Book 4: Chapter 5: Hugh Joins Up
Bob
July 2334
Heaven’s River
I could see a town on the shore of the river, perhaps a couple of miles downstream. The concentration of boats in the water was unmistakable. Normally I’d just paddle up to the dock and poot out of the water, but I was feeling a little paranoid these days. It was pretty obvious by now that the Resistance not only had communication between towns far superior to the supposed technological limits, but they also had some kind of imaging technology. Either that or they were really good with woodcarvings.
In any case, it was likely to the point of near certainty that one or more agents were staking out the dock area, woodcarving in hand, looking for me to pop up. So perhaps a landward approach would make more sense.
I came ashore a good mile upriver, wading my way through the shoreline swamp with muttered curses, both Quinlan and English. Now I needed a bath. Why did plans always have these unintended consequences? A bit of searching revealed—no surprise to anyone—that the swampy area was fed by a small stream, not big enough for Quinlan travel, but certainly big enough to clean oneself in.
While I was squeegeeing the last of the muck off, I got a call.
“Hey, Bob, you on channel?”
“Hugh? You’re online?”