Three sets of eyes turned on Cowan. After a few seconds, he slowly shook his head. “No, I can't. I won't go. I won't leave my wife to die, while I hide out here.” The idea of leaving Kathy to die while he sought safety wasn't something he would even consider. When they'd married twenty-four years earlier, he'd promised her that he would be with her unto death. He'd never lied to her, and she'd never let him down. He couldn't let her die alone.

“James, this project needs your expertise. We need you there in case there are any problems,” RJ responded gently.

“Sorry RJ. I won't leave my wife.” The tone in Cowan's voice was determined and it was clear this was not something he'd budge on.

“Hey James, isn't your wife a teacher?” General Fitch suddenly asked.

“Yeah, she teaches high school history. Why?”

Fitch turned to RJ. “Do we have a need for another teacher on the project?”

“Well, we originally wanted to sleep twelve teachers but cut back to ten to make room for another nurse and a molecular biologist. But we kept a few beds in reserve for this type of situation,” RJ said reluctantly. RJ liked Cowan and understood his concern.

“What do you think, James?” the General asked.

“I'll have to discuss it with her, She knows something is going on, not the details. But she is too smart to have not connected many of the dots. I don't know if she'll be willing to leave our son behind.”

“How old is he?” RJ asked.

“DJ is twenty-two, he's a senior in college.”

“I can't do that one for you. Sorry.”

Cowan nodded, sadness in his eyes. “I know.”

“James, I could guarantee that he gets a spot in an underground shelter if she agrees. There’s lots of flexibility with who we put in the shelters,” Fitch added.

“I'll head home tonight and discuss it with her. I think she might agree.”

“Good. The next thing we need to cover is the move in date,” RJ said. “Is there a plan in place?”

“Yes. Next month we start bringing in supplies– vehicles, food, tools, construction equipment, building supplies, etcetera. Most of the delivery schedules are already in place. In six months, the livestock arrives. We'll have a three to one ratio of females to males in all species and the females will be impregnated before their arrival, which will almost double the number of each species we take with us.”