by L M Lacee
Finally, after three or four more minutes, when she realized the doctor was not going to continue her conversation, she said. ‘Ahh, Doctor Kline.’
‘Oh, call me Darby, please.’
‘So Darby, why did you hack my computer?’
‘Oh, well, I thought about who could help me. I read the information my bots found out about you. As well as the report from a colleague who studied the army for something...’ She screwed her face up in thought, then asked. ‘I do not recall at the moment what that report was for, is that important for you to know?’
Amused, Melody shook her head. ‘No.’
This was met with a nod of Darby’s curly head.
‘Good, after reading all that. I thought I would take the chance you would be willing to listen and maybe help me. Especially after you have been told, your services are unwanted now.’ She stated this bluntly and did not see or register Melody’s wince of pain.
Melody kept the irritation from her voice when she asked. ‘So, Darby, you need my help?’
Darby frowned. ‘Is that not what I just said?’
Ignoring her, she asked. ‘How can I help you doctor?’
She hoped it had something to do with the Coalition because Melody had been stonewalled constantly. When she had tried for weeks to find out what the Government and Coalition were up to. Because deep in her suspicious soldier’s soul, she knew there was something happening on Earth, she believed there were more women being shipped off world than was being publicly stated.
She was also sure there was much more to the Agreement than what had been told to the people. Maybe, she thought ruefully, all those questions she asked, led to her dismissal or at least it gave the Government the impetus to retire her. So if there was a part of her that very much wanted to spike the Coalition’s jets. Especially Senator Thanikis Jenerika, the asshole representative of the planet Jenersar and Ambassador to Earth. Reportedly the supplier or owner of the Warriors, depending on your point of view, then so be it. Melody was never one to pass up a chance to help fate along.
Darby asked. ‘Lieutenant General, do you know what is happening now?’
Melody cocked her head to the side as she replied. ‘Call me Melody, and I am guessing you know.’
‘Sadly, I do.’ Darby then explained what was actually happening and what was going to occur in the future to the women of Earth. Then she downloaded the secret agreement to Melody’s computer.
Melody read and then re-read the agreement. When she was finished she placed her head in her hands. While she thought of every scenario, she could envision for Earth and came to the same conclusion Darby had. ‘We are screwed, aren’t we?’
She lifted her head to stare at Darby from eyes filled with anger and despair. ‘We can’t stop them, can we?’
Darby shook her head. ‘I am sorry, no. I thought of every viable outcome to opposing the Coalition as well as making the agreement public. I cannot see a way for us to win. The odds are we would die or be shipped off world. Sadly, I can see no way of stopping them.’
‘Cheerful little thing, aren’t you?’
Darby grimace as she replied. ‘Not really, no. Sorry.’
Melody tried not to smile as she asked. ‘So what can I do for you, Darby?’
‘Well, as to that, if the others and I who are trapped here could get out of where we are. Then maybe we could at least determine where and when we leave, but to do that. The two hundred and fifty of us here, and others scattered around the world, would somehow have to be removed physically from where we are. Melody, I am frightened, I know within the next year. When the Government and the Coalition decide that my associates and I are of no use to them or they receive the right amount of credits for us. We will be some of the first scientists to be sold.’ Darby shrugged. ‘As much as the others and I wish to see what is out there in the Universe. We would like to do so at our own determinism. Not because we have the right DNA or because there is a possibility we may breed an intelligent child.’ She looked at Melody from eyes filled with fear. ‘Will you help us?’
Never one to procrastinate, Melody agreed. ‘Yes, and I also know who we need to help us. Is this computer secure?’
Darby’s tone sharpened as she said. ‘If you are asking if anyone can compromise our conversation, the answer is no, it will never happen.’
‘Good… good. I did not mean to offend you.’
‘You did not.’
Melody eyed the small woman and opened her mouth to apologize once more, because it certainly sounded as if Darby was offended. But thinking better of it, she asked instead. ‘Can you hook in two more people?’
‘Easily.’
‘Okay, give me a minute to make sure they are available.’ She quickly tagged both women to make sure they could talk. Within seconds her friend Heather Wilson, surgeon and well-known medical researcher tagged her back. At thirty-one, Heather was the only survivor of her family, she was five foot-eight, slender with medium length blonde hair and calm sky-blue eyes, which always seemed at peace.
Melody was always amused by Heather’s, Zen like demeanor because she knew underneath all that calm was a woman with a temper. She often told her that it was as though the serenity of the oceans followed in her wake, which usually made Heather laugh.
The last member of their group to be contacted was Peyton St. Hill, who was five- foot-four inches tall of mixed European ancestry. She was twenty-five-years old and was the assistant to the Mayor of her hometown.
Peyton was curvy with shoulder length sandy hair and had what Melody teasingly referred to as the girl next door look. Unlike Heather, serenity did not follow Peyton around. Her moss green eyes held far too many secrets for her to be considered a calm person.
Melody had met both women within the last five years. When a small outbreak of the Virus had struck several years previous on an Island in the South Pacific. Melody had led the mission to contain the outbreak. Heather was still hopeful of finding a cure, so had been willing to go as the researcher. Unfortunately, not many survived the outbreak as it swept across the Pacific and the data she received did not help in her endeavours.
Peyton, Melody had met when one of her generals had been injured while on a reconnaissance mission. His road vehicle had exploded because of a poorly maintained battery, forcing him and his escort to stop at Runnerdale for assistance. Apparently while he had been receiving medical treatment, his escorts had looked around and discovered a well-ordered town, which would have been ideal for a new army base.
Peyton had organized a doctor and then persuaded the General that his idea of taking over her town would not work. After a meeting that lasted less than an hour, he decided she was right. Even though he was advised to stay and heal more, he had fled the town as though the devil herself was after him.
Melody had spent longer than an hour laughing after he had warned her about having anything to do with. That Woman from Runnerdale.
Out of curiosity, Melody had finally tracked Peyton down, whereby she had proceeded to tell her how much she admired her for scaring one of her generals.
FOUR:
When Melody got confirmation, both women could speak to her. She asked Darby to make sure she hooked both women in discreetly and did not even flinch when she had frowned and said. ‘I do everything that way.’
This time Melody knew she had offended her, it seemed questioning the good doctor’s abilities was offensive. Darby did some kind of technical magic and before Melody knew it, she was looking at both Heather and Peyton. ‘Hey girls, wassup?’
Heather, always polite, answered. ‘Melody, how are you? I was sorry to hear about your forced retirement. Do you know what you are going to do?’
‘I am getting there Heather, and no, not yet, but something always turns up. Do you know Doctor Darby Kline?’
‘I do, hello Doctor Kline. I have read many of your research papers.’
‘Oh, hello, thank you.’ Darby replied a little startled by Heather’s compliment, ca
using Melody to smother a laugh. She turned her attention to the silent woman, who sat waiting patiently. ‘Hey. Girl, you kill that Mayor yet?’
Peyton waved her hand in front of her face. ‘Oh please, don’t tempt me. The woman is just a nightmare, she honestly runs this place like it is all here for her and her friends, and we must obey her or else. I told you what she was like at the Agreement signing, right?’
‘You sure did. Why do you put up with her?’
‘Because she is an excellent distraction. What she does not know, does not hurt me or the people I look after.’
Grinning, Melody told her. ‘I say again, you should have done her at the signing.’
‘I know… I know.’ She muttered. ‘I could have got away with it then too, damn it! Listen, sorry to hear about your job. You should come visit me.’
Melody laughed at the totally insincere invitation Peyton always asked her to visit but feared she would. Melody had a sneaky suspicion Peyton was worried she would stay with her and interrupt her spying and possible criminal activities.
She introduced Heather to Peyton. ‘Peyton, this my friend Heather, I know I have told you about her. Heather, this is Peyton, who I’ve told you about. It’s amazing you have not met before?’
Peyton and Heather smiled at each other, as Melody quickly introduced Peyton to Darby. ‘This is Doctor Darby Kline.’
Peyton gave her a nod and said. ‘Hey, how’s it going?’
‘Umm, okay.’
‘Good, so what’s up Mel?’ Peyton asked as she sipped her coffee.
Melody made a face at the name Mel; she knew Peyton said it to get a rise out of her and in retaliation for the teasing she did. So far, she had resisted in allowing her to see it bugged her, as she did so again now, filling them both in on what Darby had told her.
Then at a nod from Melody, Darby downloaded the documents to their computers, and they both waited for the women to read them. When Heather raised her head and stared at Darby.
Melody said softly. ‘So guys, that’s the agreement, what do you think?’
Pale and trembling, Heather said. ‘I had no idea they would sell us out like that. They do not even have a cure, do they?’
Darby answered in her direct way. ‘No, and we are sure a cure is not possible.’
Melody went to ask the still quiet Peyton what she thought, but she had a finger up in the wait sign. Her eyes were closed, and they could tell she was deep in thought. She was drinking from her coffee cup, and it was the largest cup Melody had ever seen. Looking at it, she asked the other two women. ‘What do you think, two and half cups?’
Heather grinned. ‘No, it has to be at least three.’
Darby screwed her face up in thought, not realizing Melody was joking as she said seriously. ‘I would say it would be two, maybe two and half cups, by its size and shape. I could be off by a quarter of a cup, it is a very large cup.’
Peyton, her finger remaining in the air for a few seconds longer, finally placed her cup down on the table then gave her head a nod and said. ‘General Mel, can you get them out?’
Finally, breaking her oath to herself, Melody snarled.
‘Yes, and don’t call me Mel. Remember, I am bigger than you and can snap you like a twig. And don’t call me general anymore.’
Peyton fluttered her eyelashes at her as she said. ‘Aww! You’ll always be a general to me.’
‘Shut it, annoying girl.’ Melody growled with a laugh.
Peyton and Heather joined her and they heard Darby saying to herself. ‘Teasing… they are teasing.’
Melody with a twinkle in her eyes asked Peyton. ‘Townie, you aren’t going to suggest what I think you are?’
She sniffed as she asked. ‘What do you think I am suggesting, Melody?’
‘Are you inviting people to your town?’
‘Well, yeah, there is nothing wrong with that. I invite you all the time.’
‘Oh, Peyton, you know that is not a real invite.’
Looking uncomfortable because she knew Melody was right, she shrugged. ‘Maybe, that could be true, sort of… but this is different. They won’t be living with me… so see different.’
Melody threw her head back and laughed as Heather and Darby watched, one amused, the other confused by the exchange.
Peyton scowled as she snarled at the laughing Melody. ‘Oh, shut up.’ She looked at Darby with a smile and said. ‘Listen, Darby bring them here, despite what Melody says. I want them to come to Runnerdale, and anyone else that needs a refuge. Also, Heather, you need to come as well, I think I have a plan, but we need you all here.’
Heather grimaced. ‘I have a little problem which sort of makes it impossible for me to come.’
Shocked, Peyton almost shrieked. ‘Why?’
‘I have around three hundred orphans I am responsible for. Girls ranging in age from months old to early teens and I will not leave them here for them to be harvested like a crop.’
Relieved, Peyton grinned. ‘Oh, is that all, as if you would leave them. Look, there are no problems with that. I have homes with women who would be able to take the children. We also have many empty houses all over this town and in other nearby towns. We can place the girls in them and organize carers.’ At her doubtful look, Peyton said softly. ‘I swear Heather; it will be for the best, we can do this. I can do this.’
Melody was smiling at the bewildered expressions on Heather and Darby’s faces, she said. ‘Just do it, Heather, trust me, she will get her own way eventually.’
Peyton blew her a raspberry as she issued the invitation again. ‘Come on Heather, trust me and bring them, with anyone else that you need to.’
Heather gave in. ‘Thank you.’
She waved it away. ‘Please, it’s what I do.’
Melody said. ‘Remember, this has to be kept quiet. We cannot afford for anyone to figure out what we are doing and why. We will need to work under the radar, especially as we will have to break a few laws to accomplish what we need to do. So tell no one other than those you can trust or are bringing with you.’
Darby said. ‘As soon as we are out of here, I can make our electronic footprint disappear, along with anyone else that needs help.’
Peyton said. ‘Well, that will be good and has possibilities.’
Melody brought them back to her plan. ‘I will need your addresses ladies and then I will send you help. Heather, I know my soldiers will help you with your children, they will be with you in twelve hours. Darby, you have until tomorrow midnight to gather everything you need. You and your fellow scientists will be out and at Runnerdale by the following morning. Ladies operation get the hell out of dodge starts now.’
‘Dodge is where?’ A bewildered Heather asked. ‘I thought we were going to Runnerdale?’
Melody replied. ‘Dodge was a place on an old vid about cowboys. I watched it recently… it was good.’
Darby said. ‘Actually, it was an actual town in America, which was settled in the 1800s when the people moved west.’
‘Oh, wow!’ Melody exclaimed excitedly. ‘It was a real place?’
‘Very much so.’
‘That is so amazing, to know it was a real town and just like on the vid.’
Darby frowned. ‘Yes, but it may have not have been…’
‘Talalalal.’ Melody sang with her fingers in her ears.
‘What is she doing?’ Darby asked the other two women in astonishment.
Heather trying not to laugh answered. ‘I think she is trying not to hear what you are saying.’
‘Why?’
‘Maybe she likes the fantasy of the old west.’ Peyton told her gently. Recognizing as the other two women had, that the doctor seemed a little more reserved or just awkward. Peyton thought maybe she didn’t talk to regular people often.
Heather told Darby. ‘It helps her cope.’
Confused, Darby asked them both. ‘Thinking something is untrue, helps her cope?’
Peyton grinned. ‘Yes, belief or faith h
elps us cope. Have you not found that?’
‘No. Facts and science, data is truth.’
Peyton nodded in understanding. ‘I see, well this is not about truth, it is about coping. We all need to do both. I am sure you do it with your data. Heather probably does it with her medicine and people she helps. Melody has her western vids and country music. We all cope in our own way.’
Darby frowned as she said. ‘I will think on what you have said.’
Peyton bet she was thinking about it now and still would not understand. Melody looked at the small woman and her eyes softened. She then turned her attention toward Peyton. But there was no softness in her eyes only speculation as she started to ask Peyton what comforted her. ‘So what…’
Seeing what direction Melody’s mind was going in, Peyton hurriedly said, using a deep voice to imitate a male’s tone. ‘So peeps, let’s do it. Let’s get the hell out of dodge.’
‘Peeps.’ Heather chuckled as Melody grinned. Even Darby saw the humor of the word as Melody asked.
‘Is that really a word?’
‘Yep, heard it the other day.’
‘Sure it is?’ Melody scoffed with a degree of skepticism that had Peyton’s eyes narrowing.
Noticing the look Melody hurriedly said, as she rubbed her hands together. ‘Well, ladies let’s get to it.’
They all said goodbye, knowing life for them all was about to change once more.
FIVE:
Melody moved quickly after disconnecting from the other three women. She completed her packing in under an hour, labeled everything with Peyton’s address, and ordered a delivery truck for the following morning.
Over the following hours, with Darby’s help, Melody contacted her soldiers without raising a red flag anywhere. Once she explained what was happening and the missions, not one soldier turned her down.
Later, as she was getting ready for bed, she once more wondered what Peyton used as a coping mechanism. Then she thought over the conversation she had with the three women and smiled as she saw that Peyton had let slip once more, how astute she actually was.
