Year One

by Jason Hamilton

  Kat held Alice, comforting her as she cried, still too worried about her husband to feed the girl just yet. Simon seemed to notice this. As he started cleaning Sergio's leg with water and rubbing alcohol, he said, "You can go ahead and take care of her," he indicated the baby, "Your husband will be fine.”

  Kat hesitated, but on a nod from Sergio, decided to do as the man said. She left the room to nurse Alice. Meanwhile her thoughts raced. Who was this man? It seemed too convenient that he would just show up when they needed him. What was he hiding? Her mind was so busy with questions that she didn't notice the time passing. Soon, Simon exited the spare bedroom, wiping his hands on a rag.

  "Your husband is doing just fine," he said, "the bullet passed clean through the leg, so he will recover. Right now he just needs rest."

  Kat nodded, "Then I don't suppose you would mind answering some questions?"

  He returned the nod, "Naturally, I imagine you're wondering how I knew to pick you up, or that you were being pursued by Invergence. That's right, I know them. I am a member of Argo Force."

  Kat's confusion must have shown on her face because the man laughed, "I see you don't believe me."

  "Sorry," she said. "It's just that we pictured members of Argo Force to be...well..."

  "More 'super.'" His eye twinkled, "No, that's just an elite group. Frankly, their ranks would be stretched too thin without people like me. You see, Kat, we have members all over the world, and all throughout time. I am only one of them. But we have no superpowers, we simply do our best to make the world around us a better place."

  "So who told you where we were? Another member of Argo Force?"

  The man considered the question, "No. I admit I only felt prompted to meet you there. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. It wouldn't be the first time I felt guided to someone that needed help."

  Kat didn't quite know what to make of this, so she stayed silent, gently rocking Alice who was starting to look sleepy. The old man's gaze rested on the girl. "Her name is Alice," he said. It wasn't a question.

  Kat nodded. She wasn't sure how the man knew Alice's name, but she found herself trusting him anyway. Besides, if he truly was a member of Argo Force, and Alice was as important as it seemed, he might actually have heard about her.

  "May I hold her," Simon said suddenly. Kat hesitated. Alice was starting to go to sleep, and Kat didn't want to disturb her. But again, she felt like she could trust this man. She gently handed Alice over.

  He took her carefully, almost reverently. As he rocked her up and down, Kat saw him make the sign of the cross and mutter something. A prayer? Kat resisted rolling her eyes. This man was obviously deeply religious. How could he be into that stuff and also a member of Argo Force?

  "You're a religious man I see," she broke the awkward silence.

  "From time to time," he grinned, "I have a small congregation that meets nearby. You're always welcome to join us."

  Kat shook her head, "I don't think you'd want me, I'm not much of a believer. Especially after all this."

  Simon looked up from Alice. "After all what?"

  Kat shrugged, "After Argo Force, Invergence, the monsters. It all seems far too crazy for any of the religions I've seen to also be true. Besides, I've always had a problem with the conflicting doctrines. If a religion were true, wouldn't it be obvious?"

  "I would think that your discovery of Argo Force would have increased your faith. After all, if such things are a reality, isn't it possible that there is a God?"

  Kat nodded, "Possible, yes. But one improbability being true doesn't mean this is too. Besides, if he is there, why doesn't he do something about--" she indicated the room where Sergio was resting, "--all this. All the bad things that happen."

  The man considered her for a moment, "I don't pretend to have all the answers," he said finally, "but I promise you that there is a God. I know it."

  Kat let the matter drop for now. She didn't want to argue, especially not with this man who obviously meant well. Simon seemed to reach the same conclusion, for he smiled and handed Alice back. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sure she will grow up to be a wonderful daughter."

  Kat accepted Alice into her arms, kissing her on her tiny nose. Simon rubbed his hands together, "Now! I know it's late, but I'm sure you and Sergio could use a bite to eat before bed. And I also have a small cradle sitting in the shed. I haven't used it in years but never could get rid of it." He laughed, in genuine good spirits. "I hope you don't mind the couch?"

  "Not at all," Kat said. It was good to know they were finally in a place where they could rest. But one worry persisted, "Simon, what about Invergence?"

  "Oh I highly doubt they will look for you here. And if they did, I am not defenseless," he winked at her. Then he set to work in the kitchen preparing a small meal of baked potatoes with cheese. Within just a few minutes, the meal was ready. Simon took a plate into Sergio's room first, then emerged a moment later. He grabbed a second plate for Kat.

  "I'm sorry I only have leftovers at the moment," he said begrudgingly, "I'll have something better for you in the morning."

  Kat accepted the food gratefully. With everything that had happened in the last few hours, they hadn't eaten in a while. In just a few moments, the food was gone, and Kat began to feel exhaustion pull at her. Simon, sensing this, brought in the small cradle for Alice, then excused himself and left Kat and her baby alone. After making sure Alice was fast asleep in the cradle, Kat laid down on the couch under a blanket Simon had also provided. It wasn't long before she fell into a dreamless sleep.

  She woke to the smell of bacon and pancakes. Simon was busy at work in the kitchen, and several steaming plates were arranged around the table. Simon greeted her cheerfully upon seeing her awake, "Good morning!"

  "Good morning," she replied groggily. She glanced down at Alice, who was somehow miraculously still asleep. She looked back at Simon. "What time is it?"

  "About seven in the morning," he replied.

  Suddenly, Kat had a thought. How had they not addressed this earlier! "We need to go back to the car! All our stuff is in there."

  Simon brought a pan of bacon over to the plates on the table and began distributing each slice. "I'm afraid we're past that. I went back a few hours ago. The place was swarming with Invergence and their drones. Smart cars everywhere."

  Kat felt a stab of panic, "Are they coming here?"

  "They're searching the area, but like I said last night, I'm not defenseless. You're safe here, for now."

  Kat didn't have much time to worry about their possessions that were now lost to Invergence, for at that moment, a door opened and Sergio emerged. He hobbled on one leg. Simon quickly put down his pan and went to help. Kat did the same. Together they helped Sergio make his way to a chair.

  "It smells great!" Sergio said.

  "You probably shouldn't be walking about just yet," said Simon, "I was going to bring you a plate."

  "Nah, I can't stay locked up for too long," responded Sergio, "besides, the rest of me feels fine."

  Kat inspected the new bandage on Sergio's right leg. It had a few blood stains, but nothing too bad. Simon had obviously stitched the wound.

  They started eating breakfast and sat in silence for a time, simply enjoying the hot food. Then Alice awoke and started making noise, so Kat went to her. She needed changing and they didn't have any of her diapers from the car. They had left in too much of a hurry.

  "Oh!" exclaimed Simon, "I almost forgot. After realizing that your car was lost, I ran to the supermarket and picked up some baby supplies." He picked up a bag on the kitchen floor. "I'm not sure what all was needed, so I got a variety."

  Kat inspected the bag. Inside were diapers, baby food, baby powder, and more. It was all they could possibly need. She found herself tearing up. Looking up at Simon, she said, "We can't possibly repay all your kindness."

  Simon shook his head, "You don't have to. I wouldn't be much of a Christian, or a member of Argo Force for that matter, if I
didn't help those in need. Especially when one of them is as important as Alice."

  Sergio perked up at the mention of Argo Force. Simon began to explain to Sergio everything he had told Kat the night before. Kat, meanwhile, changed and fed Alice. She looked over at Simon and Sergio, both of whom were smiling and in deep conversation. She felt contentment for the first time since before Alice was born. They were going to be okay.

  They made use of Simon's hospitality for three weeks after that. Every morning he was up before they were and making breakfast. Then he'd leave to patrol the area around his home, making sure that no one from Invergence was on their scent. According to Simon, Invergence had a legion of drones that could think independently, and that was what worried him most. People were relatively easy to deal with. They followed rules, but the drones wouldn't care about trespassing and had much more efficient technologies like facial recognition. If even one of them were to catch a glimpse of Kat or Sergio's face, it would instantly report back to Invergence, and they'd be on the run again.

  Sergio's leg was healing nicely. In just a few days, the wound began closing up. It only took a few weeks before he could put some minor pressure on his leg, though he still used a pair of old crutches Simon had given him. Simon estimated that within another month or so, Sergio would be able to walk normally, though he would likely have a limp for far longer.

  The time spent with Simon was a much-needed relief for Kat and Sergio. Despite Simon's frequent requests to baptize her baby girl, and Sergio's silent agreement, Kat still loved her time with the man. She always declined the offers of baptism. She didn't really see the point. Simon always brought it up before going to church on Sunday mornings, but he was always cheerful about it. He looked after them. He seemed almost eager for the company. Kat never asked, but she suspected that Simon had lost family in his earlier years. But he never said a word about this, so she didn't push.

  After beginning their fourth week of staying with Simon, he came in one morning with a frown on his face. That alone was unusual and Kat instantly worried. Sergio, who was sitting at the breakfast table also noticed and stood up on his good leg.

  "What is it?" he asked.

  "I think the drones might have found us, they're probing my property and there's nothing I can do about it."

  Kat sighed. She knew that their time here was too wonderful to last. She didn't want to leave.

  Sergio looked equally disappointed. Odd that they would feel bad about leaving, not because of the danger, but because they had grown to love Simon in only a few short weeks. The thought of leaving was not pleasant.

  And yet, they had planned for this. They knew Invergence would likely come eventually, no matter where they stayed.

  "How much time do we have?" asked Sergio.

  "I'd say no more than five..." Simon broke off. All three of them heard it: a high-pitched hum that sounded like a large wasp.

  Simon cursed and hurried into his room. He emerged with two shotguns. He handed one to Kat. "You're better with this than your husband. Keep it. Go out the side door and take my truck. I've already prepped it with some provisions. Take it and leave; I'll hold off the drones."

  Kat didn't know what to say. Hesitantly she took the shotgun. She had practiced a few times with Simon, but never thought that she'd actually have a chance to use it. She looked at Simon, not knowing how to thank him, not just for the gun, but for the car, the provisions, and the selfless care that he had shown them over the last three weeks. But Simon was already out the front door, his shotgun cocked.

  Sergio reacted first, "I'll get Alice."

  Kat nodded. She would go out the side-door to make sure the coast was clear. The buzzing had grown louder and seemed to be circling the house. Adrenaline started to kick in and her breathing grew more intense. Cautiously, she opened the side door and slid the gun through the opening. She didn't see anything.

  Suddenly, the drone was there, the buzzing loud as ever as it moved through its patrol of the house. On the one hand, it looked like an ordinary drone, with two small propellers on either side. But its body looked predatory, with large gun mounts, and a large red eye in the center of its chest, while menacing tendril-arms hung below its body. Rays of light emerged on all sides, scanning. Its red eye turned towards the crack in the door that Kat had opened.

  Kat didn't think. She fired.

  The blast knocked the drone back, but it was still functioning. She fired again and still only made a small dent. Sergio was behind her now, and the gunshot had upset Alice who was crying in Sergio's arms. Kat was scared. She had to pause to load the shotgun, and the drone knew exactly where they were now. It drifted towards her, sparks emerging from the areas where Kat's shot had connected.

  Suddenly, another shot rang out. It threw the drone to the side. This third shot seemed to be too much for the drone, for it fell to the ground. Then Simon was there. He ran to the side of the drone, and shot it point blank. Its red eye dimmed.

  "Go!" he yelled at them, "They are undoubtedly coming now."

  "What about you?" Kat asked.

  "I have an older vehicle I can use to get away, but you have to go now!"

  They didn't stop to ask anything more. Kat placed the shotgun behind the seats in the truck, helped Sergio and Alice into the passenger side, and circled around to the driver's seat. A few moments later and they had left the scene. They hurried down the dirt driveway, expecting at any moment to see more drones or members of Invergence confronting them on their way out. But they reached the main street in time. Soon they had made it to Route 40 and continued on their way west.

  "Do you think Simon will be okay," Kat asked Sergio.

  "I'm sure he’ll be fine," Sergio replied, "He planned for today."

  Kat nodded. It was no use to worry at this point. She only hoped that they would have a chance to meet Simon again someday. He was the nicest person she had met, and he also understood their peril. She could only hope that other members of Argo Force, scattered through the world, were as accommodating.

  They continued on Route 40 for several hours. Eventually passing through into Arkansas. By then, the sun was starting to set, but they decided not to stop at a hotel now, not with Invergence looking for them. So they found a secluded parking lot, parked in the corner, and did their best to sleep.

  Episode 4

  “There is no shortage of good people in this world. But…”

  Kat and Sergio were on an adventure. It had been a few days since they were forced to leave the house of Simon, the man who had saved their lives, twice. They didn't want to leave the man, but they had been forced to do so when an Invergence drone showed up on their doorstep. Now they were in Simon's truck, continuing their trek west on Route 40. Occasionally they would leave the highway, taking back roads, or simply going on a detour and returning to Route 40. They did this to try and throw Invergence off the scent. So their progress was slow, but they had already passed through Oklahoma and were coming close to Amarillo, Texas.

  They tried not to stop often. Some nights they would stay in a cheap motel, others they would camp using some equipment Simon had stuffed in the back of their truck. Other times, they would simply park and do their best to sleep.

  Alice was the biggest problem. Since Sergio couldn't drive yet because of his bad right leg, Kat did all of the driving. That meant that she couldn't help Alice when she needed to. They had to make frequent stops at gas stations and rest stops so that she could nurse the baby, who had grown considerably in the almost three months since she was born.

  One day, about a week into their trip, fortune failed them again. They made a stop just outside of Amarillo to gas up. Sergio did this, as it was one of the few things he could do for Kat, since he couldn't drive himself, or feed the baby. Kat took the opportunity to use the restroom and took Alice with her. Sergio started gassing the car and waited.

  He was distracted by a disturbance as three men came out the gas station, shouting at someone inside. They were obvio
usly drunk, staggering as they were.

  "Next time, get the change right!" one of them yelled, "Learn how to use American money if you're in America. And actually, we don't want you in America, go home. I don't want to see you here again."

  Sergio looked inside and noticed a hispanic cashier inside, looking thoroughly flustered. Sergio shook his head. He had seen similar acts of racism before, but it was usually more subtle. The man who had shouted staggered away from the gas station, and looked at Sergio. Sergio looked away quickly, not wanting to attract their attention.

  "You too! You can all go back to your country!" the man said. Sergio paused. The man was definitely looking at Sergio. "Go back to Mexico. This is Trump land, you ain't getting your check no more."

  Sergio really wanted to leave at that moment, but Kat hadn't returned yet so there wasn't much he could do except wait. The tank was full so Sergio extracted the nozzel and put it back. He ignored the man, who was still yelling. The two others, who hadn't said anything up to this point, joined the speaker in sneering at Sergio. This wasn't good.

  "I'm an American citizen!" he yelled back at the men, not sure what else to say. It technically wasn't true. Sergio had received his green card before Alice was born, but since then, he'd been living under a new identity. That new identity was an American citizen, and he had the papers to prove it. He held up a U.S. passport, trying to stall until Kat could get back.

  This new information did nothing to dissuade the men. They started coming closer.

  "Hey where'd you get that fake passport?" one of them said.

  "It's mine." Sergio became increasingly nervous, in a way he had never experienced when running from Invergence. The three men came closer.