The first voice he heard was Sam’s.  “Allistor?  You there, boy?”

“I’m here, Sam.  Good to hear from you.  How are things at the Warren?  Has Nancy created any mutant bunnies?”

“Ha!  She heard that.  And she’s giving you the finger,” Sam replied. “Things are going smooth enough here.  We’ve been going out and foraging every day.  Brought back a few interesting things to sell.  Made a trip to your gun shop outpost and loaded up some more weapons.  We can talk about that when you get back.”

They spoke for a few more minutes, Allistor feeling reassured by how calm things seemed to be at the Warren.  He updated them on the two new Strongholds, and the people he’d recruited.  His plans for a Citadel had everyone excited.  “We’re really doing this.” Meg’s voice was quiet.  “We’re really going to survive this thing.”  She sniffed, and Allistor knew there were tears in her eyes.

“I’ll be back soon, Meg.  I’m going to get things settled here and then stop back home before continuing on to Casper.  So I’ll see you tomorrow or the next day.”

They exchanged a few pleasantries and signed off.    Airman Redd accompanied him back to the mess hall, where everyone was still gathered.

“Have you guys got some vehicles?  Enough to move everybody here? Except for a few who will stay to guard this place?  I want to introduce you to the others at the mall.”

Andrea quickly organized three people to stay, temporarily, to guard the Stronghold and watch over the dragonlings.  She sent two airmen to grab vehicles and tasked Redd to make sure they had working handheld radios that would reach the mall, and an extra base setup to be installed there permanently.  That way the Warren, Mall, and Silo could stay in constant contact.

Of the forty Air Force personnel who inhabited the complex on Apocalypse day, twenty six airmen had survived to meet Allistor, and three of those were now dead.  With three more staying behind, an even score accompanied him back to the Mall.   He drove his ranger truck with Helen and Fuzzy riding along.  Behind him were two dark blue vans with the Air Force logo on the side.   He led them out of the Silo’s gates, which he set to close remotely, and across Cheyenne to the Mall.   He honked his horn as soon as the gates closed behind him, and Dean’s survivors emerged to greet them.

He left the introductions to Andrea, who knew everyone in both groups.  They all retired inside to the food court, where there was seating for everyone to chat, and plenty of sunlight for the airmen who’d been underground for weeks.    They talked about the Apocalypse and their different experiences since.  A few of the airmen told the story of clearing the lower levels, and their battle with the drake.  The discovery of the dragonling eggs caused quite a stir.