The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments)

by Jacqueline Druga

  Fort Bragg, North Carolina

  February 2 - 8:00 A.M.

  A part of Joyce wished she had gotten an earlier start. The other part asked how far she thought she would have gotten if she arrived at Fort Bragg at the crack of dawn. It was a long drive, especially alone. She stopped several times to devour large coffees and more times to expel them. All of it added up to more time than she planned, time Joyce did not have to risk. She was grateful that the State Trooper in Virginia had let her go with a warning. Maybe he saw how upset she was, how worried. Either way, adding a speeding fine she could not afford to what was on her mind was really minuscule. Cal was foremost.

  The clerk at the convenience store was wonderful. Joyce had stopped there, mere miles from Fort Bragg. The employee chatted with her while she got her wits back, devouring a glazed donut that the donut man had just dropped off. But what Joyce was eternally grateful for was that the clerk allowed her to use the private bathroom. Brushing her hair and teeth and adding a bit more make up after she changed her clothes seemed vain, but she knew it was important. How serious were they going to take someone if they looked far from presentable and totally out of it?

  Joyce looked better when she left the Stop and Shop. She felt better, too. And Fort Bragg was not that far away.

  “Yes, I need to speak to a Captain Charles Burgett, please.” Joyce told the soldier at the gate.

  “And you’re name?” he asked.

  “Joyce Swindle.”

  He pulled out his clipboard checking the names. “Is he expecting you, Ma’am?”

  “No, he isn’t. I need to speak with him.” Joyce’s hands began to grip the steering wheel.

  “I’m sorry but you aren’t listed here. Please back the vehicle away from the fence.”

  “No,” Joyce said sternly. “I will not. I’ve come all the way from Pittsburgh to speak with him and I will speak with him. Now do what you have to do soldier. Pick up the phone, yell across the goddamn compound for all I care, but get in touch with him. I have an urgent message for him.”

  “I’m sorry. Please move your motor vehicle away from the gate.”

  “No, I will not.” Joyce’s attitude remained adamant.

  “I will not tell you again. Move . . .” he raised his voice, “the vehicle or I will have the authorities move you.”

  “The authorities? Will that get me inside?” she asked.

  “No, it won’t.”

  “Fine, I’ll find him myself.” Throwing the car in reverse, Joyce knew what she had to do.

  He had his orders, Corporal Nelson did. He was nice to the moody woman when she showed up at the gate an hour earlier, but now he had to get serious. One more warning, just to be the nice guy he was, and that would be it. Throwing a fit at the gate was one thing but flagging down cars as they turned in the drive to the front gate of Fort Bragg was another. He cleared his throat and said to a frustrated Joyce who had failed to get the attention of another passing car, “Excuse me.”

  Joyce turned her head, then focused back again on the road. “Go away. I’m not near the gate.”

  “What are you doing? You can’t stand out here bothering every car asking them if they’re Captain Burgett. Now, I have my orders to move you.”

  “And I have my best friend’s life at stake.” She faced him holding back the hair that fell from her clip. “I don’t know how things run down here, but know it is imperative that I speak to this Captain. I don’t know him from Adam. But I have a desperate letter from my best friend stating some Major Graison wants him found.”

  “Who did you just say wanted him found?”

  “Major Jacob Graison. . . . Here.” She walked over to the car and handed him the letter.

  Corporal Nelson read. “Why didn’t you mention Major Graison before?”

  “I did, you asshole.”

  “No, you did not. It would have made a difference. Follow me to the gate.”

  With a loud annoying sigh of relief, Joyce threw her head back. “Thank you.” She got into her car and drove to the front gate, arriving there before the Corporal.

  Not wanting to take his eyes off the letter, Colonel Roberts indicated a chair for Joyce. “Please, Ms. Swindle, have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” Joyce sat. “Thank you so much Colonel for seeing me.”

  “You bringing this to my attention is of extreme importance,” Colonel Roberts said as he sat down.

  “So who is this Major Graison?”

  “He is one of our finest.” The Colonel shook his head as he read the letter yet another time. “We have to wait for Captain Burgett to arrive and clarify a . . .” A knock interrupted his sentence. “That’s him. Come in.”

  Stepping in tall and straight Chuck snapped to attention and saluted. “You wanted to see me, sir.”

  “At ease, Captain, and please shut the door.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Chuck reached back and shut it. He saw Joyce in the chair and shifted his eyes to her and smiled.

  “Captain Burgett, I would like for you to meet Joyce Swindle.”

  “Ma’am.” Chuck shook her hand.

  “Sit down, Captain. Miss Swindle received an urgent message for help.” He handed him the letter. “It’s from Jake.”

  Pulling up a chair, Chuck nearly lost his breath as he read the letter. His eyes looked up to Colonel Roberts. “This is unbelievable.” He sat down.

  “Tell me. Do you know what this, ‘play me some Bach’ means?” Colonel Roberts asked.

  “I do, sir. If I may?” Chuck cleared his throat. “About six years ago, Major Graison and I were on special assignment for the CIA. I will spare the details due to civilian presence, sir. That was the code we came up with to let air control know we needed help. There were three codes. ‘Play me some Bach’ was one of them. That code specified what our needs were at the time and what supplies were wanted.”

  “And how does it fare now? What does this tell you?”

  “It tells me that Major Graison and this Cal person are surrounded by unforeseen forces. Forces they cannot control any longer and have to take out. They can’t pull out. Mission is not complete. Meaning the experiment is not done. They’re circled. It’s bad.”

  Colonel Roberts watched Joyce’s expression drop. “Captain, can you recall what those supplies are?”

  “Yes, sir, I can.” Chuck nodded.

  “Good. Get the list together and bring it to me pronto. I’ll work on getting the clearance we need from the Canadian government to help them out. I’d like to have this mission in the air by zero five-hundred hours tomorrow, son. Feel like flying it?”

  “Yes, sir, I do.” Chuck stood up. “I’ll start getting it together right now.” He stepped back and extended his hand to Joyce. “Thank you. Thank you very much for bringing that note here.”

  Colonel Roberts interjected, “Miss Swindle is concerned, too. Seems Cal is her best friend as well. Miss Swindle, if it helps, I’d like you to know, your friend Cal couldn’t be in any better hands than Major Graison.”

  Joyce smiled. “And begging your pardon, Colonel, I’d like to say the same thing about your Major Graison.”

  I-S.E. Twelve - Seal River Complex, Manitoba, Canada

  February 2 - 3:30 P.M.

  Cal could smell the cleanliness of him before he even spoke. The soapy fresh smell was so welcome down in the control center where she sat. “That was fast.”

  “I don’t want to miss anything. Did I?”

  “Nothing at all.”

  “Damn it!” Jake sounded so angry. “I wished to God he would just get up. He’s due.”

  “Jake, he’ll be up soon enough. Why do you want to rush it?”

  “I want this over with before help arrives.”

  “Over with?” Cal asked. “You mean delayed, don’t you?”

  Jake pulled out his revolver and checked the clip, securing it back in place. “Yeah.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Sorry about the . . .” A gleam took over Jake’s eye. The corner of his mo
uth lifted in a smile and a rush hit him. “It’s time.” Jake saw the Stasis move.

  “It’s time for what. . . Jake?” Cal asked as she watched the mad look in his eyes as he grabbed the ax and stormed from the room. “Time for what?” she called, afraid to leave the spot. She had to be ready to hit the homing device.

  “It’s time to end this thing once and for all. He’s going down, Cal. It’s going to be him or me. I guarantee I’ll still be standing.”

  “Jake, no!” She saw his determination, a determination that frightened her and made her leave her post. “Jake, no.” She raced to him following him to the dining area and tugging his arm. “Stop.”

  “Cal.” Jake pulled away. “I have to get up there. I have to get him before he gets us.”

  “I can’t let you do this. You can’t go up against him.” She tried harder, pulling at him to stop him.

  “Back off, Cal!” He stepped back. “I have to do this. I have to.”

  “You don’t have what you need to do this. Please, I’m begging you.” Cal made an emotional plea.

  “Don’t doubt me. Not now.” He pressed the button for the lift and the door opened. Jake, looking stern, stepped on.

  Cal jumped on with him. “Then I’m going with you.”

  Jake ignored her, walking with confidence, revolver in hand to the front door of the building. “Go to the roof and wait for me. Grab the shotgun.” He lifted the crow bar from the floor.

  Cal, frightened, did what he asked. She took off running. Knowing there were only ten rounds, she prayed that it would be enough if she needed to help Jake.

  Jake pulled off the two by fours one at a time. He listened for the sound of wolves but heard nothing. With confidence and without fear, Jake flung open the front door, pulling it closed behind him and stepped into the snow. It was time to face The Stasis.

  Jake saw him. He walked from the storage building. Not a raise in blood pressure or increase in heart rate did Jake experience. He was ready. Standing close to the building, clenching his jaws, Jake stared at the beast that hesitated in his stride toward him. “Come and get me. Come and get me now you son of a bitch. Take me down. It’s you and me.” Jake’s words held anger. They carried his meaning across the snow covering the distance between them. And the Stasis understood.

  Jake was not who he wanted. But the opportunity was there.

  Cal watched horrified from the roof as Jake didn’t move. He kept his stance even as the beast closed in so near to him. She raised the shotgun over the roof.

  He could smell him with every beastly step he took toward him. “Do it,” Jake taunted. “Do it.” Not moving, not budging Jake knew the attack time was at hand. He didn’t flinch or change his outraged expression as the Stasis lunged forward and grabbed Jake by his throat.

  “Oh, God.” Cal pumped the chamber. “Oh, God.”

  Jake didn’t struggle, not in the least. He looked into the glowing eyes of the beast as his towering body was lifted from the ground. The leather like fingers, long nails and all, gripped his face, waiting for the right moment to snap Jake’s neck.

  As the beast raised him to eye level, Jake felt the choke hold tighten and smiled slightly at the beast. Quickly and calmly he lifted his revolver and held it at the center of its chest aiming upward at the neck of The Stasis. He fired everything the revolver had without blinking and without stopping. “Die!”

  The grip of the Stasis loosened and both he and Jake fell to the ground. Seeing the bleeding creature, eyes still open, Jake breathed outward and reached behind his back for the ax. Nearly digging into his skull, Jake gripped the head of the Stasis and with a loud cry, swung down with all of his strength and severed its head from its body. His outrage echoed into the hills and became the audible homing device that the wolves desired. Jake waited. He waited as he stood out of breath for the wall of wolves to appear. When they were in his reach, in his sight, Jake grunted loudly and tossed the head of the Stasis outward to them, allowing them to have the trophy of his victory.

  He looked up to Cal. She sat with her head slumped on her arm, her eyes lifted. Then he jumped for the rope and climbed up to her. “It’s over.”

  Fort Bragg, North Carolina

  February 2 - 7:30 P.M.

  “Thank you for the use of your couch, Chuck.” Joyce’s stride was slow as she walked side by side with Chuck whispering in her car.

  “You know you are more than welcome to rest longer.”

  “Thank you, but . . . those few hours worked. You will call me right. You won’t forget?”

  “I promise. I’ll let you know what’s up as soon as I get back.”

  “I appreciate it.” She leaned on the side of her car. “She has to come back. She wouldn’t ask for the help unless she needed it.”

  “Neither would Jake. I can’t believe they’re the only two left.”

  “I can probably tell you why Cal is left.” Joyce smiled. “She’s so damn miserable that she probably scared away all the elements that tried to get to her.”

  “She’s miserable, too? So is Jake. But he’s mean.”

  “Cal is, too, and she wonders why she has no other friends.”

  “Nobody else would put up with them.”

  Joyce agreed. “I’ve tried to find someone to do that, too. I hook her up with dates all the time.”

  “At least you can find someone to go out with her. I can’t even get a maybe from a woman to pass Jake on the street.” Chuck snickered. “God, are they alike. And listen to us, ripping them apart.”

  “Yeah, it’s fun.” Joyce opened the car door and paused. “But we love them. And we’d be nuts without them, so make sure you give them what they need, so we don’t have to be.” Joyce slid in the driver’s seat. “Thanks again.”

  Chuck shut the door for her and stood there until Joyce had driven from his street. He turned to go back in. As he walked up his walk, he stopped and stared four houses down to Jake’s dark empty house. “We’ll get you help, Jake.” Chuck blinked slowly, crossed his arms tighter and went back in his home.

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

  I-S.E. Twelve - Seal River Complex, Manitoba, Canada

  February 3 - 4:10 P.M.

  “Colonel Roberts, I can see buildings up ahead, sir.” Chuck spoke loudly over the helicopter noise.

  “That has to be it. Captain Burgett, do you see that? Is the ground moving?” Colonel Roberts peered out the window.

  “It is, sir. Looks like . . . wolves. Jesus Christ there has to be over a hundred.”

  Colonel Roberts lowered his binoculars. “And by the looks of that building, they’ve been trying to get in. Circle around, son; I think they’ll emerge on that roof. Circle around, then hover.”

  “Yes, sir.” Picking up speed, Chuck flew the helicopter in and began to circle the compound.

  “Yes!” Jake jumped from the bed with such force every single piece on the Monopoly Board toppled. “That’s them.”

  “They sound far away. Do you think they’re leaving?” Cal asked.

  “No circling.” Jake reached for the door. “Let’s go.” He held out his hand and led her out the room and down the hall. The helicopter sounded louder as they opened the hatch and lowered the ladder. “Cal.” Jake stopped her from climbing up. He put his hands to her face and kissed her.

  “What was that for?”

  “Just because.” He released her and let her climb up.

  As Jake climbed up to the roof, he watched the helicopter lower itself. Shielding himself and Cal, he waited until it had reached a safe distance and ran to the chopper. The side of the helicopter slid open and Colonel Roberts sat hunched there. “Colonel Roberts, sir.” Jake saluted. “I’m surprised to see you.”

  “You think I’d let Captain Burgett handle this one alone?”

  “No, sir.” Jake looked toward the pilot seat and there was Chuck.

  Chuck lowered his gasses and smiled when he saw Cal join Jake. “Jake . . . you dog. She’s cute.”

  “Nic
e to see you too, Chuck . . .” Jake saw the large green duffle bag. “Colonel, is this our stuff?”

  “It is.” His hand patted it. “Son, you’re certain what’s in here is all you need.”

  “Yes, sir, it is.”

  “Here you are.” Colonel Roberts shoved Jake the bag. “If I don’t hear from you by March 5th, I’m coming back.”

  “I would appreciate that.” Jake laid the duffel bag down. “Before you go, sir, there is something I’d like very much if you would do.” He took hold of Cal’s arm. “I would appreciate it if you would bring Ms. Reynolds with you.”

  “That would not be a problem.”

  Cal abruptly pulled her arm from Jake. “No. Jake, no.”

  “Cal, please. Get on the helicopter. You have to go.”

  “No, I do not. You know why I’m here. You know as well as I do that I have to finish it.”

  “I’ll finish this for you.”

  Cal ran her hand over her face, and raised her voice even louder over the engine noise. “You can’t do this alone! You need me here. You know that! Why would you put yourself in that position?”

  “Because I love you, Cal. I love you and I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. Please, Cal, get on the helicopter. I am asking that you do this for me.”

  “And do what Jake?” She shook her head. “Go home and wait and worry that something has happened to you. I have nothing, nothing to live for back home. I have everything to live for up here with you. Don’t ask me to leave that. I won’t. I won’t walk away from you.”

  “You’re so fuckin’ stubborn.” Jake took a deep breath. Facing Colonel Roberts and Chuck, he tossed his hands up. “She’s staying. Thank you for waiting. And thank you, for your help.” He stepped back and saluted both men in the helicopter. “See you in a month.”