Clear Water, Hidden Danger

Chapter 47 – Coming Full Circle

Neal came through the front doors of CWP with a crate braced against her hip, boots dragging from exhaustion. The air inside still smelled of diesel, gun oil, and old dust. People shifted to make room as she passed, Cruz trailing behind her with a clipboard tucked under her arm.

“We’ve got incoming,” Neal called over her shoulder. “New group of firemen. Couple people from NLC came back with us too.”

That landed.

Cruz glanced sideways at Alaina… just enough of a look to catch the small jump in her shoulders.

“You okay?” Cruz asked.

Alaina swallowed, eyes already drifting toward the door. “Is it alright if I go check? Someone said some familiar faces might’ve returned.”

Cruz nodded toward the entrance. “Go.”

Alaina didn’t walk. She moved. Quick steps, then faster, breaking into that half-run people do when they’re praying they’re right.

She scanned every face crossing the threshold. Firefighters in smoke-stained gear. A handful of worn-down NLC returnees. New bodies, new survivors, new unknowns… but not the one she wanted.

Her breath left her in a small, crushed exhale.

Cruz approached behind her. “You didn’t see her?”

“No.” Alaina shook her head quickly. “She’s not here.”

“You sure you—”

“I said she’s not here.”

Too sharp. Too fast.

Cruz’s eyebrows lifted.

Alaina closed her eyes, grounding herself. “Sorry. Long day. Let’s just… drop it.”

Cruz let it go.

Behind them, Hawk hauled another box through the lobby. Wolf was directing people toward the storage wing. The Iron Battalion firefighters were being guided to temporary bunks. The whole front hall looked like the aftermath of a storm—tired bodies, full arms, and adrenaline still cracking under the skin.

I stepped in from the loading area. My shoulders burned from offloading gear, sweat still clinging to my collar. Before I could even speak, Alex met me halfway.

“They coming?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah,” I answered. “Jackson and his people… they’ll be here tomorrow. It’s time.”

Alex nodded once and squeezed my arm. No judgment. No unease. Just acknowledgment of the weight shifting.

I tapped my comm.

“Major Jackson, Clear Water.”

Static. Then Jackson’s voice, clipped but steady.

“Go ahead.”

“Coast is clear now. Blackhawk Drive only. Bring your leadership team in the morning—your Captains, Mercer, whoever you need. We’ll be holding a full mission de-brief at CWP.”

A pause.

Then Jackson exhaled—long, relieved, almost disbelieving.

“Copy that. After months stuck inside these walls… my people could use the air. We’ll see you at dawn.”

I ended the transmission and turned back to the crowd gathering in the front hall. Faces lifted. Some hopeful. Some exhausted. All waiting.

I raised my voice.

“Alright, listen up. Tomorrow we run full mission de-briefs.”

Everything stilled.

“That includes CWP military personnel—Rourke, Mateo, Santiago, Alan, and anyone on our active guard roster. Iron Battalion firefighters, you’re in. And for the NLC returnees… you’re part of the structure now.”

Murmurs. A shift in posture. People straightening. Shoulders squaring.

“And we’ll be joined by the NLC leadership. Major Jackson. Captains Baker, Bilew-Jackson, Feddeler, Deacon. Dr. Mercer. Full cooperation. Full information exchange.”

That ripple of energy moved through the room again.

This time with purpose.

“Everybody… thank you. Get some rest. We’ve earned it.”

People drifted away—toward bunks, toward families, toward silence.

Scene ends.

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ANONYMOUS FIELD LOG — ENTRY ALPHA
CLASSIFIED — PROJECT ECHO CLEARANCE REQUIRED:
CWP monitored interior comms as convoy personnel offloaded final crates and Cruz initiated medical stabilization protocol. Multiple new civilian returnees logged, including Iron Battalion and former NLC residents. No SCD signatures from Subject Zero near facility perimeter; no Phase-III detected within resonance radius. Radio traffic confirmed Anchor’s directive for NLC leadership integration at dawn. Internal morale elevated; structural reorganization underway.

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ANONYMOUS FIELD LOG — ENTRY BRAVO
CLASSIFIED — PROJECT ECHO CLEARANCE REQUIRED:
NLC received Anchor’s transmission authorizing leadership team movement to CWP via Blackhawk Drive at first light. Facility remains in stable lockdown posture with Battalion oversight. No Phase-III activity detected at perimeter. Staff reaction mixed: relief at upcoming external movement and heightened vigilance. Internal systems secured; Dr. Mercer compiling briefing material for de-brief convergence at CWP.