CHAPTER 24
Dragon Reborn
Henry Cross was awake and sitting at his computer terminal when his visitor entered the room, just as Jerrod expected. The neatness of the cot’s bedding suggested that Cross hadn’t slept in it at all, but Jerrod knew from frequent reports that the older man had slept several hours a day since his internment; probably more sleep than he had gotten himself lately. Cross was simply an impeccably neat man.
“Enjoying your time off?” Jerrod asked.
Harry didn’t look away from the computer screen. “What is it that you want?”
“I seek enlightenment, of course. From you. That’s what you’re paid for.”
“In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve shown nothing but contempt for enlightenment, Mr. Grogen.”
“Never the less, though I’ve had you confined here, I have allowed you continued access to developments because I prize your observations, even though I disagree with many of your conclusions and suggested responses. What do you make of the iceberg?”
Henry Cross swiveled his chair to regard Jerrod. “That’s rather obvious. One of our super friends or enemies has gathered a great deal of energy from the ocean.”
“But which one?”
Cross shrugged. “I haven’t seen any data to support an identification.”
“Who could it be?”
“Elf, human, witch, monster? Who knows?”
“Elf? I hadn’t considered that," Jerrod admitted. "See? You’ve enlightened me already.” He sat down on the cot in an attempt to annoy Cross. The cot, the room, the building was his to command. And Cross was his also.
“It can’t be discounted,” Cross said. "What do your forces in Nigeria say?"
"Most of our communications in Nigeria has been destroyed," Jerrod announced.
"What?"
"Radio equipment stopped working. Maybe that's your little friends at work also."
“And what about the crashed transport further north?” Cross asked.
“I doubt that the Witch is dead, if that’s what you’re asking.” Ellen was almost certainly dead, he didn't say aloud. Mary and the Witch? Maybe not.
“Her body hasn’t been identified yet, but most were burned beyond recognition. I think the Witch is dead.”
Cross laughed and shook his head. “You really have no conception of these things do you? We don’t know if the Witch even has a material body. We don’t know how or even if she can be killed by any conceivable Earthly means. You’re in so far over your head you still don’t know which way is up.”
“And you do know?”
“I think that the boy and his dragon were our only hope, and that you’ve screwed that up. I don’t know if it will be an adult evil dragon or the adult good dragon that will visit our world soon, but now either way they’re going to be royally pissed off at us all, thanks to you.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’ll nuke them to oblivion in either case.”
“You still don’t get it. Those things eat energy. They’ll be all the happier if you do nuke them.”
“You’re delusional.”
“You’re an idiot.”
Jerrod Grogen stood up and walked to the door, but turned to face Cross again before stepping out. “I think that you’ll be in here for a very long time, Doctor Cross.”
“I think it doesn’t matter. This is as good a place as any to die.”