Tunnels 04, Closer

find anything?" Will shouted, wondering why girls took so long when it came to clothes.
    "Ready," she shouted back, as she sashayed through the doorway. With a mesh scarf tied around her head like a bandana, she was wearing dark green shorts, a white gym vest and the most incredible US Air Force flight jacket of supple black leather. The only comic touch was a pair of combat boots many sizes too large for her, which she was now struggling to walk in.
    From all the time she had spent out in the open in the inner world, Elliott's skin was still tanned, and her hair long and glossy -- to Will's eye she looked simply stunning in her outfit.
    "Wow!" Will gasped.
    "What do you mean, 'Wow'?" she said, laughing as she took two clomping steps and then nearly tripped. "Don't I look funny in this?"
    "Well, no actually, I think you look great," he said.
    She stopped trying to walk and smiled at him.
    "you left the front door wide open!' a voice announced.
    Accompanied by Bartleby, who was wagging his tail excitedly, a figure appeared around one of the bunk beds.
    It was drenched and leaving puddles of water behind it.
    "Drake!" Elliott shrieked. She ran full pelt at him, managing to trip herself up.
    "Ooof!" he exhaled, as she slammed into him.
    She held tightly to him as she cried tears of relief. "The twins said... I thought you were dead," she gasped. "But I couldn't believe it was true."
    "Well, it isn't true yet, anyway," Drake chuckled. He extended a hand toward Will. "I've never seen you both look so good. This place you've been to -- this 'secret world' -- must have really agreed with you." As Elliott detached herself, Drake gave the boy a hug, then held him at arm's length to take in his outfit. Grinning, he shook his head. "I'm not convinced by that get-up -- it's just not you , is it?" he glanced back at Elliott. "However, I really dig that flight jacket. I hope there's one in my size." He stopped grinning and turned to Will. "Tell me about the Doc? Is he--?"
    "He didn't make it," Will said abruptly. "One of the Rebeccas shot him. In the back."
    "Damn!" Drake said quietly, inclining his head for a moment. "I gathered something might have happened to him... from your message." He wiped the moisture from his face and looked up again. "I want you to tell me about it over a cup of tea. I hope you've got some in this place. I need something warm after that hike downriver."
    "We've got loads of fresh rat in the cold store, if you'd like some?" Elliott offered enthusiastically.
    Drake hesitated, meeting eyes with Will.
    "No, maybe better if I make you something," Will put in quickly. He removed his pith helmet and lobbed it through the door of the store, then they all headed for the kitchen.

    * * * * *

    Will and Elliott took Drake through the chain of events at the pyramid.
    "I hope I did the right thing?" Elliott asked, referring to the Dominion virus and the exchange she'd been forced to make with the Rebecca twins.
    Drake nodded. "We've got the vaccine, which means the virus is pretty much useless to them," he replied. "You did well, both of you." He took a deep breath. "Okay, it's my turn now," he announced, and proceeded to tell Elliott about her father.
    She was dumbstruck. "So what, he's trying to bring the regime down? A Styx against the Styx?"
    "Yes, he's playing his own game," Drake said. Then he went on to tell them about his foray into the Colony with Chester, and how they'd brought Mrs. Burrows out with them.
    Will choked on his tea. "But she's blind?"
    "I think she's something else altogether now," Drake replied. "I haven't explored what she's capable of, but it's as though she's been given an incredible gift. A new and powerful sense."
    As Will opened his mouth to ask more questions, Drake shook his head. "Look, rather than sit here jawing about it, why don't I get you home, then you can ask her yourself?"
    Will and Elliott rapidly agreed to this.
    "But after the operation on Highfield Common cratered, somehow I never found the time to come down here for a look around," Drake said. "So, before we leave, I want you to give me the full tour."

    * * * * *

    Once Will and Elliott had shown Drake the dormitory area and adjoining rooms, they took him to the armory. He was like a child in a sweet shop as he selected a few items to take back with him.
    " Radio Operator ," Drake read on the door of the next cabin when they were out in the corridor again. "This has to be where all the comms are based, and the