Parchman
It wasdark and as far as they could see there was noarmy around. ‘We walk infrom here,’ said Max quietly.‘Eyes and ears open,’ Logan said pointing to his eyes with both fingersand then in front of him.
It was quiet andalmost peaceful. ‘I guess the Commander General wasn’theading for the prison?’ said Xander whispering.
‘If it’s too good to be true then it’s normally too good to be true,’ said Scottpessimistically.
As the group reached the front of the prison they were happy that therewasn’t anyone hiding in wait outside the perimeter, which in turn madethem feel slightly more confident that the Commander General wasn’tcoming to the prison. That was until they noticed that the main gates werewide open, and the prison search lights were on full beam.
‘Logan,’ a voice boomed out and the boys all jumped and started shootingtowards where the voice was coming from.
‘Stop firing,’ came the voice. ‘It’s me, Mendez.’
The boys stopped firing and Logan ran to where the voice was comingfrom. ‘Amigo, it’s lucky you boys can’t shoot for crap,’ he laughed,checking himself over just in case.
Logan embraced Mendez. ‘The Professor?’ said Logan.
‘He’s inside waiting for you,’ said the Mexican, shaking the boy’s hands one by one as they came to greet him, whilst apologizing for shooting athim. ‘We’ve been expecting you,’ he said pointing to the open gates.‘Hence the welcome party,’ he smiled. ‘Ah, and who is this?’ said Mendezlooking Max up and down in his army fatigues. ‘A soldier?’ he queried.
‘This is Captain Max Gradel,’ said Logan. ‘He’s with us.’
‘Are you sure he’s not with the Commander General?’ said Mendez liftinghis gun from his holster and pointing it towards Max.
Logan put his hand on the barrel of Mendez’ gun, slowly pushing it backdown. ‘He’s with us,’ he said. ‘You can trust him.’
‘Wait’ said Max. ‘How do you know about the Commander General?’
‘Come inside friend. We have a lot to tell you,’ Mendez beckoned theminto the prison.
CHAPTER SIX
Inside the prison Mendez guided the group through the corridors passingmany familiar faces who greeted Logan and the boys with friendly slapson the back, smiling and nodding and wishing them well. Word of theirarrival had clearly been spread throughout the prison.
Logan recognized the prison canteen as men either side of the doubledoors, both carrying machine guns, held the door open for Mendez and thegroup to pass through.
Inside the canteen Logan saw yet another familiar face. It was ProfessorBrittle. A smile spread across both the men’s faces and they embraced afirm embrace that only men can when they have experienced a certain kindof mental pain and trauma.
‘Professor,’ said Logan. ‘It is so good to see you again. I just wish it couldbe under better circumstances.’
‘You too Logan. It sounds like you’ve been through the wars only to findyourselfwithanotherbattleto fight.Howis thelovelyTallulah?Recovering well I hope?’ said the Professor.
‘Yes, but how did you know? After everything that has happened we lostcontact,’ said Logan. ‘Is there any news on Hod?’
ProfessorBrittle shook his head. ‘Alas no. And as for our knowledge ofwhat has happened to your government camp we were told everything byyour friend Rose.’
Logan stood aghast ‘Rose?’
‘Yes, she travelled here after the collapse of the base and explainedeverything that had happened. From the Commander General escaping toyou coming here to ask us for help to bring the rest of your community tothe prison,’ he said.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ said Logan. ‘You do know that nobody actuallyknows who Rose is? I only met her in passing and I don’t even know howshe got onto the base. She helped Tallulah back into the base and savedmy father from certain death. How did she even know you were here?’
Mendez stepped in ‘No matter how Logan, she did, and she bought badnews. I am afraid that we cannot help your community Logan.’
‘But why? You have the supplies and the vehicles to help save everyone,including Tallulah and my father. You haven’t forgotten that everythingwe did; we did to help you?’ replied Logan.
Mendez held his hand up in surrender and looked to the Professor toexplain what he was trying to say.
‘What Isaac is trying to say is that when your father put into motion theplan to poison the water supply and get the Commander General to showhis cards it directly affected everything we have worked for. Rose told usthat the Commander General is building an army and is planning to cometo Parchman to take over the prison. Something I believe you have seenfirst-hand at Sansom’s warehouse?’ said the Professor.
‘Yes, but how? Rose!’ Logan said. ‘but how did she know?’
‘She seems to know a lot my friend. But what we do know is that wecannot afford to give up any manpower as long as the Commander Generalis headed this way,’ said Mendez.
‘It is true. Sansom’s camp was destroyed and everyone inside dead. Butthat was only a few hours ago. Where is Rose now and why isn’t theCommanderGeneral’s army here already?’ said Max.
‘This woman, Rose, left not long before you arrived. From what she hastold us we have no reason not to believe her. She knew things about us,about me, that nobody knew, not even the Professor,’ replied Mendez.
‘The General is building an army and needs more soldiers before he facesus. We have weapons and he will need twice our number to get throughthe gates of the prison. We simply cannot go off on a mercy mission untilwe have dealt with whatever is coming.’
Logan was stressed and it showed. ‘Our camp simply cannot travel in thestate they are in. More will leave. More will fight each other. Food andwater are non-existent. We go back with nothing and we all but give upand die.’
The Professor put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Stay and fight and if we win we will help. You have my word.’
‘And if you lose?’ said Xander.
‘Then