Chapter 4
Contains spoilersOverview
Mrs. Julia Sigsby overruled Stackhouse and decided to personally lead a rapid field operation to DuPray with Ruby and Opal extraction teams and support staff. She laid out a tight travel plan, asserted command structure once the operation goes hot, and ordered Avery Dixon to be moved to Back Half during her absence.
Summary
Stackhouse planned to accompany two extraction teams on the Challenger, but Mrs. Julia Sigsby overruled him, asserting her authority and dismissing his visible dismay. She emphasized accountability if the operation failed and insisted on being present to write a ground-level report, suggesting a formal report would likely be unavoidable.
They walked to the gate leading to the road where a Ford Windstar idled, driven by Robin Lecks with Michelle Robertson in the passenger seat. Mrs. Sigsby detailed the itinerary: from their facility to Presque Isle, then to Erie, Pennsylvania to pick up Opal Team, then on to Alcolu, South Carolina, and finally to DuPray by around 7 p.m., with Ruby and Opal teams, Tony Fizzale (ex-Marines), Dr. Evans, Winona Briggs (ex-Army, triage), and Denny Williams designated as in-charge once the operation became active.
Stackhouse reiterated his concern that she lacked field experience and that he should lead, but Mrs. Sigsby shut him down, warning him not to repeat the suggestion. As Denny Williams opened the van, she reminded Stackhouse of the chain of command for the mission: Williams would lead once they went hot, not her.
Before boarding, Mrs. Sigsby issued a further directive: Avery Dixon was to be thoroughly dunked and moved to Back Half by the time she returned. When Stackhouse noted resistance from “Donkey Kong,” she replied with a threatening smile, making clear she did not care about internal objections.
Who Appears
- Mrs. Julia Sigsby
Institute director; overrules Stackhouse, personally leads the field operation to DuPray, sets itinerary, asserts Williams’s tactical command, orders Avery Dixon dunked and moved to Back Half.
- Stackhouse
senior Institute official; objects to Sigsby’s field involvement, instructed to run the facility and to ensure Avery Dixon’s transfer.
- Denny Williams
leader of the extraction operation once it goes hot; opens the van door for Sigsby and is designated tactical lead.
- Robin Lecks
driver of the Ford Windstar; part of the transport team (new).
- Michelle Robertson
passenger in the van; part of the transport team (new).
- Tony Fizzale
ex-Marines; listed as part of the field team (new).
- Dr. Evans
medical staff; part of the field team (new).
- Winona Briggs
ex-Army with triage skills; medical support on the field team (new).
- Ruby Team
extraction team accompanying Sigsby (new).
- Opal team
extraction team to be picked up in Erie (new).
- Avery Dixon
Institute subject; ordered to be dunked and moved to Back Half during Sigsby’s absence (discussed).
- “Donkey Kong”
internal nickname for a resisting party regarding Avery Dixon’s treatment; opposes the order (discussed; identity not specified here).