The bus ride out of Wein was anticlimactic. Julian expected Blackmountain goons at every stop. They never showed. Soon the cobblestones of the city gave way to pastoral hills and they all breathed a little easier.

Julian and Nadeja sat next to each other, holding hands. Marcos took the row in front of them, giving stink eye to anyone who thought about sitting next to him. Between stops he poked at his laptop, trying to figure out the next move.

"You getting anywhere?" Julian asked.

"I'd make progress faster if you didn't interrupt me every five minutes. But yeah, I think I've got a plan.

"Weizza and her crew flew to America, said she needs to pick something up there. She asked me to come help.

"An old squad mate of mine is stationed in Aviano, four hours from here. There's a troop transport headed back to the states in a few hours. He can get us on it. At least, you and me Julian. Bringing in a foreign national," Marcos inclined his head at Nadeja, "that's a taller order."

"I've got a current ESTA approval," Nadeja replied, "I'm authorized to enter."

Marcos shook his head. "It's not a customs thing. This is a military aircraft on a wartime mission. My buddy owes me, and I can get him to take Julian. But his foreign girlfriend? Not a chance."

"Are we going to do this again Dad? I didn't leave her behind last time, I'm not leaving her behind this time either."

"Look Julian, getting back to Alice and that nut Weizza is your idea. If it were up to me, we'd go to ground and stay there. You asked me to move mountains, well here's Kilimanjaro ready to go. Just don't expect Everest to come along for the ride."

"Not good enough. We'll figure something else out."

"Who, you and Nadeja? Look Julian, nothing is moving in the skies right now - air traffic is paralyzed after Lynch's strikes. Everyone who can is fleeing the cities, and no one is sticking around for their shift at the airport. If you want to get to America today, you're taking a military transport or you're swimming it."

"What about bribing this guy? He's your friend, that means he's on the take right?"

Marcos frowned at Julian. "Uncalled for. But yeah, he'd probably do it for the right price. I'm not covering it this time. You've already bled more than a decade of my savings, rich girl wants to come along she can pay her own way."

"What do you think Nadeja?" Julian asked.

She considered. "It's a risk either way. But what am I going to do? Go back to the camps? You're a part of the biggest thing happening on the planet. Someone has to record this for posterity, it might as well be me."

Marcos shrugged. "Weizza will chew you up and spit you out. But hey, it's your money. I'll make the arrangements and send you the funds request." Marcos turned back to his computer.

Nadeja leaned into Julian's shoulder and closed her eyes. In a moment she was snoring lightly.

Julian enjoyed the brief moment of serenity. He imagined he was on holiday from school with his new girlfriend, backpacking around Europe. He managed to maintain the illusion right up until the pair of army green jeeps escorted the bus off the road.

"Dad, is this you?" Julian whispered over the seat.

"Keep your mouth shut and follow my lead. We'll be fine."

A nervous hum filled the bus. Passengers murmured to each other, trying to figure out what was happening.

Two armed men in combat fatigues boarded the bus, weapons out.

The first man made an announcement in German: ""

He moved row by row scanning passengers until he reached Marcos.

"You. Come with me."

Marcos angled his head at Julian and Nadeja.

"And you two as well."

The three left the bus at gunpoint, sandwiched between the two soldiers. One of the men indicated with his gun that they should enter the back of the nearest jeep. Marcos vaulted up with a practiced hop, followed by Julian and Nadeja.

Another soldier was already inside, sitting on a bench. With his buzz cut and compact build he could almost be Marcos's twin.

"Hey Digger, you're hot property right now," the man said by way of greeting.

"World's gone crazy Zeke. Thanks for picking us up."

"You know me, always ready to help a friend... for a price." Zeke winked to punctuate the sentence.

"Who's Digger?" Julian cut in.

"Huh? Why this guy right here. Didn't he tell you about his test pilot days? Every bird he ever flew ended up plowing a hole in the ground. I think he thought they were shovels." Zeke gave Marcos a friendly punch in the soldier.

Marcos smiled and changed the subject. "So what's the plan, how are we getting out of here?"

"We'll head back to Aviano and get you on a troop transport. We're in the middle of a full withdrawal, every able-bodied soldier is heading back to the mainland. You probably heard about Lynch declaring global war. America has never been one to roll over to tyrants.

"I'll warn you we've had some trouble with Blackmountain. Seems like they're in Lynch's pocket. There've been a couple raids on the base. Nothing major, seems like they're just probing so far–" Zeke stopped. "Say, you're not still working with them are you?"

"You could say I was fired with prejudice. I sabotaged one of their bases and stole some secrets. Pretty sure there's a high-value hit on me."

Zeke nodded. "And who are your friends here?"

"I'm Marcos's–" Julian started.

"Assistant." Marcos finished. "Didn't I tell you to keep quiet while the grown ups are speaking? Hard to find good help these days."

Marcos turned to Zeke and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Senator's kid. Took him on as a favor, but with this latest shit his dad's worried he's going to get stuck in Europe. Now I'm playing glorified chaperone to him and his lady friend."

"Suits man," Zeke nodded in commiseration. "Hope your rich kids doesn't mind riding baggage class. The seats are full going home, no amount of string pulling is going to get you in the cabin. The cargo hold on the other hand - there's some wiggle room there."

"These things fly pretty high right? You got air for us?"

"You think you're the first live bodies I've stuffed in the hold? C'mon Marcos, how long have you known me? It's pressurized down there."

"Just making sure Zeke, trust but verify you know."

"Yeah, yeah. Honestly you're getting the luxury seats on the plane. You'll like it, you get to lie down."

* * *

Zeke's 'luxury seats' turned out to be a trio of white coffins with American flags draped over the top.

"Better you in there than me," Zeke quipped as he helped the three of them get situated in the coffins. "These'll take you as far as Dover. I've got a guy in the mortuary who will look the other way when you corpses walk out. After that you're on your own. Take care of yourself Marcos."

Zeke closed the lid and rapped it twice with his knuckle, leaving Julian once more in cramped darkness.