The Endgame Chronicles (by Hugh White) novel Chapter 498

Chapter 498

Nathaniel kept explaining things along the way.

After several hours in the air, Hayley finally saw Ark Two appear in the middle of a vast stretch of desert.

It was a bleak little town, almost the same color as the surrounding wasteland, so well camouflaged that it nearly blended into the sand.

Three wall–like barriers encircled the settlement, one ring wrapped inside another, dividing the town into three

separate zones.

For hundreds of miles around it, there was nothing but endless yellow desert. Not a sign of life anywhere.

They landed in the second ring, the inner zone.

“We’re here,” Nathaniel said as Ark Two came into view.

He handed Hayley two masks.

“This is Ark One’s insignia. Everyone attending the auction has to wear a mask representing their base.”

The masks he gave her were green.

Hayley nodded and passed one to Griffin. They all put on the green masks.

The helicopter touched down.

Nathaniel stepped out first.

Then Hayley followed, holding the dogs‘ leashes. Griffin and the rest of the group poured out behind her in one

noisy wave.

Once she was on the ground, Hayley finally got a clear look at the place.

Every building was coated in an earthy yellow, the walls worn raw by years of wind and grit.

The roads were paved, but had long ago faded into a dusty gray under constant layers of sand. A few scattered trees stood bare and lifeless in the winter cold.

Hayley breathed out a cloud of fog. The desert winter was brutal.

“Guests from Ark One, please follow me,” a voice said nearby.

A male attendant wearing a yellow mask stepped forward respectfully.

Nathaniel nodded to him. The group headed toward a large, old–looking opera house ahead.

“Yellow masks are Ark Two,” Nathaniel said quietly.

“What about Ark Three?” Hayley asked.

“White”

Just then, the sound of another helicopter landing thundered behind them. As the rotors slowed, a group of people wearing white masks emerged.

Hayley stopped. She tightened her grip on the dogs‘ leashes and watched them approach.

+15 BOTUS

Most of them were men, with only a handful of women mixed in. With the masks on, there was no way to tell their ages or faces.

The white masked group walked straight toward them.

“Ark One, hello,” the man at the front greeted Nathaniel.

Nathaniel gave a polite nod. “Hello, Ark Three.”

“We heard you ran into some trouble recently,” the white masked man said. “We’ve been concerned.”

Nathaniel smiled, but it held no warmth. “We’re doing just fine. Thanks for thinking of us.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify