Zen's War: Captivity
Chapter 17: The Colonel

“Is that actually the sound of running water I hear?” Zen asked with a tone of surprise.

“That is the very sound that you’re hearing,” the large blonde bearded man responded.

“You would have to have an extensive knowledge of engineering to build an underground bunker like this, but I’m amazed that you were able to get access to running water. That’s something even the Mexican Revolutionary Front struggles with,” Derek said, of course having to add his two cents.

“I wasn’t the one who built this bunker. I’m nowhere that clever or talented. This bunker was built after World War II during the Cold War between the US and Russia. It was a fallout shelter, a place to survive a nuclear onslaught from Russia,” the bearded man explained.

“What’s Russia?” Hector asked.

“It was a vast country, and almost as powerful as America,” the man answered.

“How come I’ve never heard of it?”

“Trust me, it once existed. It was massive, extending from Europe to the Pacific Ocean. I’m almost shocked that you haven’t heard of it. Where have you been living, under a rock?”

“Okay I believe you, but it sounds made up,” Hector answered.

“Anyway, I discovered this bunker some twenty years ago after the first nuclear explosion in New York. I remember that it was Christmas day, and that I was home on military leave from Israel. I hadn’t seen my wife and daughter for a year. That was the last day I ever saw either of them alive,” he said with a look of despair. “Me and my daughter Rebecca and my wife Jane sought refuge from the nuclear barrage, just as all Americans did. We had nowhere to go, so I took an ax to the floor boards in a desperate attempt to find a hiding place. After a couple swings of the ax I discovered a manhole cover protruding from the dirt beneath the floor. I pulled the cover away and discovered a concrete tunnel with a ladder leading underground. That was what gave me the faith to believe in God again; finding that one shred of hope amidst all that death and destruction.”

“You call that hope. That sounds more like desperation to me. I would hardly consider finding a place to hide hopeful,” Derek interjected.

“You weren’t even alive then. You’re too young to understand the value of human life,” the bearded man said, in response to Derek’s pessimistic comment.

“Don’t mind him, he’s broken up about his sister. She went missing about two days ago. Hope is not something we have a lot of right now. He’s usually not so negative,” Aurora said in her son’s defense.

“There is no greater pain than the loss of a child. Children are some of the only innocent creatures in this world of sin and corruption,” the bearded man said, his eyes beginning to well up with tears.

“Maybe you could help us find her,” Aurora suggested.

“Do you know how many children go missing every day in this anarchy? I don’t know how much help I can be. I’m sure that Pablo will be of much more help than I can be. You don’t even know my name, and you’re already asking me for help. I saved all of your lives. Isn’t that enough?”

Aurora looked at Zen, as if he had some answer, but he just stood there silently. “Obviously we are grateful to you for saving our lives. Pablo knows how to find water and food, but we need someone who can fight. If we are going to find her, we’re going to have to fight for her. How long do you think you’ll stay alive on your own? It’s only a matter of time before the Permanentes find you and hang you for treason. We’ll all have a lot more of a chance of survival if we combine forces,” Aurora said.

“I can survive fine on my own, thank you very much,” the aging veteran responded. “I’ve survived for twenty years on my own. I think I’ll be alright.”

Just as Aurora was about to try and convince the soldier further, Pablo chimed in. “Before this conversation gets out of hand, let’s start over. First let me introduce you guys to Colonel Benjamin Krakowski. He may seem rough on the outside, but deep down he’s really a nice guy.”

“No I’m not. I’m a cynical bastard. Don’t tell lies about me. Never insult me like that again.”

“Excuse me. That’s the last time I stick up for you.”

“If I want to defend my name I will. I don’t need your help.”

Aurora was starting to become frustrated, “I can tell you two are the best of friends,” she said sarcastically. “But, your relationship is the least of our concerns. Our concern is finding Sahara. Either you help us or you don’t. Regardless of your decision we have to move forward.”

“Yeah, he’s obviously not going to help us. All we’re doing is wasting time. Let’s get now the hell out here,” Zen said, just as frustrated and worried as Aurora.

“Even if I do help you, what’s your plan? You don’t even know where she is. My advice to you is to just accept that she’s gone. The chance that she is still alive is slim to none.”

“I refuse to believe that. As long as there is a shred of hope that she is still alive, I won’t give up on finding her,” she answered defiantly.

“You’re right, you are a cynical bastard. What about all that stuff about believing in God. You would think that believing in God would make you more of an optimist,” Zen said in argument.

Colonel Krakowski hung his head, as if he had been defeated in some way. “That’s the problem. I believe in God, but God doesn’t always want things to work out for the best. Sometimes, God wants people to suffer. I just know when to accept what God’s decision is. If someone dies, it’s because they were meant to. I suffer every day because of loss of my wife and daughter, but suffering is a part of life. Who am I to question God’s will?”

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