Alex Morgan

In the 22nd century, Earth has been harvested by a race of aliens known as the Xini. In the aftermath, all the planet’s resources have been stripped. Dakota sets out from Dallas in search of his lover, Grayson, who vanished on his way to St. Louis after the invading fleet departed.<br><br>Dakota faces unknown dangers in the devastated plains of northern Texas and southern Oklahoma as scavengers -- human beings reduced to shells after the Harvesting -- roam the earth attacking anything that moves in an effort to survive.<br><br>He finds a group of survivors struggling in what little remains of Oklahoma City, led by the tough, handsome Colonel Welch. While Mother Nature unleashes a fury of natural disasters to purge herself of the Xini rape, Dakota must decide whether to stay with the colonel and help him make the colony viable, or continue onto St. Louis to find Grayson.

Harvested

Idon’t think I’m ready, and here I am asking him to face his loss all over again. “It’s okay, Chip. You don’t have to go. We’ll be able to find our way.”


Chip didn’t respond and sat staring at the ground. At last, he reached out and scratched Howie on the head. “It’s all right. I can show you the way. Besides, I think I’d prefer doing something instead of sitting around here doing nothing.”


Dakota decided against reminding Chip he was just talking about all the projects he planned to become involved with.


“I’m glad you’ll be going with us,” he said. 


Chip managed a soft chuckle. “Somebody’s got to make sure you behave.”


Dakota laughed with him. “Just keep this under your hat.” With the sad emotions dealt with for the present, he called out to Buddy several times, although he was certain the coyote was remaining out of sight due to Howie’s presence. He told Chip his suspicions.


“Take Howie and head back to the colony,” he said. “I have to be sure Buddy’s okay.”


Chapter 32