him into what he presumed was a trap. Failing that, she had asked about his helmet. Why? Did she really feel a need for one? In this sort of battle, they were obviously just an encumbrance. Therefore, she had some other motive. For some reason, she wanted it off his head.