George returned his attention to the phone. “How are you?” He asked the Beginnings person then nodded. “Good. I understand. Not everything will go as planned. Just keep trying. Yes.” He listened. “Oh, while I have you on the . . .” George paused to smile. “…phone. I don’t know if it’s your Morse code or our deciphering but what the hell is this cedic thing they moved into the community. Cedic.” George repeated. “You said ‘cedic is in place’. Work will start on bio . . .” George nodded again. “CDC… those morons. So that’s where they’re working on it. Anything else?” Immediately George snapped forward and his elbows slammed on the desk. “Repeat that . . . They’re going where? Why?” He let out heavy breath. “Well let me know if you find out.” George, without saying goodbye, hung up the phone.
“Problem?” Steward asked.
“It makes no sense,” George nearly mumbled. “None of this. I understand them using the time machine to go to the past for information about us. I understand this trip to Cleveland. What I don’t understand is why. …“He stared at his hands. “…Why they’re going to the future. What is there that is so important?”
After a breath and a thinking shrug, Steward apprehensively gave his guess. “Us?”
George immediately looked up.
^^^^
The Plains, VA
It was a small town encircled with trees that trickled from Manassas Battlefield National park. While some men opted to take over a home, tents were erected for those who wanted to stay outdoors. All the small burning campfires were hidden within the overgrown thickness of nature. The Captain preferred the outdoors until it was time to get some sleep. He had a lot of men to talk to and wanted to speak to each individually.
Elliott spotted the Captain standing from his recent talk with a group of three men. Rubbing his hands together to keep them warm, he approached the Captain. “I’m heading in for the night.”
“I have a few more to speak to then I’ll do the same.” The Captain walked with Steward’s log book under his arm.
“Are you explaining things?”
“Wha’st there is to explain?” The Captain stopped. “This isn’t just a restructuring of the United States that the Society is doing. It’s a totalitarian society where if you don’t fit the bill . . .” He lifted the log. “…they make you fit the bill. More are taken against their will than agree to join. There’s still so much to learn.”
“But in the meantime,” Elliott asked, “do we stay put or head home?”
“Oh, we definitely head home,” The Captain said. “God willing, our men have kept things up. We have fresh water, food, shelter. That’s the place to be. In fact, I’ve picked out two teams of four to send back. First team leaves at first light, the second that evening.”
“Want me to map safe passage around the Indian wanna be regions?” Elliott asked.
“Could you?”
“Not a problem.” Elliott assured. “What about the rest of us? When will we leave?”
“When we have things ready. We need vehicles. There are some remaining in this town. You and I can get them up and running.”
“Power up a small generator? Hook it to a pump and drain what we can from the old gas station reserves?” Elliott suggested.
“Like we did before.” The Captain smiled. “How long do you think?”
“No more than a week.”
“We’ll try to lay low while we get ready.” The Captain nodded. “Our supplies will hold up and that also gives me some time to find this . . . ‘spoiling camp’ where they have our women. Get them, our other two men, and head west.”
“Captain, can I ask you something?” Elliott waited for a nod of approval. “Are we sure heading west is the best choice.”
“I’m positive.” The Captain said with certainty. “See I’m learning from the society’s past in order to know their future. And the way I see it what they hit, plan to hit, it all tells me they want to secure the Eastern portion of the United States first. Staying west is where we have to be.”
“And then what?” Elliott asked.
“Then as a whole community we decide, do we just ignore what the Society is doing, or . . .” The Captain took a deep breath and started to move on. “Or do we try to stop them?”
Elliott watched the Captain walk away knowing full well what the Captain’s personal choice was. And though there was no question in Elliott’s mind that he himself felt the same way, he did however have to question . . . how they would go about doing it.
^^^^
How many times did Frank look out that window? There was nothing to see, but a part of Frank felt it helped. Looking out into the peaceful night of Beginnings that was such a contrast to what he felt inside. The wee hours of the morning were approaching the time he himself usually got up. But since Robbie was leaving for Cleveland and Frank wouldn’t have the extra help while he was gone, Robbie decided to do the morning checks for Frank. But the extra sleep was not to be had.
From the window, back to pacing, and to his little list. Dean and Ellen were the cause of that list and surely Frank would add them to it. He had thought about speaking to Rev. Bob after talking to Henry. And when Dean stood up for Ellen, the urge to see the good Reverend hit him again. But the second Ellen dropped off the kids so she and Dean could work, said thank you and nothing more, was the second Frank knew the proverbial talk was warranted. Perhaps Rev. Bob didn’t appreciate Frank’s late night interruption but it took Frank that long to get the nerve and words together. Rev. Bob listened to Frank and told him he would consider speaking to Ellen about possibly moving back in if Frank could compile a list, simple, short, and no more than ten things. Ten reasons why the twelve step plan would be more detrimental than good. Frank thought it was easy until he had to start the list. A part of him prayed for interruption, that one of the kids would get up. He had five in the house. Surely one was having a nightmare or something. But nothing. Silence. Until . . . The boom of his front door being burst open made Frank immediately drop his list, dive for the night stand and retrieve his revolver. After he checked it, he flew from the bedroom into the hall.
“Dad?” Josh stepped from his bedroom.
“Josh, get with the kids. Stay put.” Back against the wall of the staircase, Frank rushed down in a gun readying position. He lowered his weapon when he reached the bottom. “Sarge.” Frank closed his eyes, shaking his head. He looked at the tied up, gagged, and squirming man on his living room floor. “Why is John Matoose tied up?” Frank walked over to John.
Sarge spoke loudly, “Sir! I was . . .”
“Shh!” Frank cringed holding his hands up. “My kids are sleeping. Now quietly explain to me why John is tied up.” Frank bent down to John and began to untie him.
“Sir, this man was at perimeter seven. He was touching the beam, sir, at zero two hundred-forty-five hours.”
Frank removed the gag from John’s mouth. “What happened, John?”
John gasped loudly for breath. “The man is a lunatic, Frank. I was suffocating. I have a broken nose. He almost murdered me. I was just checking the beam.”
“Sir,” Sarge interrupted. “I memorized the roster, sir. He was not on detail for rounds tonight.”
“What were you doing up at seven, John?” Frank asked.
John shook off his wrists as he stood up. “Checking Frank. I knew you didn’t have a guard at seven anymore. Jenny and I got into a spat and I went to the social hall until it closed and I figured I would check it. And I shouldn’t have to justify my whereabouts.”
Frank tried to remain rational. “Now . . . Sarge. John was just checking the beam.”
“But sir, he was . . .”
“Good job though. John, you have to admit it was a good job on his part,” Frank said. “But tell me why you went up there, Sarge? You weren’t working either.”
“To check, Sarge answered. “You said there were problems and I thought since it was known around the community that I wasn’t on watch that the perpetr
ator would return. He did.”
“Oh, this is such bullshit!” John in a huff stormed to the door. “I am a trusted original. First my nose gets broke then I get tied up and gagged. Do something about him, Frank. And don’t think I won’t go to Joe about this.” John stormed out.
From the slammed door to Frank, Sarge looked. “Sir, you aren’t removing me from security are you? I feel strong about this, Sir. What if that beam would have gotten moved? With the Cleveland run on his mind, your brother could have easily not thought about that beam and walked right into it.”
Slowly Frank looked up. “Robbie.” He whispered out then looked to the door. The John and Robbie confrontation immediately ran though his mind.
“The perpetrator may know I’m no longer up there.” Sarge still carried out his defense. “And whoever it is may . . .”
“I think . . . “ Frank held up a hand. “I think you have a point. Ignore what you see on the schedule and keep quiet about where I put you.”
“Perimeter seven?” Sarge asked.
“Yep. And you and I will be the only ones who know you’re there.”
“Are you beginning to believe that the problem lies within the community sir?”
“As a matter of fact . . .” Frank ran his hand down his face as he looked once more to the door. “I am.”
^^^^
Former Quantico Marine Headquarters
It stayed with him like a bad scent. George couldn’t shake what was bothering him until he figured it out. He tried to put it aside, thinking perhaps the answer would come to him while he wasn’t thinking about it, like when trying to remember someone’s name. In the middle of the night, he would jump up and say, ‘oh, I got it.’ But it was far past the middle of the night. And just like in the old world when something wasn’t right with his checkbook, George nit-picked the problem apart until he solved it.
None of it made sense. First, with the time machine trips, Joe was using his head. Actually with the advantage of the time machine, Joe was playing rather fair, gathering information about the society. The information from the first past trip bred the address of the Cleveland lab. Even that didn’t bother George. He knew nothing really vital could have been left behind. Or at least nothing Beginnings didn’t already know about. The future trip was what George couldn’t figure out. And vampire hours or not, it was time to call in part of his brain.
Steward did think even though he looked far too groggy to comprehend anything.
“But you made a valid point,” George said. “When I asked what is in the future, you said, ‘us’. Remember?”
“Yes. But what would Beginnings have to gain by eliminating us in the future. Nothing.”
“Could be they go to help themselves out,” George guessed with a shrug. “After all they are creating a biological weapon in that lab.”
“Maybe that’s the reason for the quarantine they scheduled.” Steward said. “But didn’t our person say the weapon is not created yet?”
“True. So they couldn’t bring it to the future.”
“Maybe . . .” Steward shook his head. “Nah.”
“What!” George barked.
“Don’t laugh. I was just going to say maybe they plan to bring the weapon back from the future. But if that’s the case, why did they take the vials from our freezer to Nebraska?”
Like the time it took him two days to remember the purple girl’s name in Willy Wonka, George snapped too brightly. “That’s it!”
“What?” Steward had a slight chuckle. “They’re bringing back the weapon from the future?” He snickered. “Again, why take our vials to Nebraska to work on them.”
“Because it’s not their goddamn weapon . . . it’s ours.” George nodded. “Bet me we nailed them with it. They thought we had it in the case. Obviously we didn’t. Hence the future trip to try to get it and get a jump on things.”
“Sir?” Steward stepped closer to him. “We have no plans to hit them with a biological weapon.”
Snide and arrogant was the deep chuckle that came from George when he looked at Steward. “We do now.”
CHAPTER NINE
December 3
Beginnings, Montana
It was the day before. Perhaps that was what drove Dean to nearly skip a night’s sleep. But he was filled with the excitement and fear of the future trip. There were a few things that still needed to be brought to the lab. Plus things needed set up. Dean swore before the sun set, he would have them done. So before the sun rose, Dean grabbed a jeep and headed up to the mobile lab.
Dean was actually in a good mood, lack of sleep or not. Even Frank pulling him over for speeding didn’t bother Dean. He did get a little perturbed when Frank asked for the license and registration then proceeded to laugh at his own bad humor. But Dean ignored Frank’s immaturity along with the twelve work hour fine Frank imposed just to be funny.
It would have been too dark up at the mobile had it not been for the spotlight on the side of Jason’s lab building. It lit things up enough for Dean to shut the headlights off and making it to the CDC lab without tripping. He paused before going in to take a look at what would be his home for at least a week. The lab and the trailer connected together in some sort of ‘T’. The end of the trailer home was seemingly glued to the side of the CDC mobile.
Box in one arm, coffee in his other hand, the keys to the lab dangled from his mouth as he made it to the lab door. He set down the box and reached for the door. Barely did Dean touch it and the door opened. It creaked as it opened and Dean reached in and turned on the light. He was a bit apprehensive, first wondering if maybe Rev. Thomas was waiting to lunge at him. But when Dean looked in, there was nothing. Everything appeared fine, smelled clean, and was undisturbed. Chalking up the unlocked door to his own mistake of being absentminded when he left a few hours earlier, Dean picked up the box and went into the lab.
^^^^
A sip of his coffee, a pause in his walk, then Joe grumbled and shook his head at Henry. “Feel that?” He looked up to the sky that was becoming light. “Warmth. Total warmth. It’s December.”
“Not for long, Joe.” Henry walked briskly with him.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Oh, positive. Last radio contact from Robbie, where was he?”
“Chicago.” Joe answered.
“And?”
“He couldn’t go anywhere. Too much snow.”
“Exactly,” Henry said as they hit town. “We’re getting it Joe. And we’re getting it big time.” He shivered. “Burr. I get cold thinking about it and why is the light to the social hall on?”
“Huh?” Joe’s head spun from Henry’s sudden switch of subject. He looked over to the social hall. The interior light peeked through the small window on the door. “Let’s go see.” He led the way over to the social hall and pushed open the unlocked door. Joe was surprised to see Frank sitting at the bar. “Frank?”
“Oh, hey, Dad. Henry.” Frank lifted a glass to his mouth, a bottle of whiskey before him.
“Frank?” Joe asked. “Why are you drinking at six thirty in the morning.”
“Night cap.” Frank showed the glass. “Winding down for bed.”
“So everything is all right?” Joe asked. “Nothing’s wrong?”
“Aside from Ellen still being too nice to me.” Frank shook his head with some sadness.
“Well, Frank.” Joe shrugged. “I told you she was pissed about our John interrogation. You should have apologized right away with me and Robbie. It loses its effect two days later.”
“I know.” Frank ran his hand down his goatee. “It’s just that she’s going on this future thing. How do I know she’ll be fine? What if something happens to her?”
Henry stepped forward. “I’ll talk to her, Frank. I’ll tell her now is not the time to be mad. Maybe I can get her to go over your house tonight.”
Frank looked up to Henry with a tired smile. “I would really appreciate that.”
“Sure.” Henry nodded.<
br />
Joe shook his head. “Fix your own goddamn problems, Frank. That’s the only way.”
“I know.” Frank finished off his drink and poured another. “I even tried. I went to Rev. Bob. He blew me off. He said I’m just overbearing and annoying.”
“The religious have a keen sense about them.” Joe gave a pat to Frank’s back. “And we’d better get going. Let’s go Henry.” Joe gave a motioning point of his head to the door. When he turned to leave, Sarge walked in. “Morning,” Joe told him as he left with Henry.
Sarge barely waved or got to respond before Joe and Henry were gone. “Hey, Frank,” Sarge greeted as he pulled up a stool next to Frank.
“Sarge.” Frank lifted up some, leaned over the bar, and grabbed a glass. “How was last night?”
“Calm. Boring.” Sarge shrugged. “Perimeter seven secure. For now.” Sarge folded his hands. “But I have a hunch something is gonna happen soon up there.”
“Oh, yeah?” Frank lifted the bottle, poured a drink in the glass and slid it to Sarge. “You and me both.”
^^^^
Reverend Bob was hungry. The short, rotund man with fluffy white hair ignored his growling stomach and made his way to the clinic. But community service or not, he was going to eat a hearty portion of eggs as soon as his blood tests were over with. He was glad that Dean was good about doing the test bright and early.
Not more than a few steps into the clinic was Rev. Bob when he heard the oddity of it. Laughter. Two voices, meshed together in a conversation that consisted of laughing as much as words. Wearing the smile it brought on, Rev. Bob stopped as he raised his hand to knock on the open lab door. He watched for a second as Dean stood with Ellen, in Rev. Bob’s opinion just a little too close, nudging her, smiling as they worked in more of a flirtatious manner than a work ethical one.
“Rev. Bob?” Ellen called out.
Out of his thoughts, Rev. Bob snapped. “Morning. Both of you are uh, working early I see.”
Dean nodded as he walked away from the counter. “Actually we worked really late last night.”
State of Time: Beginnings Series Book 6 Page 9
