The Reunion

When the network cut to Monroe’s location you could see the chaos taking place. Monroe’s usual neat appearance was missing; the clothes she was wearing were rumpled and dirt stained. You could also see the exhaustion in her face. Behind her were trucks being loaded with refugees. Soldiers in uniform were helping the refugees onto trucks.

“The scene behind me is actually much more organized than it looks, Peter,” said Monroe. “American Special Forces and Philippine Army personnel are loading as many of the refugees as possible onto anything that will carry them to a safe extraction point. The mercenary military presence behind the current difficulties here is well funded and well-armed. American military personnel have refused to evacuate the freed hostages by air for fear of the high number of casualties that could occur because of surface to air missile sites located nearby. As you may be able to hear this strike force is being supported by American Navy planes and the Philippine Air Force. The current rush is to get as many people as possible out of here because of approaching mercenary forces.”

Stephen, who was sitting on Louise’s lap, pointed to a man loading a child onto the truck behind Monroe.

“Look Grandma,” he said innocently, “there’s Daddy.”