The Infected 1: Proxy (70 page)

Of course it probably meant that Hobbs was actually from a different reality rather than just insane. Brian would have to change his thinking on the man a bit. Luckily he liked him anyway. That made it easier to accept.

"So," Marcia filled in after they'd all stopped talking. "If she can be trusted at all to be telling the truth, some kind of massive war is coming. We need to get ready."

Brian took her hand and nodded.

One way or the other, things were about to get serious. He had a lot to think about and to learn, apparently. If that wasn't all just hot air to keep him preoccupied of course. The woman, he realized, had been clever, no matter what he did now, he'd always be second guessing himself and that would eventually lead to errors. He said this out loud.

"So don't. Just pick the course you feel is right and sail it." Hobbs told him, sounding like this would be a simple thing to do and surprised Brian hadn't thought of it himself.

"In the end that's all any of us do anyway."

Brian shrugged.

That really was all he could do, he knew. Try to find what felt right to him and do it, and hope he wasn't being a moron in what he picked.

Later he and Marcia went back to nine and sat in the dining room with everyone else. Brian sat between Karen and Penny, both of whom held his hands on the table top. After about an hour of discussion the director came in with Rachel and sat down too. No one spoke for a long time. Christian, the one who, no doubt, knew what everyone was thinking broke the silence.

"We're all with you Brian. What do you think we should do first?"

He told them.