XXV
BarricadeLuke was on autopilot.
Forced into a gear he didn't know he possessed, the reality of Tammy being gone from his life warred with the orders given to him by Tom. Anguish and grief were waiting in the shadows to take him down, like it had right after the Exodus, when he faced a world without his family.
Derick spent a few moments with him, at least until someone yelled for the Gunny. His big brother, in every sense of the word, bumped their foreheads together like they used to and left without even hesitating. Luke let him go and turned back to his work table. Nothing had been upturned but a good five minutes went by before he realized he was just staring at the transponder. Rubbing his face, Luke glanced up to check on his brother. Right. Back to work.
Fifteen minutes late
