فصل 56

chapter-56 The fall of Gervaso.

“Gervaso!” Ian shouted.

I turned around. Ian was paralyzed.

“What happened?”

His voice was strained. “The Elgen got him.” “What do you mean, ‘got him’?” “They . . . got him.”

“We’ve got to rescue him,” I said.

Ian just looked at me, his eyes welling up with tears. “He blew the dock. He’s gone.” For a moment I couldn’t speak. Then I leaned over, resting my hands on my knees. “No!” Tears began to fill my eyes, then fall, spattering on the already wet floor. “No.” “I’m sorry, Michael.” Taylor put her hand on my back. After a minute she said, “You’re in charge now.” I stood back up. I caught my breath, then lifted the radio. In the strongest voice I could muster I said, “Everyone, this is Michael. Gervaso is gone, but he blew the dock. He gave his life for us. Remember that. Don’t let him die in vain.” I could hear Jack scream out over a distant radio. The sound of it made me feel even sicker. Jack had already lost Wade, now Gervaso. Gervaso was his hero. His mentor. A second father. A better father than his real one.

I radioed Jack directly. “I’m sorry, man.” “I knew I shouldn’t have left him,” he said. “I’m going to take them apart myself.” “I know,” I said. “Just keep it together. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.” The radio snapped. “This is Ostin. We’re going to need someone to take the tunnel. Gervaso has the gun nest set up but it’s wide open. I’m detecting movement near its mouth.” “I’ll take the tunnel,” Zeus said.

“Roger that,” I said. “Zeus has the tunnel. Don’t let anyone in!”