Page 57 of Lost

“Dominick? The red general who’s missing with an entire squad of red fledglings and soldiers?” Stark said, his sharp eyes skewering Kevin.

“Yes, indeedy, sir,” said Dallas.

Stark stepped closer, getting in Kevin’s personal space. “Who are you?”

“Lieutenant Heffer, sir!”

“Under whose command?”

“General Dominick, sir!”

“And where is your general, Lieutenant Heffer?”

“I’m sorry, sir?”

Stark sighed audibly. “Red vamps are such a pain in the ass.” Stark spoke to Dallas like Kevin wasn’t still standing at attention right in front of him, hearing every word.

“Yep, they’re pretty stupid. Even the officers.” Dallas got up in Kevin’s face. “Hey! The general asked you a question, boy! Fucking answer it!”

“I—I don’t know where my general is.” Kevin focused on sounding like any lieutenant in the Red Army would—subservient and confused.

“When is the last time you saw him?” Stark asked.

“Several days ago, sir. He gave me my orders then, and I have been on that mission since.”

Dallas snorted. “Did that mission include breaking into a locked basement?”

“No, Lieutenant! That was a mistake.”

“What did you do down there?” Stark asked.

“Nothing. When I saw that I was in the wrong place, I left, sir.”

“Where the hell were you supposed to be?” Dallas asked.

“Training. I came back from my mission and then it was time for training. I thought I would see General Dominick at the tunnels tonight and report to him.”

“What was your mission, Lieutenant?” Stark said.

“Five days ago, General Dominick sent me to Stroud. He’d heard the Resistance had found hiding places in that area and I was supposed to reconnoiter and then report back to him.” Stroud was about halfway between Tulsa and Oklahoma City, and not close enough to Sapulpa to cause Dragon and the Resistance any trouble, so turning Stark’s attention there didn’t seem like a bad idea to Kev.

“Didn’t you think something was weird when you couldn’t find your general or the rest of your flight?” said Stark.

“Sir, I just got back. Just now.”

“Give me a fucking break. You expect General Stark to believe that it took you five days to check out a little armpit of a town like Stroud?” Dallas scoffed.

“No, Lieutenant. I—I got lost.”

“This just keeps getting better and better,” Dallas said.

“Explain yourself, Lieutenant.” Stark commanded.

Avoiding eye contact Kevin spoke quickly and carefully. “Sir, General Dominick gave me orders to check the Stroud area for Resistance members. I did. I started in the town. I didn’t find any evidence of the Resistance there, but I heard rumors that there has been recent unusual activity around the Deep Fork River. Like the general commanded, I sheltered in the town, and on day two I went to the river. I found evidence of campers but nothing specific to the Resistance. When I tried to hike out I realized I was lost. I didn’t find a major road until sunset today. Then I confiscated a car and returned immediately to the House of Night.”

“Lost for days—what a moron,” muttered Dallas.

“And you’ve had no contact with General Dominick since he gave you your orders?” Stark said.