As I gaze at the sprawling landscape, something shiny catches my eye, winking at me. I crane my neck to try to get a better view.
“Is that a solar field?” I ask.
“Yep.”
“Was it already there when you found this base or did the network install it?”
“A little bit of both. It was a lot smaller when we got here, but we strengthened it, installed more panels.”
The chopper dips, and so does my stomach. Gray doesn’t seem at all affected. He looks like he belongs in this helicopter. Like it’s part of him.
I turn to smile at him. “You love flying, huh?”
He nods, pensive. “I do. Life is a lot simpler up here.”
“I can see that. There’s so much noise down there.”
“A lot of fucking noise. Flying is a reprieve from that. I don’t know how to describe it other than…” He trails off for a beat. “Time moves slower up here. The sky’s the only place I can think clearly.”
“That’s how I feel when I’m shooting. When I’m lining up a shot, I have to clear my head of everything but the wind, the scope, the target. Life gets so quiet in those moments.”
“Those are the best moments.”
“Can we fly closer to the valley?”
All I can see from up here are those scattered rooftops and what appears to be several dirt roads winding their way through the settlement. Everyone keeps talking about this place, but I still haven’t beenthere. It intrigues me that there’s a whole community of people I haven’t even met.
He flashes that easy smile of his. “I’ll do you one better. Let’s go for a visit.”
My stomach flutters with a mix of nerves and anticipation. Judging by the reception I’ve received at the Dagger, I’m skeptical that my welcome in the valley will be any warmer. But I’m too curious to turn down the offer.
He adjusts the controls, and the helicopter responds, making a gentle bank to the right. We’re circling the edge of the valley now, which provides me with a better view of the settlement. I see small houses nestled against the hilly terrain, with swathes of green rolling through the landscape. Most of the homes seem to be constructed from wood, but I spot a few with stone exteriors.
We fly in a wide arc, then begin to descend, passing over what appears to be a circular courtyard enclosed by low stone walls. With utter precision, Gray lowers the chopper onto a flat cement pad surrounded by a vast stretch of grass, the wind created by the rotors kicking up dirt. The air grows still once the blades whir to a stop.
I unbuckle my harness and hop out, happy when my boots connect with earth. I’m not afraid of flying or anxious in the air, but I feel most comfortable with solid ground beneath my feet.
Gray climbs out and joins me. “It’s a bit of a walk from here. There’s a closer landing pad across the valley, but I figured you’d want to see as much of the settlement as you could.”
He figured right.
We walk along the grass toward a gravel path while I admire our surroundings. The valley is encircled by towering mountains, their jagged peaks and ridges sharp against the sky.
“It’s quieter than I expected,” I remark.
“Yeah, this isn’t a Faithful camp where everyone is living on top of each other. Like those old communities you read about in school—what were those called?”
“Communes?” I supply.
“Right. Communes. Most of the valley residents came from Sanctum Point, so a lot of them are used to living in hiding in the city,trying to keep their abilities under wraps. I think they brought that mentality here. They live quiet lives, prefer to stay in their homes.” He grins. “Don’t get me wrong, they throw some fucking great parties, but for the most part, they keep to themselves.”
It smells different down here than it does up on the mountain. The air in the Dagger is filtered, so it always holds a slightly stuffy trace. Either that or it smells like fuel and exhaust. Here it’s fresher, carrying the scent of pine and flowers and the smoke wafting out of chimneys in the distance.
We near a huge, enclosed pasture, and my heart skips happily when I spot the horses. Three of them, grazing near a split-level fence. A soft whinny carries in the breeze, bringing a smile to my lips and making me long for my sweet mare, Kelley. My ranch was reassigned, and I have no idea who’s living there now. Whoever it is, I hope they’re being good to her.
“Are those workhorses, or do people ride them?” I ask Gray.
“Both. The farmers use them for plowing, hauling firewood, other farmwork. But people do take them out for trail rides. The horses need the exercise.”
