Read The Inner Struggle: Beginnings Series Book 7 for Free Online Page A

clipboard. “Estimating what they probably used to take out the savages, I’ll say they have some, but are probably running low. Enough to take out one more attack, but if they encounter more than that out there, they may be screwed. If memory serves me right, there’s an Air Force base right outside of Boise. I think.”
    Dean snapped his finger. “There is. Mountain Home.”
    Frank nodded. “That’s the one. Robbie can probably surplus there. Hit the armory and such. Get some things. Maybe even dig up some M.R.E.’s if they’re running low on food.”
    “Good thinking.” Joe made a notation on his own clipboard. “Henry, gas, radio, phone, anything you can think of?”
    “The phone batteries aren’t going to last long, Joe. He’s probably on his last one and the radios could be out of range with all the mountains. I think you should keep them moving, have them stop at the Air Force base like Frank suggested, but have them head as close to home as you’d allow them. That way if they need supplies, we can drop it to them.”
    “Also,” Dean added, “if they’re close enough and they get the new plague, we’re close enough to them to bring me out there, in protective , to get samples and give them medical attention.”
    Joe pointed the pencil he held. “That’s a bridge we’ll cross when we get there. As for now, Robbie’s waiting for the decision.” Setting down his clipboard, Joe picked up the center’s phone knowing that it wouldn’t beep annoyingly when he used it. He called Robbie and connected the call to the speaker system.
    “Yeah,” Robbie answered a half a ring into the call.
    “Robert,” Joe spoke up, “I have Frank, Dean and Henry here”
    Robbie laughed, “Frankie, Cranky, and Spanky. You have me on a speaker phone, Dad. I hate speaker phones.”
    “Deal with it.” Joe lit a cigarette. “Robbie, we've decided on what you and I discussed.” There was a long silent pause. “Robbie.”
    “I hear you. Are we staying put?”
    “No.” Joe told him. “Take the old main road toward home and stop off at Mountain Home Air Force Base. It’s close to you now.” Joe began to flip through the computer map. “It’s about twenty miles from Boise. Then I need you guys to halt up somewhere around Rock Springs. It’s close to home and we’ll be able to get to you if you need anything.”
    “Got that,” Robbie sounded even sadder. “Dean, it was bad.”
    Dean swallowed the news. “I can only imagine.”
    “Frank,” Robbie called out, “hey, I hear you’re a dad again. Good Job. Dad says the baby is cute.”
    “Yeah he is,” Frank responded. “I named him Nicholas Robert.”
    A short laugh came from Robbie. “Thanks, Frank. I bet Henry was bitching like a woman naming the kid after me.”
    “No,” Frank spoke harshly. “Henry doesn’t mind. Do you, Henry?”
    Slowly Henry lifted his head, his voice cracking as he talked, “No, I don’t mind.”
    A momentary gloating moment that was unseen came from Robbie. “Oh, Henry, how’s that microchip going?”
    “Not,” Henry answered. “Thanks for reminding me.”
    “Henry.” Robbie’s voice turned to a serious one. “I have something for you. I got it in Seattle. Check this name out...Cyborg-genic Lobel Programming. I have the program, Henry.”
    Henry’s eyes lit up. “You have it?”
    “I think,” Robbie said. “You’ll have to check it out when I . . .” Robbie became silent for a second. “Henry, if I don’t make it back, you have to get this. I think this is it.”
    Henry closed his eyes. “You’ll make it back, Robbie.”
    Joe blew the cigarette smoke loudly from his mouth and took over the conversation. “Robbie, you guys better get started before it gets dark. You call me tomorrow or earlier if you run into problems. You hear me?”
    “I hear. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    “Good luck, son. I’m proud of you.” He took an emotional breath and disconnected the call. He slowly faced the three