Tom Mason wasn't sure what to make of this place that reminded him of the setting of a series of books he'd been reading to his boys when the aliens invaded the earth. He was here now, with no way back to where he'd been before, and if that wasn't enough, Pope was here too. Not Anne, or one of his boys. Not Weaver or anyone he really and truly trusted, no. Just Pope.
Tom and Pope had a colorful history from saving each others lives to trying to end those lives. They had a mutual respect, Tom thought, but it was conditional. They made a habit of saving each other's asses, and then turning around and threatening the ass they'd just saved.
"Hello, Pope," Tom said as he entered the great hall where Pope was already waiting for him.