She ducks to avoid the bullets and drives into some nearby trees where the trucks can’t follow. From there, she radios the news.
The transport trucks are full of troops, and they’re coming our way.
23
We have justenough time to set explosives on the road and move our people into position. Three transport trucks of troops equal a large number. In a one-to-one fight, we’d probably end up in a stalemate.
But we have the advantage—not only because we have the element of surprise but because we can place ourselves in the most advantageous positions.
So thirty minutes later, I’m sitting with Ben in one of the Central Cities motors we commandeered on the top of a hill that overlooks the road, waiting for the transports to reach a choke point at the bend of the road.
“I can’t believe they decide to do this the day before the attack,” I say.
“I know. Talk about bad fuckin’ timin’.” He slants me a look. “Don’t get an itchy trigger finger. We’re only goin’ down if they need help.”
“I know that.” I shoot him a cool glare.
“You’re not puttin’ yourself in unnecessary danger the day before we make our move.”
“I just said I know that.”
“But I also know you don’t like to sit idle when there’s a fight. So I’m just sayin’.”
“I’m not going to drive us down there unless two more guns can make the difference. But we have to win this particular fight if we want to get to the bigger fight tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Ben doesn’t look happy. He’s usually primed for a mission the way I am, so his mood isn’t typical.
“What’s gotten into you?” I ask him, reaching over to touch his arm gently. He’s wearing an old long-sleeved crewneck, and the fabric is soft and worn.
He shakes his head.
“Ben.”
“I’m pissed,” he bites out, cutting his gaze back to me from the road in the distance. “Everythin’ was goin’ right, and then this happens.”
“I feel the same way. But there’s nothing we can do about it except get through this as well as we can. I guess it’s inevitable something goes wrong.”
“It better not go wrong in a way that gets you hurt.”
“Ben—”
“I mean it.” He’s glowering—not at me but at the universe.
“If I don’t get hurt today, I might get hurt tomorrow.”
“You sure as hell aren’t gettin’ h?—”
“I’m not sitting out the fight to stay safe.” I interrupt him sharply. “So don’t even think about suggesting that.”
“I wasn’t gonna suggest that. I know it’d be a losin’ battle. I just don’t want you to do anythin’ stupid.”
“I’m not?—”
“We need you.”
I blink at him.
“All of us. We need you. We never woulda got here without you.”
