M Banner - Silo: Hope's Return

This series is a serial and part of the Frozen World collection of stories.

Each book is an immediate continuation of the earlier story and involves many characters, which are introduced and explored in each successive work. We strongly suggest reading the books in order, starting with the first book.

Here are the books in the series:

Silo: Summers End (Book 1)

Silo: Hopes Return (Book 2)

Silo: Nomads Revenge (Book 3)

We are happy to see you here at Silo: Hopes Return, Book 2 in the Frozen World Series. The story continues right where it left off at the end of Book 1, so fasten your seat belts folks. The ride gets intense.

Be sure to check out the Cool Free Silo Stuff section at the back of this book for some amazing insider Air Force information, plus a few other surprises.

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Summer Lane put her arm out in a jab, slamming it against the side of the transport to keep herself upright as the tires found another wicked rut in the road. She spun her shoulders before leaning toward the access window separating the drivers seat and the bed of the truck. Are you trying to hit every pothole?

Krista laughed, never taking her eyes from the road. You said to hurry.

Yeah, but lets get there in one piece.

We will, trust me.

Summer ran her hand across the mangled fur of the dog in her lap. Its okay, boy. Just hang in there. Well be home soon.

Hows he doing? Krista asked, though her words sounded less than genuine.

I think the bleeding has finally stopped. Hes weak, though.

Hell be okay. Hes a tough mutt.

I hope youre right. Weve lost enough today, Summer said.

Sergeant Barkley brought his head up from its limp position across her thigh. He let out a whimper, his eyes looking withdrawn and weary.

The animals pain was obvious. Waves of it, courtesy of Frost and the wound inflicted during the all-out melee at the Trading Post. The bloodstain that had soaked into the temporary wrap on his hindquarters was now a dark red colora reminder of how fleeting life really is when your insides want to find their way to the outside.

At least the canine was still alive, unlike the other passenger in the back of the truck. Theyd covered Professor Edisons body before the trek back to the silo, but the rough nature of the road had vibrated the camo-colored tarp loose, leaving it draped across his body at an angle.

Summer couldnt help but stare at the lifeless face shed come to rely on ever since The Event.

Her eyes were drawn to his, wishing she was somewhere else. Somewhere where all the blood, death, and misery never existed. Somewhere where a dead mentor and friend hadnt just put her in charge of the families hunkered down in the old missile silo known as Nirvana.

Shed held strong over the years to maintain her status as being a heartless little bitch, something she was sure she needed to continue now that she was in charge of the underground facility.

There are times when an undeserved reputation comes in handy. This was one of those times.

Summer wasnt sure how she was going to pull off being the person in command, but she figured she could fake until she made it, or something along those lines.

In truth, she was good at pretending, but that had always been for her own benefit and only when it suited her. Now she had to become someone she wasnt, for the greater good.

She couldnt stop her hands from shaking, all the while thinking about the men, women and children who would now rely on her to make the right choices. So many hearts and minds, all of them focused on her every move.

The worst part of what was to come was dealing with Krista, her main adversary and the driver of the vehicle. The woman was sure to be riding her ass every step of the way.

In truth, the Security Chief was damn good at her job, commanding her men with the confidence of a dictator. She was also adept at being Summers chief nemesis, a role they both seemed to embrace.

Summer expected her new position as boss to be an even bumpier road than the one they were on at the moment, especially without Edison to run interference.

Have you figured out what youre going to tell the troops when we get back? Summer asked Krista, wondering how the woman planned to explain all the deaths at the Trading Post.

Krista brought her eyes up to the rearview mirror. Thats your job now.

What do you mean? They were your men.

True. But like the rest of us, they all work for you. Or worked, I should say. Thats part of the deal, Summer. Its what Edison wouldve donecalled a community meeting to relay the news and field questions.

Maybe this one time you could handle it? I dont know what Im supposed to say.

Just tell them what happened. Step by step.

Everything?

Yes, but you can leave out some of the gory details, Krista said, turning the steering wheel to the right, taking a sweeping curve in the road. Keep in mind there will be kids listening. Young ears and all.

Great. Just what I need. More pressure to deal with. Saying the right thing has never been my strength. Usually its just the opposite.

You can do it. Just be yourself. Ive got your back.

Really? Youd do that for me? I mean, with our past and all?

Thats my job. Just like its your job to take over for Edison, per his wishes.

I appreciate it, Krista. I know Im not your favorite.

None of that matters now. We both have responsibilities. There are a lot of people counting on us and were going to need to work together.

Despite our differences.

Roger that. Its the honorable thing to do.

Before another beat passed, the trucks momentum came to a skidding stop, the tires screeching atop the pavement.

Summer lost her balance and shot forward with the dog in her lap, her back crashing into the front wall of the truck. The impact sent a thump into her spine, taking her breath away.

She gasped a few times to recharge her lungs, then slid the dog off her lap before getting to her knees. She peered through the access window. Whats going on?

Roadblock.

Summer looked beyond Krista. She expected to see vehicles sitting at odd angles with armed bandits standing guard. But thats not what her eyes reported.

There was a hooded man sitting on the pavement with a body lying in front of him. He had a thick beard and was waving his arms. One of the mans ankles looked to be bandaged with a white cloth. Well, mostly whitethere was a prominent bloodstain along the side.

To the mans right was an old VW Bug. It was charred black and burnt down to the frame. There wasnt much left of itjust another corpse along the roada metallic corpse, long since abandoned.

Summer remembered seeing it on the way in, back when Edison was filling her in on what to expect during their monthly meet with Frost at the Trading Post.

She ran a quick visual assessment, studying the covered body lying from left to right, its back facing the truck. It was centered in the road, with equal spacing to the curbs on either side.

What caught her focus next was the long hair hanging out from under the blanket. The blonde locks were extra frizzy, as if they hadnt been combed in weeks.