Karman Tunnel
ran parallel to the currently dry Paradise Aquifer,
in which generally flowed the runoff and floodwaters from Iphigenia. The
highway and the aquifer flowed on
an east-west axis through Sanctuary City toward the old capital. Staring over
the aquifer, using the highway
lamps to see, a kneeling Commander Dante carefully watched for any sign that he
should abort the night’s maneuvers. He followed the 5 minute rule by waiting an
extra two minutes before making his way through the brush alongside Paradise Aquifer. He staid in the shadows of
the great water oaks, the natural
sound barrier was meant to dull the noisesome traffic but actually served as
walls in a corridor for the winds rushing down from Iphigenia. The early evening
brought a chill that intensified each gust of wind that cut through his jacket.
For the umpteenth time that day, Dante cursed the unsavory politics forcing him
take covert actions. The commander of Camp Polkner, the desert hell of Poterit
Dan’s military-prison system, was sneaking through roadside brush on the way to
a clandestine meeting on the outskirts of Sanctuary City. He ground his teeth,
but kept moving. He had a schedule to maintain.