The four started back up to the main level, and Travers was amazed by what she saw in the pit. The area that just three months ago had been all but wide open was now completely packed with equipment and supplies. The fire apparatus they'd examined, wasn't even visible behind the mass of new equipment that had arrived.

There were dozens of Humvees and off-road motorcycles in the foreground. She counted almost as many UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and even a few AH-64D Apache gunships.

There were huge cargo planes which she suspected might be C-141's and even a pair of fighter jets. Beyond that, there was a sea of earth moving and construction equipment. Whatever was waiting for them after the sleep, they would be ready.

The group made their way back up to the main level and gathered in the mess hall, where the remaining members of the sleeper project had gathered for a brief celebration. The team enjoyed their last few hours together, sharing stories and many laughs. The whole group grew dead quiet when Amy Travers made a toast to the late James Cowan.

As the food started running out, a double beep sound emitted from the intercom on the wall. RJ walked over to the wall and pushed the button. “RJ.”

“General Fitch's helicopter is inbound, should be on the ground in five,” a female voice from the command center announced.

“Thanks.”

RJ turned and saw Matt getting up from his chair and she walked across to him.

“Well RJ, this place is all yours now,” he said.

“Thanks, General.” She hugged him briefly before stepping back to allow others to say their goodbyes. The remaining members of the sleep project team were gathering their stuff and heading for the helipad.

“Sir, do you mind if I walk out with you?” Amy questioned.

“Of course not, Amy.”

One of the security personnel appeared at the door, taking the General's bags and starting for the elevator.

For the first half of the walk, neither Travers nor Fitch said a word. Finally, Matt Fitch gently placed his arm around her shoulders in a fatherly way. “You scared?”

“No. At least, no more than anyone else is. I keep thinking about Cowan though.”

“Me, too. He was a good friend to both of us,” Fitch commented.

“Yeah, he was. I was wondering… about his family.” Travers paused considering how to word the question she so desperately wanted the answer to.

Before she could ask, Matt finished for her. “Kathy and their son arrived at shelter16 in Florida this morning. They'll have a good chance.”

“Do they know the truth?”

Fitch paused for a second or two. “I went to their house after the funeral. We had a long talk.”

Amy knew precisely what he was alluding to, and it helped to know that James' family knew how important what he'd been doing had been.