Distant explosions woke Old Nick much earlier than he wanted. He lay still for several seconds as another low rumble reached the settlement.
There was only one place nearby where that could come from.
"Those Golden Eagle bastards are already bombing Horjus?"
Nick pushed himself out of the old bed.
Outside, the settlement looked much the same as yesterday. The barricades were back in place, smoke was beginning to rise from a few homes, and somebody farther down the road was already shouting about breakfast.
But the northern road was open. Just knowing that made the morning feel different.
Nick left the apartment and found the other four waiting near the truck.
They had packed food and water for the trip, along with several things they thought might be worth trading if the soldiers had been telling the truth about Grefort.
Nick carried the rifle he had been using for months. The others had their own weapons as well.
