Nikoli looks at the anxious faces around him, careful to meet the eyes of everyone circled around him before he speaks. "We've received word from the outside," he says. "It doesn't look good." The brief moment of hope that flashed on Sanjay's face dissolves. Yahiko nods. No one says anything; they wait for details from Nikoli.

"The earthquakes destroyed everything," Nikoli says. "We're the only survivors. The entire planet is covered in lava."

"It wasn't earthquakes, stupid," Derrick says, standing up. "My uncle is in charge of the base and he says it was bombs."

"I thought it was going to be aliens this time," Sanjay says. "Bombs from aliens," he adds quickly at Derrick's glare. "Earthquakes are just stupid."

Nikoli looks from one to the other, both of the older boys are now standing, arms crossed. He bits his lip, unsure of what to do. Judy looks at Nikoli and then at Derrick and Sanjay, and back. She stands. "Its Nikoli's turn," she says. "If he says its earthquakes, than it was earthquakes." Derrick and Sanjay look at each other, and mumble their assent. Sanjay adds, "I still think earthquakes are stupid," but quickly sits down when Judy glares at him. Judy may be the only girl there, but at eleven, she is oldest by two years.

She turns and looks at Nikoli, who grins up at her. "What are we going to do now, commander? We don't have enough supplies in this underground bunker to last very long."

Nikoli puts on a thoughtful expression, looking around the snow fort where Judy indicates empty shelves with a sweep of her arm. He raises and goes to the window, a spot in the roofless structure that sits lower than the surrounding walls. "We have no choice," he says. "We'll have to go out and get supplies."

"But sir, won't everything have burned in the lava?" Yahiko asks. Nikoli looks back at his group. He hadn't thought of that.

"I'm sure the places that are up high," Judy says, "like mountains, are safe from the lava. We can go there."

Nikoli nods. "That's right. There are still a few places in the mountains. We should pack what we have and head there. If we stay underground, we may get buried under lava."

The boys all nod, and begin packing imaginary bags. "I've got the food," Yahiko says.

"I've got the medical supplies," says Nikoli.

"I've got the guns," chimes in Derrick. "In case we meet any wild beasts or savages."

"Me too. I have guns, too," adds Sanjay.

"I want guns."

'But you're carrying the food."

"I can carry both."

"Someone needs to bring the tent and sleeping gear, too."

Judy is looking out over the walls of the snow fort. The day is overcast, like so many of the past days, and there is a threat of more grayish snow. The air is cold, but not stuffy, like indoors, where they had been cooped up. She can't tell what time it is; the sun's light has been evenly diffused by the clouds all day. She decides it might be getting dimmer.

"Judy, will you carry the food, and medicine, and sleeping gear?" Nikoli is standing behind her now, his eyes wide, holding out two imaginary bags for her.

"Okay," she says, and mimes putting the bags on. Nikoli gives her a grin. One of his front teeth is missing. She tussles his dark hair, and he smile gets bigger. Then he notices the other boys, and quickly swats her hand away.

"Okay," Nikoli says, looking at his crew. "Let's go out there and beat those savages!"

One by one the children crawl out the door. There is no top, just an opening in the fort, but each of them knows it's a tight portal that they must crawl through for several seconds before reaching outside.

Nikoli, who is in the lead, finally stands up as he reaches the stump of what had been a large oak. "Remember to be careful of the lava," he declares.

Yahiko, who is behind him, stands now, too. "Where is the mountain we have to get to?"

Nikoli points to a small shed that stands across the field. "There. Remember to walk on the ruins to keep your feet from burning off," he says, and leads the way. The ridges are clear, even under the dusty gray snow, and the children surefooted. After many fights with beasts and savages, and a quick rescue of Sanjay who looses his footing and falls in the lava, they make it to their destination.

Inside the shack they celebrate. There is food and medicine, and even bigger guns than the ones they have. It also provides some warmth.

"It's getting cold," Sanjay says. Everyone agrees.

"And I'm hungry," Yahiko adds.

"Me too."

"Let's head back," Judy says, and opens the door to the shed. The outside air is cold, and the sky is an eerie orange, the clouds tinted from an unseen setting sun.

"I wonder what we are going to eat tonight?" Yahiko says.

"I hope they don't give us vegetables again. They're getting all soggy and yucky," Sanjay chimes in.

"We'll be out of those vegetables soon," Derrick says. "My brother says after that all we've got is the canned ones. He heard my uncle talking."

Yahiko and Nikoli make faces at this.

"I'm just glad we have the food," Judy says, ending the conversation. They walk on in silence for a few minutes. Gray snow begins to fall softly, and they pick up the pace.

"It's my turn next," Sanjay says, "Right?" Nikoli nods, and Derrick grunts, his breath creating a small patch of fog in front of his face.

"Tomorrow it's going to be aliens," Sanjay says, stopping in his tracks. Derrick pushes him, and Sanjay adds "With bombs. Real aliens attacking," and starts walking again.

It's getting darker, and they walk faster. Judy is now carrying Yahiko on her back as the snow gets deeper.

"I think we're late," Nikoli says. "Usually my mom comes to get me before it gets dark."

"Me too," Derrick says, taking the lead through the snow covered ruins.

"Do you think we missed dinner?" Sanjay asks.

"No," Judy assures. "I'm sure they're waiting for us."

***

The cold metal portal door of the bunker is shut, and looks greenish in the flickering florescent light. Sergeant Yamamato stands in front of the door, one hand on his pistol, still in it's holster. He, and everyone else, has been on edge for the past month, unsure of what will happen.

Mr. Duchastel supports Mrs. Garcia, who is crying. "They're our babies. You have to let us get them. You have to let them in."

Sergeant Yamamato shakes his head with a grimace. "We can't. You know the rules. They know the rules. This door must stay shut. Its bad enough they opened it going out like they did."

"They didn't understand, that's all," Mrs. Garcia sobs. "They just wanted to be outside. You can't keep children cooped up and expect them to stay that way, stay happy."

Lieutenant O'Malley approaches the group at the entryway. Anxious parents look to him, hopeful. He shakes his head. "We just received word from the outside. It doesn't look good. According to the surviving instruments the radiation out here is still at lethal levels. Any prolonged exposure to the radiation from the bombs, more than 10 minutes, is lethal. It also appears radiation snow is falling on the ruins of the city."

Mrs. Garcia sobs. Tears form in Mr. Duchastel's eyes. "Is there nothing we can do?"

Lieutenant O'Malley shakes his head. "This bunker is not equipped to deal with radiation. The only thing we can do is keep a close eye on the rest of the children. We don't need any more victims of this war."