The Crest

Karl entered Danielle’s office for their morning briefing. Unlike Danielle, he was the one who looked haggard today; dark rings hung under his eyes. He closed the door and took a seat.

She stared at her senior researcher. “You look like hell. How are you doing, Karl?”

“I’m fine,” he said unpersuasively.

“You don’t look fine,” she said.

“My father died two years ago. I didn’t know about it until now.”

“I’m so sorry.”

She hesitated, then embraced the grieving man.

“Hang in there, Karl.”

“I made my choice to come here, but I wasn’t there for him during his time of need.”

Danielle stared at her deputy director, she felt for the man. She still suffered the pain of losing Dennis.”

“Take some time off, Karl. If anyone deserves it, you do.”

“I can’t do that now. Being by myself would be the worst thing for me and besides, we know what’s coming.”

She intentionally changed the topic. “I want you to know that you’ve been doing great work.”

“Thanks. We’re on the brink of something incredible.”

“I know, and I attribute our breakthroughs to your leadership. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Karl, the attack is coming. You know that. We’re picking up reports that a division of Antisis are on their way. That’s over ten-thousand fighters.”

“I think we’re all ready to lay down our lives for FORC.”

“I know you are, Karl; you always are. I just wanted to let you know that I may not have been the kindest person to you over the past year, especially since Dennis died.”

He paused a moment. “You’ve gone through a rough patch.”

“And so are you now. Please consider taking some time off.

Drink?”

“Sure.” He never saw Danielle drink on the job.

She poured two large glasses of Jameson whiskey. She handed a glass to Karl.

“Last bottle, this is as good as time as any.”

“Cheers.”

“Prost.”

They sat quietly sipping the whiskey. The thirsty winds blew unabated outside.

“I wasn’t there, Danielle. I was his only son.”

“I’m sure he was proud of you.”

“I must make my time here mean something, for my father, for the world. Do you understand that?”

“I completely understand. And you will. I know you will, and when you get back to Germany, they will hail you as the person who deciphered the plant codes.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, it’s true, Karl, you cracked the plant communication enigma.”

“I had help.”

“I certainly recognize the efforts of Fernando and the others but you…you have a gift.”

“I’m an empath.”

“A genius empath. And you did it despite all the roadblocks I put in front of you.”

“Thanks again.”

“I don’t know how much time we have left, or if we will survive this next attack, but I’ve let the world know about your successes here at FORC.”

Karl sat there with the drink in his hand. He looked dejected.

“I want to ask you again, what can we in the FORC family do for you?”

“Nothing really.” Karl wasn’t one for talking about his personal life. His years abroad made him an island, difficult to reach.

Danielle looked at the man, trying to decipher his thoughts.

“Going home isn’t possible, just thanks for being concerned,” he conceded.

“Okay, I’m giving you my satellite phone to call your family back in Germany.”

“Your phone is for work and emergencies.”

“This is an emergency. Call your family. See how they are doing. I hope you can get through.”

“The number of satellites has declined significantly over the years. I don’t even know if they have a landline.”

“I know, but try, call your family. There is nothing more important.” She handed him the phone. “Take as much time as you need. Call all your numbers, maybe you can still get through. You can use my office.”

She left Karl by himself with the bottle of whiskey. He sipped his whiskey and stared at the phone.

What will I say? he thought. How would he handle bad news? It couldn’t get any worse. Could he even get through? His mind became a jumble. From his wallet he pulled out two phone numbers, one for his mother and father, and one for his sister. Both lived in Hechingen, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. He tried to remember the last time he spoke to them, guilt creeped into his consciousness. He thought about why he left Germany. Boredom, escape, family strife, the glamor of America, the prodigal terrible son he surely was, the list went on and on. None of that mattered, those were annoyances from an overindulged society. Now the entire world was hellfire, on the brink.

He dialed the first number to his parents’ house. He knew no one would be there, of course his dad was dead. There was no signal. He grew nervous, he tried again, the same result. He thought the country code was incorrect. Still nothing. He tried the number to his sister’s house.

“Hallo,” came the voice on the other end.

“Hallo, Hilde, das ist Karl.” Hello, Hilde, this is Karl.

There was a pause on the other end of the line.

“Hilde, bist du noch da?” Hilde, are you still there? he asked.

“Hallo, Karl,” she said. Her voice faint.

“How are you, Hilde?”

“Not so good, Karl. Father died two years ago.”

“I am so sorry to hear that, I received your letter. And how is mother?”

“Mother is declining. She misses father and you, but you know, father is gone, and you are too. Still in America?” she asked.

“Yes, what is left of it. It’s good to hear your voice, sister.”

“I’m glad you’re still alive.”

“I’m sorry for not being there.”

“I know, Karl, I don’t blame you, you’ve always followed a different path.”

“Will you ever forgive me for not being there?” He cried now.

“I forgive you, Karl, it’s just that….”

“What is it, Hilde?”

“It’s just that mother is failing, and she calls out for you. She doesn’t understand why you don’t come home. She doesn’t understand The Shift.”

“Thank you for taking care of her, Hilde. Please tell mama I will try to come home.”

“Do you mean it, Karl; you will really try to come home?”

“I mean it. I love you, sister.”

There was a pause at the end of the line. “I love you, brother. Goodbye.”