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“Dad… who are all these people?”

“So home”

“Friends?” Captain Recker stepped forward again “Fans, more like it” He looked at Dianne “Your husband’s a hero, eration to say he saved the world”

Rick shrugged and smiled “It was a team effort”

“Hohy…” Dianne was just as confused and overwhelmed as Mark, and as she tried to wrap her head around the sudden change in scenery, she too had an obvious question “Why are they all here? And what does he mean, you saved the world?”

Rick pulled Mark and Dianne in close, wrapping his arht again “That… is a very, very long story”

Chapter 20

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Gunfire echoes down the dark street, following the footsteps of three individuals as they run without looking back Theyin and out between burned-out cars while trying to stay together

“This way!” Ted hisses, trying to ensure that his voice is heard only by his two co off to the right, doide avenue that was once filled with traffic and lit by overhead streetlights Jackie and Con as they run by

Norfolk Visitor’s Entrance – 03 Miles

More gunfire cracks through the dark sky, joined by the sound of desperate voices calling out after the astronauts “They’re heading for the base! Grab ‘em fast!”

In spite of their exhaustion, their weakened bones and the loads each is carrying on their backs, the trio does not falter in their movement Ted leads the way as they weave down the avenue, his eyes roving between the burned vehicles on the road and the darkened s and doorways of buildings on either side Jackie follows hi on thetoo far behind Commander Palmer, in the rear, keeps his head on a swivel as he constantly checks for signs of their pursuers

The mention of their luck seemed to have turned the tide, as they discovered a few hours into their journey to Norfolk The destruction of portions of the area near the beach soon waned as they headed inland, and intact hoh, ca in the area, subsisting off of whatever they could scrounge or steal

The group chasing the trio, while not nourished or in shape to the degree that the astronauts are, are nevertheless persistent The packs on the astronaut’s backs are tantalizing promises of food and other supplies that are so desperately needed Backed into a corner, the astronauts fought just long enough to get away—killing two attackers and wounding a third Doing so did not stop the attackers froht more down upon them