"I understand your frustration," Beverly said.
"That's not really an answer," Darnell said, glowering at Beverly. "Will you help us with a way to defend ourselves?"
"Who do you think you are?" Jack demanded, appearing next to Beverly. "We've given our lives to you stinking humans. Our friends died for you and you won't even listen to reason. The course of action you're suggesting is idiocy. There are tens of millions of Korgul on this planet. You couldn't remove them all in ten years if you lined them up in a row. You have to listen to us. You just aren't intelligent enough to understand the bigger picture."
Darnell started to speak but Jayne held her arm out, stopping him. "Are you done, Jack?" she asked. "Or do you have more to add?"
"What do you mean?" he spluttered.
"It is a simple enough question," Jayne said.
"I'm telling you that violence will lead to no good," he said. "Why won't you listen? I can't believe we even came to this ridiculous little planet full of small-minded simpletons. I won't let you do this! I'll stop you."
"Beverly, may I ask that Jack be removed from my body?" Jayne asked.
Jack's image froze in place.
"That is a very serious question, Dr. Jayne," Beverly said. "The process has never been attempted with the combination of human and Beltigersk and therefore we have no data on survival rates. With other hosts, it is very dangerous for both species."
"I see," Jayne said. "I would like him removed."
Beverly's face became stricken. "Please, no."
"Doc?" AJ asked, warning in his voice. "What are you doing?"
"I'm demonstrating something our guests do not seem to understand," Jayne said. "While Jack is brasher in his presentation, this lack of understanding is the subtext of Beverly's explanations as well. They both seem to believe we're okay with simply helping them fulfill their original mission. They believe the status-quo is acceptable, that enslaving the minds of the people of Earth is acceptable. Nothing could be further from the truth."
"I don't understand," Beverly said, her voice pleading. "Our mission is the only way to get the Galactic Empire to help humanity."
"Beverly, in your study of human history, did you happen to run across the Invasion of Normandy in World War II? D-Day?" Jayne asked.
"Yes. It was a horrible event," she said. "Thousands were killed in a single day."
"Those brave soldiers died trying to defeat an enemy force and free people who were being held captive.” Jayne paused to let her point sink in. “Did you know that humans ingest poison to counteract cancer? We don't know how to stop cancer other than to poison ourselves and hope we survive."
Beverly nodded, but didn't say anything.
"Our mission is to remove Korgul from Earth," Jayne said. "We would prefer to accomplish that peacefully, but you must understand, none of us will hesitate to use violence if that is required. The Korgul are a virus and will be removed by any means necessary. If Jack can't get on board, then let's get him out of my body. If I survive, we can move on from there. Otherwise, AJ and Darnell can continue the mission without me."
"Are you sure, Doc?" AJ asked.
"I've pulled bullets from your body, Albert Jenkins. I already know what you'd do," she replied.
"There is another procedure," Beverly said. "I could remove Jack's ability to interact with you. He would become a passenger, only able to observe. It is less drastic than removal but would achieve a similar objective."
"Practical weapons, capacity to identify Korgul and a can-do attitude," Jayne listed commandingly. "You have until we leave for Mexico to solve each of these issues. I will take failure on any objective as a sign that we're on our own and I will ask that Jack be silenced permanently. Am I clear?"
"We understand, Amanda Jayne," Beverly said.
AJ pulled the engine cowl down and clamped it in place, slapping dust from his hands. With the help of a diesel mechanic, a gleeful truck tire salesman, and a welder, they now had a working vehicle and a spaceship frame mounted atop the flatbed. AJ had also parted with another twenty-five thousand of his life's savings.
"How long will you be gone, Mr. AJ?" Diego asked, shifting uneasily. For the last week, he'd been by every day, helping the crew prepare for their trip.
"Not sure," AJ said. "At least a week. It'll take that much time to drive down there in this old girl."
"Are you sure that I should not come with you? Your Spanish is very bad," the boy said.
"Probably not this time, kid. If you want, though, you could look after the place for me. Plenty of food in the fridge that's just going to go bad."
Diego brightened. "Yes. I will clean your home and keep it safe."
Jayne crossed the driveway holding a small duffle bag over her shoulder. "We ready to get going?" she asked, climbing up into the truck's cab.
"Just waiting on Darnell," AJ said. Over the last ten days, she'd transformed into a much younger-looking version of herself, just as Darnell had.
"I'm coming," Darnell called, jogging out from behind the machine shed with a heavy pack on his back. "I was just reloading the last of the 7.62 ammo."
"How many rounds did we end up with?" AJ asked, stretching up into the cab and checking for the 9mm pistol he'd stowed beneath the seat. Apparently, Jayne's pep talk had been a convincing one because only a day later, a sullen Beverly had presented a workable plan. She had designed electronically charged payloads that could be loaded in front of ordinary gunpowder charges. In that the payload only needed to make skin contact, the amount of gunpowder needed was considerably less.
“I managed a thousand rounds of both nine-mil and seven-sixty-twos," he said. "I hope we don't get into too much trouble. I could bring that 3D printer and the reloading equipment along if you think we'll need it."
"If we need more than two thousand rounds of ammo, we've got bigger problems," AJ said. "Diego, close the gate behind us?"
"Okay, Mr. AJ," Diego said. "See you when you get back."
AJ helped Darnell stow the ammo into a plastic tote at the front of the long flatbed. Designed to haul heavy equipment, their luggage and supplies hardly made a dent in the flatbed's capacity.
"You ready for this, Big D?" AJ asked, catching Darnell's nervous glance.
"They know we're coming," he said.
"We'll see." AJ clapped his buddy on the back and then headed to the front cab where Greybeard waited patiently to be lifted up into the truck. "Up you go, big fella."
"You know I haven't held a weapon since 'Nam." Jayne had spotted the weapon beneath his seat before climbing in. She handed Darnell a pillow and adjusted another so Greybeard could lie across her lap.
"Ready?" AJ released the clutch a little too quickly and the truck lurched to a start. "Sorry about that, things are a bit tighter than they used to be."
Darnell pulled a pistol out of a small bag under his seat and ejected the magazine as he worked the slide. "Guns haven't really changed much since 'Nam," he said, pulling a bullet off the top of the magazine and handing it to her. "The trick is to keep the bullet from flying apart when it exits the barrel. Our new pistol ammo has a sweet spot between five and thirty yards. Closer than that and the round is probably fatal. Too far and you'll be lucky to get a hit. The rifle rounds are a little trickier. Hard to make 'em non-lethal but we did the best we could."
Jayne rolled the bullet around in her fingers. "I don't understand. How'd you make this work?"
"Think self-contained taser," he said. "There's a miniscule speck of Fantastium powering electrodes that pop-out on contact. We were lucky I had a line on that industrial 3D printer. We wouldn't have had time to make even half the bullets otherwise. Saved us a bunch of time."
"Better have," AJ snorted. "Cost eighty-five thousand dollars for expedited delivery and setup. I'm just about tapped out."
Jayne handed the bullet back to Darnell, who pushed it into the magazine and slipped it into the gun. "Chamber's empty. You'll have to rack the slide if you want to fire it."<
br />
"Show me how," Jayne said.
"No officer, I don't know why there's a hole in my truck." AJ pantomimed the pretend conversation. "I guess my friends just thought they'd play with my gun while I drove through these damn potholes."
Darnell chuckled. "No potholes in Arizona, pal. Try again." But he put the gun away with a knowing nod.
"Last stop before the border," AJ said, pulling over to the side of the road. They'd driven less than two hundred miles, but the distance was far enough for them to start feeling sore from the constant bouncing.
"So, you want me to use the rocket-man rig and fly all our weapons and ammo over the border? What if someone sees me?" Darnell asked.
"Then you're going to have some very confused immigrants," AJ said. "I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think they'll be lining up to give interviews any time soon."
AJ and Darnell walked back alongside the flatbed. AJ jumped up and pulled the prepared backpack over. "Just like you practiced in the yard," AJ said, trying to keep his friend calm. "You won't have Beverly to translate, but 2-F understands what you're saying and can bring up a HUD if you need it."
Darnell raised an eyebrow as he finished strapping on the rig. "Okay, Mom. Remember, I'm the former gunship pilot. 2-F and I have this. Just like riding a bike."
AJ lifted the pack that held the equipment they couldn’t take through customs. With weapons, ammo and the Fantastium machines, it was heavy, and Darnell had to wear it backward to keep his hands free.
"This is messed up," Darnell said as he wobbled from the weight.
"2-F has your course loaded," Beverly appeared, hovering in front of Darnell. "I'll stay with you as far as I can."
"Well, shit," Darnell said and lifted off, disappearing into the night sky.
"Good?" Jayne asked, when AJ climbed back in.
"He's nervous," AJ said, firing the big diesel motor back up and pulling onto the darkened highway.
"Makes two of us."
A few minutes later Beverly appeared on the dashboard, wearing her default jeans and white blouse. "He's beyond my range for direct communication, but he's flying well."
"Good," Jayne said.
A few miles later, the border crossing came into view. "Mexico side doesn't look very busy," AJ noted. "Not sure if that's good or bad."
"Just play it cool, AJ," Jayne said.
"Cool's my middle name." He grinned as he pulled up behind a car with Colorado license plates.
"Did you remember to give him the pistol under your seat?" Jayne asked.
"Oh, shit," he said, turning in his seat to see if he could back up. A pickup truck had pulled in behind them, blocking their exit.
"He's waving at you," Jayne said, looking out the front window. AJ turned back. The car with the Colorado plates was gone and he was next in line. "Just go with it. We can't turn around now."
AJ pulled ahead. "Identification, please." The Mexican border officer was young, and he smiled as AJ handed over their passports. "Business or pleasure?" he asked.
"A little of both," AJ said, trying to keep it light. "I have a junkyard north of Tucson. Thought I might do a little shopping."
A second officer joined the first and started walking a dog around the truck. "Are you all right, sir? You appear a bit nervous."
"I don't travel to Mexico very often," AJ said.
"Would you step out of your vehicle, sir? Are you carrying any contraband?" the man asked.
AJ shook his head. "Just clothing and food in the back. Do you want me to open the totes?"
The man tipped his head back. "And the coolers?"
"Pop, snacks," AJ said.
"Yes. We'll need to search the vehicle," he said. "Juan, search the cab."
AJ's heart sank as Jayne was asked to exit the cab. Not having another plan however, he followed the instructions and walked to the side of the flatbed where their supplies were strapped down.
"You are traveling light," the officer noted. "What's in the cases?"
"Food, clothing, tools," AJ said.
"Open them," the officer instructed, climbing into the bed after AJ.
AJ did as he was told and glanced into the cab. The second officer had already removed the pillows, coolers and blankets from the cab and was running his hand over the bench seat. He looked over at Jayne and Greybeard who had been escorted to a nearby security booth.
"You cannot have this," the officer said, lifting a bag of oranges and setting them aside as he moved through the open totes.
"Sorry," AJ said, glancing nervously back to the cab.
"I will confiscate them," the man said. "I've seen enough. You can repack and join your friend."
AJ secured the tops and strapped the totes back down to the flatbed. It felt like the longest walk of his life as he crossed the pavement to where Jayne and Greybeard stood looking on.
"Any trouble?" Jayne asked, seemingly unbothered.
"No," AJ said. "You?"
"Juan is very thorough."
A few minutes later the first officer looked at AJ and waved him over. "You are free to go. Welcome to Mexico."
"Thank you," he said, waving Jayne over.
"What was that all about?" she asked as AJ drove away from the border station.
AJ patted the space under his chair, looking for the weapon. "Where did it go? Do you think they took it?"
Greybeard gave a little grumble and opened his wide mouth. Sitting on his tongue and covered by his wide cheek flaps was AJ's pistol.
"Holy cow," Jayne said, slumping against the seat. "I want to throw up."
"BB, any word on Darnell?" AJ asked as they wound through the town that had grown up around the border crossing.
"He is already at the location we agreed upon," she said.
AJ shifted gears and breathed a sigh of relief. "Only a thousand miles left."
AJ's head bumped against the door and he slowly opened his eyes. It was dark out. He'd been sleeping on and off for the last few hours, having driven well into midday before switching with Darnell. As he awoke, he became aware of Jayne leaning against his side with only a thin pillow separating them.
"How long have I been down?" he asked, quietly.
"Five hours or so," Darnell said. "We passed through Mariano Balleza about an hour ago."
"We're close." AJ adjusted as part of his backside had fallen asleep. Jayne moved, but didn't need a lot of encouragement to stay asleep. "You know where we're going?"
Beverly appeared on the dash, once again in her utilitarian clothing. " Cabañas El Tepehuan is expecting us this evening. I let them know to expect three for dinner."
"So, what? We just wake up tomorrow and drive over to the junkyard and buy a spaceship?" Darnell asked.
"That's the long and short of it," AJ said. "I was thinking I'd get a ride down to the junkyard after breakfast. If the place checks out, I'll call you to bring the truck over."
"Are you sure we should be splitting up?"
"No."
Eighteen
Always the Hard Way
AJ pushed his plate away, having cleaned up the last of a large portion of eggs, beans and tortillas. The coffee was stronger than he was used to but had a good flavor. Not knowing what to expect so far from the US border, he'd been pleasantly surprised by the sparsely appointed all-brick hotel. The rooms were large and clean with queen-sized beds, hardwood floors, and handmade wooden furniture.
They'd gotten up early and gathered in the hotel's restaurant set in an open, central courtyard that joined the hotel's surrounding buildings. While the morning sun was blocked by a generous, faded umbrella, the day promised to be a hot one.
"Would you like anything else, Señors, Señora?" The waitress was a middle-aged woman who spoke only Spanish, which suited AJ since Beverly was happy to provide translation.
"No. Gracias, Rosa." AJ placed two twenties on the table.
Rosa took one of the twenties, promising to bring back change.
"How are we getting to the j
unkyard this morning?" Jayne asked.
"It's only three miles away," he said. "We could walk. But the concierge said they'd have a driver available after breakfast."
"Concierge?" Darnell asked. So far, they'd only seen a few staff at the hotel. "You mean Rosa?"
"So, she wears a lot of hats," AJ said, glancing at his phone. "Doc, if you're coming with me, we should probably get going."
Jayne stood up and smoothed her jeans. "Wish us luck.” She took a final drink of her coffee.
Working their way back across the red-brown tile of the hotel lobby, AJ spotted a young man, probably not old enough to drive in the states, smiled and waved as they approached.
"Señor Jenkins?"
"Are you driving us today?" AJ asked.
"Yes, I'm Javier. Rosa told me to take you wherever you ask," he said. "Do you wish to leave now?"
"Yes," AJ said. "We're looking to check out Partes Viejas. Not sure if I said that right, but it's a junkyard."
"Are you certain, Señor Jenkins?" Javier asked with a frown.
AJ nodded. "Is that a problem?"
"No, Señor," Javier said. It wasn't lost on AJ that Javier's demeanor had soured upon hearing the name of the junkyard.
"We'll walk back," AJ said, "Just need you to drop us off."
"Very well." Javier brightened, pushed open the lobby door and held it for Jayne.
His vehicle was an ancient, compact Toyota pickup which made for a tight squeeze for the three of them, especially considering AJ had to straddle the manual shift.
"You don't like Partes Viejas?" AJ asked.
"Oh, no, Señor Jenkins," he said firing up the little truck. "There is nothing wrong with Partes Viejas." The rest of their conversation was cut short as the squeal of an old belt filled the tiny cab and Javier sped away from the hotel.
"Have you lived here long?" AJ asked, yelling over the noise of the engine.
"Que?" Javier asked.
AJ shook his head. Apparently, small talk wasn't going to be a thing. Instead, he looked out over the small town, taking in the sights of homes and businesses as they passed. While the town was not wealthy, most of the residents seemed to take pride in what they had.
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